Bruins Conquer the Storm: Orangeburg-Wilkinson Silences Hanahan’s Homecoming and Improves to a 7–0 record

#77 Kris Darby gets ready to block

HANAHAN, S.C. — The storm came first — sheets of rain pelting the field, wind whipping through the stands, and thunder rumbling in the distance. But when it cleared, only one storm remained: the one wearing maroon and orange.

On a soaked homecoming night in Hanahan, the Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruins battled through relentless rain, muddy turf, and early mistakes to overpower the Hanahan Hawks, 18 –12, spoiling the celebration and improving to 7–0 for the first time since 1985.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But it was Bruin football — physical, resilient, and unbreakable. The night opened under heavy rainfall, the field quickly transforming into a slick, muddy battlefield. The Bruins took the opening drive from their own 25-yard line and, behind the punishing runs of Derrick Thomas, marched methodically down to Hanahan’s 15-yard line. But penalties and a fumbled exchange stopped the drive cold, leaving OW scoreless despite their early momentum.

Hanahan’s offense capitalized on the shift, driving 75 yards and punching in the game’s first touchdown to take a 6–0 lead in the first quarter. The weather and wet ball conditions made every snap an adventure, and both defenses clamped down as the rain intensified.

The Bruins’ Iron Claw Defense, however, had seen enough. Midway through the second quarter, on 4th and 2, Hanahan tried to muscle their way for a first down. Instead, chaos erupted at the line as the ball slipped free. Jayden Lambright emerged from the pile holding the football, and the tide began to turn.

The next play brought the explosion Bruin fans had been waiting for. Derrick Thomas — the senior tailback who has built a reputation for game-breaking runs — took the handoff off the left side and burst through the defense, cutting through puddles, mud, and tacklers alike. Seventy-three yards later, he crossed the goal line, leaving defenders in his wake and igniting the drenched visiting crowd.

Running Back Derrick Thomas returned back to help lead the Bruins to victory.

Moments later, despite the rain hammering down, Coach Chris Carter decided to test the storm through the air.

Sophomore quarterback Brenden Peoples dropped back, looked left, and fired a perfect pass to Jayln Dash, who caught it in stride and blazed 60 yards down the sideline for another Bruin touchdown.

Bruins 12, Hawks 6.

Hanahan’s homecoming crowd fell silent except for the roar of the visitors across the field.

But as the storm raged on, so did the chaos. A dropped snap on a punt gave the Hawks the ball on the Bruins’ 15-yard line — a potential turning point. Yet again, the Iron Claw slammed the door.

Linebacker Brian Hamilton blitzed off the edge, crushing the quarterback and forcing a fumble that OW recovered. The defense had spoken — no points allowed. The Bruins went into halftime holding their slim 12–6 lead, soaked to the bone but unbowed. When play resumed, the downpour refused to ease — but neither did the Bruins.

On Hanahan’s second possession of the third quarter, the Iron Claw forced another fumble, recovering at the 35-yard line. The very next play, Peoples connected with Daylin Haltiwanger for a 30-yard strike. One snap later, Thomas finished the drive, powering into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night.

OW 18, Hanahan 12.

Every yard after that felt earned in blood and water. The rain made passing difficult, footing uncertain, and ball security nearly impossible — but the Bruins leaned into it.

Head Coach Chris Carter has led the Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruins to a perfect 7–0 start — their best record since 1985 — reigniting the pride and tradition of Bruin football in Orangeburg.

In the fourth quarter, the Bruins forced another fumble, taking over at their own 25. Sensing the need for control, Coach Carter went back to tradition — calling for his wishbone formation.

With Thomas, Zyquan Williams, and Glover pounding the ball, the Bruins chewed up two minutes and 35 seconds of clock, grinding through the Hanahan front like a heavyweight boxer going body blow after body blow.

The rain fell harder. The Hawks grew slower. The Bruins grew stronger.

And when the Iron Claw defense returned to the field, it delivered the knockout — literally. The Bruins’ front seven knocked Hanahan’s starting quarterback and running back out of the game on back-to-back hits, ending any hope of a comeback.

When OW got the ball back, Derrick Thomas carried it once more — a fitting closer to a night defined by his relentless running — sealing the win and the perfect record.

As the clock hit zero, the scoreboard told the story: Bruins 18, Hawks 12. The soaked visiting fans roared. The Hanahan crowd, once jubilant, could only watch as the Bruins celebrated midfield.

“We told our guys all week — storms don’t stop us, they shape us,” said Coach Carter after the game. “This was about heart. About focus. About doing your job no matter what’s coming down from the sky. These boys earned this one.”

With the victory, Orangeburg-Wilkinson improves to 7–0. 1–0 in the reigon their best start in 40 years — while Hanahan falls to 4–3, their homecoming party drowned out by the Iron Claw.

Next Up

The Bruins return home next Saturday, October 18, 2025, to host North Charleston. for homecoming at 3:00 p.m. at Bruin Stadium, where they’ll look to keep their undefeated season alive. 🌧️ FINAL: OW 21 — Hanahan 12