The West Ashley defense came into Friday night’s game against Berkeley with one of the top defenses in the Lowcountry.

In three games, the Wildcats had given up just one touchdown.

The Wildcats did nothing to hurt their reputation against the Stags.

West Ashley running back William Washington rushed for 94 yards and scored one touchdown to lead the Wildcats past Berkeley, 26-0, Friday night before a rain-soaked crowd of about 2,000 at West Ashley High School.

The Wildcats (4-0) smothered the Stags (1-3) offense all night, allowing just 73 yards of total offense. West Ashley has given up just 13 points in their first four games of the season.

“The defense has played really well all season,” said West Ashley coach Donnie Kiefer. “We don’t have the offensive weapons we had last year, so we knew we were going to have to rely on our defense. I know Berkeley was missing a couple of their kids and that probably slowed them down, but I just really appreciate what our defensive kids have done all season.”

A year ago, the Wildcats were forced to use five or six players on both offense and defense. Kiefer was determined to add more depth throughout the program so player would not have to play both ways.

“We brought up some sophomores that maybe should be playing on junior varsity, but we need them to step up and they’ve done a good job,” Kiefer said. “It might hurt our junior varsity team, but those kids can help us right now.”

While West Ashley’s offense might not be as explosive as they have been in the past, the Wildcats controlled the line of scrimmage and were able to roll up more than 250 rushing yards. The Wildcats attempted just one pass.

“We’ve got to control the ball and shorten the game,” Kiefer said. “We don’t have a big offensive line, but those coaches have done a great job preparing them every week.”

Terry Grant got the scoring going late in the first half when he capped a 62-yard dive with a 1-yard TD run with 2:57 left in the quarter.

Washington’s 24-yard TD run gave the Wildcats a 13-0 advantage with 4:58 left before halftime.

Zamarie Campbell extended the Wildcats advantage to 19-0 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Jerrell Rivers’ 48-yard TD run gave the Wildcats a 26-0 lead with 6:35 left in the game.

One of the biggest ovations came on the ensuing kickoff when Wildcats’ place kicker Mary Kathryn Smoak kicked off and then made the tackle.

“The kids loved it, she works hard and does a great job for us,” Kiefer said.

Election Day comes Nov. 8 as local, state and federal offices are up for grabs when voters take to the polls, but voters in South Carolina don't have to wait until November to cast their ballots.

Because of a new law passed earlier this year, voters in South Carolina can vote in person any time from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays between Oct. 24 and Nov. 8. They need only show up with a photo ID or voter-registration card at an early voting center in their county of residence.

In Greenville County, those early voting centers are:

Of course, early voters, like others, must be registered to vote. It requires state-issued identification. Voters must be registered at least 30 days prior to an election in order to vote in that election.

You can register to vote online at scvotes.gov, in person at the Greenville County elections office on University Ridge or by mail at 301 University Ridge, Suite 1900, Greenville SC, 29601. You can also call 864-467-7250 for more information.

Here's more you should know about this year's general election:

Voter guide:A guide to voter rights in South Carolina. What you need to know before you cast a ballot

Related:Early voting is biggest expansion of voting rights in recent South Carolina history

Absentee voting in SC

Voters who want to cast absentee ballots must request an application from their local election office by phone, mail or in person. Applicants must provide their name, date of birth and last four digits of their Social Security number.

Voters will be mailed their ballots, and the ballots must be returned to their local election office between Oct. 24 and Nov. 5 before 5 p.m. prior to Election Day. Voters must present a photo ID when returning the ballot to the office.

When to vote on Election Day

Voting on Nov. 8 runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote no matter how long it takes them to cast their ballot.

Where to vote in Greenville County

Greenville County will have 144 precincts open for voting that Tuesday. Visit scvotes.sc.gov for a full list of polling places, or call the election office at 864-467-7250.

To find your individual polling place using your name and birthday, visit scvotes.sc.gov.

Who's on the ballot in SC

Every registered voter in the nation can vote in races like presidential elections. Anyone in South Carolina can vote in races like for governor and the state's U.S. Senate election. For local races, however, where elected officials represent residents of distinct areas within the bounds of the state, voting eligibility is determined by location of residence.

Some races cross county and city lines.

To know the races and candidates on your specific ballot ahead of time, visit scvotes.gov, where you can type in your name, birthday and county to see a sample ballot.

Races on the ballot in Greenville County for 2022 election

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

Secretary of State

State Treasurer

Attorney General of South Carolina

Comptroller General

State Superintendent of Education

Commissioner of Agriculture

U.S. Senate

U.S. House of Representatives, District 3

U.S. House of Representatives, District 4

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 5

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 7

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 10

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 16

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 17

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 18

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 19

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 20

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 21

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 22

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 23

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 24

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 25

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 28

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 35

Solicitor, Circuit 13

Probate Judge

Auditor

County Treasurer

Greenville County Council, District 17

Greenville County Council, District 19

Greenville County Council, District 23

Greenville County Council, District 26

Greenville County Council, District 28

Soil and Water District Commission

Greenville County School Board of Trustees, District 18

Greenville County School Board of Trustees, District 20

Greenville County School Board of Trustees, District 22

Greenville County School Board of Trustees, District 24

Greenville County School Board of Trustees, District 26

Greenville County School Board of Trustees, District 28

Watershed Conservation District, Rabon Creek

Watershed Conservation District, South Tyger River

Fire District Commissioner, Dunklin Fire District

Fire District Commissioner, Piedmont Public Service Area

Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Dorchester County residents will be voting in November on whether to continue paying a “transportation penny,” a one-cent tax that funds road improvement projects.

There are dozens of projects waiting for funding including one, in particular, looking to help alleviate traffic congestion from Highway 61, especially the area from Paul Cantrell Boulevard in West Ashley.

“It’s been pretty rough,” says Adam Ruffin, who lives off of Hwy 61. “Basically single file line of cars and standstill traffic.

Ruffin and his wife live off the two-lane road and know it’s only going to get worse with all of the development going up. One person who’s working on some of the new neighborhoods is Paul Cook who has to drive 61 every day.

“I can’t believe people don’t find an alternate route to take because the traffic here is horrendous both going in and out,” Cook says.

“Certainly, I’m no expert in the field of traffic but something definitely needs to be done to alleviate some of that traffic out there,” Ruffin says.

A plan is in the works to extend Glenn McConnell Parkway. The parkway currently ends at Bees Ferry Road in West Ashley. But if the proposal goes through, it will keep going into Dorchester County where, according to maps, it would intersect with Old Beech Hill Road and connect to Wright Road, essentially running parallel to Highway 61.

“It will definitely help with people getting to and from work and alleviate a lot of the smaller back roads,” Gregory Maute, who lives along Wright Road, says. “But then if it’s tying in here, it’s going to impact my neighbors and myself and the people that live down the road.”

Maute says this was the first time he was hearing about the project and can see some positives and negatives.

“It would make us more accessible,” Maute says. “But then yes, if they’re widening this road and you know doing two or three lanes each way, that becomes from a country road to a well-traveled road -- a lot of traffic and all that so it’s can be a little bit of a double-edged sword.”

The big question: How would it be funded? Dorchester County says the 1% sales and use tax would generate approximately $735 million. The county’s Capital Improvement Plan calls for nearly $168 million to be allocated for the Glenn McConnell Extension.

Dorchester County leaders say the Public Works director would be happy to talk if the tax is passed by voters in November.

Meanwhile, Maute says he thinks the tax shouldn’t be funded by people who already live there.

“I believe that if it’s going to be funded, it needs to be impact funds on the hundreds of homes that are going in across the area,” Maute says. “Seventy-two people a day are moving here. So we need to not foot the bill.”

Dorchester County residents already pay one cent towards road improvements and have for nearly 20 years. This vote in November would be to continue that tax.

Charleston County officials say they are not currently a part of the extension project.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

There always seems to be that one new restaurant that opens up and instantly becomes part of the neighborhood. Places like Berkeley’s in the Hampton Park Terrace neighborhood, Cold Shoulder in the West Ashley Northbridge area and Vern’s in Cannonborough-Elliotborough all opened since last summer, and have made their impact in the community. These establishments are just off the beaten path of tourist destinations and right in the heart of local communities.

For a place like Berkeley’s, diners can walk up to the outdoor patio after a stroll through Hampton Park. Vern’s is just outside bustling King Street on a quiet corner, and Cold Shoulder sits in a quiet West Ashley strip mall just off of Old Towne Road. These are places you wouldn’t necessarily stumble upon unless you’re exploring the neighborhood or call the area home.

Berkeley’s opened at 624½ Rutledge Ave. in June 2021, and has already become a staple for many nearby residents. Owner Marc Hudacsko said he feels fortunate that the neighborhood has accepted Berkeley’s with open arms.

“We’re lucky enough to have some people who I’ve seen more than once a day,” Hudacsko said before pausing the interview to greet one of them.

One of the goals when opening Berkeley’s, he said, was to become a neighborhood restaurant and not a “one-year anniversary-type” of restaurant. To achieve this, the dining experience is immersed in the neighborhood, tucked on the corner of Rutledge Avenue and Huger Street and a block away from Hampton Park. Berkeley’s greets you with an outdoor patio and an indoor-outdoor bar. Patrons can walk in or pass by and see friends enjoying a meal on the patio. Diners can watch the neighborhood around them live their daily lives of checking the mail, walking the dog or going for a jog.

Berkeley’s also curated its menu to include a variety of items from small plates and salads to sandwiches and pasta dishes, so there’s always something for someone. The sandwiches are a mixture of classic offerings like a traditional cheesesteak (or a mushroom cheesesteak) or chicken cutlet sammies. More unique offerings include a salmon BLT and fried artichoke sandwich.

Bring your family or friends along to share small plates like smoked salmon dip with scallions or calamari, “something almost everyone gets to share,” Hudacsko said. But if you’re feeling really hungry, these “small plates” are also big enough to fill your belly, especially the spicy shrimp with Calabrian chili cream. Tail-on shrimp is served atop a large bed of polenta, submerged in a sweet and spicy sauce. The creamy texture of the polenta is contrasted with the crunchiness of cashews. Fingers may get saucy as you separate the shrimp from the tail, though.

For a bigger bite, diners can try entrees like the cavatappi cooked with wild mushrooms, feta, greens, tomato and cream or pan-seared salmon served with fried bread and topped with roasted tomato, olives, feta, arugula and citrus vinaigrette. Classic chicken cutlet sammies are also available for those seeking something quick and simple. Cutlets are served in three different flavors of classic, parmesan and buffalo. Chicken parmesan is a fan-favorite according to Hudacsko.

Hudacsko said the secret to keep customers coming back is the staff: “When we hire people, we try to hire people that we think are going to be great ambassadors of [connecting with customers],” he said. “I would love for them to know everything about the wine and everything about the food, but really, what I want is can you be attentive and friendly? And can you get to know the people who come in here every day? Because that’s important to us.”

Berkeley’s is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Owner and solo sandwich-maker Craig Edmunds runs his little sammie shop by himself. Edmunds is behind his meat slicer every morning at 5 a.m. to crank out as many sandwiches as one man can make before opening at 8 a.m. Some days he sells out by 1 p.m.; other days (like on Labor Day), he’s sold out by 9:30 a.m.

For those who know about Cold Shoulder, know to arrive early. And for those who don’t, Edmunds says, “Don’t be mad, be early.”

“I’ve just been getting so much love from people coming out,” he added. “Other food and beverage members get excited to come and that gets me pumped. It makes me happy to come into work every day.”

Every morning, especially on holidays, a line of hungry customers forms out the door, all eagerly waiting for what some have called “charcuterie in a sandwich.” Using meats from Smoking Goose Meatery in Indiana, local vegetables from up-and-coming hydroponic farm King Tide Farms, homemade truffle cream and imported cheeses, Edmunds make all of the sandwiches by hand or to order if all the premade ones have sold out.

His most popular sandwich, the Something Spicy, is made with nduja (a spicy, spreadable pork sausage), Toscanino piccante salami, greens, parmesan, truffle cream and truffle hot sauce. The spicy cured meats are cut with the richness of the truffle cream and herbaceous focaccia bread, so even if you’re not a huge fan of spice, it’s worth checking out. Other sandwiches, like the Something Gourmet, add a little sweetness with truffle honey to the prosciutto, Parmesan and local greens combo.

Other sandwiches include the Something Classic, Something Else, Something Simple, Something Sweet (Nutella and powdered sugar), Something Vegetarian and Something Vegan, all served on fresh-baked focaccia bread from Saffron Bakery.

Some days, when Hamilton Horne from King Tide Farms brings unique produce to Edmunds, like red vein sorrel (a citrus-forward vegetable), Cold Shoulder will run weekend or daily specials. Other days, Edmunds gets hit with a spark of creative energy and creates specials based on what he has in stock or what he can get. His latest special, offered Sept. 8, was a sandwich stuffed with gorgonzola tosi (a creamy blue cheese), capocollo (a cured pork cold cut), truffle honey and fresh greens from King Tide.

Cold Shoulder also offers snack items and drinks to pair with the gourmet sandwiches. Items range from local places like pastries from Nonna Bachi or Lowcountry Kettle Chips to imported items like Hattie B’s hot chicken skins or The Red Seed’s Toasted Corn.

“I’m extremely humbled,” Edmunds said. “For someone like me to come in and be so wildly accepted by actual Charlestonians and not just transients or college students, it’s amazing.”

Cold Shoulder is open at 8 a.m. Sunday through Monday. Keep an eye on Instagram @coldshouldergourmet for specials and updates on when the sandwiches sell out.

Husband and wife duo Daniel “Dano” and Bethany Heinze officially opened their new American bistro Vern’s at 41 Bogard St. July 15. Less than two months later, Charleston foodies and tourists have been raving about the new downtown spot.

“Starting with our opening night, I felt like it was a large majority of people within this direct vicinity of downtown,” Bethany said. “Being tucked into a neighborhood, I feel like having that sort of charming corner location really speaks to being this neighborhood restaurant.”

The contemporary American restaurant took over the space that formerly housed Trattoria Lucca, an Italian restaurant.

“We felt very grateful and lucky to take over a second generation restaurant space that had a really positive connotation and a lot of memories to associate with it,” she added. “It’s fun to see people kind of walk in and be like, ‘Oh, man, I loved Lucca. I’m so excited to be here again,’ and then try out a new restaurant.”

The dining experience is meant to be family-style, with everyone at the table digging into dishes like gnocchetti sardi with walnut pesto or the bavette steak with balsamic and horseradish, which can be served for brunch with a sunny side up egg or dinner with some shallots for some extra sharpness.

Other brunch highlights include the sesame seed pancakes, a fluffy and airy three-pancake stack with whipped ricotta and local peaches and peach jam. Dinner menu items include skewered lamb shoulder with red vein sorrel for a balance of umami and acid.

The kitchen is helmed and thoughtfully prepared by Dano, who was the chef de cuisine at former Charleston establishment McCrady’s. However, the drink list, helmed by Bethany who was the bar manager at McCrady’s, prepared an extensive and detailed wine list to pair with the New American cuisine.

The wines are categorized by sparkling, red, whites and more, and break down even further to specific flavor notes. There’s more than just wine to pair with the food, though. Vern’s offers low-abv drinks like the seasonal vermouth highball, currently made with the vidte blanco, mint and lime leaf for a refreshing tarty cocktail. Beers, teas, espresso and sodas are also available.

Vern’s is open from 5-10 p.m., Thursday to Monday with brunch available from 12-2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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Greenville News

Here are the South Carolina high school football scores from Week 1 of the SCHSL regular season. Check back for updates throughout the night.

Friday

Academic Magnet 14, Military Magnet Academy 0

Andrews 32, Georgetown 12

Appling County, Ga. 42, Aiken 7

Aynor def. Kingstree, forfeit

Bamberg-Ehrhardt 36, Denmark-Olar 20

Baptist Hill 26, St. John's 8

Battery Creek 39, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 28

Beaufort Academy 34, Hilton Head Prep 22

Belton-Honea Path 19, Westside 17

Ben Lippen 34, Heathwood Hall 6

Bethesda Academy, Ga. 40, John Paul II 24

Blythewood 43, Richland Northeast 7

Brookland-Cayce 31, Airport 20

Broome 54, Chesnee 28

Buford 35, McBee 8

Camden 53, Lugoff-Elgin 7

Cane Bay 30, Ashley Ridge 20

Carolina High and Academy 22, Dillon Christian 14

Catawba Ridge 16, Charlotte Myers Park, N.C. 0

Central 63, Carolina Academy 0

Central 63, Carolina Pride, N.C. 0

Chapin 45, Mid-Carolina 0

Charleston Collegiate 42, Cathedral Academy 7

Charlotte Christian, N.C. 52, Southside Christian 28

Chester 22, Fort Mill 17

Christ Church Episcopal 41, Southside 14

Clarendon Hall Academy 43, Andrew Jackson Academy 16

Claxton, Ga. 29, Hilton Head Island 18

Clinton 55, Laurens 28

Colleton Prep 42, Northwood Academy 12

Crescent 34, Dixie 10

Crestwood 37, Gray Collegiate Academy 28

Cross 44, Hemingway 0

D.W. Daniel 55, Easley 7

Dillon 41, Lamar 0

Dorchester Academy 22, Orangeburg Prep 20

Dorman 42, North Augusta 28

Dutch Fork 27, Spartanburg 25

Edisto 12, Williston-Elko 6

Estill 24, C.A. Johnson 8

Fairfield Central 41, Andrew Jackson 21

First Baptist 23, Bishop England 10

Fort Dorchester 21, Beaufort 6

Gilbert 49, Batesburg-Leesville 14

Hammond 49, Florence Christian 0

Hampton 48, Allendale-Fairfax 0

Hanahan 22, Berkeley 17

Hannah-Pamplico 26, North Central 20

Hartsville 68, Darlington 0

Hillcrest 62, Greer 14

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 22, Eau Claire 12

Indian Land 28, Timberland 0

Irmo 27, Lancaster 20

J.L. Mann 14, Riverside 7

James F. Byrnes 54, Chapman 7

James Island 52, R.B. Stall 0

Jefferson, Ga. 56, Wren 28

Jenkins, Ga. 24, Bluffton 21

Lake Marion 28, Calhoun County 22

Lakewood 30, Fox Creek 0

Landrum 34, Berea 3

Latta 31, East Clarendon 0

Laurence Manning Academy 32, Pinewood Prep 14

Lee Central 28, Great Falls 8

Lewisville 50, Wagener-Salley 24

Lexington 63, South Aiken 56

Lincoln County, Ga. 27, McCormick 6

Loris 15, North Myrtle Beach 7

Lower Richland 35, Westwood 8

Lucy G. Beckham 8, Wando 6

Marlboro County 40, Cheraw 12

Mauldin 20, Boiling Springs 7

Midland Valley 29, Strom Thurmond 23

Ninety Six 53, Ware Shoals 0

Northside Christian 28, Greenwood Christian 12

Northwestern 32, Clover 21

Orangeburg-Wilkinson 20, W.J. Keenan 8

Patrick Henry Academy 6, St. John's Christian Academy 0

Pee Dee Academy 48, Cardinal Newman 42

Pelion 15, Columbia 12

Pendleton 34, Eastside 8

Powdersville 51, Abbeville 44

River Bluff 52, Swansea 0

Robert E. Lee Academy 35, Thomas Sumter Academy 7

Saluda 34, Ridge Spring-Monetta 7

Sandy Creek, Ga. 46, Greenwood 21

Seneca 50, Palmetto 14

Socastee 21, Silver Bluff 0

South Florence 29, Oceanside Collegiate Academy 28

St. James 37, Philip Simmons 30

St. Joseph 35, Blacksburg 7

Summerville 38, Carolina Forest 7

Sumter 15, Ridge View 14

T.L. Hanna 36, Greenville 29

W. Wyman King Academy 38, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy 16

Waccamaw 33, Carvers Bay 18

Wade Hampton (G) 49, Travelers Rest 28

West Ashley 7, May River 3

West Florence 32, Lake City 7

Whale Branch 19, North Charleston 8

White Knoll 36, Spring Valley 9

Whitmire 41, Spartanburg Christian 24

Williamsburg Academy 47, Palmetto Christian Academy 0

Wilson 56, Marion 36

Wilson Hall 28, Hilton Head Christian Academy 7

Woodruff 31, Fountain Inn 0

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Union County vs. Gaffney, ccd.