Head coach Pat Fleming said Scott's Branch had "great" spring football practice

Summerton – Scott’s Branch High School football head coach Pat Fleming has a simple way to describe the Eagles’ just completed spring practice.

“It was great,” said Fleming, who is preparing for his second season at the helm. “We had from 25 to 30 kids every day. It was a more enthusiastic group that was eager to learn. It was really good for us.”

That’s what having a modicum of success can do for you. Fleming inherited a program that went 0-10 in 2023 and led it to a 4-7 record in his first season ever as a head coach. The Eagles went 3-3 in Region 5-Class A and just missed getting a playoff win, losing to Ridgeland 26-20 in overtime.

With nine starters back on defense and eight on offense, there is plenty of buzz around the program.

“We’re loaded, we’re young and we’re ready to make some noise,” Fleming said.

Scott’s Branch will have rising senior Jaiven Conyers returning at quarterback along with his top four pass catchers from a year ago.

Conyers completed 76 of 144 passes for 1,165 yards and 13 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Junior Nyren Bowman is the leading returning receiver with 37 catches for 417 yards and five touchdowns.

           Senior Christian Green had 24 catches for 340 yards and two scores, junior Quintin Jackson had 16 catches for 350 yards and seven TDs, and junior Danny Ragin had 11 catches for 153 yards and one score.

The Eagles were working on filling some holes on the offensive line during the spring. The only returning starters were on the right side in guard Jamauri Calloway and tackle Tyquan Williams.

“We’re loaded with skill players,” Fleming said. “We’ve got to get set on the offensive line. We felt like we’ve honed in on that. We’re building that continuity, working together. The linemen have to have a feeling, an understanding of the what the guy next to him does and building trust.”

           JERNEE FORD 2^ND IN DISCUS, 4^TH IN SHOT

           Scott’s Branch thrower Jernee Ford finished second in the discus and fourth in the shot put in the girls portion of the Class A track and field state meet on May 16 at the Richland Northeast track.

           Ford had a toss of 32.4 meters in the discus and one of 10.2 meters in the shot.

           “She had a great season and we look forward to her being a frontrunner for the shot put and discus state titles next year,” said Fleming, who is also the Scott’s Branch track coach.

ooch in the 400 hurdles.