Dorchester Academy returns a veteran varsity head coaching staff
Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • August 1, 2025
Raiders sports coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign
St. George – Dorchester Academy had a pretty good run in all of its sports during the 2024-25 school year. With all of the varsity head coaches returning, the Raiders are looking for another big year for ’25-26.
“We’re returning a veteran varsity coaching staff across all of Raider athletics who understand teaching and coaching the entire-student athlete,” said Dorchester athletic director and football head coach Michael Nelson. “Our coaches get to know our student-athletes on a deeper level that allows them to develop our athletes as better people as well as athletes.
“We are fortunate to have a group of coaches who understand our kids and truly maximize their potentials. It’s going to be a great year across the board for DA athletics.”
Nelson returns for his third season at Dorchester. He led the Raiders to an 8-3 record last year as they reached the semifinals of the SCISA Class A state playoffs.
Returning to assist Nelson are Lance Brownlee, Austin Mizzell, Brady Cook and Nick Chinners. The newcomer to the staff is Larry Windham.
Justin McClure will return for his second year as softball head coach. There is only one way for the Raiders to top his first season and that is by winning the state title.
The Raiders reached the best-of-3 AA state championship series. They were swept by Carolina Academy, losing 7-6 and 5-2. Still, Dorchester finished with a 19-6 overall record and return most of its starting lineup for the upcoming year.
Dorchester reached the championship series by rolling through its bracket in the state tournament. The Raiders defeated Andrew Jackson Academy 15-0, The King’s Academy 5-1 and Lee Academy 15-5.
Brent Jackson returns as the baseball head coach after leading the Raiders to the semifinals o the AA state
playoffs.
Longtime girls basketball head coach Callie McClure returns as does boys basketball head coach
Nick McAlhany.
The Dorchester girls just missed out on playing for the AA state title. The Raiders lost to Laurens Academy 44-43 in overtime in the semifinals. Dorchester finished with an 18-8 record.
The boys team went 10-13 and earned a berth in the playoffs.
Elizabeth Huff is back for her second year leading the volleyball program.
Dorchester will offer a new sport in the fall in cross country. Jason Britt will be the head coach.
Leah Owens is the cheer coach.
Other big showdowns have Indian Land meeting Northwestern, Hartsville facing South Florence
AAAAA Connor Dantzler, James Island, 318 yds pass, 4 TD Jachin Davis, Stratford, 197 yards passing, 85 yards rushing Meliq McGowan, Stratford, 100 yards rushing, 72 yards receiving James Hurteau, James Island, 7 receptions, 140 yards, 3 TD Bryson Bowers, James Island, 13 tackles, 2 TFL LJ Washington, Berkeley, 139 yards rushing Henry Rivers, Berkeley, 113 yards rushing, 32 yards passing’ Bryson McGee, Berkeley, 105 yards rushing Zaire Warren, Fort Dorchester, 100 yards passing Thomas Wamer, Fort Dorchester, 6 sacks Laurez Matthews, Fort Dorchester, 212 all-purpose yards, 3 TD Kyle Henry, Dutch Fork, 137 yds rush, 2 TD Jaxon Knotts, Dutch Fork, 193 yds pass, TD Josiah Coleman, Easley, 219 yds pass, TD Spencer Bobian, Ridge View, 131 yds rush, 2 TD Franklin Richardson, Sumter, 4 TD rush Kristian Jackson, Ridge View, 111 yds rec, TD Caden Hall, Irmo, 2 int (int. ret. TD) Quinn Kelly, Fort Mill, 166 yds pass Matt Kucia, Indian Land, 285 yds pass, 2 TD Jamol Horton, Indian Land, 156 yds rush, TD Jackson Connor, Indland Land, 15 tackles Jackson Headley, Indian Land, 10 tackles, 3 TFL Michael Foster, Indian Land, 13 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks Joseph Duey, Fort Mill, 14 tackles, TFL Banks Bouton, Gaffney, 226 yds pass Chas Smith, Gaffney, 9 rec, 155 yds Emari Nance, Hanna, 107 yds rush, 2 TD Matthew Hillstock, Easley, 12 rec, 118 yds Caine Rogers, Byrnes, 181 yds pass, 2 TD Tre Segarra, Byrnes, 255 yds rush, 5 TD Trevor Kalisz, Ashley Ridge, 267 yds pass, TD Ryan Campbell, Ashley Ridge, 153 yds rush AAAA Jameson Dearybury, Broome, 171 yds pass, TD Trevon Williamson, Gray Coll, 231 yds rush, 2 TD Xavier Wright, Gray Coll, 141 yds pass, 2 TD Gresyon Rimpf, Camden, 3 TD pass Kitt McLauchlin, Gilbert, 140 yds pass, 3 TD Juraiya Staley, Gilbert, 130 yds rush, 2 TD J’Zavien Currence, South Pointe, 2 TD pass, 2 TD rush Messiah Jackson, So. Florence, 112 yds pass, 4 TD Terry Gordon, So. Florence, 8 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks Derrick Raniszewski, Hilton Head, 116 yds pass, TD Gavin Thomas, Seneca, 168 yds pass, 4 TD Amari Verner, Seneca, 107 yds rush, TD Jace Grass, Daniel, 361 yds pass, 6 TD Trey Wimbley, Daniel, 112 yds rec, 2 TD Muntu Brown, Wren, 120 yds rush, TD Xavier Geter, Midland Valley, 181 yds pass, 3 TD; 116 yds rush, TD Aaron Adams, Midland Valley, 10 tackles, 6 TFL Aedan McCarthy, Bluffton, 221 yds pass, 2 TD Jacobi Saunders, Bluffton, 14 tackles, TFL Derek Velasquez, Bluffton, 12 tackles, 2 TFL Sean Mitchell, May River, 121 yds rush, TD Andrew Frick, Brookland-Cayce, 265 yds pass, 2 TD AAA Quamell Grant, Hanahan, 138 yards passing, 3 TD Isaiah Snodgrass, Hanahan, 100 yards rushing Lorenzo Kitching, North Charleston, 205 yards rushing, 2 TD D. Felton, Dillon, 112 yds rush, 2 TD K. Sam Fung Talia, Dillon, 149 yds pass, TD Dante Caldwell, Swansea, 3 TD rush Noah Thomas, BHP, 242 yds pass, 5 TD, 97 yds rush, TD MJ Earl, BHP, 102 yds rush, TD Tajeh Watson-Martin, BHP, 8 rec, 215 yds, 2 TD AA Antuan Faison, Timberland, 107 yards rushing Hayes Goddard, Philip Simmons, 302 passing yards, TD Ashton Kellerman, Philip Simmons, 10 receptions, 135 yards, TD Kaden Wigfall, Thurmond, 109 yds rush Tristan Daniels, Saluda, 122 yds rush, 2 TD Brayden Williams, Saluda, 107 yds pass Anondre Woodson, Bates-Lees, 226 yds rush, 2 TD KD Whitt, Bates-Lees, Kick ret TD, TD rush, 2 TD rec Kadin Thomas, Cheraw, 151 yds pass, 2 TD, TD rush Noah Crump, Buford, 187 yds pass Cole Carnes, Buford, 111 rec yds, TD Kamauri Jones, Fair. Cent, 133 yds pass Jacory Sumpter, Eau Claire, 298 pass yds, TD: 70 rush yds, TD Ty Shannon, Fair Cent, 139 yds rush Owen Wilson, Fair. Cent, 12 tackles, 4 TFL BJ Ashford, Eau Claire, 14 tackles, 2 TFL Javen Cook, Clinton, 334 yds rush, 5 TD Jaylen Singletary, Hampton Co, 156 yds rush, 3 TD Malik Terry, Hampton Co., 16 tackles, 2 TFL A Tyler Harris, Cross, 166 yards passing, 3 TD Mah’ky Green, Cross, 188 yards rushing, 3 TD Caden Ramsey, Cross, 2 TD receptions, TD rush Brayden Franklin, Baptist Hill, 134 yards passing Kevin Smalls, Baptist Hill, 20 tackles, 3 TFL Altavis Evans, Ware Shoals, 184 yds rush, TD Charles Callaham, Ware Shoals, 10 tackles, 8 TFL, 6 sacks Elijah Brown, Ware Shoals, 14 tackles, 4 sacks Josh Wimbush, Ware Shoals, 8 TFL, 7 sacks Jalen Culp, Lewisville, 100 yds pass, 3 TD Jayshawn Culp, Lewisville, 12 tackles, 3 TFL SCISA Amir Chisolm, Porter-Gaud, 206 yards rushing, 3 TD Dor Reichley, St. John’s Christian, 225 yards rushing, 3 TD John Whetsell, Dorchester Academy, 274 yards rushing, 3 TD HARRIS JANIK - AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN RUSHED 19/207 1 TD PATRICK BELK - HEATHWOOD HALL PASSED 11/18 285 5 TDS KRES LANGHALS - HILTON HEAD CHR. PASSED 20/26 308 2 TDS 112 rush, 3 TD ALAN WOLF – JOHN PAUL ll RUSHED 12/162 1 TD J. RICHARDSON – HILTON HEAD CHR. RECEIVED 7/103 1 TD JOSEPH HOUPT – HILTON HEAD CHR. RECEIVED 7/108 CHOLLY WILLIAMS – ORANGEBURG PREP PASSED 7/9 132 2 TDS 10 TACKLES J’SYRI PARKER – ORANGEBURG PREP RUSHED 10/139 1 TD BLAKE INABINET – ORANGEBURG PREP 12 TACKLES 1 SACK MAC STRICKLAND – ORANGEBURG PREP 11 TACKLES REECE WILLIAMS – BEN LIPPEN 13 TACKLES 1 SACK STONE PARKER – BEN LIPPEN 13 TACKLES ETHAN COLLINS – LAURENS ACADEMY PASSED 10/16 165 3 TDS 156 rush 3 TDS CALEB HARDY – LAURENS ACADEMY RUSH 24/368 4 TD, 152 rec 3 TD 17 TACKLES G. VAUGHAN – LAURENS ACADEMY 17 TACKLES 2 SACKS JORDAN TURNER – BETHESDA ACADEMY PASSED 5/7 156 3 TDS RALO WESLEY – BETHESDA ACADEMY RECEIVING 2/101 2 TDS N JACKSON – BETHESDA ACADEMY 18 TACKLES CAEL PARLER – CALHOUN ACADEMY RUSHED 10/130 3 TDS SILAS BRAWNER – PINEWOOD PREP PASSED 15/22 262 3 TDS LAVORIS LUCAS – PINEWOOD PREP RECEIVING 4/107 1 TD TUCKER MCGINTY – W W KING ACADEMY PASSED 5/8 134 1 TD 1 INT JACOB BUSSEY – W W KING ACADEMY 13 TACKLES
After 3 runner-up finishes, TKA wins title, denying Laurens Academy a 4th straight crown
Crusaders rally from Game 1 loss to beat Florence Christian 3-1
HSSR 2025 Football Rankings- SCHSL & SCISA HSSR Div. II AAAAA Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31 2025) 1. Dutch Fork 7-1 (321-104) 2. James Island 8-1 (328-86) 3. Sumter 8-1 (367-180) 4. Dorman 6-2 (305-113) 5. Summerville 7-2 (329-157) 6. Stratford 8-1 (365-166) 7. Carolina Forest 8-1 (390-163) 8. Byrnes 6-3 (295-158) 9. Ashley Ridge 5-4 (293-206) 10. Ridge View 6-3 (319-127) HSSR Div. II AAAAA Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. Irmo 9-0 (375-139) 2. Northwestern 8-1 (436-246) 3. Indian Land 9-0 (313-84) 4. Greenwood 8-1 (198-182) 5. TL Hanna 8-1 (309-172) 6. Berkeley 7-2 (314-129) 7. White Knoll 6-3 (257-113) 8. Myrtle Beach 6-3 (289-310) 9. Gaffney 6-3 (242-163) 10. Greenville 6-3 (198-82) HSSR AAAA Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. South Pointe 7-1 (269-76) 2. South Florence 8-1 (389-109) 3. AC Flora 8-1 (360-89) 4. Daniel 8-1 (395-146) 5. Gray Collegiate 7-2 (338-127) 6. North Augusta 8-1 (412-118) 7. Seneca 9-1 (423-146) 8. Hilton Head 8-1 (363-150) 9. Camden 7-2 (320-175) 10. Bluffton 7-2 (335-164) 11. Midland Valley 7-2 (304-212) 12. Wren 7-2 (386-207) 13. May River 6-2 (249-140) 14. Hartsville 6-3 (367-292) 15. Bishop England 6-3 (281-135) HSSR Class AAA Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. BHP 9-0 (440-94) 2. Oceanside Collegiate 7-2 (367-170) 3. Loris 9-0 (418-111) 4. Newberry 9-0 (373-128) 5. Woodruff 8-1 (347-172) 6. Dillon 6-3 (340-160) 7. Mountain View Prep 8-1 (431-148) 8. Orangeburg Wilkinson 8-0 (292-49) 9. Powdersville 7-2 (326-208) 10. Silver Bluff 5-4 (256-229) 11. Swansea 7-1 (315-124) 12. Crescent 6-3 (328-214) 13. Marlboro County 6-3 (241-131)) 14. Christ Church 6-3 (285-229) 15. Pendleton 5-4 (351-100) HSSR Class AA Ranking (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. Strom Thurmond 7-2 (3360141) 2. Clinton 7-3 (417-193) 3. Philip Simmons 7-2 (364-109) 4. Batesburg-Leesville- 6-3 (358-137) 5. Central 7-1 (299-98) 6. North Central 7-2 (207-152) 7. Timberland 7-2 (261-155) 8. East Clarendon 7-2 (246-78) 9. Hampton County 7-3 (364-150) 10. Andrew Jackson 5-4 (228-193) 11. Fairfield Central- 6-3 (295-163) 12. Saluda 5-4 (243-138) 13. Manning 6-3 (310-192) 14. Cheraw 5-4 (250-214) 15. Woodland 5-4 (248-203) HSSR Class A Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. Bamberg-Ehrhardt 9-0 (476-49) 2. Abbeville 7-2 (380-113) 3. Carvers Bay 9-0 (260-113) 4. Cross 8-1 (330-53) 5. Ware Shoals 9-0 (344-127) 6. Latta 7-1 (306-150) 7. HKT-7-2 (418-122) 8. Lamar 7-2 (332-263) 9. Johnsonville 6-2 (213-147) 10. Lewisville 6-3 (295-169) Scott’s Branch 6-2 (237-169) 12. Dixie 6-3 (285-256) 13. Baptist Hill 6-3 (290-109)) 14. Lake View 3-4 (107-140)) 15. Blackville-Hilda 4-5 (140-231) SCISA AAAA Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31--2025) Northwood Academy 8-1 (357-103) 2. Hammond 8-1 (224-61) 3. Heathwood Hall 7-2 (207-69) 4. Laurence Manning 5-4 (246-178) 5. Porter Gaud 4-5 (254-152) 6. Ben Lippen 2-7 (113-247) SCISA AAA Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) Wilson Hall 8-1 (328-134) Florence Christian 7-1 (213-127) Pinewood Prep 6-3 (386-187) 4. Trinity Collegiate 5-4 (249-184) 5. John Paul II 5-4 (213-252) 6. Hilton Head Christian 4-5 (265-348) SCISA AA Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. Bethesda Academy 8-0 (373-74) 2. Calhoun Academy 8-1 (368-147) 3. Greenwood Christian 702 (265-155) 4. Pee Dee Academy 5-3 (245-226) 5. Orangeburg Prep 6-3 (272-205) 6. Thomas Sumter 4-6 (240-277) SCISA Class A Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. Williamsburg Academy 7-1 (275-93) 2. Dorchester Academy 8-0 (330-85) 3. Colleton Prep-7-2 (318-144) 4. Beaufort Academy 6-3 (285-161) 5. Carolina Academy 4-5 (221-271) 6. Thomas Heyward 2-5 (199-203) SCISA 8-Man Football Ranking - (Entering Week 10 of Season, 10-31-2025) 1. Holly Hill Academy 9-0 (414-184) 2. WW King 9-0 (400-136) 3. Laurens Academy 8-1 (383-233) 4. Jefferson Davis 7-3 (362-260) 5. Kings Academy 5-4 (251-238) 6. Cathedral 5-4 (290-260)
Dorman Seniors, Nick Means getting the handoff from Meek Slydell in their victory over Gaffney.
Jachin Davis leads Stratford to 42-21 win over Wando to clinch Region 7-AAAAA title
Cardinal Newman, First Presbyterian, Laurens Academy, Cambridge all trying to repeat
Gamecocks win ninth region title in 11 seasons under head coach Mark Barnes
Complete list of scores broken down by classification and region