Big Turn-out For 39th Annual HSSR Football Media Day HeldIn Practice Facility at USC

Big Turn-out For 39^th Annual HSSR Football Media Day HeldIn Practice Facility at USC

By Roger Lee

Special Writer

Columbia – Football players from across the state converged on the USC Indoor Practice Facility July, 23 for the 39^th annual High School Sports Report Football Media Day.

“We greatly appreciate Coach Shane Beamer, the University and its Athletic Department for again opening their facility to us,” said HSSR Owner/Publisher Billy Baker. “It’s a terrific weather-proof setting for an event designed to take pictures and interview players for our football tabloid we will print in late August. I also want to thank all the players and coaches for their participation.”

The 2025 event brought 181 players to the facility for photos and interviews. With the season fast approaching, coaches, athletes who landed on the HSSR Top 100 List, and players ranked among the top in the state for their class by position, shared their thoughts on returning to the grid iron for practice and eventually Friday Night Lights.

The HSSR interviewed the majority of the head football coaches who brought players to the event and the following is much of their comments:

Gray Collegiate Academy

One AAAA team to look out for in 2025 is Gray Collegiate Academy.

The War Eagles ran into some High School League troubles in 2024 and missed the playoffs. However, the games the team did play helped prepare them for a tough schedule this year.

“We started the season against James Island and went to Tennessee to face one of the top teams in the country,” said De’Angelo Bryant, who is in his second season as the team’s head coach. “Then we came home and played Dutch Fork. Region play for us is kind of like the SEC of 4A, but we finished some games strong.”

As a program, the War Eagles are no stranger to success, and Bryant is counting on that to help.

“It has been a little bit of a challenge,” he said. “When I got to Gray there was still the same championship mentality, which is one of the reasons I wanted to go there. Getting to know the kids was a challenge, but I’m grateful to have a wonderful group of young men who were very accepting to me, my beliefs and ideas. They are morphing into the caliber of football team that we want. We are really on track and our numbers are up.”

He has some seasoned players to lead the way.

“Michael Boulware has put together an impressive resume the past two years,” he said. “It starts with him at the linebacker position.”

Boulware, ranked 13^th on the Top 100 2026 list, made 119 tackles during last year’s 10-game season and 134 the year before.

QB Tyler Waller and offensive lineman Jack Armstong are three-year starters. Treyvon Williamson (6-1 214) is expected to produce at running back and Royce Williamson will likely play multiple positions.

“Royce makes things happen when in the ball is in his hands,” Bryant said. “We lost a lot of guys up front so he will be a catalyst for us.”

Dreher

Another team with big aspirations is Dreher.

Corey Jenkins, who played at USC and professionally, is back at his old high school for a fourth season as the Blue Devils’ head coach. The team is looking to win in the playoffs for the first time since 1994.

“The last playoff game we won was when I was the starting quarterback here,” Jenkins said. “I tease the guys about it because honestly there have been teams that probably should have won one. We did make the playoffs the past two years. The first year we lost to Camden and they played for a state championship. Last year we lost to Daniel, which made a pretty good run. Hopefully this will be the year.”

He now knows his players better than during his first two seasons.

“These seniors were all freshmen when I got here so the program is starting to go in the direction I want it to go,” he said. “I’m excited to see them play. We had a really good Summer. The kids gave all the effort they could give so I think right now the big thing is for us to be consistent. I try to not get too high or too low but stay even keel.”

Senior tackle Chanson Evans (6-4, 325) anchors the offensive line and Jenkins has confidence in his running backs. The Blue Devils also have some young talent. Safety Joseph Pohlmann is only a sophomore, but he started as a freshman.

“We have some other guys who have a chance to play at their level,” Jenkins said. “I have one little guy who is going to surprise some people. We call him Mighty Mouse because he is going to make a lot of big things happen. Defensively I’m a little concerned about our depth up front. Overall, I’m ready to get it rolling. Let’s go play ball.”

Midland Valley

At Midland Valley, Brent Dorn has dropped the interim tag from his title and is now officially the head coach for the team he once played for.

The Mustangs have made the playoffs four of the past five years so he is looking to make it five for six.

“I’m excited to see us take that next step,” Dorn said. “There were some games last year we lost basically because we shot ourselves in the foot with fumbles and those type things. We just need to focus on the details and hopefully finish games we should win. We are counting on some young guys.

He is expecting big things from quarterback Xavier Geter, defensive end Aaron Adams, linebacker Brytson Newton and safety CJ Richardson.

“Offensively we need to be a little more balanced this year,” Dorn said. “We’ve been kind of run heavy so we have worked really hard on improving our passing game.”

Northwood Academy

In SCISA 4A, coach Johnny Waters has Northwood Academy moving in the right direction.

Since the once First Baptist coach came out of retirement to coach the Chargers, Northwood is a different team.

“When I took over at Northwood they had gone 0-29 so it was a total rebuild,” he said. “The first year we went 6-5. Last year we were 10-3 and lost in the state semis. We have the majority of that team back so if we can stay healthy we think we can make a run at it.”

The Chargers return seven players on offense and six on defense. They also have some guys coming in who should really fill some spots.

“We got some guys who fit right into our scheme on both sides of the ball,” Waters said. “Receiver Aydan Hogan is our guy on offense. Drew Wolfe is committed to east Tennessee State and is a good compliment to him at receiver.”

Kevin Johnson joins the team after getting a lot of experience at quarterback with Fort Dorchester last season so he is the favorite to start behind center. Running back Kaven Ford returns after rushing for more than 1,500 yards last year. MJ Davis is a talented receiver and safety. The Chargers also return four offensive linemen.

Defensively everything starts with nose guard Hammer White. Defensive end Garrett Andy, linebacker Cody McCleary and defensive back Antwaun Henderson will also be key on that side of the ball.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson

In 3A, Orangeburg-Wilkinson is one of the teams that will have to deal with Oceanside Collegiate in order to make a run at a region title.

Chris Carter returns for his fourth season as the Bruins head coach after leading them into the second round of the playoffs and an 8-4 record in 2024.

“I’m excited about our kids,” he said. “We have really good senior leadership and the players are jelling. We have play makers who are also good leaders so we should be good on both sides of the ball. Oceanside does a good job so that is still the team to beat.”

Linebacker/running back Jordan Avinger is ranked 35^th on the Top 100 2026 list and has heavy interest from colleges including Arkansas. The Bruins also have some transfers who should help.

Coaches expect big things from wide receiver Daylin Haltiwanger, corner back Jaylen Dash and outside linebacker Chris Glover.

“During the offseason, the biggest thing was to keep them in a structured environment and demand they give everything they have,” Carter said. “We also talk to them a lot about family and the importance of being together. We had a couple of different trips to camps so hopefully that has helped them care about each other and come together as a unit.”

Central

Central advanced to the third round of the 2A playoffs last year and finished at 10-3 so they are looking to keep a good thing going.

However, the Eagles are dealing with a tragedy as they enter their new season. Sean Davis, a rising junior who played multiple positions and on both sides of the ball, was killed by a shooting this Summer.

“Sean was one of our top guys and a great kid,” said coach Jonathan Eason, who is entering his second year with the team. “He had some college offers and was looking at the Airforce. He was basically just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The team is dedicating its season to him and will wear his number on helmets and order patches for our jerseys.

“Everything we do this year will be to honor Sean,” Eason said. “He was a great kid who represented what Central football is all about so he will be with us every step of the way.”

From 1976-2011 Central averaged 10 wins a year, but then the number of wins dropped. Eason is looking to start a new trend.

“We were 10-3 last year so I’m excited about moving forward,” he said. “We returned a lot, more than 4,000 yards on offense and we have more than 20 seniors so I’m excited. We have even added in some things. It will be similar to what we did last year, just with some extra. 

The Eagles return their quarterback, two running backs and four offensive linemen as well as seven defensive starters.

Running back Ashten Wilson has more than 2,000 career rushing yards. MJ Allen returns as the leading tackler. Brandon Rollins is a three-year starter at center. Quarterback Dwayne Louallen (6-2, 210) returns as does Taveon Moore, the team’s leading receiver who also had 8 interceptions last season. Jakari Holloman transferred in after being named the defensive player of the year for his region last year.

“Our goal this year is to win the region and get back in a state-championship run,” Eason said.

Kingstree

Brandon Cantrell is entering his first season as the head coach at Kingstree.

His assistant coaching resume includes stops at 5A schools such as Fort Dorchester and Berkeley. He also played for Berkeley. He is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of coaching the Blazers.

“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “When you’ve worked hard for so long for something, to finally see it come about and get the opportunity is a dream come true. Kingstree is a place where I started my teaching and coaching career as a guy right out of college so coming back is somewhat of a dream-job situation and I’m excited.”

There waiting for him when he arrived was senior Tyleek Dukes, who is on the Top 100 2026 list.

“Tyleek is on everyone’s radar because of the season he had last year,” Cantrell said. “He will continue to play running back and will also play some defensive back for us. I knew there would be athletes. We lost a lot including several on the offensive line, but we have some senior lineman who we can count on. Our skill group seems really good.”

Quarterback Ramello McFadden had some playing time last year and has a good arm so he is the frontrunner behind center. Tyleek Dukes (also in the Top 100), Bryson Epps and transfer Travis Bennett are expected to combine to make the team’s running attack solid. BJ Washington, Adeigon Archie and Terrell Keels are others looking to play important roles.

“I’m expecting big things from those guys,” Cantrell said. “We have some pieces. This program has been good, but not consistently good over the last 20 years, but I’m excited to see what the group we have can do.”

The coach said the media day offered him a chance to get to know some of his athletes better.

“Four guys rode up here with me and it gave me a chance to ask them some questions one-on-one,” he said. “I think in the beginning there was an apprehension regarding what I’m all about. Guys heard what I said and thought ‘oh we’ve heard this before’ but I think through the summer I convinced them I’m here for them and want to see them meet all their goals. We are going to do the things that are necessary to win ball games. I think the kids we brought here today have bought into that.”

Denmark-Olar

In Class A, for Denmark-Olar the season may go as its battles in the trenches go.

William Raysor has been with the Vikings for four years, but is entering only his second season as the team’s head coach. He knows there is still work to do, but his team did advance to the second round of the playoffs last season so he is optimistic.

“When I came into this program it was in great hands with Jarvis Littlejohn so I’m just trying to keep up what he left,” Raysor said. “He did a great job with the kids and we have some great kids. We are young but I think these guys see everything. We are coming off a basketball state championship so that gives our guys some type of appetite. We have a lot of football players who also play basketball and run track.”

Lineman Nick Sapp is on the Top 100 2026 list and will anchor the defense. Last year that defense kept the Vikings in a lot of games, but this year the team is young on that side of the ball.

“I have three freshmen in my secondary,” Raysor said. “My D line has three sophomores and two of my linebackers are sophomores. That presents a challenge.”

The offense will be anchored by lineman Mari Moody (6-4, 235) who is on the Top 100 2027 list. Ends Nyheem Brimfield (6-4, 230) and Dilan Hammonds (6-5 215) will contribute on both sides of the ball and Brimfield also has experience at quarterback.

“We just have some kids who are hungry for the game of football,” Raysor said. “I’m looking forward to letting them pin their ears back and go. We have the best O line we’ve had in a couple of years and I think we will get a lot of things done offensively that we haven’t been able to do in prior years. We are physical and strong.”

Cross

Cross is a team not likely to slip up on any Class A opponents.

“We’ve been pretty consistent the last few years,” said coach Shaun Wright, who is entering his 16^th season as the Trojans’ coach. “Also we return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Now a lot of them play both ways so we are going to have to develop some depth with our younger kids.”

Senior Caden Ramsey, who is ranked 21^st on the Top 100 2026 list, returns at wide receiver and safety. Other key players for Cross include nose guard Michael Bennett, quarterback Tyler Harris, running back Mah’ky Green, wide receiver/db Corinthian Wilson, tight end Kerji Polite, lineman Jailyn Broughton and linebackers Khalil Levinem, William Grant and Jimmy Smith.

“Even if you have a lot of kids coming back, every year is different,” Wright said. “We are looking for the leadership, the kids that will get us through tough times. We know everyone will try to knock us off so we will have to play up every week.”

Remaining healthy is always key at the Class A level.

“We have guys playing both sides of the ball, so if something happens to one of them then that’s two starters down,” Wright said. “What we demand is for our kids to get after it and have awesome effort.”

What he isn’t worried about is a lack of effort.

“When a kid plays multiple sports it shows what kind of character they have,” he said. “They understand they have to eat well, get enough rest and be a good student. They have to because of the different demands the different coaches might have. They are unselfish, want to help out and want to win for others.”

Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School

Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School finished the 2024 football season with a losing record but isn’t planning a repeat performance.

“That’s not traditionally what we do so we hit the ground running in the offseason to get to where we normally are,” said coach Matthew Richard, now entering his sixth season as Carvers Bay’s head coach. “We are celebrating our 25^th year of existence and our fans are excited about that. Everyone is pitching in from the parents driving the kids back and forth to the guys watching our players on social media during camps. We are proud of all the guys who have come through and excited about the ones we have now.”

Zyon Guiles is considered one of the top lineman in the state and is called upon for leadership. Triston Diggs, who has an offer from The Citadel, will also be important up front.

“Our strength will be our offensive and defensive line,” Richard said. “Having two guys on the offensive line with D1 offers is nice. We feel confident. Experience is key in high school football and we are really proud of the kid’s dedication. We probably average 50 kids during the offseason and that is really good. As a 1A coach to have that many committed you are really excited.”