Patriots Look To Work Through Growing Pains

By Roger Lee

Contributing Writer

North Charleston – Fort Dorchester enters the third week of the season still looking for its first win, but coach Shaun Lorenzano isn’t panicking.

“Remember we were also young last year,” Lorenzano said. “In large part we have the same group of kids and they are a good group. I think they are competing a little now. We have eight games left and some of them are winnable so I don’t want them to freak out. We have more experience this year and I think it is going to be a good season for us.”

The Patriots finished at 5-7 in 2025 after falling to Carolina Forest in the second round of the state playoffs. This season, Fort Dorchester opened with a 29-6 loss at Lucy Beckham. The Fort’s lone score in that game came when defensive back/receiver Laurez Matthews returned an interception for a touchdown.

The competition only got stiffer the next week when the Patriots lost 44-15 to Berkeley. Fort junior quarterback Mesiah Rivers threw a 22-yard TD pass to Aiden Rutledge and Liam Chapman had a 1-yard TD plunge. Lorenzano said his defense actually did a good job limiting the Stags, but Berkeley QB Henry Rivers just kept making big plays on behind the sticks downs.



“Everybody is chipping in and has a role to play and they all see it so they are a brotherhood, a team,” Lorenzano said. “They are creating their culture. I like the comradery; everything is kind of lining up. We aren’t the biggest Fort team you’ve ever seen, but we are strong and tough. We are going to be an Iron Man, blue collar football team.”

Matthews is one of several juniors sure seeing a lot of action. The 6-2 wide receiver/defensive back already has offers from Wake Forest and Liberty universities.

“He can really go up and get the ball,” Lorenzano said. “He will be a big playmaker for us on both sides of the ball.”

Rutledge also returns after starting last year at wide receiver.

“As a freshman, Aiden did a real good job the entire season,” Lorenzano said. “He has really stepped up in the weight room. He’ll play some quarterback and running back in some packages and start at receiver and maybe DB. He is probably our best all-around athlete.”

Juniors Devin Gates and Derrick Simpson both played slot receiver for the Patriots last year.

“I think we have one of the best receiving corps in the region,” Lorenzano said.

Rivers and freshman Landon Freeman are the quarterbacks. Rivers was the varsity backup QB last year and Freeman was the starter for the Fort JV.

Chapman received some varsity experience at running back last season. However, his athleticism makes him a candidate to also lineup as a receiver or on the defensive side of the ball.

Fort Dorchester’s offensive line only returns one starter, senior Malachi Nelson. However, The Patriots also had some big, good-looking kids join the varsity squad. Perhaps the biggest is sophomore Ousmane Dirra. The 6-6, 300-pound athlete is working out as an offensive guard/tackle.

Others expected to contribute in the offensive trenches include Korion Delesline, Zion Solomon, Aiden Smith, Malachi Nelson and tight ends Robert (Mac) Floyd and Myles Howey.

“We have a young O-line, but I think they are making progress,” Lorenzano said. “We are going to be good, it’s just a matter of time.”

The Patriots also have a mixture of experienced players and promising newcomers on the defensive side of the ball.

“On defense our schematic changed a little because our size changed,” Lorenzano said. “We have more athletic kids so we are moving guys around and bringing a lot of pressure.”

Junior Kasamania Milo is a returning starter on the defensive line. Others who will be key in the defensive trenches include sophomore Isaiah Fields and junior Kameron Geathers.

Junior Derrick Simpson returns at linebacker. Floyd, the son of Patriots’ defensive coordinator Bobby Floyd, and Howey split time between outside linebacker and tight end. Ryan Simmons, Jaydon Oliver and Damone McGougan are also expected to make an impact in the Patriots’ second level of defense.

Junior Amari Dawson is a returner at cornerback. Matthews and Rutledge will also see action there. Sophomore Jaxon Ray and Gates are the leaders for the team’s safeties.

The team’s region adds Stratford this season, which makes it even tougher. However, coaches point out the Patriots seem more cohesive this Fall.

“I think the kids expect to win and we will have a lot better team than we have had the past couple of seasons,” Lorenzano said. “These guys are a unit. They are together all the time even outside of football and that will help us improve. Some of these guys have now been in the program since I came here three years ago.”