Charleston Southern University Field, North Charleston – The Pee Dee Academy Eagles football team showcased their dominance as they ended the 2024 season without a single loss. They secured the SCISA Class AA state championship title by defeating the reigning champions, Bethesda Academy, of Savanah Georgia with a remarkable score of 52-14.
Pee Dee Academy wins 52 – 14 final score
The victory took place last night at Charleston Southern’s Buccaneer Field. The game was a rematch of a regular season contest that Pee Dee Academy won by 25-22 on Oct. 25.
Tristan Heckman scored four rushing touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass to lead the dominant offensive effort for the Pee Dee Academy Eagles. With two-point conversions added, Heckman’s 38 points scored was a school record. The junior also tallied 13 tackles defensively.
PEE DEE ACADEMY DOMINATES IN STATE TITLE GAME
Heckman excelled in both defense and offense, and also contributed as a kicker for the team. He fulfilled every role except for providing the team with gatorade. Undoubtedly, he was the team’s most valuable player and the state champion MVP.
“The kid is everywhere,” said Pee Dee Academy Head Coach Jonathan King. “He’s a heckuva ball-player.”
“This is very hard to do,” Pee Dee Academy Head Coach Jonathan King said. “It takes talented players, talented and hard-working coaches, and all the great support. To be the first undefeated team since 1995, that’s really wild. It takes so much hard work and I am really proud to be a part of this team and this community. I am the luckiest man on the planet.”
“We’ve been playing really good football the last few weeks. I think we peaked at the right time. Our kids have been so focused. We have 18 seniors. That’s a lot in AA SCISA football. Those guys led the way,” added King
Bethesda shook things up from the start. In just the second play of the game, the Blazers electrified the crowd as Raleigh Wesley sprinted 65 yards along the sideline, reaching the end zone for a touchdown. With a successful two-point conversion, the scoreboard quickly showed a score of 8-0 within less than a minute of play.
The Pee Dee Academy Eagles remained unfazed as quarterback Colby Richardson led the Pee Dee offense down the field during their possession. Richardson successfully completed a 29-yard pass to Heckman, resulting in a two-point conversion that tied the game 8-8.
1st quarter score was tight
Heckman’s 10-yard rush ensured a 14-8 advantage for the Eagles, but the Blazers swiftly responded with Assir Best’s 61-yard dash, resulting in a 14-14 tie by the conclusion of the opening quarter.
Heckman wasted no time in the second quarter, getting down to business by scoring a seven-yard run and following it up with a successful two-point conversion run. With a comfortable lead of 22-14, the Pee Dee Academy Eagles maintained their dominance throughout the game.
Richardson found Miles Trussell for a 30-yard touchdown pass just before the end of the first half, resulting in a halftime score of 30-14 in favor of Pee Dee.
Pee Dee sealed the game with three touchdowns during the last quarter. Heckman found the end zone on an eight-yard run and a 40-yard run. The final touchdown was scored with 3:48 remaining, extending the lead to 46-14.
The defense sealed the game with a touchdown scored by Bennett Causey, who intercepted a deflected pass and ran it back, increasing the score to 52-14.
