Transfers Bolstering The State Title Goals Of Northwood Academy Football In 2025
Coach Johnny Waters enters his third season as the head football coach.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Summerville—The Northwood Academy Chargers should be able to take that next step in the SCISA football play-offs this season, bolstered by several high-quality transfers, as head coach Johnny Waters enters his third season as the head football coach.
During May Spring drills Northwood Academy worked out around 40 varsity football candidates.
We have two simple expectations of our team, says Coach Waters, “We over Me” and hard to compete and play for a state championship.”
Leading the list of transfer is former Fort Dorchester starting quarterback Kevin Johnson who is now a Charger. “He has a real live arm and he is a real deal talent who can help get to the next level,” said Coach Waters.
On offense, seven starters return. Top receiver Aiden Hogan (6-2, 190) returns after earning all-state honors last season. “He’s the best athlete I’ve ever coached,” said Coach Waters. “He has all the tools and he is getting a lot of interest from several colleges.”
Running back Kaven Ford also returns after an all-region year where he ran for around 800 yards. Drew Wolfe is a returning wide receiver who is described as a very confident player.
The Charger offensive line returns four starters. They are junior left guard Jacon Harrellson (6-4, 275), senior right guard Garrett Andy (6-1, 245), junior center Kaeden Wagner (6-2, 255), along with sophomore right tackle Braydon Andy (6-2, 255). A top candidate to start at left tackle is Fort Dorchester transfer KJ Burroughs (6-3, 200) who started for the Patriots last season.
On defense six starters return on a team that was 10-3 a year ago. They include all-state linebacker Cody McCleary along with free safety M J Davis (6-1, 195) who earned all-state honors last season.
Senior Antwan Henderson will be a three-year starter at free safety and he was all-state also. Other key defensive players returning are junior corner back Bryce Jenkins (5-11, 170) and Berkeley transfer Mitchell Lanier who will start at defensive end. Cane Bay transfer Dominic Russell should start at one corner and Cane Bay transfer Jodin Carter will be a newcomer starting corner back.
Coach Waters said with Northwood Academy starting school early on August, 9th it has made it difficult to find scrimmages. The Chargers will participate in the 1team1cause Football Jamboree in a two-quarter scrimmage with Oceanside Collegiate at CSU on August, 9.
The team will open up the season against Strong Rock Chrisitan from Atlanta, Ga.
Northwood Academy has 9 varsity assistant coaches. They are Lee Caldwell, John McCall, Cory Washington, Tommy Grady, Ryan Leaver, Chris Billingslea, Travis Grass, Keith Bolus, Kenny Ray and trainer Kevin Thomas.
