Scott's Branch head coach Fleming still excited about season despite 0-2 start
Quintin Jackson, Keith Rogers, Nyren Bowman top skill players for Eagles
Summerton – Patrick Fleming was anticipating a 15-0 season for his Scott’s Branch High School football team coming into the 2026 campaign. That fell by the wayside with a 21-14, opening-game loss to East Clarendon.
A 14=1 mark did as well as the Eagles dropped a 43-32 decision to Manning, their other Clarendon County School District rival, in Game 2. Despite that, Fleming still has a lot of confidence in his squad.
“We have a great sense of confidence in this team,” said Fleming, who is in his third year as head coach. “I feel like we can compete against anyone. Our older guys are taking the younger guys under wings and teaching them. We can’t run them out of the weight room. They’re bigger, stronger, faster, have high intensity.”
Scott’s Branch returns eight starters on offense from a team that went 9-3 and reached the second round of the Class A state playoffs a year ago.
Senior 4-year starter Quintin Jackson returns at halfback, while seniors Keith Rogers, Nyren Bowman and Danny Ragin and junior Fra’Jon Bennett all return as starting wide receivers. Bowman and Ragin have three years of starting experience, Rogers and Bennett two apiece.
Three of the offensive linemen are returning starters in 6-foot-2-inch, 280-pound Briceson Singleton, junior Sa’Nye Hilton (5-8, 250) and junior Travis Starks (5-11, 230). The two first-year starters up front are junior Giovanni Jackson (5-10, 230) and junior Jahari Junious (5-10, 210).
The Eagles have a new starter at quarterback in 6-4, 210-poiund sophomore Caleb Minger. He transferred from Manning.
“He’s right on par,” Fleming said of Minger. “He’s a true sophomore who had no varsity snaps. We’re not putting a lot of pressure on him. He’s taking well to the coaching and is getting better every snap. You can see him maturing at practice.”
Scott’s Branch has even more experience returning on defense with 10 starters. Ragin is in his fourth year as a standout starter at end. Singleton and sophomore Natodre Cousar are in their second seasons as defensive line starters.
All of the linebackers are back led by Bowman, who is in his fourth season as a starter. Senior Ja’den Dixon and Bennett are back for their third years as starters while sophomore Kendall Green returns for his second year as a starter.
Junior Caleb Butler is starting in the secondary for the first time. Jackson, Rogers and senior Majestic Hatcher all return to the lineup.
Rogers was selected the Palmetto Champion Specialist of the Year last season for his kickoff and punt return work.
