Coleman leads Easley past Pickens, 56-34

EASLEY — No one expected the game to start out this way. The thought of a 6-foot-6 junior quarterback for Pickens breaking loose for a 70-yard touchdown run was unthinkable — to most of the fans.

But on the opening play from scrimmage, Brooks Dow did just that for the Blue Flame. He dropped back like he was going to pass the football and then darted 70 yards to paydirt. Pickens quickly led 7-0 – with 11:53 left in the first quarter – before some people could sit down to eat their pizza or have a sip of their tea.

However, when the dust settled on Friday night, it was Easley junior QB Jo Jo Coleman scoring 7 touchdowns (4 rushing and 3 passing) in a 56-34 victory.

“I just tried to execute the game plan and play for my teammates,” said Coleman. “They all have sticky hands. That’s the best way I can describe them. They’ll catch pretty much anything that comes to them. We had only one drop and that was on me — really.”

Coleman used that athleticism to scramble in the pocket, completing 23-of-32 passes for 371 yards. He also had 92 yards running the football.

Coleman’s favorite target was senior Matthew Hillstock, who had some next-level moves in the open field, with 9 receptions for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior receiver Caiden Blassingame wasn’t on too many scouting reports before the game and he stepped up with 4 catches for 62 yards and a key touchdown in the fourth quarter to help break the game open.

Not to be overlooked was the all-around effort of Easley senior Cason Brewington who played on both sides of the ball. Brewington rushed for over 100 yards and scored on a 2-yard TD run with just 16 seconds left before halftime. Then on defense, Brewington had 5 solo tackles and 2 assists.

EHS senior Kobe Preston had a team-high 9 tackles (3 solos, 6 assists), while senior Jake McAlister also added 7 tackles (3 solos, 4 solos) for the Green Wave.

“I don’t think we tackled as great in the scrimmages that we’ve had, but it was still better than last year and we have to keep making strides in that aspect of it,” EHS coach Sam Houston said after the victory. “A lot to clean up and get better at. I’m proud of a lot of guys. Brewington probably played about 100 snaps tonight.”

At halftime, Easley held a 21-13 lead.

Dow closed out the game with 15-of-26 accuracy for 178 yards.

“A major credit to them (Easley) on their side for their preparation and how well they got themselves ready for this football game,” said Pickens coach James Reynolds. “A tip of the cap to their staff for how much they have improved. I know how that feels. We were in that position last year coming off of a tough year. They deserve it. They outplayed us and deserved it.”

From the cheap seats: EHS senior kicker Evan Massey was 8-for-8 on extra points on Friday night. Massey could be a key weapon with field goals later in the season. He’s quickly become a fan favorite with several fans in teh bleachers on Friday night with Massey t-shirts. There were some Brewington t-shirts, too. Easley’s offense could have a “power game” too rushing the football this season with Brewington, Jeremiah Patton and Kobe Preston. Easley had 10 penalties for 65 yards, but it still seemed like an improvement on last season.

Rivalry notes: With the victory, Easley now holds a 48-21 advantage (and one tie) in the rivalry with Pickens that started in 1923. The Green Wave have won 13 out of the last 15 meetings with the Blue Flame.

Scoring Summary …

(at Houston Field on Aug. 22, 2025)

1 (11:43): P-Brooks Dow, a 70-yard run (Ashton Smith kick), 7-0

1 (8:34): E-Jo Jo Coleman, 2-yard run (Evan Massey kick), 7-7

2 (7:25): P-David Bolden, a 30-yard pass from Br0oks Dow (kick failed), 13-7

2 (4:12): E-Matthew Hillstock, an 18-yard pass from Jo Jo Coleman (Evan Massey kick),

2 (:16): E-Cason Brewington, a 2-yard run (Evan Massey kick), 21-13

3 (10:50): E-Jo Jo Coleman, a 2-yard run (Evan Massey kick), 28-23

3 (9:20): E-Matthew Hillstock, a 56-yard pass from Jo Jo Coleman (Evan Masey kick), 35-13

3 (6:49): E-Jo Jo Coleman, a 3-yard run (Evan Massey kick), 42-13

3 (2:37): P-Will Stone, a 9-yard run (Ashton Smith kick), 42-20

4 (10:34): E-Caiden Blassingame, an 18-yard pass from Jo Jo Coleman (Evan Massey kick), 49-20

4 (8:35): P-Brooks Dow, a 9-yard run (Ashton Smith kick), 49-27

4 (5:27): E-Jo Jo Coleman, a 6-yard run (Evan Massey kick), 56-27

4 (5:11): P-Cam Wilson, a 90-yard kickoff return (Ashton Smith kick), 56-34

RUSHING: Pickens – Brooks Dow 16-64, Will Stone 8-29, David Bolden 5-20. Easley – Cason Brewington 11-106, Jo Jo Coleman 17-92, Jeremiah Patton 3-9, Kobe Preston 2-3, Matthew Hillstock 1-1, Kaden Cooper 1-1.

PASSING: Pickens – Brooks Dow 15-26-1 178. Easley – Jo Jo Coleman 23-32-1 371.

RECEIVING: Pickens – Harrison Clark 5-99, David Bolden 1-30, Will Stone 2-19, Cam Wilson 3-13, Rylie Johnson 2-11, Ashton Woody 1-5, Isaac Arnold 1-1. Easley – Matthew Hillstock 9-132, Caiden Blassingame 4-62, Reese Brown 1-61, Malachi Debnam 4-55.

(Defensively) Tackles: Pickens – JJ Sowell (6/3), Nate Taylor (5/2), Connor Mason (5/2), Karsen Seder (4/1), Will Stone (3/2), Bryson White (3/0), Sam Hall (3/0), Caleb Garcia (2/3), Aniken Saunders (2/2), Isaac Arnold (2/1), Ethan Bentley (1/0). Easley – Kobe Preston (3/6), Cason Brewington (5/2), Jake McAlister (3/4), Kaden Cooper (3/3), Owen Jackson (4/1), Lucas Cuevas (4/0), Kaiden Erby (3/1), Jakyric Jamison (2/3), Trent Coker (2/3), Brayden Jewsbury (1/2), Cam Hunter (1/1), Joe Bowman (1/0), Bren Partridge (1/0), Will Oakley (1/0), Evan Massey (1/0), Josh Baker (1/0), Brady Wright (0/4), Ashton Woodruff (0/2), Zach VanKovering (0/2) and Jaxson Wilson (0/1).

SACKS: Easley – Joe Bowman (1/8), Jake McAlister (1/4).

INTERCEPTIONS: Pickens – Karsen Seder (1/0); Easley – Kaiden Erby (1/15).

PUNTING: Pickens – Harrison Clark 3-80 (26.7 avg.); Easley – Evan Massey 4-121 (30.3 avg.)

PUNT RETURNS: Pickens – Cam Wilson 1-11.

PENALTIES: Pickens 9-70; Easley 10-65