Jefferson Davis looks for another strong football season under Anthony Reitenour
Morgan Owens new volleyball head coach, Anna Beth Randall to coach softball
Blackville -- Little ole Jefferson Davis Academy, located in Blackville, has been playing some big-time football over the past few years with the Raiders just three short years removed from their 2023 SCISA 8-man state title.
The past two seasons saw the team make playoff runs to the state semifinals. The tiny SCISA school boasts eight state championships in football through the years. The Raiders would love nothing more than to add title No. 9 to their resume this upcoming season.
Recently JDA school officials traveled to Mooresville High School in North Carolina where they purchased the school’s entire weight room. There was so much extra equipment that came along with the purchase the school has been selling some items to other schools.
JDA football head coach Anthony Reitenour has been the driving force behind the gridiron success of JDA since he came to the school in 2022. He has a 38-13 record in four seasons at JDA with an 82-36 overall career record.
He has brought stability to the program, a heavily desired trait in today’s sports climate. His leadership speaks for itself in the win column too with the team posting 38 wins over the past four seasons. Last season the Raiders were 8-4 in football. They begin the 2026 season at home against Providence Athletic Club on August 14.
However, he would be the first to give credit to his assistants and everyone involved with the program. The defense is led by coach Matt Lightsey. Anyone involved in coaching 8-man football knows what kind of challenge this entails. The Raider defense hits hard and flies to the ball.
Coach JT Calloway handles both the offensive line and defensive line. He is also the school’s junior varsity head coach. Last season the team saw more success than it had in several years. The season highlight was coming out victorious over Providence. PAC beat the JV early in the schedule, but the Raiders bounced back and won in a rematch a few weeks later.
Coach Garrison Owens works with the OL as well. Owens is a graduate of JDA and was a solid player for the Raiders during his career.
Coach Mitchell Webster is involved with the offensive side of the ball. Coach Webster is beginning his fifth season at JDA.
The varsity volleyball team will be head coached by Morgan Owens this season. Larry Johnson will head up the girls basketball team, while Reitenour will once again coach the boys’ basketball team, and he has compiled a 158-87 career record that includes two state titles and one runner-up finish.
. Kenneth Bollinger will be an assistant to both the boys and girls basketball teams. Bart Owens and Sydney Owenswill be assistants in volleyball.
Anna Beth Randall will be the varsity softball coach this season. Manny Wright returns as the baseball head coach for his third season.
The 2026 football season is approaching rapidly, and the Raiders return a solid nucleus from last season’s team. It could be another special season at Jefferson Davis. Friday night football in Blackville is a fun time for everyone. Come out and support the coaches and players who work hard to put a winning product on the field.
