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McLaurin Begins 40th Year In Athletics At Lake View

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Lake View—Three years ago veteran head football coach Jewell McLaurin decided to retire from being the head coach of  the Wild Gators but it was fortunate for everyone in the community that he agreed to stay on as athletic director and offensive assistant to new head coach Darryl King.

McLaurin went out with 259 career wins after the 2007 season ranking him among the top 15 coaches ever in South Carolina.

Coach King has done an excellent job with the Wild Gators since taking over the program. In 2008 Coach King led the team to a 10-2 and Region 8-A title and this past year the team went 9--4 and lost to Scott’s Branch in the last minute of the Div. II Class A lower state finals.

Despite some cutbacks a recent golf tournament has helped raised funds for the athletic program and Coach McLaurin said the community continues to be supportive of all the teams within the Wild Gator athletic program.

The Wild Gators return the varsity football staff intact but they are still seeking a girl’s basketball coach at press time. The boy’s basketball team will be headed up by James Page who coached the team last year. The girl’s basketball team will be coached by Martha  Jones.

The girl’s softball team competed for the Class A state title this past May and they will be coached again by ten year veteran Chad Huggins. The team lost to Chesterfield in a close best of three series. Huggins is assisted by James Huggins.

Kip Herlong came to Lake View as the baseball coach in 1992 and the Wild Gators have won six state Class A titles under him and seven in school history. Coach Herlong is assisted by his brother Chad Herlong, James Page and Coach King.

The jayvee softball and volleyball programs will once again be headed up by Brandi Sweat and Barbi Suggs.

The volleyball team will be coached by Bill Spivey who returns for his sixth season. Meredith Page is back to coach the varsity cheerleaders and the jayvee squad will be directed by Ramona McKoy-Cummings.

The jayvee football program has been in the capable hands of Glenn Edge for years with Kip Herlong and Jimmy Sweat leading the “B” team program.

The school’s athletic secretary assistants include Barbara Burton and Bernice Meekins.  One of the school’s long time special team managers is Mostiller Rogers.  Coach McLaurin and loyal Wild Gator fan Swift Bethea recently took Rogers to a special dinner in honor of his service to the program.

As far as the football team goes Coach King will coach defensive backs while Jonathan Robinson, Andy Ford, and Coly Ford will coach both sides of the line. Coach McLaurin will coach the backs and ends on offense.

    The Wild Gator football team will be led in part by a core group of six senior leaders. They are tight end-fullback-defensive tackle David Townsend (6-1, 200), running back Benton Jones (5-8, 160), quarterback-defensive back Steele Spivey (5-10,170), center MacKenzie Arnette (6-0, 255), offensive guard-linebacker Keith Sims and Antonio Butler, end and tackle.   

Lake View will start the season on August, 20 at home against Aynor. On August, 12th the Wild Gators will host the Lake View Jamboree involving Mullins, Latta, Creek Bridge and Dillon Christian among others.

  

   

 

 

Mason had interceptions.
    Offensively, quarterback Joseph Hayes completed both of his pass attempts and both went for touchdowns. A.J.Washington caught a 54-yarder and David Townsend caught a 30-yarder.
    "We played a lot of kids and we saw some backups do some good things as well," said King.

Wild Gators rebound with win over Creek Bridge, host Latta next

By C.R. Cumbee
Staff Writer
Lake View (10/14/09) - The Lake View football team rebounded from a tough loss to Carvers Bay by downing Creek Bridge, 46-6, this past Friday.  The Wild Gators improved to 5-2 (3-1) on the season.

"We were able to jump out early on them 14-0 and then held them out the end zone when they got down to our five-yard line.  The defense came to play the other night," head coach Daryl King said.  

Kentell Kelly rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries while Denton Jones also found the end zone twice on eight touches for 43 yards.  Kenneth Turner added another rushing score with nine attempts for 63 yards.  

Quarterback Joseph Hayes was three of four passing for 109 yards and two touchdowns.  His top target was A.J. Washington, who made two receptions for 106 yards and both scores.

Defensively Roderick Robinson led the way with eight tackles.  Jerome Mason and Kelly each recorded seven total stops.

"The kids have played as hard as they could play all year.  They've made some mistakes that have hurt us in both games we've won and games we've lost but as far as effort goes, they play hard for four quarters and that's what we ask them to do," King said.

Next week the Wild Gators host Latta in another conference clash.
"
Offensively their quarterback is probably the best runner we've seen all season.  Their offensive line does a great job blocking and their backs run hard too.  They're a complete offensive team.  Defensively they're big and fast.  We tell our kids that every week it gets harder and harder in the region and each team gets better throughout the year.  We know Latta is going to play us tough," King said.

Wild Gators hold on over Johnsonville, await Carvers Bay

By C.R. Cumbee
Staff Writer
Lake View - After a lengthy weather delay, the Lake View Wild Gators were able to hang on to defeat Johnsonville, 26-24, in a game that did not end until after midnight.
     The Wild Gators were led by Kentell Kelly, who rushed 20 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns.  Jerome Mason had seven attempts for 78 yards and had a rushing and receiving touchdown.  Joseph Hayes completed his only pass attempt for a 48-yard score and also carried nine times for 55 yards.
     "After we came back out (from the delay), both teams were ready to play.  Coach Lineberger and his staff did a good job with their kids.  They're a really good football team and we caught some breaks in that game to come away with the win," head coach Daryl King said.
     Defensively Lake View was paced by Hayes, who had a team-high nine tackles.  Roderick Robinson recorded eight stops with Kelly, Tion Jones, Brody Smith and A.J. Washington making six tackles each.
    "We had to make some defensive stands to keep the lead.  It was a back and forth game, and it will help us in the long run," King said.
     The Wild Gators will be tested again this Friday when they travel to Carvers Bay.  The running game will be the biggest factor and King hopes his offensive line (Robinson, Jones, McKenzie Arnett, Josh Jordan, Keith Sims, Terry Williams, David Townsend and Jason Locklear) can continue to do their jobs.
     "They're really big and physical.  They've got a great defense, and offensively they run the ball right at you.  It's going to be tough to find a way to play with them," King said.  "We hope our offensive line can block them and the backs hit the holes like they've been doing.  Our offensive line has done a good job all year."