COLUMBIA, S.C. (Oct. 9, 2026) – From the sideline, you hear a game before you see it. You hear pads cracking and a quarterback’s cadence, and the home crowd rising and falling with every snap. So on Eau Claire’s homecoming night, that crowd came ready to celebrate. In the end, C.A. Johnson had taken the night from them, 48-6.
Isaac Runs the Show
C.A. Johnson junior quarterback Stacey Isaac (#2) ran the show with a cool, surgical calm that didn’t match the moment. In all, he went 12 of 20 for 209 yards and three touchdown passes, then also punched in a score on the ground himself. Junior Elijah Harper (#5) hauled in two of those touchdowns and finished with 66 yards, while senior Milton McCray (#3) caught the other.
Even so, Isaac wasn’t done. Twice the Hornets went for two, and twice the junior took it himself, running it in for a pair of bold, no-doubt conversions. As a result, each one was a little exclamation mark on a night that was already getting away from the Shamrocks.
Golson Powers the Ground Game
Meanwhile, senior Terrell Golson (#9) did the heavy lifting on the ground, a punishing, patient runner who trusted the blocks in front of him. In all, he carried 12 times for 121 yards, better than 10 a pop, and a touchdown. Overall, the Hornets piled up 383 yards on offense, 173 rushing and 210 passing.
The Defense Flips the Game
Then came the swing that decided the night. Eau Claire’s passing game kept giving the ball away, and a relentless Hornets defense made them pay. Senior Johnathon Jenkins (#11) and sophomore Rashad Jordan (#50) each took an interception back for a touchdown. For example, right in front of the C.A. Johnson sideline, the bench emptied toward the end zone as each one scored. As a result, Jenkins also led everyone with 14 tackles, four for loss. In addition, senior Jeremiah Knightner (#33) added a sack, and the Hornets finished with 48 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Eau Claire Keeps Fighting
Still, Eau Claire never stopped fighting. Junior Darius Crowell (#1) found the end zone on a gritty 42-yard rushing night, the Shamrocks’ only points, and meanwhile sophomore Shamar Flemming (#11) gave them real juice with 31 yards on the ground and 49 through the air. Senior Shakese Hall (#48) and senior Mekhi Jones (#55) also kept getting into the backfield on defense. Although it wasn’t their night, they played hard until the final whistle on a night that meant so much to their school.
What’s Next
After the win, C.A. Johnson moved to 4-3 and next faces Whitmire on Friday, Oct. 16. Meanwhile, Eau Claire fell to 3-4 and now turns to Batesburg-Leesville.
By the Numbers
- 48-6: final score, C.A. Johnson over Eau Claire
- 7: Hornets touchdowns (3 passing, 2 rushing, 2 interception returns)
- 2 for 2: two-point conversions, both on Isaac runs
- 383: C.A. Johnson total offense (173 rushing, 210 passing)
- 209: Isaac’s passing yards on 12 of 20, with 3 touchdowns
- 121: Golson’s rushing yards on 12 carries, a 10.1 average
- 66: Harper’s receiving yards, with 2 touchdowns on 3 catches
- 14: Jenkins’ tackles, including 4 for loss
- 48: total Hornets tackles, with 5 for loss
- 181: Eau Claire total offense (107 rushing, 74 passing)
Photos by OK3Sports/Olen Kelley III