Gridiron 2025

Sumter High ready for new stars to take over after graduation of Addison, record-setting backs

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Sumter High football team rode a historic running game and a lockdown defense to the SCHSL 5A Division I lower state championship last season. The Gamecocks are looking to make another step this fall, but they’ll do so without some of the major names at the heart of their success a year ago. That’s just fine for SHS; they’re ready for new guys to step up on their way to glory.

“I think the energy was there last year, but this year, it’s going to be different,” said defensive back Bryce Allen. “We’ve got some young guys that we’re looking forward to stepping up to playing big roles.”

The Gamecocks set program records for rushing last fall, tallying 4,187 yards and 65 touchdowns on the ground a year ago. Both of their primary running backs, career rushing leader John Peeples and Kam Fortune, graduated. They also lost some big offensive linemen in Jerius Williams and Taveon Brown. But the Gamecocks are confident in a mix of returning talent and newcomers who will step into some pretty big shoes. Ca’yon Gordon is the veteran of the running back room now after rushing for 121 yards and two touchdowns as a junior last year.

“We’ve got some guys we’re going to plug in, pretty good and young. They had a pretty good JV season, but they’re going to come up and make noise,” defensive coordinator James Breland said at The Sumter Item’s Football Media Day, presented by Hines Furniture. “Ca’yon Gordon is a senior for us, and he had a strong offseason. He gained, I’d say, 20 or 30 pounds of muscle. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. He’s going to get a bulk of the carries this year, and we’ve got some young guys who will pull their weight, as well.”

One of the key returners on offense is the man directing the offense, quarterback Franklin Richardson. He was a dual-threat weapon, rushing for 949 yards and 11 touchdowns, while completing 59% of his passes to the tune of 1,209 yards and 15 scores. He improved throughout the season last year and kept moving with another offseason under his belt.

KEY LOSSES

Anthony Addison, DE

John Peeples, RB

Kam Fortune, RB

Jeremiah Burson, LB

Jerius Williams, OL

KEY RETURNERS

Franklin Richardson, QB

Tymaries Thompson-Durant, S Bryce Allen, CB

Za’Quaz Kelley, OL

Jamirh Bey, WR

“The maturity is through the roof,” Breland said of Richardson. “Believe it or not, he’s gotten stronger, which is scary for a lot of people. I’m excited to see what he can do this year.”

Luckily, the Gamecocks have some returning talent up front with Za’Quaz Kelley leading the charge as the senior left tackle. Cooper Geddings and Cooper Zeigler are among the returners up front to lead the pack.

“I feel like we’re going to have a pretty decent O-line this year,” Kelley said. “I just want to build a bond with the O-line and make sure we can make it deep into the playoffs. I want to be back in that environment.”

Richardson will also have another important returner out wide in Jamirh Bey. After last year’s leading receiver, Chris Bentley, graduated, a heavy load will fall on their dynamic senior.

“We’ve got some guys with some different strengths, and they’re going to excel in those areas,” Breland said. “One of those guys is Jamirh Bey. He was a slot receiver for us, and he’s a game breaker any chance he can touch the ball. Guys like him, Chase Solomon, Jquay Curtis that can take the top off the defense.”

The Gamecocks have some pretty sizable holes to fill on defense, but they’re used to replacing stars on that side of the ball. Anthony Addison is now with the other Gamecocks in Columbia, but Breland is excited about the group they have back up front. Dave Rogers transferred from Lakewood to supplement a group that includes sophomore Ari Rendell and senior Elijah Brunson.

“They’re doing everything that I ask of them,” Breland said of the group up front. “Anthony is gone, but we’ve got some guys who have been playing a long time together, so there

shouldn’t be any dropoff. We’re going to miss Anthony, but we’ve got some guys that can plug in and do his place.

“We don’t have one guy that they can actually focus on with double teams or sometimes triple teams. We’re going to expose a lot of people this year because you can’t focus on one guy.”

SHS will have a new look at linebacker after Jeremiah Burson graduated. Tymaries Thompson Durant is moving back to safety this year, adding another spot to fill up front, but

Breland likes his linebacking group.

“We’ve got Nayshaun Brown taking (Burson’s) place. He got a lot of game experience, and we’ve got some young guys stepping in, some sophomores and some juniors,” Breland said. “(Dickey) lost a little bit of weight, and he’s moving a lot better in space, so we decided to move him back to outside backer. We’ve also got Zhyier Butler; he’s a rising junior, he’s our Sam backer. He’s an athletic kid. He can cover. He’s doing everything we ask him to do.”

With Thompson-Durant moving back to the secondary, it strengthens a group that also returns Allen at corner.

“We have some new, young guys. We moved Ty back to safety, so that’s going to be a big help for us. We’ve got Caleb (Taylor); he got some time in the game last year, and we’ve got a new guy, Kenon Ward. I think he’s going to be a player for us this year.”

While a few of the names might be different, the Gamecocks expect to make it at least as far as they did a year ago. Sumter High has been the picture of consistency under head coach Mark Barnes, and they don’t plan on taking any steps backward.

“My goal is no dropoff,” Breland said. “We’re Sumter, and our goal every game is to go out there and let them know who we are. It doesn’t matter who we’ve got on the field; at Sumter High, we run a program, so year after year, whoever steps in, that’s who’s coming in, and we expect them to play at a high level.”

Young stars ready to shine for Crestwood

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Crestwood football team started a youth movement a year ago as they moved into SCHSL 4A. The Knights added another influx of young talent this year, and they’re ready to make a push in a tough region that features the reigning state champions from South Florence.

“As far as our team last year, we started six or seven sophomores on defense, in addition to five or six underclassmen on offense, so it’s an older team with experience, but it’s still pretty much a younger team. We’ve only got 13 seniors,” head coach Roosevelt Nelson said at The Sumter Item Football Media Day, presented by Hines Furniture. “We’ve got a lot of youth out there, but last year, by playing some of the young guys, it’s very, very valuable moving into this season.”

One of the young stars a year ago was Jayden Martin, the younger brother of former CHS quarterback Javion Martin. He’s well-versed in the offense as the son of offensive coordinator Willie Martin and used that knowledge to his advantage last year by moving around the formation. He took snaps at quarterback and receiver last year and grew throughout his first fall on varsity.

“I know what’s going on now,” the sophomore said of adjusting to the speed of varsity football. “Last year, I knew what was going on, but it was faster than I was used to. This year, I think I’m going to be ready to go right away.”

The heart of the youth movement this season is Brayden Boults, one of the most highly anticipated newcomers to the varsity level in the tri-county. The freshman running back already has Division I offers after making the rounds at college camps throughout middle school and the offseason, and he’s ready to make a splash this fall for the Knights.

“Since I played JV last year, I already got a little taste of what high school football is like. Now, since I’ve been in the gym all summer getting ready for this season, I’m going to be ready,” Boults said. “Bigger, faster, stronger.”

The Knights used three different quarterbacks at times last fall, and there’s a fresh battle this season. Nelson really likes what he’s seen from sophomore Marek Yates and Crestwood got a late transfer from New York, junior Danny Ortiz, to add to the conversation.

“There’s a lot more stability this year,” Nelson said. “Marek Yates took

a majority of the snaps this spring and summer so far. Jayden Martin also has some snaps at quarterback. We feel a lot better about the situation this year. Both young men are capable of winning games for us.”

Boults and Martin will be critical skill players on offense, but the Knights have a few other exciting pieces outside of the young duo. Junior Calvin Wofford provided some explosion in the rushing game last season

about but will in the season.”

Senior Aidan Mack serves as a constant for the CHS offensive line in his third season as a starter. Jarius Haney, Tyshon Tate and Kyson Rigsby will all help keep the offense humming.

“The best offensive lineman we have, hands down, is Aiden Mack,” Nelson said. “He’s a three-year starter and, in my opinion, one of the better offensive linemen in the state. He’s a guy.”

Experience is key on defense. While their biggest name, Da’shan Scriven, is in the secondary, the front seven is also full of players who saw the field last fall.

“The defensive side of the ball is an experienced group littered with juniors that played a lot as sophomores last year,” Nelson said. “It starts up front, where we’ll have Jordan Carter as our nose guard, who started for us last year, all 10 games. Mikah Pressley started I think seven games for us last year. Peyton Grant(-Bradshaw) started all 10 games for us last year as a sophomore, so you expect big things from him.

“Moving to the linebacker corps, we’ve moved Ahmadre Ricks from outside linebacker to inside linebacker. He’s the sparkplug of the defense, flies around, very physical. Yachin Gamble played last year as a sophomore, started all the games for us.”

KEY LOSSES

Jeremie Richardson, ATH Robert Pugh, LB Ja Jones, TE

Lorenzo Smallwood, OL Fredrick Wade, DB

KEY RETURNERS

and returns to form a dynamic duo with Boults in the backfield. Mekhi Calhoun and Kameron Edwards are two senior wide outs who will help boost the passing attack.

“We’ve got more options,” Nelson said of his skill players. “Calvin Wofford is going to do some big things for us this year, and Marek Yates, as far as quarterback play. Those are two guys, off the top of my head, that offensively folks might not know a lot

Da’shan Scriven, DB Jayden Martin, ATH Calvin Wofford, RB Aiden Mack, OL Ahmadre Ricks, LB

Lakewood looks to grow in Year 3 under Offord

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Lakewood football program has seen a wealth of new experiences during the past few seasons. Two years ago, Willie Offord took over the program and worked to establish a new foundation based on his experience at South Carolina and in the NFL. Last year, the Gators got bumped up to SCHSL 4A and tossed into one of the toughest regions in the state. This fall, they’re excited about some consistency as they look to keep building toward their first playoff win in program history.

“Not much has changed under head coach Willie Offord, but we have another year. It’s his third year now, so the program knows nothing but Willie Offord, and it’s starting to show in the kids,” said defensive coordinator Anwond Boykin at The Sumter Item Football Media Day. “I truly believe the program is a direct reflection of your coach, and it’s starting to look like Coach Willie Offord.”

As the smallest school in 4A, the Gators take on the role of underdog with pride. They plan on surprising some teams this year.

“It’s very motivating always being the team that’s put down. People look down on us because we’re the smaller team in the region, but we go to practice every day, we hit the weight room, we work hard every day and stay consistent,” senior Jaden Green said.

“We don’t see it as we’re going against a very good team; we see it as an opportunity to show everyone who we are and what Lakewood can do,” his twin brother Justin Green added. “We just want to show what we can bring to the table.”

The Gators lost some pretty big names from their defense last year. Cedric Cisse is now suiting up alongside his brother at South Carolina, while Tyler Washington-Broomfield signed with North Greenville. Lakewood added a few more graduates on the defensive front and secondary, but Boykin is excited about the group he has this fall.

“It’s hard to replace (people) when you’re that senior-heavy in those skill positions, but what these two (Greens) and the rest of our skill positions have gotten a chance to learn from were those guys last year. Our skill positions were, pound for pound, our

KEY LOSSES

Cedric Cisse, DB

Tyler WashingtonBroomfield, ATH

Donte Boykin, DB

Richard Johnson, DL

Jamir Scott, DL

KEY RETURNERS

Jamir Offord, WR/DB

Justin Green, WR/DB

Jaden Green, QB/DB

Brian Brooks, ATH

strong guys last year, and it hasn’t changed. We’re a direct reflection of a guy who played very intensely when he played in the NFL,” Boykin said, referring to Offord’s time as a safety with the Minnesota Vikings. “These kids fly around. One thing Lakewood is known for is our speed, and we have not gotten any slower. We’ll be sideline to sideline with anybody. Now it’s time to put the strength down. It’s about just staying healthy. Attrition hurts us when we’re small.”

Both Green brothers will be twoway players for the Gators in the secondary, as will Ziggy Offord. Jamodicus Nesmith, Keondre Henry, Jaidev Brown and Jahmari Witherspoon will all play roles in the speedy secondary for the Gators. Returners in the front seven include senior linebackers Darren Madison and Micah Jenkins and defensive lineman DJ Bender.

“We’re athletes, not just football players,” Boykin said. “A lot of these guys have embraced doing what coach asks you to do. Today you might be a tight end, tomorrow you might be a D-end, but they’ve embraced it and not complained.”

Brian Brooks was the primary quarterback when healthy last season, but he battled injuries throughout the year. He was knocked out of the opener and returned two weeks later, only to be knocked out again after five more games. He’ll still have a role on the team in a variety of spots, but there are several players getting reps at quarterback with sophomore Kaden Brown getting plenty of reps. Jaden Green started in Brooks’ absence last season and can slot in there or at receiver offensively.

“Brian was a great asset for us last year, the gadget kid. You can put him anywhere, and he’s going to be lightning every time he touches the ball,”

Boykin said. “Coming off the injury, he looks good, but he’s still getting healthy. The quarterback position is up for a fight. We’ve got a young kid, Kaden Brown, who is looking really good right now, but we still have guys in the background fighting.”

The rest of the offense is focused on balance. The running back position is still up for grabs with players like Brooks, James Brand and others fighting for snaps. The Greens and Ziggy Offord all return at receiver alongside transfer Phernete A’kye Workman, who comes over from Sumter High.

“Balanced,” Boykin said of the offense. “That’s what we wanted to push for this year. We wanted to be what coach preaches where we dictate what goes on and other people don’t dictate

what we do. That’s the big thing for us right now, just getting down the plays we know we’re good at. Not trying to be too fancy, not drawing too much up in the dirt, but understanding what it is to play football, not just think it’s a video game.”

The Gators really like what they have up front, led by senior Calvin Wells, to open up some holes for those skill players. Juniors Keytrelle Griffin, Connor Lee and Charlton McLeod are part of an experienced offensive front for Lakewood.

“The offensive line is there. The kids are big; they move well,” Boykin said. “These are kids that have been here, have been in the program and know

Wilson Hall works to keep momentum rolling after consecutive championship appearances

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Wilson Hall football program has been rolling for the past two seasons.

The Barons are coming off consecutive trips to the SCISA 3A state championship game. Last year, Wilson Hall was on the brink of breaking through, falling to Pinewood Prep 24-21 in the final game of the season, ending the year with an 11-2 mark.

With each passing season, new players will step into the forefront, but head coach Adam Jarecki wants to see his program continue to build on a strong foundation without letting their minds drift off to thoughts of state championship games too early in the season.

“We’re really fortunate right now. We’re kind of in the middle of some cycles where we’ve had some really large groups of athletes come through at the same time,” Jarecki said. “It’s making for a lot of fun around here, but we don’t want to lose the picture. We have to focus on what’s going on right now, Game 1 and Week 1 and trying to maintain that 1-0 status each week. We don’t want to look too far ahead. I want that to be in the back of their mind, but we’ve gotta take care of things now. A lot of things have to happen for you to get in that position. We’re very fortunate the last two years to put ourselves in that position, but a lot of things have to happen, and people can’t get hurt.

“We know what it takes to get there, and I think that’s the driving thing, that they know what we have to do to get better.”

While the Barons have some turnover from last year to now, the players are ready to pick up the torch.

“I feel like we’re real hyped for this year. Last year, we came so close, two years in a row now. I feel like we have what we need to win it this year, and I feel like we’re ready for it,” senior Matthew Behmer said. “We’re ready to go in, ready to strike.”

For the second-consecutive year, Wilson Hall enters the year with a new quarterback. After the graduation of Owen Meyers, who was a critical leader on both sides of the ball as their QB and middle linebacker, the Barons have been trying a few guys at the position.

Ford Wilder has some experience but is also an excellent receiver for the Barons. Wilder also suffered an injury while playing basketball, which opened up a chance for a newcomer to get some reps.

“Ford Wilder has been taking snaps over the years, although he was a great split end for us and huge all the way through the year last year. We’ve got a sophomore, Nolan Gooch, that was our JV quarterback for the last two years. He’s a tremendous athlete, and we’re excited about what those guys can do,” Jarecki said. “We run the same system throughout our program. Obviously, it gets a little more advanced as you get

older, so we’re curious to see how they react to it, but we’ve got a good group of surrounding cast around them that is back.”

The Barons have plenty of experience at the skill positions. Whether he’s throwing the ball or catching it, Wilder has been around the block at the varsity level for a couple of years now and brings important leadership. Milling Galloway and Ben McLaurin, the two leading rushers from a year ago, return. Harris Naylor also comes back with experience in the backfield and as a pass-catcher with more than 400 total yards a year ago.

“We’re a lot further along in the startup process, the little things, because it’s things we’ve been doing and they’ve been doing for years. They kinda know their role, and knowing all of the little logistics to it, we’re a lot further along,” Jarecki said. “We return our two leading rushers by far. Both have been kind

2025

of nursing some injuries through the summer, but we’re excited about those, and we’re excited about the young ones that have moved up from the JV team.”

The biggest question offensively comes in the trenches, where Wilson Hall has to replace two powerhouses, Carson Wilsey and Cooper Scott. While they have returners up front, those are two tough linemen to replace.

“We’ve got to replace a couple of linemen, and that’s huge because the two we graduated are two of the best we’ve ever had,” Jarecki said. “Center is a big deal because they make a lot of our line calls and some of our protection stuff. That’s going to be a new role, and we’re working a couple of guys there to see which one will rise up. At left tackle,

KEY LOSSES

Owen Meyers, QB/LB

Jackson Bonser, DB/K

Carson Wilsey, OL/LB

Cooper Scott, OL/DL

Shawn Michael Matthews, TE/DL

KEY RETURNERS

Ford Wilder, QB/WR/DB

Harris Naylor, RB/WR/DB

Milling Galloway, RB/DB

Ben McLaurin, RB/DB

Peyton Gilley, OL/LB

Schedule

Aug. 22 @ Orangeburg Prep

Aug. 29 @ Northside Christian

Sept. 5 vs. Ben Lippen

Sept. 12 vs. Laurence Manning

Sept. 19 @ Camden Military

Sept. 26 vs. Florence Christian

Oct. 3 vs. Pinewood Prep

Oct. 10 vs. Trinity Collegiate

Oct. 17 BYE

Oct. 24 @ Thomas Sumter

Oct. 31 @ First Baptist

Noonan ready to set new foundation at Laurence Manning Academy

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The winds of change are blowing through Laurence Manning once more, as the Swampcats have their third new head coach in as many seasons this fall. Jimmy Noonan comes in with a ton of pedigree. The former Sumter High player has a ton of coaching experience in SCHSL programs like Spring Valley, Wando and Georgetown, but he’s also had a taste of SCISA ball, having spent a year at Wilson Hall.

With that experience, Noonan plans to bring Laurence Manning back to the mountaintop, as they’ve become accustomed to playing for SCISA state championships before a bumpy fall a year ago. While it’s still early, he likes what he’s seen so far with the ‘Cats.

“Having coached at the largest schools in the state, this is not one of them. It’s smaller, a much smaller setting, it’s intimate, but at the same time, these guys want to win as much as anybody,” Noonan said at The Sumter Item Football Media Day. “There have been guys that have been Division I athletes that did not have the heart that some of these guys (have).

“Really impressed with the level of character of these kids and how hard they’ll pour themselves into it. We’re still getting to know each other, as the intensity of a season hasn’t really kicked off yet, but they’re really taking instruction very well, and they’re giving the effort.”

Structure has been a point of emphasis throughout the offseason and preseason with the Swampcats.

“We’re very on schedule. I like being on time,” said senior Shawn Moore. “We do segments, five- to 10-minute segments; we’re always trying to stay on time, on schedule.”

There’s plenty of change for Laurence Manning, as they graduated three starting offensive linemen and one of their top receivers from a year ago, among others. But one constant is the man under center, junior Grainger Powell. Noonan will call the plays for LMA this year, and he plans to build on Powell’s strengths as a passer this fall.

“He definitely has some skills to

KEY LOSSES

BJ Balls, WR/DB

Dillon Smith, OL/DL

Gavin Brown, OL/DL

Jackson Barnes, OL/DL

Drew Ferriell, RB/LB

KEY RETURNERS

Grainger Powell, QB

Scoop Dennis, WR/DB

Zy Dennis, WR/DB

Kib Newman, OL/DL

Shawn Moore, DB

Newman

work with; that’s intriguing. We’ll build around his capabilities as well, as any offense would,” Noonan said.

“Over the years, I’ve had quarterbacks who were run-oriented and that would take precedent over our percentages for run-pass scenarios. But when you have a dual quarterback like Grainger who can make all the throws, has good feet, you try to be as balanced as you possibly can. That creates more conflict on defense than anything else. We’re striving for balance, and Grainger has really handled himself well with the offense.

“The young man, if he continues to develop, could possibly play at the next level.”

Powell does have some returning talent around him at the skill positions. The Dennis brothers, Scoop and Zy, return as dynamic receiving options, and Payton Brown is back at running back. Still, Noonan is leaving the door open for some opportunities to be earned as games get underway.

“That’s still in the makings,” Noonan said of who will help the offense hum. “We have the Dennis brothers. Payton Brown is doing good things with the football. We have a rotation of backs that we’re rolling through there. We have about four or five kids who really need to touch the football. As a play-caller, you want to make sure you’re distributing the ball, once again creating conflict on defense, and make them defend the field, make them defend the personnel that we do have. Right now, with a finesse-type offense, we’re going to have to do good things in space, so we’ve gotta get those people the ball, the ones who can secure the ball, and make plays.”

Kib Newman returns at center to anchor the offensive line. He’ll have one familiar face in junior Tristan White, but the rest of the line is a battle as the Swampcats consider their

‘Really impressed with the level of character of these kids and how hard they'll pour themselves into it.’

COACH NOONAN

options to create their best starting five.

“It starts at center. Kib is doing a great job. He’s the leader of the offense, making most of the calls of the fronts. Tristan White is a returning starter. He’ll just be a junior, but he stands out because he’s probably got the largest rear end on the whole team,” Noonan joked. “He’s anchoring down that left tackle position, which is very important with a passing-type offense. At right tackle, it’s Eli Gamble, and right now we’re still mixing and matching to find the starters at the guard positions, but coming out of the first scrimmage, it’s Bryson Pepper and Cameron Johnson.”

Defensively, the Swampcats will need to thrive with athleticism under new defensive coordinator Noah Earnest.

“We’re not very large on that side of the ball either. We’re going to have to run to the football; we have to get 11 hats (to the ball) and make plays in space,” Noonan said. “We know that a lot of our opponents are going to operate and depend on the ground game, and we’re going to be challenged in that area, just grabbing some grass and holding on. We’ve got to be fundamental up front. A year ago, we were creating running lanes because of poor fundamentals we’ve got to hone

in on.” Moore is a returner in the secondary where the Dennis brothers have also been known to roam, while Pierson Gamble and Asher Sanders are back at linebacker alongside Peyton McGee. Colby Lowder is back in the front seven with Eli Gamble. Bryce Phan and Jackson Timmons are at the corner spots.

Of course, Noonan and the ‘Cats want to get back to championship-level football, but the new head coach’s top priority is setting the foundation of work required to get there.

“The record will take care of itself. We have to have a strong focus on the details, the fundamentals up front, making the proper reads, stepping with the proper foot. We’ve got a long ways to go. It’s something that you never stop working on, fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. When the weather turns cold, we’ll be talking fundamentals,” Noonan said. “We talk about bringing your lunchbox to practice, and those are the four things, you have to be there, be there on time, have the proper coaching attitude and then learning to combine the all-out effort with the desire to win, the competitive part of it. That’s in their lunch box; those are choices they make when they wake up in the morning. If they bring those every single day, the game will take care of itself. We’ll be able to hold our heads high, regardless, whatever the outcome is going to be. If they do just that, that’s all I ask them every single day.

“The coaches will provide the knowledge, but if they bring that part of it, the wins will take care of itself. If we’re just not talented enough, we’ll lay our heads on our pillows knowing we gave our best, let’s invest again come Monday, hit the reset button, and let’s go forward. At the end of the season, if they do those things, we’ll be proud of what they produce.”

Aug. 22 vs. John Paul II Aug. 29 @ Heathwood Hall

Sept. 5 vs. Northwood Academy

Sept. 12 @ Wilson Hall

Sept. 19 @ Pinewood Prep

Sept. 26 vs. Ben Lippen

3 vs.

Manning looks to build on run to lower state after loss of massive senior class

BY TIM LEIBLE

tim@theitem.com

The Manning High football team is coming off one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Monarchs made a run all the way to the SCHSL 2A lower state championship, falling just short of their ultimate goal with a loss to Barnwell. Manning will try to rekindle that magic this fall, but they’ll have to do it with a lot of new faces.

The Monarchs had a giant senior class a year ago, a team featuring stars like Jeffery Ceasar, Jalynn Coard, JaRae Mitchell and Tyler Green just to name a few. While Manning has some returning talent, they have a lot of standouts to replace. Head coach

Reggie Kennedy and company have been working hard to find out who is ready to shoulder the responsibility.

“We had an outstanding offseason,” Kennedy said. “We had a great spring practice, and now we’re moving into our preseason phase of it. Some big shoes to fill. We lost 27 seniors. We lost nine starters on offense, but we do have seven starters coming back on the offensive side of the ball.

“Our philosophy since I’ve been here is we don’t rebuild, we just reload. Winning helps, too. This is probably the most players we’ve had during the spring since I’ve been here, and it’s our best participation during our summer workouts. Tradition

KEY LOSSES

doesn’t graduate.”

The Monarchs have some important players returning, like senior running back and linebacker Jontavious Canty, who was a tackling machine for the Monarchs a year ago and provided explosion out of the backfield. He and the rest of the returners are feeling confident after a run to the lower state championship.

“I feel like last year gave us the mindset that all the work we put in will show in games,” Canty said. “The No. 1 goal is playing for a state championship.”

One of the key roles to replace is arguably the most important position in sports: the starting quarterback.

Jeffery Ceasar, WR/DB

Jalynn Coard, DL/RB

Tyler Green, DL

JaRae Mitchell, QB

Joshua Cooper, WR/DB

KEY RETURNERS

Jontavious Canty, RB/LB

Isaiah Hamilton, OL CJ Robinson, WR/DB

Daniel Robinson, LB

Semaj Rankins Bush, OL

Mitchell held the role for the last two seasons and now leaves a void at the position. Kennedy likes what he’s seen out of Lovell Stephenson throughout the preseason as he steps into the role of QB1. Freshman Kaleb Minger is also competing for snaps at the position.

“When I look at the quarterback position, I look for a young man that can manage the offense. We don’t ask him to win games for us; we ask him to put players in the right position and manage the offense,” Kennedy said. “We try to take the pressure off him. One of the big plusses for him is that we have four starters coming back on the offensive line out of the five, so that helps the process a lot.”

Having returning talent in the

Schedule 2025

Aug. 22 @ Crestwood

Aug. 29 @ Scott’s Branch

Sept. 5 vs. Lake Marion

Sept. 19 BYE

Sept. 12 @ Ridgeland Secondary

Sept. 26 @ East Clarendon

Oct. 3 vs. Kingstree

Oct. 10 @ Mullins

Oct. 17 @ Atlantic Collegiate

Oct. 24 vs. Marion

Oct. 31 vs. Lake City

East Clarendon ready to make the next step

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

In their first two years under head coach Larry Cornelius, the East Clarendon football team earned a trip to the postseason and a home playoff victory. The standard has been set. Now the Wolverines are ready to break through.

“The biggest thing was getting our confidence. When I first came into East Clarendon, there was really no confidence, but the kids wanted to win, they just really didn’t know how,” Coach Cornelius said. “Now we’re confident. We go into every game feeling like we can win.

“With young guys now, once they have success, the problem is you have to keep motivating them because they think they’ve reached the mountaintop. If the mountaintop is the second round of the playoffs, I think it’s time

Whit Nesbitt, WR/DB

Hunter Mixon, LB/RB

Colby McKenzie, LB

Darius McCray, WR/LB

Jay Webb, RB/DB KEY

Takoda Cornelius, ATH

Xavier Smith, OL/DL

Jaylon Barron, OL/DL

Blease Hardy, ATH

Braylon and Picasso Brown, WR/DB

for me to move on. We had to remind each other of what our goals are and, like any other team in the state, you’re trying to win a state championship. That’s the ultimate goal.”

For the last two seasons, Takoda Cornelius has lined up at quarterback mostly because of a lack of other options. A dynamic athlete, he accepted the challenge, but he’s ready to spend most of his time at receiver this fall, though he’ll still dabble in some quarterbacking.

“Coming into my sophomore year, I didn’t really wanna play QB; I was kinda forced to with what we had at the moment,” the senior admitted. “Wide receiver was always the position I wanted to play, so moving around and also maybe going to F, running back, is very exciting. I can’t wait to play receiver and running back.”

Junior Blease Hardy and sophomore Gavin White will see time at QB this fall. Hardy filled in for T. Cornelius a couple of times last season because

of injury and has taken some strides during the offseason while White makes the jump to the varsity level. All three quarterbacks will see snaps this year in different packages.

“Each quarterback brings something different to the table,” Coach Cornelius said. “Gavin, if he runs the ball, something’s wrong. He’s a facilitator. He’s got a great arm, he reads the defense very well, so a lot of RPO

Scott’s Branch ready for next step in Year 2 under Coach Fleming

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Scott’s Branch football team was among the most pleasant surprises last year. It was a winless team two seasons ago, but Pat Fleming took over the program and immediately helped the Eagles soar into the playoffs. With a foundation firmly in place, Scott’s Branch plans on keeping the arrow pointing up this fall.

“It’s the expectation this year. We were hoping last year. We were on the brink of a playoff win, the guys got some confidence, and we brought back 17 starters out of the 22 on offense and defense. We developed some depth,” Fleming said. “We wanted to key in on the linemen. We had a great summer with the linemen. They were attentive; they were learning every day. We’re eager to see it all come together.”

KEY LOSSES

Dresean Blanding, LB

Jeremiah Butler, OL/DL

Tyreek Taylor, LB

Gabriel Johnson, ATH

KEY RETURNERS

Jaiven Conyers, QB

Nyren Bowman, ATH/LB

Quintin Jackson, ATH/DB

Danny Ragin, TE/LB

Christian Green, WR/DB

The vibes are completely different around the program heading into Year 2 under Fleming.

“I can really feel the change of energy from last (year’s) practice to this practice,” senior Nazaiah Richardson said. “It’s all coming together really good. I’m proud of where the team came from.”

Fleming added, “We’re eons better from a mind state. That’s the biggest thing. Everything starts with a thought. The guys understand all the little details paint a big picture.”

Consistency is key for the Eagles this season with a mountain of returning talent. It starts with the signal caller, as Jaiven Conyers returns after passing for 1,165 yards and 13 scores while adding five touchdowns on the ground.

“Jaiven Conyers took a big step up mentally,” senior Christian Green said. “He’s becoming more of a leader this upcoming senior year. Just a really great progression.”

Scott’s Branch returns three AllState players who shined on both sides of the ball. Quintin Jackson had 16 catches for 350 yards and seven touchdowns while adding three rushing scores and three special teams touchdowns. He chipped in seven turnovers and 70 tackles on defense.

Nyren Bowman caught 35 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns, adding two more on the ground. He chipped in 97 tackles and four sacks on defense. Danny Ragin is back at H-back and tight end, catching 13 passes for 153 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 96 tackles and eight sacks on defense. They’re buoyed by fellow returners Green and Richardson to create a dynamic offense.

“Last year, Coach (Mark) Green did a great job putting in an offense that catered to our strengths. We wanted to get the playmakers the ball,” Fleming said.

“It’s competition every day,” Green said of the offense. “Everyone wants

the ball, so everyone is fighting for reps and trying to get the ball.”

The Eagles’ biggest weakness last season was up front, where they lacked numbers on the offensive line. Fleming saw major strides from that group this offseason. Jamauri Calloway and Jaiden Holliday are back to lead the newcomers in the trenches like Sanye Hilton, Zion Starks and Briceson Singleton.

“The biggest ability and best one is availability, and those guys were there all summer,” Fleming said of his linemen. “Working on steps, hitting the sled, things we really didn’t get to do last year because we were real thin on the offensive line.”

With depth on the offensive line comes depth on the defensive line, which is critical for a defense built around dynamic athletes at the second and third levels.

“We’ve got some guys that will go both ways. Coach (Howard) Hilton has done a great job as far as getting us a rotation going on, but with the numbers we have, some guys will be one side, and we can two platoon it. That’s a good thing, especially in 1A,” Fleming said of the front. “We’ve got some rotational guys as well. We did make one big move. Our starting defensive

Schedule 2025

Aug. 22 @ East Clarendon

Aug. 29 vs. Manning

Sept. 5 vs. Hemingway

Sept. 12 @ Lake View

Sept. 19 vs. Branchville

Sept. 26 vs. St. John’s

Oct. 3 BYE

Oct. 10 @ Cross

Oct. 17 @ Bethune-Bowman

Oct. 24 @ Baptist Hill

Oct. 31 vs. Military Magnet

Lee Central ready to ride momentum of playoff victory

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Lee Central football team had a nice bounce-back season a year ago. The Stallions won seven games in their move back to SCHSL 1A and earned a playoff victory over Calhoun Academy in the process. With some big names graduating, LCHS went to work this offseason to jumpstart the development of their next young core.

“I thought we had a pretty productive summer. We had a young football team coming into this year, so our summer was pretty important for us to get out and get some understanding of who we were trying to be,” head coach Justin Danner said. “Our guys stepped up to the challenge, and we had great attendance this summer. We’re excited for fall football to see where things go.

“Our attitudes are good, and we

have some good senior leadership. We’ve got a pretty good mixture of kids. I like to say that we’re young, but we have really talented seniors that remain on our team from a seven-win team a year ago.”

The first big hole to fill is at quarterback, where All-State athlete JuJu Davis was a dynamic threat with more than 700 yards each with his arm and legs. He combined for 13 touchdowns for the Stallions. The Stallions will try to find a QB the same way they did a couple of years ago when Davis took over. They’re going to open the season with two sophomore signal callers and see who steps up.

“It’s a good thing I don’t have any hair because it’s been a process, for sure,” Danner quipped. “We have two talented young guys, Tyquez Adams and Jaylen Williams. Both have been doing a really nice job for us, and they have been very coachable for us. We

know we’re probably not going to throw it 25 times a football game, but there’s a lot more to being a quarterback than just throwing the football. Both of those kids have come out this summer and made some really good strides.”

The Stallions do have returners in the trenches, led by Savion Williams.

“This is an All-State offensive lineman,” Danner said, referencing the guard during The Sumter Item Football Media Day. “Just trying to put some pressure on him beside me. This guy has been a double-duty kinda kid for us, so bringing back Savion Williams at one of our guards, and we’re looking for some big things out of Antonio Atkinson, Jacob Montgomery out at tackle for us, as well. We’ve had a couple of guys do a really nice job at

KEY LOSSES

JuJu Davis, QB

Chuck Harry, WR/DB/LB

Omari Rampasard, WR/DB

Robert Joe, OL/DL

Nate Pitts, OL/DL

KEY RETURNERS

Shadrach Williams, LB/RB

Savion Williams, OL/DL

Jadin Price, DL, TE

Ezekiel Blake, RB/LB

Nycer Henry, RB/LB

2025

Schedule

Aug. 22 vs. Timberland

Aug. 29 vs. Burke

Sept. 5 @ Chesterfield

Sept. 12 @ Hannah-Pamplico

Sept. 19 @ Hardeeville

Sept. 26 BYE

Oct. 3 @ Great Falls

Oct. 10 @ Lewisville

Oct. 17 vs. Lamar

Oct. 24 @ McBee

Oct. 31 @ C.A. Johnson

Lee Academy welcomes familiar face as Logan takes the reins

BY TIM LEIBLE

tim@theitem.com

For the third time in three years, the Lee Academy Cavaliers are under new management, though it’s a pretty familiar face.

Justin Logan, a former Cavalier player and assistant, takes over the program from Will Furse, who is now coaching at Williamsburg Academy. The Cavs are coming off a bumpy year, where injuries piled up and their streak of state championship appearances was snapped at four. Logan, who has head coaching experience from his time at Clarendon Hall, is hoping to get the Cavs back on track.

“I think we’re in pretty good shape,” he said at The Sumter Item Football Media Day. “We have a lot of seniors, 11 seniors, so we’ve got a lot of experience. I think we graduated four or five

last year, so we’ve got some spots we'll have to fill up front, for sure, but we’re trying it out on the fly, and I think we’ll be okay.”

Logan’s experience with the program is a boon for the Cavaliers. He was on David Rankin’s staff during their historic run, outside of his foray to Clarendon Hall, and was on Furse’s staff last year. He’s able to use all of that experience to boost his alma mater.

“You learn a lot of things that first year, things you like to do, things you need to change,” Logan said of his year as a head coach for the Saints. “I feel like you’ve always got to evaluate and grow every year. Obviously, I’m an alumnus of Lee Academy, so this school means a lot to me. With head coaching, this will be my eighth year there, so it certainly helps when you know the kids. They know that you

care, you’re out there because you want to be out there.”

Logan’s mantra this year is being all about the C.A.V.S.

“Character, attitude, vision and sacrifice,” Logan said, defining his acronym. “That’s something the kids are going to hear from me weekly, daily.

“We want to be physical up front, we want to hold onto the football and on defense, we want to have intense effort and just take the football away. I think if we can do those two things, we’ll have a chance.”

Last year was a struggle for the Cavs. Starting quarterback Brayden Davis missed stretches due to injury and he wasn’t the only player who was banged up and bruised throughout the fall. A challenging season can

SEE LEE ACADEMY, PAGE B14

KEY LOSSES

Trace June, OL/DL

Carson Davis, WR/DB

Noah Brazell, WR/DB

KEY RETURNERS

Brayden Davis, QB/DB

Cain June, WR/RB/DB

Paxton Greene, TE/LB

Landen Olson, RB/DB

Tucker Boyce, RB/LB

Schedule 2025

Aug. 15 @ Spartanburg Christian 14-34Aug. 22 BYE

Aug. 29 vs. Dillon Christian

Sept. 5 BYE

Sept. 12 vs. Beaufort Academy

Sept. 19 @ Thomas Sumter

Sept. 26 @ Pee Dee Academy

Oct. 3 vs. Dorchester

Oct. 10 @ Williamsburg Academy

Oct. 17 @ Colleton Prep Academy

Oct. 24 BYE

Oct. 31 vs. Carolina Academy

Thomas Sumter ready to build on foundation in Year 2 under Bell

BY TIM LEIBLE tim@theitem.com

The Thomas Sumter football team welcomed a new head coach last year in Stacy Bell. Throughout the year, they took some important strides, including a long-awaited homecoming victory over Clarendon Hall. Now, heading into Year 2, Bell and the Generals are trying to take the next step.

“We’re really excited,” Bell said during The Sumter Item Football Media Day. “We return a lot of players. Offensively, we return seven starters, defensively, we return six starters. We’ve had a full year to implement our plan.”

Bell is optimistic about the growth his offense will see this year because of the addition of Rip Blackstone, the former Heathwood Hall head coach, as offensive coordinator.

“He’s done a great job of getting

the kids to understand his knowledge and, more importantly, relating it in a way that they know they can play it well,” Bell said. “We want to focus on what our players can do well. One of the positives of Coach Blackstone is that he’s a proven offensive coordinator and head coach. I’ve attempted to, for lack of a better word, stay out of his way. He’s gone to a little bit more of a spread system that can be spread to run or spread to pass.”

The Generals will rock a two-quarterback system in this new offense with Clay Team, who saw some playing time last year, and transfer Jace Williams. Bell likes what he’s seen from the pair, who both saw snaps in their Week 0 loss to Carolina Academy on Friday, Aug. 15. Team was 10-22 for 97 yards, though he threw two interceptions, while Williams was 12-22 for 80 yards and a pick.

“Clay is a tremendous leader. There

are not enough positive terms to describe what a leader he is; works hard, a great competitor, good academically,” Bell said. “Jace is coming in, and he’s fit in well with the team. He has great arm strength, good knowledge of the game. They both do things differently. We will attempt to use everyone that we can to their strengths.”

TSA loses their leading rusher from last year, Jordan Tillman, to graduation, but returns their next leading rusher, Carter Hill. Sam Petrauschke and Christian Williams return as the leading pass-catchers for the Generals. Filling out the skill positions will be Zion Williams at running back and Joseph Andrade at receiver.

Aiden Steele-Allen and Shawn Wrigley are locking down the left side of the line at guard and tackle,

SEE THOMAS SUMTER, PAGE B14

2025

KEY LOSSES

Jordan Tillman, RB/DB

Aidan Smith, OL/DL

Gavin McCaskill, LB

Micah Wierscham, RB/DB

Bradley Dukette, WR/LB

KEY RETURNERS

Carter Hill, RB/DB

Sam Petrauschke, WR/DB

Jake Lessard, DL

Aiden Steele-Allen, OL/DL

Clay Team, QB/LB

Schedule

Aug. 15 @ Carolina Academy 7-20

Aug. 22 @ Williamsburg Academy

Aug. 29 vs. Florence Christian

Sept. 5 @ Calhoun Academy

Sept. 12 @ Spartanburg Christian

Sept. 19 vs. Lee Academy

Sept. 26 vs. Thomas Heyward Academy

Oct. 3 @ Clarendon Hall

Oct. 10 vs. Greenwood Christian

Oct. 17 BYE

Oct. 24 vs. Wilson Hall

Oct. 31 @ Orangeburg Prep

Clarendon Hall ready for fresh start under Coach Wallace

BY TIM LEIBLE

tim@theitem.com

The Clarendon Hall football team is looking to rebound after a winless fall a year ago. The Saints brought in a veteran coach to help turn things around, welcoming Shane Wallace as the head coach and athletic director. After an offseason program and fall camp, Wallace is excited to see what his Saints have in store for the fall.

“We put together our heads, put together our talents to try to right this ship and get things moving in the right direction this year,” Wallace said. “I’m about character and attitude. I feel like the X’s and O’s will take care of themselves if you can get into the character of the athlete, get them to believe in you and get them to step up and go beyond where they’ve been. Watching the films from last year, the athletes at Clarendon are talented. I think we

just need to get the attitudes adjusted to where we’re focusing on winning instead of accepting the inevitable.”

More than anything else, Wallace wants the Saints to be physical offensively.

“We’re going to be tough,” the CH head coach said. “This is my first year, and I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. We’re starting as simple as we can get. We’re going to throw the ball, we’re going to run the ball. We’re going to be different than they were last year. I brought in a new offensive coordinator that’s doing an outstanding job, Ed Manlove. He has come in and put together a really good scheme for this year to get us started that keeps everything as simple as we can keep it so they can focus on doing their jobs every play.”

Graham Lee is back at quarterback for the Saints, though he missed some time last year because of injury.

“Graham does a very good job. He sees the ball. He can control the offense, and he has stepped up in a leadership role,” Wallace said.

Grayson Elliott will suit up at running back for Clarendon Hall, while Josh Hodge and Joey Hatchell are the top two receiving options.

Tommylei Atkinson returns to lead the offensive line for the Saints, which started to really take shape in early August. Wyatt Simpson stands out among a very young offensive line group. Randy Bass and recent graduate Trey Bagnal are coaching the unity up front.

“It starts with the weight room,” Atkinson said of building chemistry with his fellow linemen. “When we started in the weight room, we got really close … we’re kinda bonding over hitting

SEE CLARENDON HALL, PAGE B14

KEY LOSSES

Griffin McIntosh, QB/RB/LB

Thelien Naas, RB/LB

Walker McIntosh, WR/DB

KEY RETURNERS

Graham Lee, QB

Grayson Elliott, RB/DB

Tommylei Atkinson, OL/DL

Thomas Shorter, WR/DB

Joey Hatchell, WR/DB

Schedule 2025

Aug. 22 vs. Spartanburg Christian

Aug. 29 @ Patrick Henry

Sept. 5 vs. Williamsburg Academy

Sept. 12 vs. Orangeburg Prep

Sept. 19 @ Colleton Prep

Sept. 26 @ Andrew Jackson

Oct. 3 vs. Thomas Sumter

Oct. 10 @ Dorchester Academy

Oct. 17 BYE

Oct. 24 vs. Greenwood Christian

Oct. 31 @ Calhoun Academy

CRESTWOOD

After that front seven, the Knights have speed and athleticism across the secondary. Scriven was an elite ballhawk last year, leading SCHSL 4A with five picks. He’s joined by LaDamien Belton, who moves to DB full time after spending time at running back last fall. He brings electric track speed to the secondary. Junior Jaquaylen Dennis-Harriett is back at safety, while the other cornerback spot is still up for grabs.

“On the defensive side of the ball (the leaders are) Ahmadre Ricks; even if he’s saying the wrong thing, he’s still talking. He’s a high-energy guy for us,” Nelson said. “Da’shan Scriven in the back half is kinda leading the defense, knows where he’s supposed to be at and puts folks in place.”

The Knights also return an excellent kicker in Jorge Hernandez-Lara, who has been a weapon on special teams.

The Knights got a taste of 4A football a year ago, and they feel like they’re more than capable of competing at a high level this fall.

“Our team goals aren’t going to change no matter what classification we’re in,” Nelson said. “Win the opener, beat Lakewood, beat Sumter High, win the region and win state. That’s our team goals. Whether we’re 3A, 4A, we’ll keep those goals in place.”

LAKEWOOD FROM PAGE B12

what we’re working with.”

The Gators think this group can help them take the next step as a program, and the first step is getting a playoff victory.

“The standard is what the standard is: discipline and structure,” Boykin said. “I believe any team that has discipline and structure, one day you’re going to be successful. The percentages show that in the third year, you get the uptake of what your program is going to look like. It’s the third year for us, we look faster and more prepared than we have since I’ve been at Lakewood, and that’s saying something. That’s a testament to their work all summer and a testament to what these coaches have put into these kids.

“Our goals this year on the defensive

WILSON HALL FROM

side of the ball, I don’t like giving up points. I believe last year we gave up too many points. This year, we’re going to do a lot better at taking the ball away. That is my main goal this year. If it’s in the air, it belongs to us. If it’s on the ground, I have to be there. Eleven hats to the ball. If we take 11 to the ball and somebody makes a mistake, we make up for the next person. That’s just the team aspect, not playing as an individual, but playing within the well-oiled machine. That machine needs every part, all 11. If all 11 does its part, we function. If not, we fall apart, and this year is not the goal to fall apart, it’s to set school history and get the first playoff win in Lakewood history.”

PAGE B12

we’ve looked at several different guys. We’ve got a senior we’re looking at, and a couple of younger guys have stepped into that role.

“We’ve got a lot of depth there, numbers depth, so it’s just a matter of giving them all enough reps to see how they’ll mesh together.”

Those battles in the trenches are reflected on both sides of the ball. The Barons have made a point to rotate defensive linemen regularly to keep them fresh, so there are more players on that side of the ball with a bit more experience. Returning linemen on both sides of the ball include the likes of Andrew Howle, Clayton Hunter, Walker Wilson, Banks Smith and Michael Thorne, to name a few, while Peyton Gilley plays offensive line and linebacker.

“There are certain defensive schemes where we want to be big, and there are certain defensive schemes where we want to be fast up front and come off the edge and we’re able to juggle some guys there,” Jarecki said. “Same on the offensive line, we want to be able to spare guys for some plays. That’s probably where we play more one way than anywhere, which is good because they need the rest. Some of my skill guys, we’re going to play a lot of them both ways. That part, we want to get past.”

The Barons have a few noteworthy players to replace at the second and third levels of the defense, including Meyers, Jackson Bonser and Thomas Creech, but return several players who saw regular reps last season. Naylor and Behmer both return to the secondary along with Galloway, Cooper Hill and Benson Elmore in a senior-heavy

bunch. Gilley becomes the vocal leader at linebacker in place of Meyers.

“I think our biggest piece is the chemistry that we have,” Naylor said of the strength of the Baron defense.

“We all work together great. I think that’s just that we’ve been playing together since the sixth grade.”

The Barons have had an ace up their sleeve for a few years on special teams with Bonser, who is now kicking at the University of Richmond, but they have another soccer player ready to step into the role in Galloway, as does Shep Vincent.

“That’s a huge piece that we’re going to have to replace,” Jarecki said. “But we feel like we have some candidates. We’ve been very fortunate to have Jackson the few years that we did. If we could get it close, we were going to come away with points. We’re hoping we can get to the point where we can feel confident that we can kick it instead of going for it.”

While Jarecki doesn’t want his team too focused on the end of the year, his players only have one goal in mind.

“Week by week is great, but we’re all thinking state championship or nothing,” Behmer said. “That’s the ultimate goal, and that’s really what we want. We hate that feeling. Losing sucks, I hate it, that’s the worst feeling in the world, especially at that level. Losing one game hurts, but losing the state championship twice is not a great feeling. I do not want to feel that again.”

MANNING FROM PAGE B12

trenches certainly lightens the load. Junior Isaiah Hamilton is the left tackle for a veteran group of linemen ready to bulldoze opposing fronts. Senior Ethan Canty is back at left guard, junior Semaj Rankins Bush is a third-year starter at center, Noah Dingle is back at right guard, and Jeremiah Dingle takes over at right tackle.

“I’m kinda old school; I feel like the game is won in the trenches,” Kennedy said. “These guys work real well together on and off the field. They have a special chemistry in the weight room, just holding each other accountable, and that’s a big plus for us.”

The Monarchs have some returning talent in the backfield with Canty, who rushed for 769 yards and nine touchdowns last year, but they have a physically large hole there after Coard graduated. The S.C. State defensive lineman was a bruiser out of the backfield for the last two seasons, wearing down defenses. The backfield will look a bit different without him, but Kennedy is excited about his rushing attack.

“Jontavious makes it easier for us with him being a starter last year. We don’t have many guys who are two-way players; he’s maybe one of three guys. He carried the football a lot. If you look at the stats, I think he was our leading rusher, and we carried the ball more than anyone last year,” Kennedy said of the run game. “Mentally and physically, he’s ready for it. I just feel like the way he trained away from the field, he can fill out that role.”

The Monarchs lost their top target from last year, Ceasar, but return CJ Robinson and Jordyn Thompson out wide.

“We feel like (CJ) Robinson has the chance to be our next Snoop (Ceasar),” Kennedy said.

Defensively, Manning will have a ton of new faces. Canty and his twin

brother, Dontavious, return at linebacker alongside Daniel Robinson and Ethan Lowder. Coard’s absence leaves a void up front, as does the loss of Green, but Ethan Morales is back to play a larger role in the middle of the defensive line alongside Meltwan Smith. CJ Robinson and Thompson will be back in the secondary, but there are still some question marks.

“It will be by committee. The biggest thing is finding the scheme that fits this group,” Kennedy said. “For the last two or three years, we’ve been a three hands (in the dirt team) because of Jalynn; he demands a double and triple team. We don’t quite have that, so we have to move to more of a four-man scheme. We just feel like this more fits this group a lot better.” Kennedy doesn’t plan on rebuilding after a spectacular season last fall. He’s confident this group can make another run. They enter the season as the seventh-ranked team in 2A, according to the S.C. Prep Football Media Preseason Poll, and plan on continuing that climb to the top.

“It’s a process. The ultimate goal is to win a state championship, so we’re just taking it in phases,” Kennedy said. “The next phase is win a county championship. We’ve got a lot of rivalries and a lot of local schools we’re playing. We want to win as many games in the preseason as we can, and the next phase is we want to win a region championship to put us in position to get a top seed going into the playoffs. Once we go to the playoffs, we have one goal, and that’s a state championship. We did everything else below that, so we want to make that one extra step this year and get to the state championship and win the state championship when we get there.”

(run-pass option), a lot of drop back with him or just straight gives.

“Blease Hardy, a junior, he’s going to be quarterback/running back for us. Blease is more of a power readtype quarterback. He can snap the ball fast to outside screens and then, of course, what Takoda can do. Takoda can kind of do it all, but I think Gavin is a little stronger in the passing game.”

The Wolverines lost a few key skill players to graduation, though T. Cornelius’ move away from being the primary quarterback helps alleviate some of those concerns. Whit Nesbitt, Jay Webb, Dawson Beard and Hunter Mixon are just a few of their top offensive weapons who have now moved on. Jamal Prince, Wes Springs, Mason Floyd, Barnes McConnell, Ashtin Lanier, Easton Donion, Shamar Graham and twins Picasso and Braylon Brown will all see roles at receiver. Mike Woods, a starting offensive lineman last year, dropped some weight to move to H-back to join a stable of runners.

“We didn’t have a lot of depth (at receiver last year). I feel like we have a lot more depth now. We have one go-to guy, but I think we’ve got a lot of other roles that are going to be filled. It’s going to open up a lot of things for us,” Coach Cornelius said. “Same thing with running back. We lost three running backs to graduation, so we’re going to be youthful. We have one senior, Tyquan Wilson; Blease Hardy; and Skylar Cornelius, my youngest as a freshman.”

While the Wolverines will have some new faces at the skill positions, they have a lot of familiarity in the trenches. Xavier Smith, Jaylon Barron, Walker Kirby, Jesse Floyd, Colton Baker and Kollin Brown are all back

up front, which provides some key consistency for the EC offense. Koy Wright will be the first guy off the bench in the interior spots.

“We didn’t graduate our top seven offensive linemen last year; that was really nice. That’s the most important piece,” Coach Cornelius said. “That’s why I feel good. Even if we’re not battle tested at running back, you don’t have to have the greatest running backs if you have a really good O-line, and I feel really good about our O-line.”

The Wolverines lost an important defensive leader to graduation in Mixon, but EC had to learn to play without him for stretches last season because of injury. Colby McKenzie, one of their top tacklers, also graduated, but they have a ton of returning talent on that side of the ball. The twin Browns and T. Cornelius are back to lead the secondary, and East Clarendon has depth in the trenches. Coach Cornelius likes some of the options he has to fill in at linebacker this fall.

“Thomas Fitts, to be honest, for the last two years in scout, he’s the best linebacker. He just has to get over the Friday night (jitters). He tries to overthink stuff instead of just playing, but he really fits in there well inside the tackles,” the EC head coach said.

“Then you’ve got Crosby Timmons and Shemar Graham, so you’ve got three guys for those two positions that we’re looking at. Then we have a lot of veterans everywhere else.”

After earning home playoff wins in each of the last two seasons, the Wolverines plan on raising the bar this fall. Coach Cornelius thinks his team is ready to make a push in 2A.

“My goals have always been higher than a home playoff game. I think that was important to host the first year. I

LEE CENTRAL FROM PAGE B13

the guard position, Marcus Atkinson and Daryl Robinson. And we have our center, Dravion Wright; he was a kid who played a little bit for us last year, as well. Up front, we’ve got a pretty neat little group.”

Lee Central also has a lot back in the backfield. Nycer Henry, Xavier Reed, Ezekiel Blake and Shadrach Williams all have experience from a year ago at running back.

“We felt like our backfield was fairly seasoned,” Danner said. “We’ll kinda figure out what this group does best, and we’ll try to do that.”

The defense returns a few critical defensive pieces in both Savion and Shadrach Williams alongside Jadin Price. Shadrach Williams was an All-State linebacker after piling up 97 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks, while Savion Williams plugged up holes up front and added seven tackles for a loss and three sacks. Price was another All-State defender behind 12 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks for

SCOTT'S BRANCH

LCHS. With the departure of their other All-State defender, Chuck Harry, that trio becomes even more important alongside Blake and Tyreek Miller.

“Those are some of our real core guys who have played up front for us,” Danner said, noting that Jacques Sweetenburg and Jordan Rufus will join them in the front seven. “In the secondary, we have a couple of newcomers that have been playing for us at corner and one of our safeties. I know I mentioned our quarterbacks, I didn’t mention both of those guys played some defense for us as well. Xavier Reed, he plays one of our safeties. Javon Jenkins, he plays one of our receivers, but he’s one of our lead defensive backs, as he plays corner for us. We also have a newcomer, Sy’heed Byrd; he’s been playing some corner for us along with Tyquez Adams. Both of those guys have done a really nice job in 7-on-7s this summer.

“We just want to try to be able to get to the ball on defense and try to have

FROM PAGE B13

end Danny Ragin will be our middle linebacker this year, and we think that will make us a better team and defense overall.”

Behind that group, nearly everyone is back. Jackson and Green will lead the secondary alongside their most improved DB, Nashawn Chestnut, while Bowman, Ragin and Richardson lock things down at linebacker. Fleming, a former South Carolina linebacker, thinks this defense will only get better with another year of experience.

“We’ve got pieces. Last year we built the foundation, the walls; the ceiling was put on this summer,” Fleming said. “Now we’re trying to move in and let everyone know we’re here.”

Fleming carries that mindset to the entire team. The Eagles are ready to play. Making the playoffs was a great first step, but they’re ready to keep improving until they have everyone’s attention in 1A.

“We’re looking to compete every week, we’re looking to win every play, every quarter, every half, every game. That’s the expectation,” he said.

“We’ve been really grinding. We’re grateful for any opportunity we get; we’re going to make the most of it. I’m just so proud of the coaches and the players, for everyone buying in. We became more of a close-knit family this year. It’s been a real great ride. We’re ready to strap it on and really see what we can do.”

was a little upset that we did the same goal the second year, so definitely get past the second round,” the Wolverine head coach said of his goals for the year. “In the regular season, some years I don’t care if we go undefeated because non-region games don’t really matter, but with the schedule we have, they’re winnable games. They’re tough, not downcutting our opponents or anything like that, but last year out of the first four games, we

guys understand where they fit and just taking care of their little piece of dirt.”

The Stallions have gotten some attention in the preseason, earning votes though not quite cracking the Top 10 in SCHSL 1A in the S.C. Prep Football Media Polls. Danner hopes they’ll continue to grow as their young players continue to develop throughout their non-region schedule.

“The goal is the same every year. We’d love a chance to play on Thanksgiving; that would be a huge thing,” Danner said, referencing championship weekend. “A goal for us is to always try to win our conference. Those are things that put us in better position for postseason play. We want to take it one at a time; the goal is always to get better. As a coach, that’s being able to help this team reach its fullest potential. I do feel like we have a lot of potential.”

lost one, and it was by one point. We lost three regular season games, and I think it was by a total of 10 points. We want to win our four non-region games; we want to go undefeated in region play, win the region championship.

“We have a tough region; there’s a lot of parity. I love it, I absolutely love it. I don’t think you can have a down week.”

come with some positives, as the returning players had a chance to learn from adversity.

“You have to be able to adapt as things change around you,” senior Cain June said. Fellow senior Tucker Boyce added, “Sometimes you have to step into a position you’re not comfortable with or maybe you don’t like to benefit your team. Last year, our record didn’t show where it benefitted, but I think this year we’re working a lot on that.”

Davis is back at quarterback as a sophomore. He helped lead the Cavalier baseball team to a state title in the spring and has grown immensely since the end of the 2024 football season.

“He’s making his reads a little quicker,” Logan said. “We’re not a throwing team; we’re not going to throw the ball 20-30 times a game by any means, but when he does throw the football, he’s gotta be sharp, make his reads quick, get rid of the football. We’re breaking in three new offensive linemen, so it’s going to take some time for them to gel and mesh and they know they’ve got to protect the quarterback, that’s their job. And he has to know that there’s going to be some growing pains, so stick together.”

The Cavaliers are a work in progress in the trenches after the graduation of Trace June, Tyler Berry and Jayden Dean. Collins Drayton is anchoring the night at center heading into the fall. Fellow senior Hampton Layton is moving from tackle to guard. Grant Hawkins, Wyatt Frazier, Benton Blackwell and Taylor Mitchell are among the players competing at tackle.

“Right now, no spot is taken,” Logan said of the competition on the offensive line. “We’ve got a young guy, he was playing tight end last year, Carter Berenzen, he might end up being a guard for us. Just trying to find that right team chemistry. Even though that might not be their first position in nature, it might fit this team best.”

Behind them, Lee Academy has plenty of returning talent. Andrew Bowers is back after rushing for 1,010 yards and 13 touchdowns at running

back. Landen Olson, Tyler Gilbert and Boyce also return in the backfield, alongside pass-catchers line Cain June, Myles Frye and Paxton Greene.

“We have a lot of tailback types, so that’s why we’re tailoring our offense around that,” Logan said.

The Cavaliers have most of their defense back, especially at the second and third levels. Boyce leads the defense from middle linebacker, while Bowers and June are in charge of putting the roof over the defense as the two safeties. Cary Privette is a newcomer for the Cavs who will slot in at corner opposite Davis. Like the offensive line, the defensive line is full

THOMAS SUMTER ACADEMY FROM PAGE B14

respectively. Landon Eisenhour, Colby Brock and Jack McGrary are battling for snaps at center.

“I always see people pushing themselves,” Steele-Allen said of the unity. “I’m really proud of what the line is doing because they’re always learning and asking questions where needed.”

The Generals return plenty of their defense, including Hill on the back end at safety with Z. Williams, Andrew Conyers and Andrade helping to fill out the secondary. Jake Lessard, Steele-Allen, Ryan Cintron-Black and Weston Shaffer are the first line of defense in the trenches. Jordan Oliver, a freshman, is playing inside linebacker alongside Colvin Linville, Braden Finan and Team.

“Bringing in Coach Blackstone has allowed me to go back to the defensive side, which I feel that I do best,” Bell said. “We’re very aggressive. We can bring three men, we can bring seven. We’re having fun with it. Our young men have bought in, and they like the aggressiveness that we’re

CLARENDON

some heads.”

showing.”

Thomas Sumter put up a fight in their Week 0 opener, but two early touchdowns by Carolina Academy proved to be too much to overcome. After the first quarter, TSA outscored CA 7-6. Linville led the defense with 10 tackles, two tackles for a loss and recovered a fumble. The Generals made nine stops in the backfield, and Jack McGrary added a second fumble recovery. Hill forced a fumble and had seven tackles.

While there is still work to be done, Bell is confident that his Generals will continue to move in the right direction throughout the fall.

“Each week, we want to win our game, whatever that is. That part never changes,” Bell said. “On a daily basis, we want to get better. As far as goals for the season, we want to win more games than we did last year. We want to make the playoffs; we want to win the region. If you can do some of those, then you get a chance to get involved with the big stuff at the end.”

Wallace carries that physical mindset to the defensive side of the ball, as well.

“Defensively, we’ve got to get mean. We’ve got to love to play downhill, be quicker to the ball. When I come in, I bring a lot of fundamental football,” Wallace said. “Trying to get them to play downhill and not so soft – we can line up any defense we want to, the X’s and O’s will sort themselves out – it’s the Sams and Joes that you have to work on. If I can get them to follow me to the gates of Hades with a water pistol, then we can win a football game on Friday night.”

Of course, in SCISA 1A football, most if not all of your starters on offense will flip over to the defensive side of the ball. That remains true at Clarendon Hall. Coming from North Carolina 3A football, Wallace’s biggest concern is depth, but the defense is starting to take shape.

“That is hard, trying to figure out when we can get them off the field. With your numbers, the way we’ve got them right now, even getting them off on special teams is tough,” Wallace said. “Stewart Price is the defensive coordinator right now, and he’s been there eight to 10 years doing a very good job. He’s got a graduate from last year, Griffin McIntosh, he’s stepping up. I’m working with him with the linebackers, and Randy Bass is doing our defensive front. The good thing about it is, when you’re talking about your defensive line, there’s not as many of them

of competition. Gavin Makela, Luke Richardson, Drayton and more will compete in the trenches.

“We feel like we have a lot of guys we can cycle in there,” Logan said. “We have a lot of different guys we can plug in at nose and our two ends who we feel like can do the job.”

Lee Academy was one of the few teams playing Week 0 and didn’t get out to an ideal start, falling 3414 to Spartanburg Christian. Davis finished 12-23 with 186 yards and a touchdown through the air. Greene was on the receiving end of that score, finishing with 61 yards through the air, while June added five catches for 56 yards

and Frye caught a 47-yard pass. Aiden Powell added a 60-yard touchdown run, while Olson led the team with 15 carries, collecting 37 yards. Lee struggled defensively, allowing 303 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Still, the Cavaliers are hungry to get back to the mountaintop after a firstround playoff exit last season.

“I think we needed that,” Boyce said. “Our school is used to a winning record, so I think going 3-7, people are going to say it’s this or that, but we just have to come back mad and have something to prove to somebody.”

as there is on offense, so you can probably get some breath for some of the bigger boys. The problem there is that some of them are some of our linebackers, too.

“It goes back to conditioning. We have got to be ready to play in that fourth quarter, especially that defense, if we’re going to be successful.”

The secondary will be a mix of Elliott, Hatchell, Joey Singleton and Thomas Shorter. At linebacker, senior Bryce Yates returns to the program after some time away. Simpson will join him with Talan Dymond, Andrew Pritcher and Zander White. Atkinson will lead the defensive line with most of his compatriots from the offensive line.

Wallace is excited to set a strong foundation with the Saints this year. Win No. 1 will be a big step in the right direction.

“I’ve got a good group of seniors. They’re building a foundation. Regardless of what we do this year, down the road, these guys have built that foundation, and they’ll be a part of our foundation,” the Saints’ head coach said. “I’m trying to create a program, not a team. I want Clarendon Hall to start having a program where we start building it from Pre-K through 12 instead of just having a team you participate on. My goal is to get us focused, not focusing on the win, but hating to lose. That’s kinda where I want these kids, not to worry about that scoreboard but to hate to lose.”