Barnwell Worked Hard In Spring Football Drills To Find Replacements For 24 Graduated Seniors
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Barnwell—After making it to the gold medal round of Class AA football last year, and finishing with an 13-2 record, the Barnwell Warhorses graduated 24 hard-working players from that highly successful team, so Spring football drills was an opportunity for head coach Brian Smith, and his staff, to evaluate newcomers from among the 40 varsity candidates on hand.
Right at the top of the need list is finding a replacement for quarterback Cameron Austin, a three-time HSSR all-state performer who has committed to play baseball at USC Aiken. On the football field last season, Austin completed 154-of-247 passes for 2,183 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also rushed for 791 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns.
“Cameron was such a great competitor and team leader and he gave you everything he had regardless of what sport he was playing,” said Coach Smith. “Of course, finding a replacement for Cam will be a challenge. We are going to focus more on the run this year, and not ask our quarterbacks to do as much.”
Coach Smith said, coming out of Spring drills the top quarterback candidates are Vincent Gibson who was on the varsity last year, and Cooper Boleman, up from the junior varsity. “Having already been on the varsity Vincent is our starter right now and is working hard everyday along with Cooper,” said Coach Smith. “When you graduate 24 seniors from a team that competed for a state title you have a lot of needs, and holes to fill, coming into the next season.”
One bright spot-on offense is the return of running back Nehemiah “Fat” Brown (5-11, 172) who rushed for 1,088 yards on 227 carries while scoring 11 touchdowns as a junior. “Counting on him to have an even better year this season,” said Coach Smith. “We hope to develop some more running backs and keep going.”
Barnwell graduated an elite group of wide receivers. Coach Smith said that rising junior defensive back Damahjai Devore, who had six picks in the secondary last season, will play both ways and headline the new receiver group this season.
Barnwell returns three offensive linemen who either started or played a lot last year. The top returner is guard Jackson Beddingfield, described by Coach Smith; He’s a good one.” Junior Davison Owens returns and he will see action in both lines. Trevon Wilson returns at center.
Coach Smith said Barnwell will return around four starters on offense and five starters back on defense. He also said there are no changes on his coaching staff for the 2026 season.
“We will be getting back to old school football this season and starting a lot of players both ways,” said Coach Smith. “We will be working very hard on conditioning over the summer because we will have a lot more two-way players than usual.”
The key players back on defense are Devore and rising junior Jayden Peeples in the secondary, and Brown will join Torye Pickens as outside linebackers with experience.
“We have a good group of athletes returning in the defensive line,” said Coach Smith. “Again, several of them will see action both ways.” Henri Creech (6-2,215) Kaleb Wilson, and Owens will return as key players in the defensive front.”
Another big area of need is the graduation loss of three- year Lane Evans. At this time Coach Smith said this position is still be competed for.
“In Barnwell the goal will always be win every game and compete for championships,” said Coach Smith who will be starting his 35th season coaching high school football. “Our community is very supportive and they expect a winning football team every year.”
Barnwell will participate in scrimmages hosting Midland Valley on August, 7. They then travel to Batesburg-Leesville for a three-way against the Panthers, Crescent, and Emerald a few days later. Barnwell starts the season at home against Blackville-Hilda on August, 21. Then they have three straight road games at Williston-Elko, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and South Aiken.
Coach Smith is also honored to the head coach for the South team in the North South all-star game held every December in Myrtle Beach. “My staff and I have been to all the combines and we have had a couple meetings,” said Coach Smith. “We are looking for the best senior players in the lower state of South Carolina.”
Coach Smith has won 21 games in his first two seasons in Barnwell, after coming to Barnwell from Ridge Spring-Monetta in 2023. No staff in the state will work harder at developing players but there are challenges anytime you graduate 24 players from an AA program.
