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McCombs reports little change in coaching assignments at First Baptist

By David Shelton

Staff Writer

Charleston – As he enters his fifth year as the athletic director and head football coach at First Baptist School of Charleston, Will McCombs feels the department is on solid ground and expects the success to continue.

First Baptist boasts of the more well-rounded athletic departments in SCISA class AA, contending for and winning several state championships over the last two years.

This past school year, First Baptist won their second consecutive state championships in boy’s basketball and in baseball, and captured a state swimming championship as well.

“We had a very good year overall and we have a lot to be proud of,” said McCombs. “Overall we are doing very well across the board. Unfortunately football has struggled some but we feel like we will be much improved this season. Our girl’s sports are very competitive and of course our boy’s basketball team and our baseball team are as good as any team on any level.

“We have a lot of kids returning overall to the athletic program. We had a lot of very talented underclassmen and we feel good about the prospects for this year as a whole.”

Like many private schools, enrollment numbers are a little down at First Baptist due to the bad economy. McCombs does not feel that will have much of an effect on the athletic program.

“We’re holding on to the one’s we have for the most part,” he said. “I don’t see a lot of new athletes coming into the school but we aren’t losing a significant number either.”

McCombs reports that the girl’s basketball will have a new coach this winter as former assistant Anna Summers replaces Rachel King. The other coaching slots will be filled by returning coaches.

Susan Speights will return as the volleyball coach and David Rowell returns as the golf coach. Sarah Kraft coaches the swim teams and Jon Jordan is the softball coach.

Clark Brisson is back to coach boy’s soccer while Chris Anderson will coach girl’s soccer. Jeff Whittle returns as the boy’s basketball coach and King Walker will return as the school’s baseball coach.

Whittle also returns as an assistant football coach, working with the secondary and receivers. Andrew Blalock returns to coach the offensive and defensive linemen while Scott Nimphie coaches running backs and linebackers.

Jordan will head up the junior varsity football team, assisted by Brian Riggs.

“I’ll tell you, we have some great people coaching at this school,” said McCombs. “Not only are they very knowledgeable in their sport but they are great with our athletes. We are fortunate to have such quality people working here and I certainly appreciate what they do for our program.”

 

ck out there for next year and see what they can do.

First Baptist looking to utilize fall break to their advantage

Bryan Dubay
Special Writer
Charleston (10/14/09) -  This coming Thursday and Friday First Baptist will look to use fall break to focus more on the upcoming game against St. Andrews.
    Coach Will McCombs said, "It's going to help a little bit, we will get more stuff down.  We are going to watch more film and get in some chalk talk.  I am excited."  Both teams are looking for their first win.  Coach McCombs said this about St. Andrews, "They are very well coached, and probably the most improved team in the region over the last 4 years.  They are doing good things down there; I have a lot of respect for them."
    However, St. Andrews hasn't been able to get on the winning track this season due to injuries and the loss of a large senior class.  Still, McCombs knows it is an important game, "They play physical, they don't make many mistakes, and they just come after you."
This past week First Baptist was defeated by Thomas Heyward Academy 57 ? 0.  From the start things went wrong.  The first play from scrimmage the Hurricanes fumbled the ball on the option giving Thomas Heyward a short field to work with.  The Hurricanes were unable to recover after that point.  McCombs said, "We got behind early, and it kind of snowballed after that.  Its just we are having one of those seasons.  The guys are trying really hard and their hearts are in the right place, things are just not working out for us."
    Along with the hard work that the boys are putting out on the field, some are making their presences known in the classroom and on campus.  Matthew Thigpen and Robbie Kicklighter are two players who have done really well so far this year in the classroom.  Coach McCombs also mention Matt Burton as being a leader on campus, in the classroom, and also in bible study.
Another student that McCombs mentioned was Lawton Hendricks, a three sport athlete who struggled early on in high school but has turned things around.  McCombs said, "He has been a real success story."  Hendricks has been injured for most part of the season but he is on the road to recovery.
    It will be interesting to see if the extra time off will be the key to this weeks game.