Malphrus Leads Alma Mater Back into State Finals

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

High School Sports Report

Ridgeland – Since he was a small boy growing up as lifelong student at Thomas Heyward Academy, Taylor Malphrus has lived for Rebels football. Now, he gets the chance to lead them to a state championship.

Malphrus is a 2007 graduate of Thomas Heyward and became a coach inside the football program as a part-time assistant late in the 2015 season. The next year, Malphrus became a full-time coach and was a part of an amazing run of four consecutive state championships from 2018-21. The 2022 team also reached the state finals but finished as the runner-up.

Malphrus stepped away from the program for the 2023 season but was hired as the head coach last spring. The first-year head man has the Rebels in the Class A state title game with an 11-1 record.

“It’s sort of been a whirlwind season, seems to have gone by quickly,” the coach said. “It’s really exciting and a great opportunity for the guys. For me, it’s definitely special because most of these seniors and some juniors were on the first jayvee team that I coached. We went 8-0 and I knew they were a special bunch. Now to be back with them in this season, as their coach, is really special. I am very fortunate to be a part of this program.”

The Thomas Heyward program has won 74 games since the 2018 season. A 75th win against Williamsburg Academy in the state championship game would be a nice round number to be proud of.

Williamsburg and Thomas Heyward met earlier this season with the Rebels suffering their only loss of the campaign, 28-26. Malphrus expects the championship game to be just as close.

“I think the two teams are pretty even,” the coach said. “We made some bad mistakes, had some turnovers in the first half, and they returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown. That was the only score they had in the second half so we battled hard. Obviously we have to play better in all phases to give ourselves a chance to win.”

While far from a one-man show, the Rebels do have one of the best players in SCISA football in junior running back Tony O’Banner, who has more than 5,000 career rushing yards as a Rebel. O’Banner began the season as the quarterback but is full-time at running back with the emergence of sophomore Kiran Boggess at quarterback. O’Banner has rushed for 1,756 yards and 25 touchdowns.

“Tony is an incredible player, everyone knows that,” Malphrus said. “But he has plenty of help around him and he would tell you that his success is due to the other guys doing their part. I know we are glad he is on our side.”

Boggess has steadily improved as a passer over the course of the season with more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns. Aiding in the run game is Colton Young. Who has more than 770 yards and 10 scores while averaging 9.8 yards per carry. The Rebels, as an offense, have rushed for more than 3,200 yards and 45 touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt.

The three primary pass-catchers include Eli McLemore, Josh Gibson and Kelan Fripp with Gibson leading the way with 384 yards and four touchdown receptions.

Malphrus says the offensive line has been a work in progress all season but has seen them play their most consistent football over the last few weeks.

“We have several going both ways in key roles so they have put in a lot of work to become a good group,” the coach said.

Starters along the front include tackles Angus Crider and Dawson Drew, center Jaiden Edwards, and guards Beau Pinckney and Dodge Peeples.

Pinckney also is a team leader defensively, racking up more than 130 tackles and 11 tackles for loss at middle linebacker. Peeples and Drew are starters along the defensive line, along with freshman Ben Gibson.

O’Banner sees time defensively at linebacker, sharing time with senior Gus Twenge. Fripp is a starting outside linebacker, with Mitchell White (70 tackles) and Owen Palazzo. Fripp has 74 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss.

In the secondary are Young and Nicholas Robinson at corner, with Donovan Robinson and Josh Gibson at safety. Gibson and Donovan Robinson each have four interceptions. The Rebels have 19 interceptions as a team and have blocked three punts and three field goals this season.

“Our defense has been a solid group,” Malphrus said. “They play hard and are very disciplined. They’re a hungry group. The score of the game doesn’t affect the effort. They go hard from start to stop.”

Thomas Heyward Starters

Offense

QB – 11 – Kiran Boggess

RB -  1 – Tony O’Banner

RB - 2 – Colton Young

WR – 3 – Eli McLemore

WR – 5 – Josh Gibson

WR – 10 – Kelan Fripp

OL – 54 – Beah Pinckney

OL – 51 – Dodge Peeples

OL – 58 – Dawson Drew

OL – 66 – Jaiden Edwards

OL – 60 – Angus Crider

Defense

DL – 58 – Dawson Drew

DL – 51 – Dodge Peeples

DL – 64 – Ben Gibson

LB – 54 – Beau Pinckney

LB – 22 – Gus Twenge

LB – 14 – Mitchell White

LB – 10 – Kelan Fripp

DB – 33 – Nicholas Robinson

DB – 5 - Josh Gibson

DB – 15 – Donavon Robinson

DB – 2 - Colton Young