Brooks Smith era begins for Orangeburg Prep football

           Orangeburg – Orangeburg Preparatory School has a new head coach for its football program in Brooks Smith. Outside of the change in job title, that’s about the only thing new in regards to Smith.

           Smith is a graduate of the school and has been teaching and coaching at the school for the past several years. He moved into the top spot after serving as the offensive coordinator for Don Shelley, who retired after two seasons in his second tenure at the school.

           “There really hasn’t been much that has changed,” Smith said. “Offensively, we’re keeping things pretty much the same in the transition to what we’re doing. We will have some people getting more rep(etition)s.

           “We’ve got a pretty good coaching staff in place. They’ve all been doing this for a pretty long time.”

           Smith takes over a team that went 5-6 last season, losing to defending AA state runner-up Bethesda Academy in the first round of the SCISA AA state playoffs. Heading into the season, which began on August 22 with a 42-14 home loss to defending AAA state runner-up Wilson Hall, Smith was pleased with the Indians’preseason preparations.

“I’ve been very pleased with the effort,” said Smith, who saw OP rebound from the openng loss with a 27-8 win over Andrew Jackson Academy.. “The hustle and the effort has been there. We were still learning to grasp a new defensive system. When they learn where to be, they’ll run it faster. Still, we’ve come a long way.

“We’ve been talking about sticking together,” Smith added. “We’ve preached accountability to our players, how they need to hold themselves accountable. Once we do that, I think we’ll be a pretty tough out for anybody.”

 Orangeburg Prep has a Football Bowl Subdivision commitment returning in wide receiver/defensive back Tilden “T” Riley. The 6-foot-5-inch senior had a breakout season last year and started garnering a number of offers. He recently committed to Power 4 Conference school Vanderbilt  of the Southeastern Conference.

Smith said one of the big offseason goals for the coaching staff was to make use of Riley in a way that helps the entire offensive unit.

“Obviously we know we want to get the football in his hands as much as possible,” Smith said of Riley, who had 44 catches for 788 yards and 13 touchdowns. “We know his strengths and abilities. We’re working on our run game where they help each other. We’ve got two starters back.”

 Those starters are senior J’Syri Parker and senior Ger’maurey Robinson. Parker was the leading rusher with 475 yards and eight touchdowns on 97 carries.

 The Indians will have a new quarterback as sophomore Cholly Williams takes over for the graduated Walt Mims. Smith is pleased with the progress that Williams has made.

 “He has a really good grasp of the offense and what we’re trying to do,” Smith said of Williams, who will have junior Max Judy as his other starting wide receiver and junior Marshall Livingston at tight end. “We’re pleased, but he still is a sophomore who is in his first year on the varsity.

“He’s a headsy guy who can make something out of nothing, turn a negative into a positive. He’s a smart kid who makes sure everybody gets in the right spot. He’s a very quick learner.”

 Orangeburg Prep does have experience back on the offensive line with four returning starters. They are senior left tackle Stevein Sonny (6-0, 280 pounds), senior right tackle Jonathan Marcellana (5-10, 205), senior right guard James Williams (5-10, 180) and junior center Thomas Fanning (6-1, 255). The only newcomer to the line is senior left guard Mac Strickland (6-0, 200).

“We’ve been coming along pretty well on the offensive line,” Smith said. “We’ve got some freshmen and sophomores who are going to be in there getting reps as backups. We’re hoping to have a healthy offensive line where we can control the game with our run game.”

           While the Indians have seven returning starters on offense, they don’t have nearly as much experience on the defensive side of the ball with just two starters back. They are James Williams and Robinson, both of whom are starting at linebacker.

           The other two linebackers are Strickland and junior Blake Inabinet. Sonny and Marcellana will be joined on the defensive front by junior Parker Gray. Joining Riley in the secondary will be Cholly Williams, Judy and sophomore Council Burroughs.

           Smith said Orangeburg Prep will be changing up its approach as to what it does defensively.

           “We’re still going to be working out of a 3-4 scheme,” he said. “The way we call it will be a bit different. Some of the things we do coverage-wise will be a little different. When healthy our secondary is very good. The safeties are good athletes. The linebacker corps is pretty solid. We’ve just got to make sure they stay healthy. On the defensive line we’re breaking in some new people.”

           Cholly Williams will be the placekicker while Marcellana will handle the punting duties.

           Orangeburg Prep will again be part of the 6-team Region 2. The Indians finished third last season with a 3-2 record behind undefeated Calhoun Academy and 4-1 Greenwood Christian School. The other members of the region are Spartanburg Christian Academy, Thomas Sumter Academy and Clarendon Hall.

           The Indians’ other non-region games are at defending Class A state champion Thomas Heyward Academy on September 5, at Northside Christian Academy on October 10 and at Patrick Henry Academy on October 24.