AA Silver Bluff opens season with wins over AAAA South Aiken and AAAAA Socastee
Georgia Tech commitment Jordan Boyd leads Bulldogs defense
Aiken – Although Silver Bluff High School is having to replace a 4-year starter at quarterback from last season’s 6-6 squad, head coach De’Angelo Bryant felt he had a more well-rounded squad prior to the start of this season.
“We should be more of a complete team,” said Bryant, who is having to replace Maleik Williams, who led the Bulldogs to the 2021 state championship game, behind center. “We have a competition at every position, and if we can stay healthy, our depth should serve as a helpful tool down the stretch.”
Silver Bluff has done nothing to disprove Bryant’s assessment through the first two games. The Bulldogs held on to beat AAAA county rival South Aiken 34-31 to start the season then traveled over 200 miles to Myrtle Beach to blank AAAAA Socastee 46-0.
Silver Bluff has talent all over the field, especially on the defensive side of the football. They have three AA All-State performers lining up on defense in end Jordan Boyd, noseguard Jaydon Eason and linebacker Jayden Fuller. All three are seniors.
Boyd (6-foot-3-inches, 233 pounds) is a Georgia Tech commitment who had 25 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback sacks last season. Eason (5-10 1/2, 260) has a bevy of NCAA Division II offers. Fuller (5-11, 220) has over 20 scholarship offers with a top five of Football Bowl Subdivision schools Miami (Ohio) and James Madison and Football Championship Subdivision schools Princeton, Furman and Jackson State.
“Jayden has a high football IQ and an unmatched work ethic,” Bryant said. “He’s a difference maker on the field.”
Senior Darian Jackson (6-2, 268) is the other lineman after missing his junior season due to injuries. The other linebackers are senior Gerald Lark, an edge rusher, returning junior starter Trey Harris and junior Jordan Walker.
The secondary is led by senior cornerback DesJuan McCorkle. The other corner is junior Devonta Parker with junior DeAntray McCorkle and 2-year starter and junior Malik Mouzone at safeties.
The defense held South Aiken to just under 100 yards rushing. The defense was led in tackles by Harris with 10, while Fuller had nine. Boyd finished with eight tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. Eason has seven tackles and one TFL.
The Bulldogs are big on the offensive front as well and are led by Charleston Southern commit and left tackle Christian Echols (6-4 ½, 260). The right tackle is sophomore Gage Kirkbribe (6-4, 280) with junior Garris Chambers (6-0, 244) at right guard, senior Trayce Johnson (5-10, 252) at left guard and sophomore Adrian Gray (5-11, 232) at center.
“We like our experience and size in the trenches (on both sides of the football),” Bryant said.
Senior Mickenzie Atterberry has taken over at quarterback. He was supposed to be used as an athlete until a player transferred. In his first start, Atterberry finished the night with 171 yards passing and two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
Senior running back Jonathan Peebles (5-10, 225) rushed for 135 yards and a score on 19 carries against South Aiken. He ran for over 900 yards last season.
DesJuan McCorkle led the Bulldogs in receiving in 2022 with 41 catches. Sophomore Hiszari Gantt is the other starting wideout and sophomore Zean Dicks is starting at tight end.
Fuller had a receiving and rushing touchdown, freshman Drelyn Brown caught a TD pass and Gantt led the way in receiving against South Aiken.
“Collectively, we have a solid group of skill players,” Bryant said.
Senior Hunter Casper is handling the kicking duties.
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