Mckoy Continues To Build A Winner At James Island

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

James Island – After a pair of mediocre seasons to begin his tenure as the head football coach at James Island, Jamar McKoy has worked to build his program into one of the more consistent programs in the state.

McKoy’s first two seasons yielded just a 9-10 record. However, over the last four seasons, James Island is 45-8, including a 12-2 record last fall. The Trojans reached the AAAAA Division I Lower State title game before losing to Summerville. Both losses last season came to Summerville.

James Island has completed spring practices and is spending the summer getting stronger while competing in 7-on-7 competitions.

“Good spring for us,” he said. “We got after it pretty good. High intensity stuff. We got some great work in with the younger guys and we made some the returners were back up to speed in terms of their knowledge in the system.”

McKoy says quality experience returns from last year’s team but there will be a new guy calling the shots and running the offense on the field. Senior Brady Dantzler is the new trigger man for the Trojans, replacing his brother Connor, who threw for 3,400 yards and 42 touchdowns last season.

“We are excited for Brady to have this opportunity and he’s ready for this,” McKoy said. “He’s a really competitive kid with an edge. He can throw it and run it and he has prepared himself for this. He doesn’t need to be Connor. Just go be Brady because Brady is good enough.”

Dantzler has three quality targets returning in Raphael Puiu, Jordan Kendrick and Sam Crumpton. Puiu had more than 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns last season while Crumpton is among the best tight ends in the state.

Four starters return up front, led by fourth-year varsity tackle Israel Harris.

The defense will be led by returning starters Rob Grant (line), Bryson Bowers (linebacker) and Deuce Prioleau (corner back).

“I like this group of kids,” McKoy said. “They want to continue to build on the recent successes that we’ve had as a program. They are learning what it takes to compete and to win. I think we have a chance to be pretty good.”