St. John's Christian Press Release
Staff Reports • September 8, 2025
St. John’s Christian Academy Announces Dr. Jerry Brown as Head Football Coach
and Bruce Ellington-Player Development Coach
Moncks Corner, SC – September 8, 2025 – St. John’s Christian Academy (SJCA) is proud to announce the addition of two remarkable leaders to its football program: Dr. Jerry Brown as Head Football Coach and Bruce Ellington as the Player Development Coach. Together, they join SJCA’s dedicated coaching staff in shaping the next generation of Cavalier athletes.
Dr. Jerry Brown enters his 55th year of coaching, including 36 years as a head coach. His legendary career is marked by an unmatched record of success:
- 8 State Championships (3 as assistant, 5 as head coach) – never losing a title game.
- Three State Titles at Berkeley High School (1994, 1996, 2009).
- One of only three coaches in South Carolina history to win state titles at three different schools: Batesburg-Leesville, Spring Valley, and Berkeley.
- Served as both Head Coach and Assistant in the Shrine Bowl and North-South All-Star Games, winning all four.
- Inducted into the South Carolina Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2018) and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2021).
Beyond the gridiron, Dr. Brown has faithfully served as a deacon at Santee Community Church in Moncks Corner and Christ Church in Columbia. He is a devoted husband to Mary Ames Brown and proud father of three children, Lucia, Paul, and Larry, and grandfather to Ames, Edye, Hardy, and great-granddaughter Elle.
Raised in Moncks Corner, Bruce Ellington is a former professional athlete known for his extraordinary accomplishments as a two-sport standout at the University of South Carolina and for his five-year career in the National Football League (NFL).
- High School Achievements: Led Berkeley High School to the 2009 Division II-AAAA state football championship as quarterback; finalist for South Carolina’s Mr. Football Award. On the basketball court, he earned South Carolina 4A Player of the Year with senior averages of 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.
- Collegiate Career: Excelled as both the starting point guard for USC’s men’s basketball team and a wide receiver for the Gamecocks football program. Graduated with a degree in sociology.
- NFL Career: Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 and played five seasons with the 49ers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots.
Ellington’s versatility, leadership, and determination are hallmarks of his athletic career and will be a source of inspiration for SJCA student-athletes.
Dr. Brown and Coach Ellington embrace core values that align deeply with the mission of St. John’s Christian Academy: faith in Christ, a dedicated work ethic, determination, accountability, brotherly love, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Together with the existing Cavalier coaching staff, they are committed to building a program that develops not only strong athletes but also strong Christian men who will serve others with integrity.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Brown and Coach Ellington to the Cavalier Family,” said Becky Ellison, Head of School. “Their combined experience, passion for the game, and dedication to developing young men both on and off the field will strengthen our football program and inspire our school community.”
Upcoming Home Game
We invite our SJCA family to come out this Friday, September 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. for our home football game against Carolina Academy. Let’s pack the stands, show our Cavalier spirit, and give Coach Brown, Coach Ellington, and our Cavaliers a true SJCA welcome.
Swords Up and Go Cavs!
Media Contact:
Becky Ellison, Head of School
St. John’s Christian Academy
843-761-8539
becky.ellison@sjcacavaliers.com
“The fact that winning tonight gave us a region title makes it a very special win over a quality opponent,” said Coach Roller. “I just can’t enough positive things about the win the night."
By Thomas Grant Jr. Contributing Writer Columbia - Last year at this time, Ridge View senior quarterback Tre Howard was a bystander after suffering a season-ending foot injury in the season opener. On Thursday, the fully healthy Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection led the Blazers to their first region title since 2007. He threw four touchdowns in the 57-28 win over Gray Collegiate Academy . It was the sixth straight win for Ridge View (6-2, 3-0) following a 0-2 start with losses to defending state champions Dutch Fork and Oceanside Collegiate Academy. “It’s very special,” Howard said. “I remember growing up all these years just being on the sidelines at Ridge View, being a ballboy. Just having so many friends out here. Just enjoying my time. Being out here with the team…knowing my journey is coming to an end, I’m very excited to be able to become a Blazer and play all four years here and just do what I wanted to do since I was a young kid.” The game featured several All-Star selections and some of the top offensive players in the state. It did not disappoint as the two teams combined for 35 points in a span of 6 ½ minutes. Howard opened the game with the first of two touchdown passes to senior Kayne Reed . After the kickoff, Gray Collegiate Academy quarterback Xavier Wright found an open C.J. Gleaton for a 75-yard touchdown. It was the first of three scoring plays between the two War Eagle juniors. It only took 14 seconds for Ridge View to answer with a score. Shrine Bowl wide receiver selection Khristian Jackson fielded the kickoff and burst up field for an 85-yard touchdown. The War Eagles tried to strike back, but the Blazers got an interception off a pass deflection. Ridge View capitalized with a 37-yard touchdown run by Chris Capers to make it 21-7 with 4:43 left in the first quarter. The scoring barrage ended at the 2:56 mark when Howard launched a 76-yard bomb to Isaiah Smalls for a touchdown. Ridge View led 42-7 at halftime after Howard’s second touchdown pass to Reed and the first of two touchdown runs by Spencer Bobian . One of the scores was set up by an interception by Raymond Jones . The second half saw Wright, who finished with 324 passing yards to close in on 2,500 for the season, find Gleaton twice for scores. In the fourth quarter, Jackson broke free from a tackle after a reception for his second touchdown and an errant snap by the War Eagles resulted in a safety to make it 50-21. Backup quarterback Bijon Virgo scored on a keeper for Ridge View and Wright scored on a touchdown run to close out the scoring. This was also the regular-season finale for Gray Collegiate (4-6, 2-2), which will finish third in Region 5-5A in its first season in Class 5A. Ridge View closes out the regular season at Northeast area rival Blythewood. It now looks to strengthen its RPI rating and position themselves for a long playoff run. “I think this team is a state championship caliber team,” Howard said. “I think they’ve got an opportunity to play with anybody that lines up across from them and the best think about it is they’ve seen everybody.”
Other winners: Central, Gaffney, Manning, B-L, FCS, Northwestern, Clinton, South Florence, Loris
Wilson senior Davon Bowman headed to the zone for Wilson's second TD before Myrtle Beach put points on the board. Image courtesy of Ashwithdaflash)
Fort Dorchester receiver Devin Gates (6) celebrates with teammates Laurez Matthews (0) and Malachi Nelson (79) following Gates' 41-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter Friday, Oct. 23, versus Stratford.
Berkeley quarterback Henry Rivers slips through a tackle Oct. 23 at Cane Bay.
SCISA Region 2-AAAA title, playoff seedings up for grabs between LMA, Pinewood and Northwood
Chesnee's Brymier Miller rushes for 432 yards, 5 touchdowns
Thurmond-Saluda; Lamar-Central; B-E-Scott's Branch; BHP-Wren; Northwestern-Fort Mill; Pinewood-LMA; Calhoun-CPA
Two Weeks Remain in the Regular Season and Not All Region Titles Are Clinched.