GCA Football Reloading For 2026
“We lost a great group of seniors that had multiple years experience, especially on defense,” Bryant said. “We had some great leadership among the seniors, but from what we have returning, I really like our guys."
By WORTHY EVANS
Contributing Writer, HSSR
Columbia - In De’Angelo Bryant’s second year as head coach of the Gray Collegiate Academy football team, the War Eagles powered to a Region 4-4A championship and played South Florence for the 4A lower state championship.
“There were a lot of pieces to the puzzle that we had to fill last year, and we had a lot of guys step up in a major way,” Bryant said. “We ended up getting close to it (a state championship) but it was not meant to be. We’re always going to aim for a state championship.”
Gray lost 16 seniors from that 11-3 effort, including linebackers Michael Boulware (Citadel signee; 283 total tackles: 51 tackles, 232 assists), Tye Rivers (131 total tackles) and Caleb Raysor (106 total tackles). Also gone is strong safety Royal Williamson, one of three sons of former South Carolina standout Troy Williamson on the team.
“We lost a great group of seniors that had multiple years experience, especially on defense,” Bryant said. “We had some great leadership among the seniors, but from what we have returning, I really like our guys. From a talent standpoint, there’s still some holes, but I think our guys will fill them.”
The War Eagles got started in seeing which athlete best fits which spot on the field in spring practice in May.
Returning as quarterback is rising sophomore Xavier Wright, who is coming off a sensational freshman year. In 12 games Wright passed for 2,202 yards and 22 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He also rushed for 328 yards and three scores.
“He was such a success last season, and the question for us is how is he going to respond this year,” Bryant said. “His answer is that he put on 10-plus pounds in the offseason, and has led the team in the weight room. Anytime that your quarterback can have that leadership speaks volumes for him and for the other guys. Three of our underclassmen in the backfield have had great offseasons.”
The other two are the two other sons of Troy Williamson, rising seniors Royce and Trevon Williamson. Trevon led the rushing attack with 1,662 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Royce had five rushing TDs and 42 catches for 725 yards and eight scores in the wide receiver position. Both players also saw significant time in the defensive backfield, with Royce pulling in eight interceptions and Trevon notching two sacks and four tackles.
This year’s senior group, including the Williamsons, athlete Jack Armstrong (37 tackles, two sacks) and cornerback/wide receiver Corey Gleaton (52 catches for 1,243 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns; 49 tackles, six interceptions), led the way in practice.
“These four are catalysts for our offense and defense, and they’ve all had a great offseason,” Bryant said.
Among the younger guys fighting for a spot on the roster, Bryant said David Quattlebaum is a skill player up from the JV squad and will play on both sides of the ball. Junior Darryl Washington will boost the offensive line.
“David had a good JV season and has a great opportunity to be a guy we can depend on,” Bryant said. “With Darryl, when you talk about a guy who has really transformed his mindset and body and his physical ability, you talk about him. I’m really happy to see the role he’s going to play. He’s built himself into a college football prospect.”
Bryant expounded on the team’s performance on the practice field last spring. “Our guys did a great job. Very coachable, very productive during spring practice. We felt like our team had taken some steps forward in the weight room and the conditioning allowed us to push them a little bit. The biggest thing was we had the chance to move the guys around and see where we’re going to have our depth. Spring practice for us was solid. Nothing over the top, but we got a chance to see what we could be.”
