Jamison Estep officially becomes Lake City football head coach

Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • August 1, 2025

After two years in interim role, Estep takes over as Ronnie Baker steps down

Lake City – Although he has been running the show for the past two seasons, Jamison Estep is now officially the football head coach for Lake City High School.

 

Estep stepped in as the interim head coach when head coach Ronnie Baker was seriously injured in an automobile accident in the summer of 2023 in Orangeburg County. Estep was in charge in 2023 and in 2024 before Baker officially stepped down earlier this year.

 

“The faith they have in me, I appreciated it,” said Estep, who led the Panthers to 4-7 records in both of the seasons. “Me and Coach Baker are both similar in our styles. It’s a real honor to get this opportunity.”

 

Lake City opens its season at home against Myrtle Beach on August 22. Estep said the Panthers have put in the work over the summer.

 

“We've been working the kids hard,” he said. “They’ve responded well. We’ve had good numbers, they’ve been consistent. We’ve got a good crew of seniors who have been around me, around the program. They know what lays ahead.”

 

Matt Apicella is back as the athletic director and baseball head coach. Seneca Barron will once again be the boys basketball head coach and will now be the boys track and field head coach. Shaquetta Cooper is the girls basketball head coach.

 

Heidi Matthews returns to coach softball, while Belita Salters is the new volleyball coach. Lorenzo McFadden is the wrestling coach, Jeuu’el McFadden is the cheer coach, Matt Luna is the boys soccer coach, Ernest Graham is the girls track coach, Elisabeth Emhof is the boys and girls cross country coach, and Thomas Bucks is the girls soccer coach.

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