Bi football preview 2013

A Special Publication of ®

Josh Simmons • Berkeley High School

Bernard Harmon • Timberland High School

Devontae Shepherd • Cross High School

Berkeley High School • Cross High School • Timberland High School • St. John’s Christian Academy

2 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 3

4 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW Cover Designs by: Linda Anderson Cover photOs by: Dan Brown, Rob Gantt, Roger Lee, Doug Rogers & Shane Roper

A Special Publication of

A Special Publication of

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Sean White

School

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High School

8 Fort Dorchester High School • • • • • • • • 12 Goose Creek High School • • • • • • • • • • 15 Stratford High School • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20 Summerville High School • • • • • • • • • • 24 Berkeley High School • • • • • • • • • • • • • 29 Cane Bay High School • • • • • • • • • • • • 32 Hanahan High School • • • • • • • • • • • • • 36 Timberland High School • • • • • • • • • • • 38 Cross High School • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41 Pinewood Preparatory School • • • • • • • • 43 Northwood Academy • • • • • • • • • • • • • 46 St. John’s Christian Academy • • • • • • • • 47 Ashley Ridge High School

Caleb Kinlaw !

High School

Devontae Shepherd

!

High School

2013 Football Preview is a special publication of the Berkeley Independent, Summeville Journal Scene and the Gazette. Additional photography provided by McGregor Dennis Photography.

Ellen Priest President & Publisher

Sports Writers Dan Brown, Rob Gantt & Roger Lee

Judy Watts Executive Editor

Advertising Staff Nick Daniels, Ann Mack, Ashley McGee, Jasmine Moultrie, Sarah Wiggins & Maurice Frazier

Frank Johnson Editor Chris Zoeller Regional Advertising Director

Administrative Assistants Betsy Craven-Bailey & Venus Washington

Cheryl Cargill Business Manager

Graphic Designer Linda Anderson A Special Publication of

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 5

6 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Are you ready?

BY ROB GANTT AND ROGER LEE All preseason checkpoints have been passed for Lowcountry football teams, concluding with last week’s annual Sertoma Classic at The Citadel.

So, ready or not, high school football season has officially arrived, and the 2013 experience figures to be a tremendous one for local fans.

On the surface, there appears to be a number of area squads capable of making runs at region titles and state glory.

In Berkeley County alone, football enthusiasts include Goose Creek, Stratford, Hanahan and Cross as legitimate contenders for crowns in their respective classifications.

The Gators have won 40 of their last 42 games and are counting on an impressive offense powered by running back Caleb Kinlaw to continue that success. Stratford has the No. 1 player in the state in quarterback Jacob Park.

Fittingly, Kinlaw and Park will also be rivals in college as Kinlaw is headed for Georgia Tech and Park for Georgia.

The Hawks bring back their entire defense, which is as stingy as ever. They crushed

Wando 24-0 in Sertoma last Thursday night.

Oh, and Cross is looking to defending the Class A title it won last fall behind one of the most talented backfields in the state at any level with Devontae Shepherd and all-state twins Dionte and Diamante Evans.

Thoughts of late defensive coordinator Antonio Simmons will be with the Trojans too.

And Berkeley and Timberland have winning traditions that can’t be overlooked – ever. So, count the Stags and Wolves as forces to be reckoned with.

For Timberland, Bernard Harmon and Shamel Williams are touchdown threats on the ground and through the air and Josh Simmons and Branden Williams anchor a big-play Berkeley defense.

Both Cane Bay and Northwood Academy’s coaches say they have more true athletes than had last year. They are aiming high too.

Over in Dorchester County, Summerville goes to battle with the winningest coach in the universe. The Green Wave’s John McKissick won his 600th game last fall as his squad captured the Region 8-AAAA title in 2012. Rival Fort Dorchester currently has more players in

the National Football League than any program around so talent is there.

The Green Wave returns several starters on each side of the ball and has multiple Division1 college prospects. The team’s QB is no longer a rookie after passing for more than 1,300 yards last season. The Wave is looking to build on the momentum it gained at the end of last season.

The Patriots have experience up front and a few major college prospects of their own but their season will hinge on how new skill players develop and perform.

The Swamp Foxes lost three players from their offensive backfield who had been the foundation of the success the team had the last three years. In many ways, they will look like a new team but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Ashley Ridge has major talent at key positions and its coaches are hoping better chemistry will be the difference for their team this year.

Pinewood Prep enters the season with a new head coach and a roster that is very different from last year’s. SCISA fans can only wait to see what impact the Panthers’ new team dynamic will have.

Rob Gantt/Gazette

Goose Creek running back Caleb Kinlaw, a Georgia Tech commitment, runs over a North Augusta defensive back during a scrimmage earlier this month.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 7

8 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Ashley Ridge Swamp Foxes

Dashaun Santiago

Woodrow Jones

Matt Linton

GO SWAMP FOXES!

Stephan Gilliam

ASHLEY RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Tyquan Tucker

Kadarius Anderson

DeAngelo Shaw

Maurice Martin

David Turner

Chandler Avene

Trequan Jenkins

Sean White

Michael Estabrook

Lee Holley

Donavan Thompson

Jamal King-Smalls

Kendall Felder

Brandon Brownz

Arphaxad Kemmerlin

Dominique Moore

Tyler Garland

Charles Fredrick

David Layton

Matt Leek

Date: Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 24 Nov. 1 Nov. 8

Opponent: Goose Creek Wando Ashley Stratford Cane Bay West Florence Colleton County Bluffton Beaufort Summerville Fort Dorchester All Games Start at 7:30PM

Location: Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home

Good Luck to all Athletic Teams!

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 9

Ashley Ridge Swamp Foxes

CJ Cosby

Greg Waters

Lendric Thompson

Thomas Cooper

Abraham Kemmerlin

Marcus Ladson

Ashton Hughes

Jared Campagnone

Da'Shawn Herrine

Matt Gable

Kevin Washington

Damon Smalls

Tanner Price

Jonathan Pacheco

Chris Bryant

10 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Swamp Foxes putting pieces together up mostly inside and will spend some time in the backfield.

“He is one of our better offensive players, someone other teams had better prepare for,” Walker said.

Matt Linton and Charles Fredrick are other inside receivers likely to see a lot of action.

Dashaun Santiago will line up outside to help the Foxes stretch the field. DeAngelo Shaw and Mitch Nixon are also expected to vie for playing time at the position. They are all juniors except Shaw, who is a senior.

The second corner piece is returning senior Sean White. A three-year letterman, White will be used as a kick returner, receiver and running back, the position most affected by graduation.

“Sean White is our big play guy,” Walker said. “We will use him in a number of different ways.”

Junior Tyler Garland and sophomore C.J. Crosby are also expected to get a lot of touches from the running back position.

“We have more physical runners this year instead of the slash and dash type we had in Romelo,” Walker said. “We aren’t expecting them to break off 70-yard runs, but we think they can do what we need them to do which is gain five or six yards and block.”

BY ROGER LEE The Journal Scene

As the season nears, the Ashley Ridge football team remains a work in progress, but things are coming together for the Swamp Foxes.

Ashley Ridge lost several key starters to graduation, but the team does have a foundation on which to build.

“We have some pieces to the puzzle, but we still have some spots to fill in,” Swamp Fox coach Kenny Walker said. “We have some concerns, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”

Walker has found his four corner pieces and is steadily building inward in hopes of completing the puzzle.

The first corner piece is the team’s receiving corps.

“Offensively when you lose players like Romelo Doctor, Vernon Moree and Jacob Thompson, the concern is where are you going to get your yardage,” Walker said.

“Our group of wide receivers this year is probably the best group we have ever had.

They are very talented and we expect them to make a big splash.”

The leader of the group is senior Donavan Thompson. A returning starter, he will line

“Kendall is the quarterback of our defense,” Walker said. “He knows all the calls and knows where everyone is supposed to be. Our defense needs players who can make adjustments on the fly and he is one of those players who can.”

The fourth corner piece is senior defensive end Kadarius Anderson, who has been with the AR varsity since his freshman year.

“He provides good leadership for us up front,” Walker said.

Josh Spigner returns as a starting tackle and fellow senior Thomas Cooper also brings experience to the defensive line. He is slated to start at the other defensive end position.

Senior Tyler Moore and junior Dylan Mariucci return to anchor the Foxes’ linebacker corps. Brown and Cosby will play both sides of the ball to help strengthen the linebacker position.

The Foxes lost their kicker to graduation, so this season Ashton Hughes and Matt Gable will handle the kicking and punting.

Brad McLaughlin, Tanner Price and Peterson are the team’s long snappers.

“We have spent a lot of time on special teams trying to make them more solid,” Walker said. “I think it will pay off.”

After serving as backups at the position last season, juniors David Turner and Chandler Avenel are competing for the starting quarterback role. Whoever gets the job will have some experienced linemen protecting them.

“Our offensive line should be pretty decent,” Walker said. “We have all the guys back who started up front in last year’s playoff game at Gaffney and we were able to run the ball pretty well that game. We have several guys we feel comfortable with and we think we can move most of them around to different positions but after that we need to develop some depth.”

Center Jonathan Byrd, guards Tyler Moss and Keith Clark and tackles Kenny Glover and Devin Parker return up front. Seniors Steven Truelove and Jacocb Bonar weren’t with the Foxes last season, but are experienced linemen.

Helping them up front will be sophomore tight ends Brandon Brown and Justin Peterson. “They are pretty athletic so we feel they can pose a problem for teams,” Walker said.

The third corner piece to the puzzle is senior free safety Kendall Felder, a three-year varsity letterman.

Tyler Moore

Dylan Mariucci

Brad McLaughlin

Tyler White

Maurice Philips

Matt Mohn

Tyler Moss

Brandon Smith

Ryan Fritz

Jarrett Bohn

Noah Carter

Jonathan Byrd

Josh Spigner

James Thomas

Keith Clark

Jacob Bonar

Kenny Glover

Jacob Clark

Jamal Walker

Devin Parker

Steven Truelove

Mohammed Mallah

Justin Peterson

Daniel Glenn

Jason Flippin

William Gladden

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 11

12 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Patriots stand GO PATRIOTS! to be strong up front The Journal Scene

The Patriots should be strong in the trenches this season, but they will open their campaign with some largely untested skill-position players.

“We lost some guys in the secondary and on offense we lost all our skill guys,” Fort Dorchester coach Steve LaPrad said. “Our question mark going into the season is our skill positions.”

The team has experience everywhere else.

“We feel like our strength is our front seven on defense,” LaPrad said. “They are all juniors who played last year. Up front offensively we feel like we could possibly be as good as we have ever been. We have three linemen back who started every game last year plus another who played quite a bit.”

The Patriots finished last season with a 56 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since LaPrad took over. However, several of the losses came in tight games so LaPrad is optimistic about the new season.

“All the starters who were so young last season are a year older and a year wiser,”

he said.

Myles White, Eurndraus Bryant and Eugene March all return to the defensive line. White and Bryant are both D-1 prospects. Bryant dropped 45 pounds over the summer so LaPrad is expecting him to be a true force.

“Bryant will be a big key for us and we hope to play him on both sides of the ball,” LaPrad said. “When he is full speed and not tired, he is unblockable but he was too large last year so he ran out of gas at times.

He and Kevyne Flores pretty much bottle up the middle for us.”

Flores is one of four linebackers returning to the team with starting experience. He and fellow senior David Govan started there the past two seasons. Senior Ryan Chaya and junior Daniel Finley are also returning starters. Finley missed the last half of the season due to a leg injury.

Juniors Wanyae Fludd and Trent Barnes, both transfer students, should add good depth to the defensive front.

The only member of the Patriot secondary with much varsity experience is senior

FORT DORCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL Date: Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8

Opponent: Carolina Forest Cane Bay Stratford (Elementary Night) Goose Creek Wando (Homecoming) West Ashley Summerville (Hall of Fame) Colleton County Bluffton (Senior Night) Beaufort Ashley Ridge

All Games Start at 7:30PM

Location: Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away

SJH-1018480

See PATRIOTS Page 14

Have a safe season.

Kobe Garrett

Cameron Davis

Mike Davis

Rashad Palmer

Diondre Champaigne

Cato Jenkins

Juwan Burnell

Jesse Cruz

SJH-1018467

BY ROGER LEE

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 13

Fort Dorchester Patriots Tanner Ziliak

Dresean White

Jerod Lacy

David Govan

Kevyne Flores

Josiah Johnson

Colt Davis

Jonathan Rouse

Mike Maiorelle

Leroy Bennett

Anthony Foreman

Matt Murray

Nahshon Cyrus

Deonta Morris

Trey Duncan

Datron James

Riley Rozanski

Myles Price

Dekoa Singleton

Natrawn Maxwell

D.J. Commodore

Ryan Chaya

Joseph Hutchinson

Eugene March

Daniel Finley

Myles White

Leon Fields

14 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Fort Dorchester Patriots Wanyae Fludd

Daveon Brown

Dana Coleman

Eurndraus Bryant

Tyese McDonald

PATRIOTS from page 12 Deonta Morris. He and senior Cato Jenkins are the projected starters at cornerback. Juniors Jerod Lacy and Adrian McNeil will likely start at the safety positions.

“We will be young in the back, but we have put a lot of our efforts into helping those guys improve,” LaPrad said.

The Fort returns four starters to the offensive line.

Junior Cody Meree returns at center.

Senior Nick Tononi returns at right guard.

Senior Tyese McDonald returns at tackle.

Senior Brian Sanders was moved to defen-

Quandre Chisolm

Jordan Horne

Nate Philips.

Brian Sanders

Chris Morales

Cody Meree

Stephen Epley

Deaundre Alston

Austin Ake

Terryl Johnson

D'Monte Bailey

Adrian McNeil

Corey Rawlings

Cameron Asbell

Michael Brown

James Mackey

sive end last season but he returns to the offensive guard position this year.

Jordan Horne, a senior transfer from Florida, will likely play the tackle position opposite of McDonald.

“They have all been in the fire,” LaPrad said. “Horne played on a state championship 6-A team in Tallahassee so he should really help. Depth is a concern on the offensive line but we have some defensive linemen who can also block. In fact, a lot of our second string on both sides of the ball will be from players going two ways.”

The Patriots’ quarterback, two leading rushers and leading receiver from last season graduated in May. However, the team

does have some skill players with varsity experience as well as some promising younger skill guys.

“Matt Murray started in front of our other running backs last year before he tore his ACL so we feel pretty good about our ability to run the ball,” LaPrad said.

“We also have a few receivers who played a good bit.”

Murray has earned the starting running back spot and transfer student Nahshon Cyrus, a senior, will also likely spend a lot of time in the offensive backfield.

Sophomore Datron James has also shown great promise at the position.

Senior receiver D’Monte Bailey returns after finishing last season as the Patriots

Trent Barnes

Nick Tononi

Caleb Middleton

Waqsif Al-Khamaiseh

second-leading receiver. He made 15 receptions last year for 267 yards. Seniors Rashad Palmer and Corey Rawlings are also back after seeing considerable action as receivers. Both are versatile athletes who may line up at multiple positions.

Newcomer Diondre Champaigne adds depth to the receiver corps.

The Patriots worked out three quarterbacks in the preseason. Junior Kobe Garrett is the projected starter but Rawlings and senior Colt Davis have both shown promise at the position the past two seasons.

Rawlings is the team’s punter and sophomore Riley Rozanski will likely handle the placekicking.

Goose Creek Gators Brandon McCants

Dantez Bennamon

JC Simuel

Darrius McCray

Tyler Rio

Omar McRae

Kenny Hampton

Deondre' Daniels

Cedric Matthews

Frank Gadsden

Darian Mickle

Delonzo Prather

Tyrik Johnson

Alex Jacobus

Caleb Kinlaw

EJ Simmons

Andre Rhodes

Dominique McConnell

Jordan McElveen

Tyrik Martin

Shaquille Salley

Quintavis Davis

Dominique Jefferson Maurice Bonneau-Gailliard

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 15

16 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

GCHS Gators

Rashad Bethel

Robert Matthews

Daylin Julius

GO GATORS!

Silas Adams

GOOSE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Darin McNeal

Morgan Nelson

Evan McField

Rache McMillan

Malcolm Baylock

Austin Brehmer

Travae Hines

Tory Burrell

Date: Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8

Opponent: Ashley Ridge Colleton County Summerville Fort Dorchester Dutch Fork (Homecoming) Beaufort Carolina Forest Cane Bay Wando West Ashley (Senior Night) Stratford

Location: Away Home Away Home Home Away Away Away Home Home Away

All Games Start at 7:30PM

SJH-1018467 SJH-1018482

Javier Campbell

Lockwood Anderson

Durrell Timmons

K.J. Wood

Devonte Burns

Josh Matthews

Tyler Hood

Dandre Wansley

Malik Jefferson

Gabrien Gillespie

Matt Principio

Tyriq Glover

Good Luck Gators!

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 17

Goose Creek Gators Marquise Walker

Alex Butch

Blake Daniels

Brandon Travis

Chris Mitchell

Malik Bryant

Tyler Glisson

Myles Dillard

Donte Devore

Kyrice Williams

Zack VanAlstine

Trey Simmons

DeQuan White

Anthony Kinloch

Jacquay Roberson

Jordan Barnes

Cody Jones

Jace Pond

C.J. Polite

Robert Phifer

Kalan Ritchie

Aikeem Gadsden

Dijon Profit

Tanner Sineath

18 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Can Gators keep winning?

BY ROB GANTT The Gazette

It’s gotten to be commonplace at Goose Creek High School to say the Gators should contend for a state crown.

That is once again a legitimate possibility as the sun comes up on a new season.

“As always, the expectations are very high,” Gators coach Chuck Reedy said.

“We lost some very talented players but have some excellent players returning and expect to be a very good football team.”

The Gators have won 40 of their last 42 games and were 13-0 last season before being ousted from the playoffs by the high school league for using an ineligible player in the playoffs. They were not allowed to defend their 2011 championship as a result. The player in question participated in 17 plays all season and never entered a game Goose Creek led by less than 41 points.

Goose Creek lost three Division I players from the 2012 defense and another from the offense in Mr. Football Tramel Terry but bring back a pair. Running back Caleb Kinlaw has verbally committed to Georgia Tech and tight end Kalan Ritchie to South Carolina. Quarterback Dantez Bennamon is a Division I prospect too, especially in an option offense.

Juggernaut is the word that comes to mind when talking about Goose Creek’s offense. The Gators averaged 46.3 points per game last year and hope to be similarly productive.

“Our receivers are as good as we’ve ever had as a group,” Reedy said. “Our offensive linemen are basically veterans, and our backs Caleb Kinlaw and Evan McField have been in the program a long time.

“We’re very experienced and we should execute well and we have (in preseason scrimmages).”

Bennamon passed for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 535 more yards and six touchdowns in 2012. Kinlaw rushed for 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Both are bigger and stronger and have highlighted some plays this summer with punishing collisions on defenders. One play against Berkeley earlier this month stands out for Bennamon. With Reedy calling for his quarterback to get out of bounds, Bennamon lowered his shoulder and knocked a Berkeley player out of the scrimmage. Kinlaw ended several long runs with tough stiff arms on would-be tacklers.

“We stress being a physical, tough and hard-nosed team,” Reedy said. “That goes for the whole team.”

Seniors Jordan Barnes and Ritchie are the

GCHS Gators

Cody Williams

Frank Wilson

Devon Brown

Trenton Brown

Javon Kinlaw

Montel Gause

Simeon Brown

top pass catchers returning but only combined for 13 grabs, 170 yards and five scores in 2012. Speedy Deondre Daniels moves over from the defensive side of the ball and has big-play potential. He was one of the state’s top sprinters in track last spring.

Up front, left tackle Tyler Hood and right tackle Tre Simmons are returning starters.

Malik Bryant, Brandon Travis, Zack Van Alstine and Alex Butch will handle the other three spots.

Defensively, the Gators were hit hard by graduation. Gone are DE Gerald Turner (USC), DE Mike Myers (East Carolina) and LB/DE Jalen Stevens (Connecticut), replaced mostly by role players.

“That’s really what you deal with most of the time,” said defensive line coach Joe Bowers. “When you get those Division I guys, those are special years. Ninety percent of the time you’re not going to have those types of guys.”

The lone returning starter on the defensive front is weakside defensive end

DeQuan White. C.J. Polite will play the strongside defensive end. Other players in the mix in the trenches are Kyrice Williams, Ritchie, Trenton Brown, Javon Kinlaw and Devon Brown.

Seniors ILB Daylin Julius and OLB Shaquille Salley are the top two players coming back at linebacker. Julius is the top tackler returning after making 120 stops, while Salley was in on 64 stops. Juniors ILB K.J. Wood and OLB Maurice Bonneau-Gailliard have experience too and combined for 56 stops in 2012.

In the secondary, senior CB Omar McRae comes back after making 11 interceptions last fall. Andre Rhodes is on the other side.

Delonzo Prather is the safety.

Specialist Alex Jacobus will handle kicking duties, taking over for record-setter Masamitsu Ishibashi.

The Gators open the regular season on Aug. 30 at Ashley Ridge. They host Colleton County Sept. 6 in the first home game.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 19

Will Knights party like it’s 1999?

BY ROB GANTT The Gazette

Stratford High School fans have every reason to be more than just a tad giddy about the upcoming season. Crowfield Avenue figures to be rocking as the Knights take aim at a state crown.

The Knights are coming off their best season since 2006 and have one of the premier quarterbacks in the country in senior Jacob Park. Stratford last played for a title in 2004 and last won the championship in 1999.

Park (6-4, 205) who combined for nearly 2,700 yards passing and rushing last season was an Elite 11 quarterback this summer.

The Georgia commitment is ranked as the No. 1 player in the state by the prep publication High School Sports Report.

“He makes me look like a good coach a lot of times, like I called the right play,” Stratford offensive coordinator Dennie McDaniel said. “He’s got a lot of confi-

dence in what he can do. The other players have confidence in him that he’s going to put the ball where it’s supposed to be.”

Park is part of a senior class that has been looked upon for a number of years as one that could get Stratford back where it used to be. There are a lot of playmakers in the Knights’ 20-man senior class.

“There are some individual kids in this group we’ve had our eyes on for a while,” Stratford coach Ray Stackley said. “This senior class has some guys in it we thought were going to be pretty good. We won’t know how special the group is until the season is over.”

Senior running backs Jordan Johnson and Tyree Scroggins have paid their dues the last couple of years and will be counted on to carry the mail this fall. Johnson was a tight end/flanker last season and is the top pass catcher returning.

“It is time for them to be playmakers,” McDaniel said. “Jordan has moved back to his natural position and we expect a lot of

things from him. Tyree was stuck in the depth chart last year but has had a tremendous spring, summer and fall camp. We are hoping he can continue to develop.”

Thad Thompson is the lone senior receiver and is joined in that group by juniors K.J. Givens, Chris Allen and Jameak Jones.

Junior Daniel Carter and senior Jared Terhune are the tight ends.

On the offensive line, junior Michael Hughes is the lone returning starter. Senior Connor Dayton is the only senior and, at 63, 315, the biggest lineman. The other projected starters are senior Ja’Avonte Peeples, junior Bryce Smith and sophomore Matt Morris.

On the other side of the ball, the Knights have the makings of a great defense, Stackley said.

“We’ve only got one starter back up front but our perimeter people are pretty dadgum good,” he added.

The group is headlined by senior defensive backs Taylor Morrison and Sheldon

Reid. Morrison made 10 interceptions from his free safety spot and Reid added seven interceptions at corner. Senior Dauntae Horton and sophomore Braxton Boykin are the other two defensive backs.

Inside linebacker Cecil Smith and outside linebacker T.J. Deveaux are returning starters on the second level along with Michael Simmons. Other linebackers will be juniors Menre Rice, Navae Daniels and Tyreik Faulks.

Senior Joe Cook is a defensive end with experience along with the other senior defensive end Steven Hill. Senior Jordan McArthur is another end.

On the interior line, junior Rodrigo Hernandez and junior Deondre Williams are starters.

Stratford hosts Berkeley on Aug. 30 to begin the season and travels to Sumter and Fort Dorchester the following two weeks.

20 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Stratford Knights Tyree Scroggins

Sheldon Reid

Van Harvey

Michael Simmons

Dre Steed

Jameak Jones

Tyler Tekac

Jacob Park

Tyreik Faulks

Thad Thompson

J.D. Davis

Jamison Mobbs

Dwight Barr

Taylor Morrison

Kemp Shider

Terik Johnson

Michael White

Navae Daniels

Michael Amos

Braxton Boykin

Griffin Martin

Quaheim Duffus

Jordan Johnson

Maverick Stenstrom

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 21

22 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

GO KNIGHTS!

Stratford Knights Jonah Walker

Jamar Williams

Cecil Smith SJH-1018500

Dauntae Horton

STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL

B.J. Wright

T.J. Deveaux

Menre Rice

Jacob Morrison

Justin Rhodes

Matt Morris

Richard Cook

Blake Tillman

MIchael Hughes

Tivon Koiner

Jalani Lewis

Daniel Dees

Jacob Fitzgerald

Jordan McArthur

Deondre Williams

Corey Rappley

Grant Gregorich

Rodrigo Hernandez

Toriano Delestline

Steven Hill

Date: Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8

Opponent: Location: Berkeley Home Sumter Away Fort Dorchester Away Ashley Ridge Home Colleton County Away Summerville Home Cane Bay Away Wando Home West Ashley Away South Florence Away Goose Creek Home All Games Start at 7:30PM

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 23

Stratford Knights Nick White

Jordan Domingo

Connor Dayton

Ja'Avonte Peeples

Austin Dees

Eddie Hiott

Jared Terhune

Daniel Carter

Bryce Smith

Steven Pierpoint

Tristan Ham

Chris Williams

Rob Gantt/Gazette

Chris Allen

Austin Chesser

KJ Givens

Joe Cook

Daylon Fields

Matthew Hutson

Stratford defensive coordinator Joe Marion figures to have one of the top defenses in the area this fall.

24 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Summerville Green Wave Sawyer Bridges

Joshua Orr

Daniel Smith

GO GREENWAVE!

Darin Smalls

SUMMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Tevin Bryant

David Coccoli

T.J. Hopkins

Krishaon Jackson

Anthony Collins

Travis Bryant

Mac McCurry

Cameron Burnette

Johnston McCurry

Rondale Johnson

Sean Smith

David Kennedy

Marquis Cheeseboro

DeAndre Richardson

TaShawn Redding

Kevin Dickinson

Darrell Ford

Amadi BeCoate-Roper

Chris Felder

Jacerie Ponder

Date: Aug. 29 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8

Opponent: Location: Cane Bay (Parent Night) Home Berkeley Away Goose Creek (Hall of Fame) Home Wando Away West Ashley Home Stratford Away Fort Dorchester Away Beaufort (Homecoming) Home Colleton County Away Ashley Ridge (Salute to Veterans) Home Bluffton Away All Games Start at 7:30PM

SJH-1018504

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 25

Roger Lee/Journal Scene

Junior Kawuan Cox is a returning starter for Summerville on the defensive.

Green Wave returns lots of talent

BY ROGER LEE The Journal Scene

The Green Wave football team returns several starters, has some top-notch talent and is poised to make some noise this season.

Summerville had a slow start in 2012 but finished strong to claim another region championship. Along the way, younger players developed and a veteran coaching staff ironed out some kinks so the Wave enters its 2013 campaign with fewer question marks.

“The kids are working hard and we had a good preseason,” Summerville coach John McKissick said. “I feel like we will be better, but everybody we play might be better.

I’m excited about the athletes we have coming back, but I’m a little worried about inexperience at certain positions.”

Last season Sawyer Bridges stepped into the team’s quarterback position as a freshman and started every game. He completed more than 100 passes for more than 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns. He also averaged 3.5 yards per rush.

In other words, he isn’t a rookie anymore.

“Sawyer is a good quarterback,” McKissick said. “He throws the ball well.

He runs well and he has a good head on his shoulders. There are two or three other quarterbacks in the area getting all the recogni-

tion, but Sawyer is as good as they are.”

Summerville has several other players with QB experience, but sophomore Krishaon Jackson is expected to claim the second-string role.

They should have decent protection as Summerville has good size and experience on the offensive line.

Anchoring the line will be Division-1 prospect Zack Bailey and fellow returning starter Jonathan James. Senior Sean Smith returns to the tight end position. All three have peeked the interest of college recruiters.

Other projected starters up front include senior Vincent Brown, junior William McArn and sophomore Chandler Farrell.

“We should be ok on the offensive line, but we don’t have the depth we would like to have,” McKissick said. “We will be ok with our backfield and receivers.”

The Wave took a blow when their leading rusher from last season moved out of state.

It’s hard to replace a tailback like Davon Anderson who rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns, but Summerville isn’t without talent at the position.

Senior Jacerie Ponder, who split time between the offensive and defensive backfields last year, has been tagged as the starter for running back position. Junior Darrell Ford See SUMMERVILLE Page 28

26 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Summerville Green Wave Daquan Wrighten

Aaron Greene

Cameron Moore

Tean Becoate

Michael Murray

Justin Brigman

John Van Slooten

Quadray Poinsette

Chad Wood

Matson Bryngelson

Codie Soto

Erik Von Nessen

Brandon Williams

Armani O'Banner

Matt Powell

Leroy Hart

Carlton Campbell

Darrell Smalls

Terry Nelson

Richard Russum

Joshua Smalls

Eric Henderson

Ronald Mitchell

Ryan Almas

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 27

Summerville Green Wave Hundley McCurry

William McArn

Chandler Farrell

Austin Rutledge

Vincent Brown

Seth Brown

Jonathan James

Travis White

Bo Memering

Zack Bailey

Parrish Clontz

Jamal Lucas

Devon Scott

Andre' Bigham

Julian Gibbs

William Luck

Dwayne Pierce

Kawuan Cox

Raekwon Williams

Malik Harrell

Khalid Katz

Andrew McCullough Leondre Thompson

28 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Green Wave

Roger Lee/Journal Scene

Green Wave offensive linemen Chandler Farrell and Zack Bailey double-team an Orangeburg Wilkinson rusher during a scrimmage.

SUMMERVILLE from page 25 and senior Darin Smalls are also likely to see action in the offensive backfield.

Smalls, who has verbally committed to South Carolina, has been a starter in the defensive secondary for the past two seasons.

However, this year coaches are considering using him more either in the offensive backfield or as a receiver. A number of other players may also see time at running back.

Summerville should be able to move the ball through the air. Smith and fellow senior and returning starter William Luck make good targets. Others likely to see action as a receiver include senior Johnston McCurry, junior Julian Gibbs, sophomore Chris Felder and Donnell Bryant, who transferred after playing at Pinewood Prep last season.

Summerville also has some experienced and talented players on the defensive side of the ball.

Anchoring the defense are five returning starters – Smalls and fellow DB Kevin Dickinson, linemen Kawuan Cox and Matt Powell, and linebacker Mac McCurry. Smalls and Dickinson are seniors while the other three are juniors.

As a middle linebacker last year McCurry led the team in tackles with 175, including 10 sacks. Cox and Powell both finished last season with more than 90 tackles and Cox had a team-high 13.5 sacks.

“On defense we need to develop some experience at nose guard and tackle, but we will be ok on that side if we manage to get pressure on the quarterback,” McKissick said.

Senior Darell Smalls has been moved from linebacker to tackle in an effort to help create that pressure. Other projected starters on the defensive front include sophomore Hundley McCurry and senior Travis Bryant.

Seniors Chad Wood and Tean Becoate will see a lot of time at linebacker and senior Daniel Smith will see a lot of time in the secondary.

Senior David Kennedy returns after handling a good bit of the Wave’s kicking duties last year. This season he may also do much of the punting.

“I think Kennedy might be a D-1 player,” McKissick said. “He has good hang time on his punts and last year he put a lot of kickoffs into the end zone.”

Johnston McCurry, Smalls and Bryant are slated to be the team’s primary kick returners.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 29

Berkeley Stags

Third year the charm for Stags?

BY DAN BROWN The Independent

Diamante Harley

Branden Williams

Conner Teague

Joseph Dress

Dylon Baker

Matthew Harkness

Daryl Frazier

Leo Rivers

Josh Fiddie

Tirahn Bradford

Bryce Kunkle

Joshua Simmons

Kamal Barton

Marcus West

Joshua Sellers

Jermeck Crocker

Kalen Hawkins

Leon Simmons

Chris Richardson

Jonathan Washington

Tyler Crouse

Julian Robinson

Kyle Morrison

Harrison Matthews

They say, “The third time is the charm.”

That’s what Berkeley Stags football fans are expecting. This year is it for the Stags.

After coming off a pair of sub-.500 seasons the Stags field a team stocked with 52 juniors and seniors with two seasons of experience.

It’s a team Coach Jeff Cruce hopes to get over the hump.

“We have come a long way since the end of last season,” Cruce said of the 6-8 2012 campaign. “We are working on things we haven’t been able to work on the past two seasons. We expect big things this fall.”

BHS play one of the area’s tougher preregion schedules with early games against Stratford, Summerville, Cane Bay and Timberland.

“We play three Class AAAA teams and Timberland, who always play us tough,” Cruce said. “On top of that we scrimmaged Goose Creek and play them for two quarters in Sertoma. We’ll get to see how we stand up to the larger schools.”

Berkeley fields an experienced line with Sterling Fiddie, Ohen Wren, Alex Taylor and J.R. Fiddie in the trenches. On defense, seniors Josh Simpson, Branden Williams and Damian Woods anchor a deep secondary.

“We’re big on defense and we’re quick,” Cruce said. “Our defense should put our offense in position to win ball games.”

On the offensive side of the ball junior Joseph Dress will take the ball under center with Josh Sellers, Diamante Harley and Jonathan Washington anchoring the ground game, and Dylan Baker, Bryce Kunkle and See STAGS Page 31

GO STAGS!

30 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Berkeley Stags Jordan Brown

Alex King

Kaleb Butler

Damion Woods

D.J. Barberena

Darrius Nelson

J.R. Fiddie

Peyton Thompson

Hagen Schindledecker

Sterling Fiddie

Sam Hucks

Chris Mathis

David Meree

Lablonc Winfield

James Ancrum

Kraig Jowers

Bernard Eaddy

Jaleel Cromedy

Date: Aug 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 3 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL

Opponent: Location: Stratford Away Summerville Home Cane Bay Home Manning Away Timberland Home James Island Away Hanahan Away Stall (Homecoming) Home Orangeburg-Wilkinson Home Hilton Head Away All Games Start at 7:30PM

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 31

STAGS from page 29

2013 Berkeley Stags

D.J. Witherspoon as primary targets through the air.

Cruce likes his team’s chances in Region 8AAA after a 3-2 record and a second place finish in 2012.

“Hanahan and James Island will both be tough this year, and Hilton Head and Orangeburg-Wilkinson have improved,” Cruce said. “We match up well against our region, but we have to come ready to play. With our strong pre-region schedule we’ll know where we stand come October.”

After lining up against Goose Creek in the Friday night feature scrimmage against Goose Creek in the Sertoma Classic, the Stags kick off their regular season on Aug. 30 on the road against Stratford.

Berkeley Stags James Wallace

Mason Edwards

Alex Taylor

Craig Mims

D.J. Witherspoon

Deion Williams.

Good Luck to all athletic teams!

32 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Cobras poised to strike

Cane Bay running back Ramonte Frasier is one of the top weapons for Cane Bay’s offense and also returns kickoffs.

BY ROB GANTT The Gazette

The Cane Bay Cobras had a competitive first year in Class AAAA and are changing their identity a bit to match their personnel as they head into their second season in the state’s highest level of football.

Gone are a lot of the bulky bodies that made Cane Bay a power team the last couple of seasons, and the Cobras are switching their schemes on both sides of the ball to take advantage of their increased speed and athletic ability.

Coach Russell Zehr’s team brings back two starters on the offensive line. The defensive line was completely wiped out by graduation.

“We even lost our backup guys,” Zehr said.

Last season, the Cobras were 6-6 and all those wins were battles, Zehr recalled. All of them were by 11 points or less and five were by single digits.

“That’s the biggest difference between Class AAA and Class AAAA,” he said. “Not only are you playing bigger schools every week, it’s a grind. Every team is good. That’s Class AAAA football.”

On offense, Cane Bay has gone to a oneback, spread type of attack.

The Cobras have experienced players returning in quarterback Devin Kilgore and running back Ramonte Frasier. Kilgore has a strong arm and good mobility and Frasier is a solid speed back. He had kickoff returns for scores last fall, too.

Tyler Farr is slated to also play running back for the Cobras.

At receiver, Devin Dingle and Rashad Andrews will be the top options in the passing game.

Up front, left tackle Nate Amico and center Keith Anderson have starting experience.

Trevor Ridgeway (LG), Chris Hitchman (RG) and Joseph Sass (RT) are the projected other starters for the Cobras as they head into the season Aug. 29 at Summerville. Cody Stegall will start at left tackle.

The tight ends are Gerald Baker and Tre Robinson.

Defensively, Cane Bay has a new defensive coordinator and has switched to a 3-4 scheme under Jody Kafina. The 3-4 is more of a slanting defense and linebackers are sent into the gaps, but they also have to be able to back up and cover the pass.

“We’ve got all the pieces we need,” Zehr Rob Gantt/Gazette

See CANE BAY Page 34

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 33

Cane Bay Cobras Rashad Andrews

Kevin Bunch

Devin Dingle

Austin Sineath

Dwayne Swett

Keshawn Foy

Akeem Lincoln

Jonathan X

JJ Jenkins

Jacob Page

Jonathan Bowman

RJ Griffin

Devin KIlgore

Tre Robinson

Keenan Simpson

TabariousHartzog

Bridges Howard

Gerald Baker

Tracy Gilliard

Romonte Frazier

Kevon Young

Alandis Murray

Tyler Farr

Matt Rudy

Alex Collette

Malachi Jenkins

Jacob Bradrick

34 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW The lone returning starter in the second-

CANE BAY

ary is Tracy Gilliard. Malachi Jenkins,

from page 32 said. “We just need to get them working together.”

Savion Pinckney and Brandon Brown hold down two of the spots up front, while Colton Shannon and Derrick Moser are getting the reps at the other spot.

Inside linebacker Matt Rudy anchors the defense as a whole. He’s the leading tackler returning. Paul Peart is the other inside linebacker.

R.J. Griffin, Keenen Simpson and Akeem Lincoln are the outside linebackers.

“We’re going to be aggressive,” Kafina said. “I’m excited about our play-making ability.”

Tobarius Hartzog and Jameson McCollum are slated to start in the other three defensive back slots.

“We don’t have a lot of size but we probably have a little more team speed than last year,” Zehr said.

“We’ve got the opportunity to put an athletic group out there.”

On special teams, Phillip Jackson is the kicker and Austin Sineath the punter.

After Summerville, the Cobras host Fort Dorchester on Sept. 6 and travel to Berkeley on Sept. 13.

GO COBRAS! Dominic McKelvey/File Photo

There’s nothing like the excitement of a Friday night football game at Cane Bay High School. Above, a packed house enjoys the 2012 Cane Bay – Berkeley contest at CBHS.

DJ eniqueInge

Brandon James

Jaleel Williams

Phillip Jackson

Josh Granville

Terrell Bryant

Jameson McCollum

Franklin Robinson

Nakil Tolliver

Trey Burdette

Paul Peart

SJH-1018467

CBHS Cobras Date: Aug. 29 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 24 Nov. 1 Nov. 8

CANE BAY HIGH SCHOOL Opponent: Summerville (Thursday Night Lights) Fort Dorchester Berkeley Beaufort Ashley Ridge Colleton County (Homecoming) Stratford Goose Creek West Florence (Thursday Night) Wando West Ashley (Senior Night)

Location: Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Home Away Away Home

All Games Start at 7:30PM

SJH-1018467

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 35

Cane Bay Cobras Keith Anderson

Roderick Jones

Matt Davies

Carl High

Joseph Sass

Trace Turner

Austin Brown

Carlos Gilliard

Chris Hitchman

Chase Meecha

Marshall Myzell

Trevor Ridgeway

Derrick Moser

Cody Stegall

DesmondBennett

Justice Walker

Tyler Davies

Eddie Felkel

Nate Amico

Tyler Blake

Jeff Ackerman

Colton Shannon

Brandon Brown

Justice Farmer

Zach Bachelor

Matrel lDouglas

Curtis Cherry

36 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

GO HAWKS!

High hopes at HHS

BY ROB GANTT The Gazette

As far as what a team looks like on paper, the Hanahan Hawks have to be considered a legitimate player in the chase for the Class AAA crown this fall.

The Hawks were 11-2 last season and bring back essentially all of the key pieces on their defense. So, if defense truly wins championships, count Hanahan as a force to be reckoned with both in the region and beyond.

“We feel pretty good about the guys we’ve got (on defense),” Hanahan coach Charlie Patterson said. “I’d say, without question, this is the best defense we’ve had since I’ve been here. We’ve

got a lot of guys with experience. We’ve got a lot of guys that can run. We’ve got a lot of guys that will hit you.”

The Hawks return 10 starters on that side of the ball from a team that made the third round of the playoffs, and quality depth is an asset at every level, Patterson said. Former Timberland defensive coordinator Steve Blanchard has taken over the HHS defense.

Blanchard sees his group’s potential but insists it will only be met with hard work and attention to detail.

“The whole thing about good versus great is how much they want to play together,” See HANAHAN Page 45

Hanahan Hawks

Date: Aug 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

HANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL Opponent: Military Magnet Academy Timberland Bishop England Edisto Wade Hampton Orangeburg-Wilkinson Berkeley (Recreation Night) James Island Hilton Head (Homecoming) Stall (Parent Night)

All Games Start at 7:30PM

Terrell Green

Sam Denmark

Saaehim Brooks

Isaiah Williams

Corbin Heyward

Brian Ford

Walt Fagan

Christian Leake

Deandre Thompson

Chase Patterson

Lyndon Young

Alex North

Mason Schwerzler

Kyle Spigner

Haven Horlback

Marlon Washington

Location: Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Home SJH-1018484

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 37

Hanahan Hawks Rodney Prioleau

Andrew Conyers

Kymone Smith

Marquise Mack

Jessie Kunze

Josh Greenbaum

Jacob Billings

Parker Collins

Ronald England

Kahlim Denmark

Cyrone White

Adrien Pew

Larry Smith

Clarence Graham

Malik Simmons

Chase Pfaff

Dominque Lucas

Vontrel Grant

Quan Wade

Tyler HInes

Greg Casselmann

Javonte McLaurin

Yassim Muhammad

Jacob Garibay

Deandre Garrison

Nick Misuraca

Jon Allen Powell

Dominique Green

Bernard Hilliard

Isaac Holt

Cameron Richardson

Anthony Tolliver

Stephen Churchill

Tre Smalls

38 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

GO WOLVES!

Wolves young and hungry

TIMBERLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Date: Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Opponent: Manning Hanahan Cross C.E. Murray Berkeley Kingstree Lake City Lake Marion Andrews Lee Central

Location: Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Away Home Away

BY DAN BROWN The Independent

The Timberland Wolves are a young team but by the time the Region 7AA schedule begins, this will be a team tested by fire with pre-region contests against Manning, defending Class A state champ Cross, Hanahan and arch rival Berkeley.

Wolves Coach Art Craig believes his team is ready.

“We had a really good summer,” Craig said.

Craig admits his team is going through a youth movement with just nine seniors returning, but as shown by their performance this summer during camps and passing leagues, his young Wolves can hold their own.

“We’ve heard all summer how we’re young, how we’re down but teams come up against us this fall thinking that, they might get their feelings hurt some,” said Craig.

On offense Timberland hands the ball to junior quarterback Ryan Hood. While untested as a starter coming into the 2013 season, Hood saw plenty of action under center in 2012 and has responded to the starting job by playing like a seasoned veteran.

“A lot of people will know the name of Ryan Hood before the season is over,” said Craig. “He can throw the football. He knows his reads. He’s really stepped up and played well this summer.”

Behind Hood in the backfield are Bernard Harmon and Shamel Williams to both run the football and haul in the passes. Matt Gabel and tight end Wyatt Craig will also be targets in an offense that will throw the ball more than in years past.

“We could put the ball in the air 20-to-25 times a game, Craig said. “We’ll still run like we always do but we have the ability to pass the ball as well.”

On defense the Wolves’ front four is likewise

All Games Start at 7:30PM

SJH-1018508

See WOLVES Page 40

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 39

Timberland Wolves Shamel Williams

Daniel Robinson

Drake Campbell

Matt Gabel

Darius Hamilton

Darelle Pressley

Johnell Brown

Armonte Prioleau

Ryan Hood

Austin Stevens

Mikael Smith

Dayvon Reid

Matthew Rembert

Wyatt Craig

Jaquann Thompson

Ezekiel Padgett

Dan Brown/Independent

Junior Wyatt Craig anchors the Wolves defensive front four.

Kevin McHoney

Brandon Simmons

Roger Rembert

Bernard Harmon

Jared Cleveland

Za'von Whitaker

Willie Goodman

Dashawn Kelly

40 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

WOLVES from page 38

Dan Brown/Independent

Timberland’s Za’von Whitaker and Bernard Harmon take part in tackle drills in preseason practice.

THS Wolves Alex White

Damon Kelly

Deangelo Cleveland

David Fosnight

Nick Smith

Malick Rivers

Kevin McCray

Lance Lambert

Cody Wadford

Austin Rentzel

Keenan Williams

young with a pair of juniors in Wyatt Craig and Johnell Brown playing bookends for a pair of sophomores inside. The team’s talent on the defensive side of the ball leaves its veteran coach casting an optimistic eye to 2013.

“Our defense is young, but we are going to surprise a lot of people this fall with our play,” Craig said.

As is the case with smaller schools, many of Timberland’s players go both ways and play both offense and defense on Friday nights, with Gabel, Williams and Harmon filling up the defensive backfield.

In 2012 Timberland lost in the Lower State Championship game to its longtime nemesis Dillon.

The Wolves bypassed the annual Sertoma preseason exhibition in Charleston this year and opened their season on Aug. 23 against Manning in “Week 0.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 41

GO TROJANS!

Trojans’ goal: Defend title

BY DAN BROWN The Independent

Date: Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25

CROSS HIGH SCHOOL Opponent: Kingstree C.E. Murray Timberland Hemingway St. James Lake Marion Military Magnet Academy (Homecoming) St. John’s Lincoln (Parent’s Night) Baptist Hill

Location: Away Away Away Away Home Home Home Away Home Away

All Games Start at 7:30PM

Cross has waited almost 10 months to defend its Class A Division II state championship.

The Trojans field the most potent backfield of any school at any classification in the state with the trio of All-State running backs in Devontae Shepherd and the Evans twins, Dionte and Diamonte.

“A lot of people expect us to return to Columbia,” said Cross Coach Shaun White. “A state championship is as much about luck as it is winning games.”

Shepherd and the Evans twins each posted 1,000-yard seasons either on the ground or combined offensive yardage in 2012 to lead Cross to a 14-2 record and the state championship. They anchor both the Cross offense and defense.

Under center, the Trojans turn to sophomore Jamar Matthews to direct the offense.

“Jamar Matthews has had an outstanding preseason,” said Wright.

Wright said his team is still a little behind on defense and working on communication from the sideline to the players on the field: “I like the focus of our players and we are looking to get better every day. We are starting to get in better shape but issues as usual are scary again this year.”

The coach will call on seniors Greg Jones, James Jackson, and Isiah Hampton, sophomores Malcom Garrett and Neil Davis in the trenches offensively and defensively.

Shepherd, Dionte Evans and Diamonte Evans also comprise the defensive backfield.

Cross added former Kingstree head coach Reginald Jamison who will handle defensive coordinator duties with Berkeley grad and former Arena Football League veteran Denario Smalls.

The Trojans began their season on Aug. 23 against Kingstree.

Cross Trojans

SJH-1018477 SJH-1018477

Roger Ravenel

Diamonte Evans

Devontae Shepherd

Dionte Evans

Anthony Wigfall

Dwayne Howell

Qwantavious Felder

Anthony Meyers

42 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Anthony Meyers, Jesse Turner, Greg Jones, Dionte Evans, Devontae Shepherd and Diamonte Evans are the seniors leading Cross in defense of its 2012 state title. At left, the student athletes relax after a recent practice.

Dan Brown/Independent

Cross Trojans Jaqwan Washington

Jesse Turner

Jamarial Pringle

Joseph Ravenell

Tiryn Footman

Demetrius Gibson

Kevon Davis

James Jackson

Marvin Dixon

Greg Jones

Miles Garrett

Isiah Hampton

Neil Davis

Malcom Garrett

Jalma Walker

Tony Richburg

Follow the 2013 Trojan football season at www.berkeleyind.com Leroy Smalls

Marcellus Forbes

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 43

GO PANTHERS!

PINEWOOD PREP HIGH SCHOOL

Date: Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 1 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Opponent: Northwood Wilson Hall Orangeburg Prep Cardinal Newman Augusta Christian Ben Lippen Heathwood Hall Laurence Manning Hammond Porter Gaud

Location: Away Away Home Away Home Home Away Home Home Away

All Games Start at 7:30PM

File Photo

Clayton Are will provide senior leadership during the upcoming campaign.

Panthers leaning on experienced leaders in 2013

BY GAIL OSBORNE For The Journal Scene

First year Pinewood Head Coach Michael Wright is looking for his players to have a great experience this season while continuing to learn, grow and develop.

“I want this team to be successful,” said Wright, who spent the past decade at the Flint

Hill School in Fairfax, Va. “Success is measured by wins and losses so ideally I would like some wins not just for the players but for the community at large especially after a run of some tough experiences over the past few years.”

The Panthers have a smaller roster this season so several players will see both sides of See PINEWOOD Page 44

SJH-1018494 SJH-1018467

Follow high school sports at: journalscene.com berkeleyind.com & ourgazette.com

44 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Pinewood Panthers Steven Kennedy

Kevin Weber

Michael McCombs

Cameron Hendrix

Lewis Vaughn

Austin McCray

PINEWOOD from page 43

Dexter Coaxum

Lesley Redden

Zachary Latham

Andrew Latham

Drayton Knight

Alex Ruggiero

Alex Nelson

Cameron Poaps

Grayson Charpia

Brad Richards

Shareef Boddie

Cody Bazzle

Bobby Thomas

Harrison Scott

Clayton Are

Michael Wright

the ball.

There are currently two juniors in the running for Pinewood’s starting quarterback position. Lewis Vaughan is still adapting and learning the position and his commitment is terrific. Also vying for the spot is Dexter Coaxum.

“Lewis is a savvy guy who is improving from scrimmage to scrimmage,” Wright said.

“Dexter is mobile and elusive and is going to be able to do some good things either as a quarterback or in another position.”

Senior captain Shareef Boddie should be an impact player this season. He will play both offensive tackle and defensive end.

Captain Clayton Are, also a senior, will play offensive and defensive tackle and is a big physical threat.

“Clayton has really come into his own and is a big athlete with a big presence,” Wright said.

“You can see his confidence, passion

and the drive for excellence that he brings to the game.”

Center/defensive end Cameron Poaps and

linebacker/running

back

Alex

Nelson are also senior captains who have really stepped up this year.

“Both players have been with the program for a few years,” Wright said.

“Their leadership is showing and they are both a great asset to the team. I am also impressed with senior Zachary Latham who will play linebacker and running back. He is a quiet leader who has a huge impact.”

Kicking for Pinewood is senior Kevin Weber who will also be a major factor at defensive back and wide receiver.

Weber has a strong leg and has proven accurate from long range. He also has good speed, size and hands.

Pinewood opens up on the road with a game against Northwood Academy Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 45

File Photo

Pinewood senior Kevin Weber (11) zeroes in on a tackler in action last year.

HANAHAN from page 36 Blanchard said. “If nine people are out there doing it right and two are doing it wrong, then you’re not going to be successful.

“They have the talent. They’re strong. They’re fast. They’re quick. It’s about being fundamentally sound and them doing what their coaches tell them to do.”

Up front, the defensive ends are junior Corbin Heyward, senior Dominique Lucas and senior Bernard Hilliard. The inside players are sophomore Dominique Green, junior Jacob Garibay and senior Vontrel Grant.

Seniors Lyndon Young, Ronald England and Marquise Mack are returning starters at linebacker. Brian Ford and Tre Smalls also factor into the mix on the second level.

Free safety Marlon Washington leads the group coming back in the secondary while Andrew Conyers and Deandre Thompson are corners. Isaiah Williams will play in the secondary too.

Offensively, the Hawks aren’t as seasoned.

They bring back four starters, but one of those isn’t North-South quarterback Anthony Smalls.

Smalls piled up passing and rushing yards the last two seasons but is now at South Carolina State.

Patterson said the fact his defense is so strong,

it’s helping the offense come along.

“It’s not like we can get a false sense of being good,” he said.

Hanahan turns over the keys to the offense to Mason Schwerzler, a senior. He’s got some weapons around him in bulky running back Quan Wade and wide receiver Terrell Green.

Green, a tall target for Schwerzler, will be one of the top downfield threats in the Lowcountry.

The other regular targets will be Saaehim Brooks, Greg Casselmann, Sam Denmark, Kahlim Denmark and Chase Pfaff.

Haven Horlback is a change of pace back and brings more speed and shiftiness to the backfield. Wade is a North-South runner.

Up front, junior right tackle Anthony Tolliver and senior right guard Jacob Billings are returning starters. Junior left tackle Larry Smith (LT), junior Cody Graham (LG) and junior Josh Greenbaum (C) are slated to start at the other spots. Corbin Heyward and Chase Patterson are the tight ends.

Kyle Spigner will be back as kicker/punter.

Hanahan was an overwhelming favorite in Week 0 against Military Magnet and is set to take on county rival Timberland in Week 1 before traveling to natural rival Bishop England on Sept. 6. The Bishops have won two Class AA titles in a row.

46 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW

St. John’s begins anew

BY DAN BROWN The Independent

In 2012 the St. John’s Christian Academy Cavaliers reached the pinnacle of SCISA 8Man Football by winning the Lower State Championship and earning a shot at the state title. The Cavaliers missed the brass ring,

falling 58-42 to Wardlaw.

Nine months later it’s time to pick up the pieces with a new lineup and a new football coach in Matt Gilbert. Longtime coach Bill McCall resigned on June 1. Several key pieces of the Cavaliers starting eight graduated.

The Cavaliers will start over with a young

and inexperienced team and Gilbert is ready to embrace the 2013 edition of SJCA football.

“We have 17 kids on our roster so far and almost half of them had never played football before,” Gilbert said. “We may not have football players but we have athletes and these kids are smart. There’s going to be a rebuilding process here, but they get it. They are easy

to teach and they learn quickly.”

Gilbert has tabbed Southpaw Dustin Parsons as the team’s quarterback, the first time since 2006 the Cavs will have a quarterback under center not named Hammond.

“He’s got a good arm,” Gilbert said. “He’s a See ST. JOHN’S Page 47

Chargers aim for return to glory

BY ROB GANTT The Gazette

The Northwood Academy Chargers have been on a decline since last playing for a SCISA championship in 2009. However, second-year coach Phillip Keefe can see things turning around, beginning this fall. The Chargers, with 29 players, have one of the larger rosters in SCISA Class AA and bring back some proven offensive commodities.

“We do return a good crop of skill kids,” Keefe said.

Included in that group is three-year starter Will Lloyd at quarterback. Lloyd, a junior, threw for over 1,800 yards last fall and ran for over 400 more. In all, he accounted for 23

touchdowns.

He will have a pair of seniors behind him in Darrett Drayton and Chris Williams. Drayton hit the 700-yard mark in 2012 and Williams was just below that. Both have bulked up since.

“They had a great offseason as far as summer work,” Keefe said. “They’ve put on 10 to 15 pounds of muscle. They will be the workhorses. Darrett is the bigger of the two but they’ve both got some shiftiness about them.”

Junior Trey Stuckey and sophomore Trevor McNeil are also candidates for playing time at running back.

Northwood graduated its top receiver but bring back seniors Noah Hammond and

GO CHARGERS! NORTHWOOD ACADEMY Date Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oc.t 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Opponent Home/Away Pinewood Home Colleton Prep Home Florance Christian Away Hilton Head Christian Away Hilton Head Prep Home Williamsburg Academy (HC) Home Dillon Christian Away Palmetto Christian Away Thomas Heyward (Senior Night) Home Bible Baptist Away All Games Start at 7:30PM SJH-1018486

Andrew Singer along with junior Douglas Dwight. Senior Micah Loudin is back out for football after a few years away and is the fastest player on the team, Keefe said.

“He’s a 4.6 guy and that’s pretty fast for SCISA,” Keefe said. “He reminds us of (former Northwood RB Uriah Singleton) when he gets the ball. He’s not far from Uriah gear.”

Dwight, Singer and Hammond all had over 20 receptions last year. Dwight had 521 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, while Singer had 418 yards and five scores.

Up front, junior guards Jonah King and Trennon Richardson are returning starters.

Three other juniors are in the mix too with tackle Micah Deveaux, guard Hunter McLeod and center Dalton Kolodjiez.

Sophomore Zack Ellison and freshman Christian Papa will also get time on the line.

The name of the game will be ironman football for most of Northwood’s offensive starters, and many will have hybrid roles when they turn around and play on defense.

The top tackler returning is linebacker Darrett Drayton.

He made 55 stops in 2012.

Keefe said Richardson, King, Williams, Kolodziej and Deveaux are shaping up to be the inside techniques on the front. Kolodziej had 31 total tackles last season.

Sophomores Brandon Sessions and Bernard Brown are mentioned as contributors at defensive end, along with Deveaux and Williams.

Joining Drayton on the second level are McNeil, junior Josh Heffner and junior Jai McKinney.

In the secondary, Keefe said Dwight, Singer, Hammond, Stuckey, Heffner, Loudon and Lloyd are options. Hammond had 30

stops in 2012.

On special teams, Singer will handle kicking duties. Tyler Harrison and Lloyd are also specialists. Singer was 28 of 33 on extra points and tacked on three field goals, with a long of 32 yards.

Northwood opens the season at home against Pinewood Prep on Aug. 30 and will host Colleton Prep on Sept. 6. The Chargers play their home games at Gahagan Sports Complex in Summerville but are hoping to get into their new facility near Carnes Crossroads later in the season.

“Our football program started in 2004 and has never played an actual home game,” Keefe said. “I don’t think I could even put it into words what it would mean for us to get up there and play (by the end of the season).

There is still a lot that has to happen for that to happen for us.”

While they were only 2-8 in the regular season in 2012, the Chargers nearly pulled out a playoff victory in the opening round against Thomas Sumter. A missed 26-yard field goal with under a minute left sealed Northwood’s fate.

But it also inspired the Chargers heading into the offseason, where they made steady progress.

The Chargers got in a full spring practice and then were full speed ahead in the summer with 7 on 7 games and also put in time in the weight room.

“The kids have worked extremely hard,” Keefe said. “Getting back to those winning ways is something we’ve been talking about and the kids have made a pretty good effort… we’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW • August 2013 • 47

GO CAVALIERS!

ST. JOHN’S CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Date: Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Opponent: Location: Clarendon Hall Away James Island Christian Away Cathedral Academy Away First Baptist School Home Coastal Christian Prep Home Faith Christian School Home Beaufort Academy Away Charleston Collegiate (Homecoming) Home Patrick Henry Academy Away Carolina Academy (Senior Night) Home All Games Start at 7:30PM

St. John’s Cavaliers

Austin Murchison

Byron Rodgers

Cody Dunlap

Colin Murchison

Dustin Parsons

Harun Scott

Hunter Singletary

Jantsen Robertson

John Fondren

Logan Brown

Luke Hutto

Marcus Johnson

Reece Myers

Walter Edwards

ST. JOHN’S from page 46 pitcher so he can throw the ball.”

Gilbert will count on experienced Cavalier ath-

SJH-1018498

letes to lead the charge like Logan Brown, Walter Edwards, Marcus Johnson and Hunter Singletary. “We will have a good understanding where we are as a team by our first home game,” Gilbert said.

48 • August 2013 • FOOTBALL PREVIEW