Scott’s Branch football hopes to continue to make strides

Summerton – With 17 of 22 starters retuning from a team that went 4-7 after going winless the year before, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Scott’s Branch High School football team.

Eagles head coach Patrick Fleming is in his second season as head coach. He is hoping the program continues to take giant strides.

           “Consistency is what we’re looking for,” Fleming said. “We want to get where we are doing the little things right over and over again. We don’t want to get complacent, and we want to be even-keeled throughout the grind of the season. Our goal is to win every play, every quarter, every half, every game.”

The Eagles return nine starters on offense led by senior quarterback Jaiven Conyers. He threw for 1,165 yards and 13 touchdowns against just four interceptions.

           Fleming said Conyers has made great strides from last season.

“He’s making the reads a lot quicker, he’s a better leader, stronger, faster,” he said. “We’re expecting a big year out of him. It’s more about muscle memory for him now, which is a good thing.”

Junior Ja’Den Dixon returns at running back, while senior Christian Green and juniors Nyren Bowman and Quintin Jackson are back at wide receiver. Junior Danny Ragjn (6-feet-2-inches, 245 pounds) will again be the tight end.

           There are three starters back on the offensive line in senior Tyquan Willams (5-11, 270) at right tackle, senior Jamauri Calloway (5-8 250) at right guard and senior Jaiden Holiday (5-10, 300) at center. The newcomers to the line are junior Zion Starks (6-0, 265) at left tackle and sophomore Sa’Nye Hilton (5-10, 250) at left guard.

           Eight starters are back on defense and six of the 11 starters are 1-way players. The 3-man front is made up of Ragin, Holiday and new senior starter Leander Smith. Three of the four linebackers are returnees in Dixon, Bowman and senior Nazaiah Richardson. The other linebacker is junior Jamund Bodger.

           The entire secondary returns in the persons of senior Montrell Sessions, Jackson, sophomore Fra’Jon Bennett and junior Majestic Hatcher.

           Fleming believes Scott’s Branh will be a good defensive unit as the season progresses.

           “Those guys are really learning to play defense,” Fleming said. “We want to play defense where wer are making the proper reactions.”

Smith will be the punter.

The Eagles open the season with a 39-0 loss to East Clarendon, a fellow Clarendon County School District school.