Numerous Transfers Add To The Depth Of Gaffney Football Entering The 2025 Season Under New Head Coach Donnie Littlejohn
Senior running back Jaiden McDowell also returns and he recently ran a 4.47 at a skills combine camp.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Gaffney—With the retirement of veteran head coach Dan Jones, offensive co-Ordinator and long-time assistant Donnie Littlejohn has become elevated to the new head coach of the Indians, and being a graduate of Gaffney, he understands the expectations for success in this football tradition community.
Gaffney was 10-2 last season losing to the eventual state champion Northwestern in the upper state Div. II AAAAA championship game.
“I am super excited to be the head football coach at my alma mater and I understand the communities’ high expectations for the football program,” said Coach Littlejohn. “I understand what Gaffney football looks like from both a player’s perspective, and from the perspective of having coached on the team for the past 20 years.
“The key for myself, and our coaching staff is to find the best 11 players to lead our offense and the best 11 players who can lead our defense and give us a chance to win games,” said Coach Littlejohn. “This is a process that takes time.
“Once you put the right pieces together, and your players have a true understanding of what they need to do, along with good team chemistry, you have real potential to compete for championships,” said Coach Littlejohn. “I never won a state championship when I was on the varsity team. We lost to Spartanburg one year when we got down on the two-yard line and could not punch it in. That situation still bothers me.
“Teams have to be unselfish and they must learn to trust in each other,” said Coach Littlejohn. “You also have to avoid injuries because injuries matter.”
Gaffney will once again be led on offense by Arkansas commitment Javon Gilmore who completed 177-of-292 passes last season or 2,531 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.
“Javon grew up a lot from the start of the season until the end of the season as a junior,” said Coach Littlejohn. “He has a very talented arm. While he still has some learning to do, he is working hard and getting better all the time.”
Senior running back Jaiden McDowell also returns and he recently ran a 4.47 at a skills combine camp. ”He was hurt last year and with this being his senior season wearing that Black a Gold means a lot to him so I feel like he is going to have a break-out type season,” said Coach Littlejohn.
Despite missing half the season with injuries in 2024, McDowell ended up with 302 rushing yards and five touchdowns. McDowell’s top offers right now are from Boston College, Cincinnati, East Carolina, and Appalachian State.
Depth will come in the back field from Kings Mountain NC transfer Josiah Hill who is a big back with great down hill style, Also former Gaffney running back Justin Dawkins is transferring back from Chapman for his senior year. Then Dominick Odom is a running back transferring to Gaffney from Blacksburg and he will add depth to a crowded back field.
Scotland Dover (6-4, 200) has been moved to left tackle and he recently re-committed to Appalachian State after having decommitted a while back. “Scotland moves well for a big man and he has good arm extension,” said Coach Littlejohn.
CJ Brooks will see action at right tackle after playing a lot as a freshman last year. Cameron Shippy returns at center where he has been a two-year starter. Deuce Littlejohn returns at left guard and the team is still looking for a start right guard.
Some of the candidates or that spot include Seth Phillips, Carter Calvert, and Landon Bailey.
“I feel like the H-back/tight end position can be one of the stronger areas of the team this year,” said Coach Littlejohn. “Trason Smith did a good job there last year but he tore his ACL in the upper state championship game and he has worked very hard to get back on the field. Joe Bauman and Hank Dawkins are vying for time at tight end as well.”
Gaffney’s 3-4 defense should be rock solid once again. Junior Kamari Williams has transferred in from JL Mann at one end slot while Jaleel Tate and Jamari Briggs are competing for the end slot on the other side. The nose guard should be Kelton Bridge, a transfer from Oakbrook Prep.
The two outsider linebackers are Peanut Bailey and Chanson Michaels, who transferred from Chapman. Prospect head hunter Zyon Ratchford is an outside linebacker who has 10 college offers right now. The top two are form South Florida and Coastal Carolina. Ty McGill also returns for the Indians at the other outside slot.
The secondary is nailed down by corner backs Zion Dawkins and Chas Smith. Daniel transfer Kareem Shaw will start at one free safety while Money Monroe, who is up from the jayvee, will start at the other safety spot.
The punter returns in Blake Martin and Coach Littlejohn said the team is still looking for a place kicker.
The Indians will scrimmage Greer and Greenwood in early August scrimmages. Then they will battle Dutch Fork for two quarters in their annual McDonald’s Classic Jamboree on August, 15th.
Gaffney will start the season at home on August, 22nd against Independence High from Charlotte. Then they host JL Mann the following week before be at Greenville on September, 5th They host Boiling Springs on Sept. 19th before playing at rival Spartanburg on September, 26th.
