Walhalla HS Gameday 2014

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

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HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

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CONTENTS

The Journal

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW 2014 GAMEDAY

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DANIEL LIONS A season after winning the Upper State title, Lions look for return trip to Columbia.

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10

14

19

25

Young, but experienced Bulldogs look to make run toward region championship.

Expectations extremely high for Bobcats under new head coach.

Devastated by injuries last year, Razorbacks ready to bounce back.

In Pierce’s second year, Warriors looking to take game to next level.

PENDLETON BULLDOGS

CLEMSON TIGERS

Despite key losses, Tigers look to maintain recent run of success.

WE HAVE IT ALL!

SENECA BOBCATS

36

WALHALLA RAZORBACKS

CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Behind Davis, Gamecocks ready to get back to SEC title game.

High school game previews every Thursday & college game previews every Friday only in The Journal! Subscribe today: 864.882.2375

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4 THE JOURNAL

WEST-OAK WARRIORS

COVER DESIGNS BY MELISSA BRADLEY COVER PHOTOS BY KENNY FEY REX BROWN ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOOK S N O I L Y TO DEF ED R E W O L NS O I T A T EXPEC

BY ERIC

hat a difference a year makes for the Daniel High School football team.

This time a year ago, the Lions were lauded as being among the top teams in the state with half a dozen three-year starters leading a staunch defensive unit, while running back Jae’lon Oglesby was hailed as arguably the top prospect in the Palmetto State.

The preseason talk was certainly justified — Daniel reached the state championship game, falling to Myrtle Beach as time expired, the defense was maybe the best in the state and Oglesby finished as the Lions’ all-time leading rusher and was a finalist for the prestigious Mr. Football award.

But now, coming off a 14-1 season and without a dozen seniors who inked to play at the college level on National Signing Day, the buzz about the Lions is virtually nonexistent.

And for one of just three returning starters on defense, that’s a slap in the face after the success the Lions have enjoyed in recent years.

“It’s insulting, because coming from last year all we heard was we were great, and now we’re hearing we’re terrible,” senior cornerback Amir Trapp said. “We hear it in the community when we go out, so we just have to put in extra work and go the extra mile as a team.”

If there’s a team up for the challenge of overcoming those expectations, it’s Daniel, which has reached the Upper State championship game in four of the last six years, with last year’s breakthrough to the state title game marking its first trip to Columbia since the 1998 season.

The Lions have also won the Western 3A region

SPROTT

Daniel High School center Devin Woodson looks across the Lions’ offensive line during the first day of fall practice on Aug. 1 in Central.

(Rex Brown, The Journal)

HIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOLPREVIEW PREVIEWGAMEDAY GAMEDAY2014 2014 5

W, 41-9 W, 36-28 W, 49-6 W, 49-0 W, 63-0 W, 66-28 W, 10-0 W, 35-28 W, 49-0 W, 24-0 W, 40-3 W, 31-7 W, 41-10 W, 29-27 L, 24-21

* State championship game in Columbia

while Garrett Smith and Dylan Perry are competing at right tackle.

Date Opponent Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Easley Emerald Westside West-Oak at Palmetto at Wren Belton-Honea Path at Pickens Walhalla at Seneca

line, as is T.J. Reese. All have received playing time in the past, but not along the defensive line, as McCain and Reese played at outside linebacker.

Teaming with Dunkley in the linebacking corps will be Dylan Pilgrim, a senior who has battled back from two major knee injuries in his career.

“There’s nobody who’s worked any harder,” Robinson said. “To come back the way he has, he’s a tough kid.”

DEFENSE It doesn’t take long to run down Daniel’s returning starters on defense — Trapp and safety Kyle Cote are back, as is linebacker Jordan Dunkley, who started in the postseason due to injuries in the Lions’ linebacking corps.

Other than that, eight starters are gone from a defense that allowed just 11.3 points and 232.9 yards per game last season.

“In spring practice, they took a beating,” Robinson said of the defense.

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6 THE JOURNAL

Easley Greenville Columbia at West-Oak Palmetto Wren at Belton-Honea Path Emerald at Walhalla Seneca Pickens Clinton at Greer Chapman * Myrtle Beach

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OFFENSE Despite losing Oglesby — the reigning two-time Western 3A Player of the Year who rushed for 6,379 yards and 79 touchdowns in his celebrated career — the Lions should be strong on the offensive side of the ball.

It all starts with quarterback Andy McCall, who’s going into his third season as a starter after passing for 1,656 yards and 19 touchdowns against just six interceptions last season.

“That’s a big advantage right there,” Robinson said of McCall’s experience. “He’ll be way ahead as far as things we can do.”

Despite the loss of Oglesby, there’ll be — at least sometimes — a veteran presence in the backfield in Austin Barnes, an H-back with multiple college offers who will line up at running back, wingback, tight end and wide receiver. When Barnes is not carrying the ball for the Lions, look for fellow seniors Joe Durham and Quinton Hunter to tote the rock, as the Lions plan on a runningback-by-committee approach.

At receiver, Noah Preisch (27 catches, 501 yards, six touchdowns) is back, while Tyrece Bell, Jacob Wichelns and Carter Groomes will all be in the mix.

Also, look for backup quarterback Dante Gilliard to be active at receiver this season.

“He’s a playmaker, and I’ve got to get him the ball,” Robinson said of the junior.

“He’s going to be in a lot of places.”

Up front, left tackle Cade Stewart and center Devin Woodson return, while Dakota Thomas — who saw extensive action last season — will man one of the guard sports.

Terreco Robinson and Vaughter Garner are competing for the other guard spot,

Opponent Result

2013 RESULTS

crown six out of the last seven years — including three straight — and have lost just two region games since the 2007 season, both of which came during a thirdplace region finish in 2010.

And with that said, the Lions aren’t lowering their expectations despite the losses they incurred from last year’s squad.

“I think that’s what everybody’s talking about, and people are kind of giving up on us this year,” ninth-year head coach Randy Robinson said. “Our guys know the expectations of our program, and we aren’t going to change the goals.

“That’s what I told them when we got together, and we’re going to prove a lot of people wrong.”

2014 SCHEDULE

DANIEL HIGH SCHOOL

DANIEL HIGH SCHOOL Apart from Dunkley and Pilgrim, the battle for playing time is still wide open at linebacker, as is the case in the secondary. Cote and Trapp are entrenched — and Pilgrim will drop into coverage as well — while Jacob Maloney appears to have earned a starting spot at safety.

DANIEL LIONS ROSTER

SPECIAL TEAMS There are questions here as well for the Lions, as place-kicker Christian Groomes and punter Andy Fowler signed with Clemson and North Greenville, respectively.

Look for junior Rivers Sherrill — who has occasionally handled extra-point duties in years past — to take over at placekicker, while fellow junior Justin Craig will start at punter.

Pilgrim will snap on special teams, while Will Swinney will likely serve as the Lions’ holder.

Look for Preisch and Trapp to handle the return game.

“OUR GUYS KNOW THE EXPECTATIONS OF OUR PROGRAM, AND WE AREN’T GOING TO CHANGE THE GOALS ... WE’RE GOING TO PROVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WRONG.” — RANDY ROBINSON, DANIEL LIONS HEAD COACH —

BREAKING DOWN THE LIONS LAST YEAR >>> 14-1, first in Western 3A; Class 3A Upper State champions HEAD COACH >>> Randy Robinson — at Daniel: 84-22, eight seasons RETURNING STARTERS >>> 8; 5 offense, 3 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> H-back Austin Barnes, WR/QB Dante Gilliard, QB Andy McCall, LB/DB Dylan Pilgrim, DB Amir Trapp KEY LOSSES >>> LB Solomon Brown, DL Tyrell Fleming, RB Jae’lon Oglesby, S Daulton Pilgrim, LB Michael Peppers PRIMARY STRENGTHS >>>In a reversal from much of the Robinson era, expect the Lions’ offense to be the

strength of this team rather than the defense. McCall is a third-year starter who helped his team reach the state championship game last season, so his experience is invaluable. Barnes is a versatile weapon who can be used as a running back, tight end or receiver, and there are some strong options at receiver for McCall to work with.

QUESTION MARKS >>> With twothirds of its starters gone from last season, there are some big questions facing Daniel this season. Most of the losses were on the defensive side of the ball, as eight starters are gone from a unit that absolutely locked down opponents a season ago. Included in those eight starters are three players who earned invitations to postseason

all-star games. The Lions also have to replace both of their solid specialists.

OVERVIEW >>> Without question, it’s a new era for the Lions, who came up a hair short of winning their first state championship since 1998 last season with a senior-laden team.

As mentioned, the defense will look almost brand-new this season, but the offense — even without the prolific Oglesby at running back — should put up enough points early in the season as the defense looks to find its way.

Despite the losses, Daniel is optimistic about the coming season. Given their recent history and returners on offense, the Lions will certainly be in the running for the region crown once again.

No. Name

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Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. So. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So.

Kyle Cote Joe Durham Dante Gilliard Duncan Williamson Noah Preisch Ben Batson Jacob Wichelns Jacob Maloney Dylan Pilgrim Andy McCall Jake Venables Will Swinney Lamar Woods Malik Watt Amir Trapp Ben Sawyer Stephon Kirksey Isaac Weaver Zach Henderson Logan McCain Quinton Hunter Peter Cote Austin Barnes Jaelon Reese Devante Wrenn Chris Barnes Jules Morgan Avery Conrad T.J. Reese Hunter Joplin Rivers Sherrill Jordan Dunkley Devin Woodson Garrett Smith Khalil Anderson John Robert Ayers Dylan Perry Quinton Tucker Dakota Thomas Cody Rollins Cade Stewart Vaughter Garner Austin Cade Ben Anderson Terreco Robinson Nigill Young Bru Nimmons Juan Salcido Bravo James Felder C.J. Scott Tyrece Bell Carter Groomes Maxwell Jeffers Justin Craig Miles Turman

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

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DANIEL HIGH SCHOOL

KEEPING A PROMISE

Lions’ seniors look to make good on vow

I

BY ERIC SPROTT

f fate had dealt a kinder hand to the he’ll mention it, either, as he’ll harp on that Daniel High School football team, Amir promise throughout the season.

Trapp would remember Dec. 7, 2013, “That was an emotional time for much differently. everybody in the room, and those juniors Then a junior cornerback on the saw those seniors hurting,” he said. “We first Daniel team to reach the state went 14-0 and planned on winning the state championship game since 1998, Trapp championship, but we didn’t finish the job. helped pick the Lions up off the mat after A lot of those juniors are close friends with a miserable start against Myrtle Beach at the seniors, and they just wanted to make a Williams-Brice Stadium. commitment to try to get the program back With a little more than a minute until again since those seniors got us there. halftime and trailing 7-0 on a dreary day “I just want to remind them of that in Columbia, Trapp intercepted Drayton periodically, and hopefully that will keep Arnold at the Lions’ 15-yard line and raced our work ethic where it needs to be.” down the sideline on his way to the end The task of getting back to the state zone, evening the score before the break championship game seems like a tall and giving his team a much-needed challenge for the Lions, who return just injection of life. eight starters from last year’s senior-laden Of course, the wakeup call Trapp provided squad. wasn’t enough, as Myrtle Beach eventually engineered a seven-play, 70-yard gamewinning drive, as the Seahawks clinched the state championship on a field goal as time expired to cap a 24-21 victory.

So, instead of his interception return for a touchdown standing out as his lasting memory of the game, Trapp recalls something much different — something that led to a promise he and the rest of his then-junior classmates promised the outgoing seniors.

“My biggest memory was seeing (senior safety) Daulton Pilgrim break down and cry when we lost,” Trapp said.

“That took a toll on me, and I felt like we needed to pick up where we left off and get back there.”

Daniel High School cornerback Amir In the locker room after the Trapp makes his way down the field game, the junior class made a on the way to a touchdown on an promise to the seniors to get interception return during the Lions’ back to Columbia, and that’s loss to Myrtle Beach in the state championship game last season in the driving factor for the Lions Columbia. Trapp and his fellow seniors this year, and it’s something are looking to honor last year’s Daniel head coach Randy seniors with a return trip to Columbia.

Robinson mentioned on the (Kenny Fey, The Journal) first day of fall practice.

It wasn’t the last time

8 THE JOURNAL

In the hopes of returning to WilliamsBrice Stadium this season, a new crop of leaders will have to emerge to make good on the promise made in December.

“It was very emotional because it was those guys’ last game in high school,” Daniel quarterback Andy McCall said. “It was emotional for us, too, but not at (the seniors’) level, but we feel like we owed them something for getting us there.”

Given his status as a third-year starter, McCall, a senior, will be counted on to provide leadership from his quarterback position, while fellow seniors Austin Barnes and Devin Woodson are being looked to on the offense as well.

On defense, Trapp, Kyle Cote and Dylan Pilgrim are the early emerging leaders, and Barnes said it’s an ongoing process trying to replace the numerous leaders from a season ago.

“We’re trying to get the whole senior group leading to the point where it’s all us, and the younger guys are following us, and that’s something we’re still working on,” Barnes said. “(Robinson) has been on point about leadership, and he’s been all about that since we started summer workouts.”

The Lions certainly wish they had come out on the better end of last year’s state title game, but they’re hoping at least some good comes from the loss as the current seniors look to uphold their promise to last year’s group.

“I know all teams have camaraderie, but there’s something special here, and that shows through our kids,” Robinson said. “They hurt for those seniors, and they want to try to get this program back there again.”

“It was very emotional coming off the loss, but we have to pay our dues to the seniors that took us there last year,” Trapp added. “So, we’re taking it upon ourselves to get these junior, sophomores and freshmen there this season.”

BUILT

TOUGH

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HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

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G

oing into last season, Pendleton High School football coach Paul Sutherland knew he had big problems in the trenches and was going to have to use a lot of inexperienced players, but he had a senior class he knew would step up and lead, especially on defense.

This year, it’s a complete and total 180-degree turn.

He has one returning senior starter and a defense — particularly the back seven — decimated by graduation, but he has far less question marks around the field this season, even to the point where he calls his offensive line the team’s strength.

“From an X’s and O’s standpoint, we don’t have nearly as many question marks as we did going into last year, especially on the offensive line,” Sutherland said. “From that standpoint, we have a lot more answers going into this year.”

The Bulldogs started 1-3 last season because of that inexperience, but rallied to finish 5-2 in Region 1-2A play, which was good enough for second place and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The bye turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing, as the Bulldogs looked rusty, especially in the red zone, in a 21-9 loss on a rainy night at Cunningham Stadium to Newberry in the second round.

The loss of the 2013 senior class is difficult for talent and leadership reasons, but Sutherland is

Sophomore Brad Johnson will be one of Pendleton’s top defensive leaders after enjoying a breakout freshman season.

(Rex Brown, The Journal)

10 THE THEJOURNAL JOURNAL

BY ROBBIE TINSLEY

PENDLETON HIGH SCHOOL

DEFENSE With a lot of high school teams shifting their focus to developing offenses, Sutherland said Pendleton will always be a OFFENSE defense-first team.

After nearly 12 years of running the The Bulldogs will need to have a double-wing attack, the Bulldogs will base defensive focus going into the season, as out of the multiple pro-I this fall thanks in only four starters return from a unit that part to a lack of numbers at running back had seniors throughout the depth chart a and increased depth and talent at wide year ago. receiver.

The linebacking corps was hit hardest In the backfield, Nicquan Ramsey will with longtime starters Tyler Osbey and be counted upon to carry the load after a Darius Pickens now departed. Junior sophomore campaign Antonio Freeman is that saw him rush for 675 now the only known yards and six touchdowns commodity there. Hank alongside senior Darius Martin, who returns Barksdale. Sutherland said from a knee injury that for the team to perform kept him out for all his to its full capability, the sophomore season, Bulldogs will need a big Turner Lomas, Zac year out of Ramsey.

Swaney and Nic Riser Gibson Black inherited — a junior transfer from the starting quarterback Westside — are in the job when Joe Burke was mix. needed elsewhere after “From those four, we the Bulldogs’ opening need to have someone game last season, and emerge,” Sutherland Pendleton junior Gibson Black, he never gave it up. He said. seen here in action last season finished with four scoring Along the defensive against Newberry, is going passes and a touchdown line, Kwashon Maddox into his second season as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. run that lifted the Bulldogs and Xa Kimp, who over Crescent in a crucial road (Kenny Fey, The Journal) both also spent some time win last year. standing up at linebacker, “He grew up a lot, and I was hard on are gone. Chayce Brock and Burgess will him last year,” Sutherland said. “I’m always likely be the starters inside, with some more stressing this to Gibson — I don’t want a offensive linemen helping out as needed. quarterback, I want a football player, and Sophomore defensive end Brad Johnson that’s what he’s turned into.” has the potential to be the next star at Malik Grate burst onto the scene at Pendleton after a freshman campaign that receiver as a sophomore, leading the team saw him lead the team with eight sacks. in receptions (24), receiving yards (284) Most of the same names from receiving and receiving touchdowns (2). Tre Bouie, corps — Brooks, Peppers and Bouie — will VonRay Brooks and Cameron Peppers join be helping replace the loss of two senior Grate as receivers that Sutherland has a lot cornerbacks in Octavius Rice and Jaired of confidence in, and they’ll aid in providing Humphries, who were spelled by Burke. a vertical threat to complement the running Grate and Dakota Terry return as starters game. at safety. Terry is the Bulldogs’ leading After counting three sophomores and returning tackler after finishing with 70 a freshman among his starting offensive stops last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS When it comes to replacing Alex Haynes, who starred as the team’s tight end, placekicker and punter a season ago — he was named the Class 2A Specialist of the Year — Sutherland called him “one of the biggest losses we’ve ever had.”

“We’ve had great kickers here, and all of them have fit this mold, with Alex being the most extreme,” Sutherland said.

“They weren’t just kickers — they were football players. Alex could bench press 300 pounds. He was probably the most physical player we had, and he could kick the ball in the end zone after playing a lot of snaps.”

Haynes was a soccer player before falling in love with football, and Sutherland has gone back to that well to find his replacement.

Alex Ortiz and Nate Higginbotham will be battling for the vacant spots, while they will also be trying to develop into multiuse talents who can both kick and play in the field.

Opponent Result

2013 RESULTS

linemen a season ago, Sutherland finds himself with “tons of experience,” but he needs to replace center Ethan Barnette’s leadership. Juniors Nathan Burgess, Dustin Hudgens and Tyler Blassingame, along with sophomore Braden Kelly, all gained starting experience last year.

2014 SCHEDULE

hoping he can create enough situations in fall camp to separate some more leaders before the live bullets start firing when Pickens comes to town to open the season.

“Leadership’s not an issue before you hit adversity,” Sutherland said. “But if you scrimmage and play a schedule like we’re going to play, you’re going to find some adversity, so it’s my job as a head coach to put them through adversity in practice so that they’re ready for it.”

at Pickens West-Oak at Belton-Honea Path at Chesnee Blacksburg at Crescent Powdersville Carolina at Liberty Landrum Newberry

L, 38-14 W, 37-0 L, 38-7 L, 46-7 W, 55-14 W, 21-18 W, 34-12 L, 27-21 W, 56-27 W, 45-13 L, 21-9

Date Opponent Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Pickens at West-Oak Belton-Honea Path Chesnee at Blacksburg Woodruff at Powdersville at Carolina Liberty at Landrum

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

11

PENDLETON HIGH SCHOOL

‘TIME TO WORK’ Finally cleared to play, Terry ready for final season

T

he Pendleton High School football team nearly lost a senior running back, receiver, outside linebacker and safety to injury this offseason.

His name is Dakota Terry.

The lone returning senior starter from last year’s team, Terry wasn’t cleared to play this season until receiving a third opinion from a doctor in late July.

With a small tear in his labrum, the senior was facing surgery, as well as recommendations to not play football ever again.

He first noticed the pain in his shoulder during his sophomore year, but Terry never thought it was something that needed fixing.

“I never really thought of it as an injury, because with football, you’re always using your shoulders for tackling and hitting, so I just thought of it being sore,” he said. “But it never ended up going away.”

After last season, when he finished as the team’s second leading tackler with 70 stops, the pain got to the point where he wanted to go see a doctor, who eventually told Terry there was loose cartilage around his labrum that required surgery. The doctor’s worry about damaged nerves led him to recommend Terry giving up the game.

A second opinion produced the same diagnosis — surgery and no more football.

Terry was devastated. His mother ended up calling the district office to see if he could get a third opinion from a doctor not associated with the school district.

Meanwhile, there was an absence at Pendleton’s summer workouts, and head coach Paul Sutherland was bombarded by the same question from his younger players — “Have we heard about Dakota?”

Finally, Terry got his third opinion, and it was music to his ears — no surgery, and he was cleared to play.

“He told me what I wanted to hear,” Terry said with a laugh. “I could’ve cried tears of joy. I laid in bed for weeks when the second doctor said I couldn’t play. You can only imagine what was going through my mind.”

12 THE JOURNAL

BY ROBBIE TINSLEY

And despite the bleak diagnoses, Terry “We don’t have anything to worry said his injury doesn’t bother him on the about this year, because we have a strong field. mindset.”

“It doesn’t really bother me, because He also benefits from playing behind a I play through it,” he said. “When I’m out senior class last year that was loaded with there, I don’t think about much other than leaders like Joe Burke, Christian Gossett, football.”

Alex Haynes, Kwashon Maddox and Darius As he goes into his senior year, head Pickens to name a few. coach Paul Sutherland called Terry his most versatile athlete, as he’s able to play all four of the previously mentioned positions.

But Terry knows where he wants to play if he has to choose.

“From the start, I’ve always been a headhunter, I guess you could say,” he said. “I’ve always liked to hit. I’ve always wanted to hit the biggest guy on the team. I think outside linebacker and safety are positions I can stick with because I like the action.”

In all likelihood, he’ll focus mainly on defense this year, starting at safety, while Pendleton High School’s he’ll also contribute Dakota Terry is the Bulldogs’ on offense, mostly at lone returning senior starter going into the 2014 season. receiver.

Sutherland has (Rex Brown, The Journal) already noticed a difference in his senior’s mentality since he was cleared to play.

“We all take things for granted, especially when we’re teenagers,” Meanwhile, he’s getting help Sutherland said. “I think he appreciates the from the junior class that got opportunity now a lot more.” its collective feet wet last year.

As the lone senior with a wealth of “Malik Grate, Nicquan Ramsey, Gibson experience, Terry is also being called on to Black, pretty much the whole junior class is be a leader for the Bulldogs. stepping up a lot. I’m very impressed with While he has already tried to make it a what they’re doing this year,” he said. priority to pick guys up who may be getting And now with visits to the doctors and down on themselves, Terry doesn’t think worries about no more football behind him, the Bulldogs will be a difficult team to lead Terry can finally focus on the one thing all this year.

South Carolina high school seniors want “This year, we have a lot more team out of their last football season — a trip to chemistry, I believe,” Terry said. “Last year, Columbia to play for a state title. it was a lot of defense-versus-offense “I know we’re young as a team, but I mentality. I believe it’ll be easier to lead believe we can do it,” Terry said. “If we have this team this year (compared to last year), the same mindset, we can do it. because the younger guys are leaders, too.

“It’s time to go to work now.”

PENDLETON HIGH SCHOOL

BREAKING DOWN THE BULLDOGS LAST YEAR >>> 6-5, second in Region 1-2A; Lost in second round of playoffs HEAD COACH >>> Paul Sutherland — at Pendleton: 97-54, 13 seasons RETURNING STARTERS >>> 9; 5 offense, 4 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> QB Gibson Black, WR Malik Grate, DE Brad Johnson, RB Nicquan Ramsey, DB Dakota Terry KEY LOSSES >>> RB Darius Barksdale, OL Ethan Barnette, DB/WR Joe Burke, TE/K Alex Haynes, DE Kwashon Maddox.

PRIMARY STRENGTHS >>> After a season where they were unexpectedly forced into action, three juniors — Nathan Burgess, Dustin Hudgens and Tyler Blassingame — and one freshman, Braden Kelly, that took their lumps on the offensive line last year are now seasoned veterans. If those four can continue to grow, Ramsey will find carrying the load a lot easier, and Black will have plenty of time to find Grate.

515 By Pass 123, Seneca

QUESTION MARKS >>> The defense — particularly at linebacker — faces a whole lot of uncertainty in the early going. Johnson and junior linebacker Antonio Freeman will have to set the tone for the front seven and allow newcomers like Hank Martin and Nic Riser to develop quickly. Terry is the Bulldogs’ lone returning senior starter, and he’ll need to show leadership to a unit that may struggle in the early part of the season.

OVERVIEW >>> For a team with very few seniors, this isn’t exactly a bad situation for Sutherland and his program.

The junior class will not only have to overperform for its age, but it’ll also have to over-lead. But after getting plenty of experience last season, the juniors appear up to the task. The offense may need to help out the defense in the early going, but another top-two region finish and a trip to the playoffs looks to be in the cards in Sutherland’s 14th year, while his 100th win with the Bulldogs appears to be a virtual certainty.

PENDLETON BULLDOGS ROSTER No. Name

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Class

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38 40 41 42 43 44 50 53 55 57 60 64 66 70 72 74 75 76 78 80 81

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13

SENECA HIGH SCHOOL

L

ooking out at the scoreboard on a Saturday morning at Tom Bass Field, Dontay Cobb’s eyes fixated on the section dedicated to region championships.

Unfortunately for Cobb and the Seneca High School football program, it’s been a long time since that portion of the scoreboard has needed updating, as the Bobcats haven’t finished atop the Western 3A standings since 1996 — the season they captured their one and only Upper State championship.

Since 1997, no other team besides Daniel and Belton-Honea Path has won the region title, and the lack of championships at a school that takes such pride in its football history eats at Cobb, a senior linebacker, and the rest of the Bobcats.

BY ERIC SPROTT

Seneca running back Braxton Gambrell, seen here against Pendleton at the Foothills FCA Jamboree, will lead the Bobcats’ rushing attack this season.

(Rex Brown, The Journal)

14 THE THEJOURNAL JOURNAL

And as first-year head coach Gene Cathcart sees it, it should.

“It should eat at them,” he said. “You went from 20 years, prior to the last 10, where you won 209 games, and in the last 10 years you’ve averaged 5.5 wins a year, so you don’t have to be a math major to understand that’s something we’d certainly love to change.

“We’re going to work very hard to do that and hopefully be a kind of team that the school and program can be proud of.”

Driven to elevate the program in the first year of the Cathcart area, the Bobcats have heightened expectations this season, particularly given the fact they return 18 starters from a season ago.

Add in the fact Cathcart is just two seasons removed from winning the Class

4A state championship, and it’s only natural the Bobcats are thinking big this season.

“There’s a lot of expectations, and we plan on winning region and state,” Cobb said. “We set high goals for ourselves and plan on reaching them.

“It’d be great for us, but for the community, too, so they have something to talk about.”

OFFENSE Cathcart didn’t study film of his new players upon his arrival, but he did a little bit of research before getting to evaluate them in person.

“I’m not knocking anybody because I’m thrilled to be here, (but) we’ve averaged about four points a game against Daniel the last few years and 45 against the lower four teams in the region,” Cathcart said. “I don’t really need to see film to know we have to improve in big games.”

In the hopes of getting the Seneca offense shining against all competition, Cathcart will have a new quarterback in junior Elijah Turner, who served as Pickens’ starting quarterback last season.

He previously starred at Seneca Middle School and still has a strong

SENECA HIGH SCHOOL rapport with a number of his new teammates, as well as Cathcart, a family friend of the Turner family.

“I’ve coached him since he was in the fourth grade on throwing and his footwork, so we have a great relationship,” Cathcart said.

Replacing leading rusher Marquis Arnold, Braxton Gambrell will likely carry the load for Seneca, while the speedy Jacory Benson will also tote the ball. Trent Rankin will man the fullback spot, while Quan Holden will feature at both tailback and fullback.

After enjoying a “huge summer,” according to Cathcart, Daquan Mackey will lead a group of three returning starters — along with Monty Higginbotham and Quan Williams — in the receiving corps.

Andre Wright will also be in the mix at receiver.

Seneca returns its line intact from last season, as Nate Kallock, Azenda Jenkins, Zach Darst, Rasheem Simpson and Jeremiah Martin — from left to right — all return.

Brandon Gibson will also factor in heavily up front, while Cathcart is looking for Tyler Goss and Noah Landreth to contribute significantly.

2014 SCHEDULE

2013 RESULTS

Opponent Result DEFENSE Also in his research, Greer W, 35-27 Cathcart did some at Easley W, 7-6 digging on the defensive side of the Westside W, 27-0 ball, as he’s well aware at Walhalla W, 49-0 that in his 20 years at Wren L, 43-24 leading the Bobcats, Palmetto W, 64-13 late Seneca great Tom at Emerald L, 27-17 Bass’ teams won 209 Belton-Honea Path L, 21-17 games — 96 of which West-Oak W, 45-7 came by shutouts.

“I don’t know you Daniel L, 24-0 can find that anywhere at Broome L, 30-17 else in the country, much less at a place that’s in a region like Date Opponent the Western 3A,” Cathcart.

Aug. 29 at Greenville And while that’s Sept. 5 Easley an extremely difficult Sept. 12 at T.L. Hanna standard to live up to, Cathcart is hoping the Sept. 19 Walhalla Bobcats can replicate Sept. 26 Wren at least some of that Oct. 3 at Palmetto success.

Oct. 10 Pickens Helping lead the Oct. 17 at Belton-Honea Path charge up front will Oct. 24 at West-Oak be junior Nike Diggs, who Cathcart said has Oct. 31 Daniel “unlimited potential,” while Gibson will also feature heavily. Also look for Tyquan Neal, Tim Keese and Simpson to get the bulk of the snaps up front.

“We don’t have a lot of bodies, but the ones we have are good, and we feel like our scheme fits them pretty well,” Cathcart said.

Cathcart is confident with Malik Harbin and Devon Telley at outside linebacker. Cobb is back at inside linebacker, while C.J. Greenlee can play linebacker and drop back as a safety as well. Cory

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15

SENECA HIGH SCHOOL Wheeler will also be in the linebacker mix.

“He’s probably the one for us to be excellent defensively, he has to have a monster year,” Cathcart said of Greenlee.

The Bobcats’ biggest question marks are in the secondary, as Quori Pruitt, Devin Kendrick, Chad Earle, Jalen Hughes, Jess Smith and Andronus Hawthorne will all be in the mix.

SPECIAL TEAMS The Bobcats will be breaking in new specialists this season, with Turner set to take the punting duties, while freshman Hunter Pearson will be the Bobcats’ placekicker.

And though he’s young, Cathcart has high hopes for Pearson.

“It’s a lot to hang on a freshman, but we think he has a chance to be a bigtime college kicker before it’s all said and done,” he said.

Telley will handle the snapping chores, while Kallock is also capable, and Wright will hold.

In the return game, Gambrell and Benson will handle punts, while Wright and Mackey will be deep on kickoff returns.

BREAKING DOWN THE BOBCATS LAST YEAR >>> 6-5, fifth in Western 3A; Lost in first round of playoffs HEAD COACH >>> Gene Cathcart — first year at Seneca; as head coach: 98-39, 11 seasons RETURNING STARTERS >>> 18; 10 offense, 8 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> LB Dontay Cobb, C Zach Darst, OL/ DL Brandon Gibson, LB/S Charles Greenlee, QB Elijah Turner KEY LOSSES >>> RB Marquis Arnold, TE Adam Beitz, DT Vari Benson, OL Chaz Henry, DB Marquis Hunter.

PRIMARY STRENGTHS >>> The strength of this Seneca squad could very well be its defense, which returns eight starters from last season’s team. A year ago,

the Bobcats’ defense made huge statistical jumps from the previous season, and the front seven of that group returns virtually intact. There are some losses on the offensive side, but the Bobcats have a reliable group of receivers returning, as well as some running backs who put up good numbers in a by-committee approach last season.

QUESTION MARKS >>> The main questions for the Bobcats lie in the secondary, while depth is also a concern. There are a couple of new starters in the secondary, and the competition for starting spots was heated through August. Meanwhile, Seneca coach Gene Cathcart aired concerns about depth, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines, where the Bobcats will be using some guys two ways, which is especially a concern early in

the season, when heat is a major concern.

OVERVIEW >>> With a number of returning starters and a firstyear head coach who won a state championship at Greenwood earlier in the decade, expectations are as high as they’ve been in years at Seneca. Both in the community and within coaching circles, the Bobcats’ current junior class has been raved about for years, and that group has matured quickly after receiving ample playing time the last two seasons. That class also has its former middle school quarterback back — former Pickens starter Elijah Turner has moved back to the area — so there’s already some familiarity there. Add in some talented seniors, and the Bobcats have a shot at their first region title since 1996

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SENECA HIGH SCHOOL

SHOOTING STRAIGHT Bobcats’ Cathcart not sugarcoating anything

G

ene Cathcart has heard it over and over again — he’s walked into a great situation at Seneca High School.

Since being named Wayne Green’s successor as the Bobcats’ head football coach on Jan. 21, he’s heard nothing but good things about the state of the program, the ample number of returning starters he has to work with and the treasure trove of athletic ability he has to work with at his new job.

But while he may have heard it all, he hasn’t necessarily been listening intently, as he’s not interested in all the hubbub about his new team.

“Before we coronate that I’ve taken the best job in the country, they won six dang games last year and didn’t win a playoff game,” he said. “Talent is only talent to me when there’s some kind of result.

The talent that people talk about in the community and the talent kids brag about means nothing when you’re getting beat in the first round of the playoffs.

“I get it — yeah, we’re one of those places everybody talks about that every year has great talent, but we’ve averaged five and a half wins a year for 10 years, so I’m not going to dislocate anything patting myself on the back for taking this job until we’re able to accomplish something we can be proud of.”

With that said, it’s probably more than fair to label Cathcart a straight shooter.

Cathcart, who played quarterback at rival Daniel under legendary coach Dick Singleton in the 1980s, inherits a Seneca program that Green helmed from 2010-13 before resigning his post to return to Berea — where he coached from

1986-99 — and move closer to family.

And while the Bobcats became a contender in the Western 3A region under Green’s watch — they finished as runners-up in both

BY ERIC SPROTT

2010 and 2011 — the former Greenwood coach is looking to take Seneca to heights unseen in nearly two decades, as its last region championship came in 1996.

As far as why it’s been so long since Seneca has captured a region crown, Cathcart pointed toward continuity in the program.

Cathcart is the Bobcats’ fifth coach since the retirement of late Seneca legend Tom Bass, who coached the Bobcats for 20 seasons, following the 1998 season. The others are Dedo Crawford (19992003), Brian Smith (2004-07), Ron Duncan (200809) and Green (2010-13).

“When there’s that much change and that much turnover, you end up in a situation where you have those gaps,” Cathcart said. “You can lose players, and some players drift from the program. We certainly didn’t come to take this job for a year or two, so hopefully we can set some roots and build continuity and consistency.”

With a drive to lift Seneca to a level unseen by the Bobcats since the Bass era, Cathcart has been a hit thus far with his players, who quickly took note of Cathcart’s overall approach to the job.

“He’s a great coach, and he’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever been around,” senior center Zach Darst said. “He’ll tell if you’re doing something wrong, and he’s not afraid to call you out.”

“It’s been a great experience,” senior linebacker Dontay Cobb added. “I like him a lot, because he’s going to tell you how it is and not sugarcoat it at all, and I think that’s what we need.”

It’s Cathcart’s hope that his approach will help lead Seneca to the upper echelon of the Western 3A region, which no other team besides Daniel or Belton-Honea Path has won since 1997.

And in typical fashion, Cathcart indicated there’ll be no reason for Seneca to celebrate this season unless its able to hang with the perennial big boys and win the tough games on the schedule.

“At our banquet, we don’t need to look back and pat ourselves on the back when we won however many games but didn’t win the games that are important to this program,” he said. “When we talk about Daniel and BHP, particularly, it’s not a rivalry.

It hasn’t been a rivalry for a little while, and I grew up in that rivalry, so I can say that.

“Until we take our lunch money back from the bully on the playground, then it’s not a rivalry — it’s a bullying.”

And that’s some serious straight shooting.

Seneca High School football coach Gene Cathcart, seen here during the first day of fall practice, is in his first season with the Bobcats after coming over from Greenwood. (Rex Brown, The Journal)

SENECA BOBCATS ROSTER No. Name

Class

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 31 32 33 34 38 41 42 43 45 48 50 51 54 55 56 57 60 61 62 64 65 70 71 74 76 80 82 88 90 91 92

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Fr.

Daquan Mackey Dontay Cobb Quan Holden Andronus Hawthorne Jacory Benson Charles Greenlee Andre’ Wright Jess Smith Darrius Green Devin Kendrick Chad Earle Isaiah Harwood Chris Latimer Elijah Turner Devon Telley Monty Higginbotham Quan Williams Sheridan Gillete Chris Webb Predon Campbell Braxton Gambrell Quori Pruitt Nick Black Malik Harbin Tre Smith Kameron Cobb Kevin Galindo Nathan Gillespie Jalen Hughes Hunter Pearson Trent Rankin Joel Cathcart C.J. Greenlee Drek Maddox Chance Goodine Cory Wheeler Zach Reese Darius Gallloway Nate Kallock Rico Maddox Tyler Goss Rasheem Simpson Jeremiah Martin Keylin Holden Brandon Gibson Azenda Jenkins Patrick Goodine Zach Darst Tim Keese Noah Landreth Tony McDowell Nick Reich Dre’ Johnson Jadan Grant Bari Goodine Nike Diggs Tyquan Neal

Jr. Jr.

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

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LIMITING TURNOVERS A MUST FOR TIGHT-KNIT WALHALLA TEAM

BY GAVIN OLIVER

S

WALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL

uffering through a season that featured few high points, it seemed the Walhalla High School football team couldn’t get out of its own way last season.

Riddled with injuries and having to force a number of players into action prematurely, turnovers plagued the Razorbacks last season, and the results weren’t pretty.

Walhalla coughed up the football 19 times — tied for most in the area — en route to a 1-9 record. Furthermore, the Razorbacks went just one game without a fumble or an interception, while they also turned the ball over at least twice in all but three games.

With that said, it wasn’t a shock to hear head coach Jeremy Grogan talk about how critical hanging onto the football will be if the Razorbacks hope to rise from last season’s shortcomings and become competitive in the Western 3A region this year.

Forget treating the ball like a loaf of bread — Grogan sounds primed to preach to his team that the football is gold.

“For us to be successful, it’s going to really depend on ball security,” Grogan said. “That’s never going to change, but for us more than ever, taking the air out of the ball like this offense does, we’ve got to mount some drives and be successful holding that football to give us a chance in ball games.”

The task of holding onto the ball figures to be a little easier with one of the tightest brotherhoods of players senior defensive lineman Jacob Moore can remember being a part of.

“I think this is one of the better groups we’ve had, especially among the older guys,” he said. “We’re all friends, we all know each other and we kind of welcome in the new guys, so it’s a better environment than it has been in the past.”

Walhalla’s Eric Keels, seen here against Berea during the Foothills FCA Jamboree, is looking for a bounce-back year after his sophomore season was derailed by injury. (Rex Brown, The Journal)

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

19

WALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL

DEFENSE Defensive regression was to be expected last season following the departure of gapfillers Colby and Devan White on the line, and the same could be said to a lesser extent heading into this season now that Wade Cobb and Hastin White have graduated.

Walhalla’s hopes for a turnaround 2014 season will hinge heavily on whether or not it can improve on the 41.1 points per game it allowed last season, and it’ll all start with the defensive line’s ability to rush the passer.

Heller and Dylan Moore currently have the inside track to start at tackle, while Jacob McCall is a fit at end. The missing piece to the puzzle could be senior Brandon Robinson, who Grogan said “might be the biggest surprise of the year” coming up from junior varsity.

“His motor is unbelievable,” Grogan 20 THE JOURNAL

SPECIAL TEAMS Brett Norton is listed as a wide receiver and defensive back on Walhalla’s roster, though he will mostly take the field when Walhalla needs three points or has to punt the ball away.

Norton handled the place-kicking and punting duties a season ago and averaged 36.8 yards on 42 punts. He also scored 30 of the Razorbacks’ 82 points during the season, including three field goals during Walhalla’s lone victory last season — an 11-6 win over Liberty.

“Brett’s a kicker, and he’s really going to specialize in that more than anything,” Grogan said. “We’ll use him when we need him, but he’s such a special kid that I’m going to let him run that part of the show.”

Opponent Result

2013 RESULTS

said. “His knowledge has improved tremendously. This will be his first year on varsity, but it’s not going to look like it.”

Look for Austin Barnum and Tyler Whitfield to start at linebacker alongside Jacob Moore, who thinks the line will be the “strongest point on the defense.”

“As far as the game goes, up front on the line of scrimmage is where we’re the best,” Moore said. “But this group as a whole has learned to work more than any other group we’ve had. They’re willing to work and pay the price to do what it costs.”

2014 SCHEDULE

OFFENSE When Walhalla’s offense takes the field to start the season, it’ll be easy to note a major philosophical change from last season.

In hoping to increase ball security and time of possession, Grogan will have the Razorbacks base out of the double-wing, with first-year quarterback Payden Price orchestrating the attack.

In front of him, Grogan is confident he’ll have at least seven steady contributors ready to man the five spots along the offensive line.

In between senior guards Josh Sanders and Dylan Moore is junior center Dyllan Collins. Meanwhile, Ricky Heller, Dustin Hogan, Ben Murphy and Brandon Robinson are options at the tackle spots, while they can also provide depth elsewhere along the line if they don’t land starting gigs.

“Our big guys have really stole the show so far,” Grogan said. “They have come into camp in shape, they’ve worked their tails off and they’re really going to be an anchor for us this year.”

Haden Moore, Eric Keels and Brandon Kauer figure to carry the load in the backfield for the Razorbacks, who are aiming to vastly improve their run game from a year ago after averaging just 112 yards per game.

Keels tallied just three carries in 2013 before going down with injury, while Moore stepped in to log 116 carries.

Kauer, Tristan Hightower, Isaiah Garcia and Tyler Whitfield are the most likely players in purple to come down with the ball when Price puts it in the air.

West-Oak

L, 17-14

Landrum

L, 39-34

at Liberty

W, 11-6

Seneca

L, 49-0

at Belton-Honea Path L, 64-0 Emerald

L, 59-7

at Palmetto

L, 29-13

Wren

L, 54-3

Daniel

L, 49-0

at West-Oak

L, 35-0

Date Opponent Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at West-Oak Landrum Liberty at Seneca Belton-Honea Path at Pickens Palmetto at Wren at Daniel West-Oak

BREAKING DOWN THE RAZORBACKS LAST YEAR >>> 1-9, eighth in Western 3A; did not make playoffs HEAD COACH >>> Jeremy Grogan — at Walhalla: 4-16, two seasons RETURNING STARTERS >>> 11; 6 offense, 3 defense, place-kicker, punter PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> RB Haden Moore, LB Jacob Moore, QB Payden Price, DL/OL Brandon Robinson, OL Josh Sanders KEY LOSSES >>> OL Brady Arnold, OL Wade Cobb, WR Justin Justus, DE Hastin White, QB Israel Williamson.

PRIMARY STRENGTHS >>> Head coaches often boast about their players and let observers decipher the truth, but there is credibility to Grogan harping on his offensive

line ahead of the season. A former lineman now at a higher rung on the football ladder entering his third season as head coach, Grogan will pair several seniors with a group of juniors who have garnered significant playing time over their first two years. A strong push is always a plus in the Western 3A region.

QUESTION MARKS >>> Following a season that saw Walhalla’s defense allow 41.1 points and 380.3 yards per contest, it’s not exactly hard to figure out the Razorbacks’ top question mark going into the season. Walhalla’s rush defense was especially victimized after the graduation of a pair of key stoppers at the line of scrimmage, and Wade Cobb’s departure doesn’t help matters. However, the leaders of

this year’s defense think the line will stiffen up to help stop the run.

OVERVIEW >>> The defense was only partially at fault for Walhalla’s 1-9 record last season, as detrimental injuries on both sides of the ball prevented the team from taking a step forward. To take that step this year, Walhalla needs to exterminate the rampant injury bug, while Price must show some serious senior leadership in guiding the Razorbacks’ new double-wing system. If Walhalla’s defense can display the physicality it lacked last season and give the offense time to get comfortable in its news system, a much more competitive team should show up on Friday nights than the one that was outscored by an average of more than four touchdowns in 2013.

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HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW GAMEDAY 2014

21

WALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL

RAZORBACKS’ PRICE THE BENEFICIARY OF

EXPERIENCED O-LINE

T

BY GAVIN OLIVER

o open the season, Payden Price will travel to play rival West-Oak at the same Warrior Field he is accustomed to by now as a senior for the Walhalla High School football

team.

That, however, is about the only thing that will be status quo.

When Price crouches under center for the first time as the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback, he’ll look up and see a hulking defensive line drooling for a shot at him.

When he looks to either side, he’ll see receivers eyeing the ball and depending on him for their cue to shoot off the line of scrimmage.

When he looks beyond them, he’ll see

coaches and teammates on the sideline counting on him to execute the gameplan.

And when he looks into the stands, Price will see many more spectators than there were for his games as a junior varsity quarterback on Thursday nights.

Make no mistake though — when Price looks over to head coach Jeremy Grogan, he’ll see a person who has firmly backed him with the utmost confidence.

“He’s a guy, first of all, that’s always been in the mix,” Grogan said. “He’s always been an inch away from starting anyway. He’s always been a starter, but when he wasn’t at quarterback, we’d play him at receiver and things like that.

“He’s a leader, and he’s got a natural knack for the way the game is supposed to

be played. He’s tough, he’s hardnosed and he’s a guy that kids listen to. They follow in his steps.”

Perhaps most importantly, when he looks in front of him again before the ball is snapped, he’ll see five cogs of an offensive line whose experience will compliment him in his first year, reduce the pressure of being the quarterback and help guide what they all hope to be an effective attack this season.

“He goes out of his way to thank those (offensive linemen), I’ve been noticing,” Grogan said. “I think that’s just a kid growing up and being smart, but he gives a lot of love to those guys, and they like working for him. They’re going to do their job regardless, but as a former lineman, it

WALHALLA RAZORBACKS ROSTER No. Name

Class

No. Name

Class

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr.

25 28 30 32 34 40 42 44 52 53 54 55 64 70 71 73 74 75 77 78

So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Jr.

Eric Keels Zach Biggers Haden Moore Jacob Marcus Corey Donald Isaiah Garcia Brandon Kauer Luke Underwood Payden Price Tristen Garren Brett Norton Tyler Abercrombie Seth Holcombe Aaron Moran Will Geroux Tyler Whitfield Braden Price Austin Barnum Jordan McGuffin Drew Boggs Gavin Holbrooks

22 THE JOURNAL

Ben Rochester David Langston Jacob McCall Tristan Hightower Justin Grant Jacob Moore T.J. Galloway Luis Hernandez Luis Andrey Brandon Holmes Ricky Heller Chase Wells Dyllan Collins Brandon Robinson Ben Murphy Aaron Worsham Jordan Mejia Josh Sanders Dylan Moore Dustin Hogan

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WALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL does mean a lot to have the guy you’re protecting to mean a lot to you.”

Of the seven hog-mollies in line for playing time at five spots, six are upperclassmen with a veteran presence that Walhalla quarterback Payden could prove especially Price, seen here in jamboree action at Easley, will guide the pivotal in the new doubleRazorbacks’ new-look offense wing system Grogan and in his first year under center. his staff implemented in (Rex Brown, The Journal) favor of the spread.

“I’m proud of everybody, but there’s several of those offensive linemen — Ben Murphy, Dyllan Collins, Dustin Hogan — that are all juniors that have seen playing time since their freshman year on Friday nights,” Grogan said. “There’s a lot of experience with that core group of offensive lineman, and we’ve got some seniors — Josh Sanders, Dylan Moore — that really get that line off.”

Following initial reservations about the new-look offense, Price liked what he had seen early in fall practice.

“I’m used to being with the spread and everything,” Price said, “but once

they brought this offense in, at first I guess I was kind of skeptical, but I do like it, and it’s going to be great this whole season.”

The Razorbacks feel they have a poised and composed player in Price to put them in position to be successful, but even the most flawless director of an offense needs the proper tools around him.

Not only do the Razorbacks feel they have those, but they also think there’s an advantage in the good chemistry that has developed between Price and his teammates in the trenches over the years — something that should aid presnap communication and shorten the timeframe it takes for the offense to get in synch on Friday nights.

“With what we’ve done, we’ve focused on some things more than others, but especially with the team that we have, we’ve all been playing football together, and we’ve all been friends for a long, long time,” Price said. “That really helps out with us communicating and figuring out what we need to do to change different things.

With all of our senior class, it’s going to be really helpful.”

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24 THE JOURNAL

J

osh Pierce said things have slowed down for him as he enters his second year as West-Oak High School’s head football coach, but not by much.

“Everything has slowed down from 100 miles per hour to about 90,” Pierce said. “Don’t get me wrong, though, I am a little bit more comfortable going into this year, knowing the kids more so than I did a year ago.”

Despite that 10-mile-per-hour deceleration, the change at West-Oak is apparent as Pierce and the team approach their second season together.

After inheriting a team that was physically and mentally beaten down after an 0-10 season the year before, West-Oak ended it lengthy losing streak with a 17-14 comeback victory at rival Walhalla in the team’s second game, then culminated the season with a 35-0 victory over the Razorbacks on the team’s senior night last season.

But the attitude around the locker room wasn’t one of satisfaction with the two wins — it was disappointing there weren’t more

wins, as the Warriors let home games against Travelers Rest and Palmetto slip away with late mistakes and bad bounces.

“We’ve accelerated since last year, and we really picked up the pace during springtime,” Pierce said. “We were more physical during springtime than we were the year before.

I think a lot of that is due to the fact that everyone’s used to the system now. You can pick up the pace once everyone is used to terminology and play calling and what to expect from coaches.”

While the team is closer to developing the physical mentality Pierce prefers, the return of only nine starters means there are still a lot of question marks facing the Warriors going into the season.

OFFENSE There were plenty of growing pains last offseason, as the Warriors’ offense had to go from one end of the spectrum to the other as it transitioned from the spread attack to Pierce’s veer option.

But with the top three rushers returning from last year’s team and a quarterback

Pierce feels fits the system well, there’s a lot less adjusting going on this fall camp.

Running backs Landon Owen and Adam Johns will be the focal points. Owen, a senior, rushed for 471 yards and three touchdowns before missing the final two games with an injury last season. In his absence, Johns was the main ball carrier against Walhalla to close the season, as he rushed 24 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including a 53-yard score.

Junior Brandon Smith will replace Joe Hart at quarterback after his main competition, Alec Hrynda, underwent offseason elbow surgery.

While Smith is still growing into the offense, Pierce said he adds an extra dimension to the offense.

“We have to work real hard on some things in the passing game, but I think he’s going to bring a few elements to the running game that we didn’t have last year,” Pierce said.

The top two receivers, as well as three senior offensive linemen, have also departed, facilitating third-leading rusher

BY ROBBIE TINSLEY

West-Oak High School’s Lane Jones (45) is among the Warriors’ top returning players this season.

(Rex Brown, The Journal)

HIGH HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL PREVIEW PREVIEW GAMEDAY GAMEDAY 2014 2014 25 25

WEST-OAK HIGH SCHOOL junior Lane Jones’ move out to wide receiver this fall. Xavier Jenkins, Josh Ramey and Jacquez Cunningham add depth to a passing game Pierce hopes he’ll be able to use “when he wants, not when he needs” this fall.

Juniors John Frank and Devin Glenn return as starters on an offensive line that lost three seniors. Corey Landers, Hayden Wright and Nick Lee have drawn reps at the other spots.

DEFENSE Only four starters return from a defense that allowed only 56 yards to Walhalla in the shutout win at the end of last year.

The linebackers take the biggest hit, as seniors Clay Johns and Levi Neave — who was replacing another senior in the form of an injured Christian Looney — are gone, but defensive ends Malachai Gibson and Jeremy Gibson have departed as well.

According to Pierce, juniors Jake Lyles and Tim Sandifer have stepped up to battle for the vacant linebacker spots, with senior Carter Burton moving from defensive end to add depth with an experienced man in Jones.

Only a junior, Jones is entering his third year, but without the seniors in front of him anymore, Pierce is looking for him to be a leader by example.

“He gets real down on himself sometimes, and he’s got to understand that he’s going to have to pick others up this year,” he said. “And regardless of whether he wants to be or not, kids look at him as a leader. He’s got to up his game in the locker room.”

While the ends lose a lot of numbers, Pierce said they gain some bigger bodies.

Sam Williams, Trenton Penton and Sterlin Haymon appear to have pole position to draw time on the defensive line, while Glenn could be used if needed, but Pierce doesn’t want to take him away from the offensive line.

Owen and Johns could be used in the secondary, which loses Chandler Mays and Hrynda, but with guys like O’Ryan Seaton, Jenkins and Cunningham stepping up, Pierce is hoping they won’t be needed as much there this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS While the Warriors will certainly miss Mays as a receiver and defensive back this fall, perhaps the biggest hole he leaves is on special teams after he served as the team’s punter and placekicker.

The team’s most valuable player last year, Mays’ biggest kick came as time expired against Walhalla to open the season, as his 40-yard field goal was the difference in a 17-14 win.

Ramey, the Warriors’ goalkeeper on the soccer pitch, will look set to step into Mays’ kicking shoes.

“He’s got a good leg, but we’ve just got to teach him to kick an oblong object as opposed to a round one,” Pierce said with a laugh.

Owen has punted at times in the past, but the need to get him a breather at some point might keep him from returning there.

Owen and Johns have drawn time in the return game, along with Seaton.

BREAKING DOWN THE WARRIORS LAST YEAR >>> 2-8, seventh in Western 3A; did not make playoffs HEAD COACH >>> Josh Pierce — at West-Oak, 2-8, one season RETURNING STARTERS >>> 9; 5 offense, 4 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> OL Devein Glenn, RB/DB Adam Johns, WR/LB Lane Jones, RB/DB Landon Owen, DT Tristen Penton KEY LOSSES >>> DE Jeremy Carter, QB Joe Hart, LB Clay Johns, OL Nick Lee, WR/DB/K Chandler Mays PRIMARY STRENGTHS>>> If the Warriors want to continue to climb upward under Pierce, it’ll be behind 26 THE JOURNAL

the running game. Owen, Johns and Jones return as the three leading rushers from a season ago, and with a mobile quarterback in Brandon Smith, the Warriors should have a dynamic attack this year. In the spring game, the team ran most of its offense out of a shortened pistol look, which was a tweak from last year.

QUESTION MARKS >>> Only four starters return on the defense, as the Warriors have lost a lot of experience.

The new guys will be bigger, but with some big games early on the schedule, this is a unit that has to mature in a hurry. The loss of cornerback Alec Hrynda to elbow surgery doesn’t help matters either. The quicker the secondary can come together, the more

the Warriors can rest Owen and Johns for their work on offense, but that might not be feasible early.

OVERVIEW >>> Talking to the coaches and players, there’s certainly a different mood about the Warriors going into this season. There may always be talk of “This isn’t the same old West-Oak,” but this time it comes with a quiet confidence the Warriors hope to show on the field. There are a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but a quick start is possible, especially if the offense comes together with a new quarterback. The best metric to the success of the season will be to see if the Warriors can close the gap with the top-tier teams in the Western 3A region.

WEST-OAK WARRIORS ROSTER No. Name 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 30 31 33 42 45 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 60 61 63 65 70 71 73 74 75 77 80 84

Adam Johns Brandon Miller Ben Thompkins Landon Owen Kolton King Carter Burton Jacquez Cunningham Brandon Smith O’Ryan Seaton Bradley Moore Joshua Ramey Kwan Johnson Mark Sherman Joseph Ramey Jonathon McIntyre Seth McLaughlin Xavier Jenkins Arlington Ables Ryan Marcengill Bradley Woolbright Jake Lyles Travis Nix Tim Sandifer William Thrift Lane Jones Silas Jones Hayden Wright Jake Pagan David King Christian Peralta Gavin James Caleb Ramey Brody Owen Tristen Penton Dakota Bryson Gunner Wheeler Matthew Hyde Sam Williams John Holbrooks Devin Glenn Corey Landers Nick Lee Wil Collins Sterlin Haymon

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WEST-OAK HIGH SCHOOL

28 THE JOURNAL

After missing the final two games of the season last year — including the Warriors’ home rivalry clash against Walhalla — due to an ankle injury, Owen has also ramped up his conditioning in hopes it will improve his durability. Johns has noticed a difference in his teammate as he tries to keep up with him.

“I try to stay with him,” Johns said.

“Sometimes he’s a little quicker than me, but I try to keep with him as much as I can. We try to push each other each and every day.”

When Owen was asked to describe his emotions about standing on the sideline for that season finale against Walhalla, Owen said it was “unfortunate.”

Without Owen, Johns knew he would be relied on to carry the load when he was relieved from his defensive duties for the week.

“They took me off defense, so I knew a lot would fall on [At top] West-Oak High my shoulders School’s Landon Owen (4), for that game,” seen here in action last season Johns said. “When against Belton-Honea Path, (Owen) couldn’t will be one of the Warriors’ play, it hurt me senior leaders this season.

(Brad Moore, The Journal) almost as much [Above] West-Oak High School as it hurt him, junior Adam Johns returns because I know after rushing for 419 yards he wanted to play and two touchdowns on 85 so bad.” carries a season ago. (Rex Johns picked Brown, The Journal) the slack in his teammate’s absence, rushing 27 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-0 win.

Despite the big numbers, Johns said another Owen injury this season “would devastate” the Warriors.

Health has been such a priority with Owen that he mentioned it along with his personal goals for the season.

“I’m urging to get way more yards than last season. Oh, and to finish the season and stay healthy,” he said with a laugh.

Johns added he’s hoping the duo reaches the 1,000-yard mark between them.

Meanwhile, the pair, along with the rest of the Warriors, is out to prove opposing teams won’t be facing the same West-Oak squad they have dispatched easily in the past.

“We can be better, and we are better,” Owen said. “We’re going to shock people.

We’re going to be the team that fights to the fourth quarter. There are some times (in the past) where people would hang their head when the momentum changes. Now, it’s all about the next play and moving on to do better.”

“Everyone’s looking different this year, and I think people underestimate us,” Johns added. “We should’ve pulled out games last year that we didn’t, and people are going to come into games thinking that we’re just a pushover.

“In the past, it’s been like that, but it isn’t anymore.”

2013 RESULTS

R

unning backs Landon Owen and Adam Johns admitted West-Oak High School football players have hung their heads in the past when momentum has swung away from them.

However, they said that won’t be the case anymore.

“Everything now, we finish,” Owen said.

“We finish strong as a team. We’ve pushed extra hard this year in the weight room. We’ve come together more as a team this year. We’ve built a strong bond, and every player goes to the whistle.”

“In the past, we’ve had pretty good effort here and there, but it’s just been spotty,” Johns added. “Now, it’s all about effort, all the time, and you don’t give up on any play. That’s been the main thing all the way through.

“When we ran during the summer, it wasn’t about time. It was about how much effort are you giving.”

That change in mentality has been head coach Josh Pierce’s top priority since arriving in Westminster last spring.

Coming off a winless season in 2012, the Warriors won two games, but let two more slip away, to finish 2-8 in his first campaign.

Now, as the Warriors prepare for another season, the games that slipped away because of mistakes and missed calls have fueled the Warriors’ effort in the offseason.

“That kind of boosted us to realize what we could do when we come together as a team,” Owen said. “(Those close losses) kicked us off to push more this summer and try to get better.”

With only nine starters back from last season, the two running backs that combined for more than 800 yards and five touchdowns have tried to act as leaders by example for the squad, especially Owen as he enters his final year with the Warriors.

“I’ve become a leader. Every play, every time I’m trying help somebody get better,” he said.

2014 SCHEDULE

‘FINISH STRONG’

Owen, Johns leading West-Oak revival BY ROBBIE TINSLEY

Opponent Result Travelers Rest at Walhalla at Pendleton Daniel at Emerald Belton-Honea Path at Wren Palmetto at Seneca Walhalla

L, 31-14 W, 17-14 L, 37-0 L, 49-0 L, 42-10 L, 49-0 L, 48-13 L, 21-20 L, 45-7 W, 35-0

Date Opponent Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Walhalla Pendleton at Berea at Daniel Pickens at Belton-Honea Path Wren at Palmetto Seneca at Walhalla

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CLEMSON UNIVESITY

H S E FR T R A ST

VETERAN TIGER TEAM MUST REPLACE HOUSEHOLD NAMES

BY STEVEN BRADLEY

T

here’s a perception Clemson is set for a rebuilding season with a slew of new faces replacing departed stars, while Dabo Swinney has often referred to this year’s team as the most veteran squad of his tenure.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

Swinney told his players as the team opened fall camp it was their job to prove they weren’t just riding the coattails of former teammates.

“My message to the team was, ‘There’s been a lot of work that’s been done before you,’” he said. “‘Y’all are the ones that are carrying the torch now — protect our culture. And to do that, you’ve got to have the same kind of pride and commitment that those players who came before you have had.’”

Clemson returns 19 scholarship seniors — the most of the Swinney era — and has 12 players who have played at least 35 games during their careers.

Still, there’s no doubt the Tigers need new playmakers to emerge.

Tajh Boyd was arguably the most prolific quarterback in school history, and Sammy Watkins tied the Clemson record for the highest selection in the NFL draft at No. 4 overall.

Both have moved on, as have 1,000-yard rusher Rod McDowell, bigplay receiver Martavis Bryant, offensive-line anchor Brandon Thomas, hardnosed linebacker Spencer Shuey and versatile cover man Bashaud Breeland.

Some might suggest that would make a coach feel awfully uneasy going into a new season, but Swinney said it’s what makes the sport he coaches so much fun.

Swinney cited the example of Atlantic Division rival Florida State, which lost a four-year starting quarterback in E.J. Manuel and went into last season looking for a starting quarterback. “(Jameis Winston) wins the job, and they go onto win the national championship,” Swinney said. “That’s what college is all about: Guys have to move on, and so new guys step up and emerge every single year.”

Clemson quarterback Cole Stoudt is slated to take the job left vacated by Tajh Boyd, one of the most celebrated players the Tigers have ever had. (Rex Brown, The Journal)

30 THE JOURNAL

OFFENSE There’s no doubting the embarrassment of skill-position riches Chad Morris has had at his disposal the past three seasons, but the offensive coordinator believes other players are ready to make their marks, as well.

“Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, Andre Ellington, ‘Nuk’ Hopkins, all those guys left their legacy

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY here, and they did a great job of it,” he said.

“But now it’s a fresh start. Everybody is looking at it like: ‘Are they going to get a first down?’ But I’m excited about this new group and what they can do.”

At quarterback, Cole Stoudt completed 47 of 59 passes last season for a completion rate of nearly 80 percent — superior to Boyd’s 68.5-percent clip — and heralded true freshman Deshaun Watson is waiting in the wings should Stoudt falter.

At running back, the Tigers will turn to a stable of backs to replace McDowell.

Redshirt freshman Wayne Gallman was the most impressive performer during the spring, while senior D.J. Howard entered fall camp as the starter. Versatile junior Zac Brooks also figures into the rotation, as will former walk-on C.J. Davidson, and Tyshon Dye could be a major factor once he returns to full health.

The veteran trio of Adam Humphries, Charone Peake and Mike Williams will carry the pass-catching load in the early going, and the Tigers have experience at tight end, as well, with Stanton Seckinger, Sam Cooper and Jordan Leggett having started games.

Up front, Clemson will lean on returning starters Ryan Norton and Kalon Davis in the interior, while the talented Isaiah Battle emerged as a starter at tackle by the end of last season. Tyrone Crowder is pushing David Beasley for the other guard spot opposite Davis, and Shaq Anthony and Joe Gore are competing for the job at right tackle.

DEFENSE Clemson has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the most explosive offenses in the nation in recent years, but Swinney is eager for his defense to steal the headlines.

“That’s where it’ll start for us, and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all to be known as a great, great defense and the best defense in all the land,” Swinney said. “That would be just fine with me.”

After flashing potential as a pass-rush specialist as a sophomore, Vic Beasley emerged as a legitimate star last season with 13 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and four caused fumbles.

Lining up beside him is fellow senior Grady Jarrett, whom Swinney and defensive

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coordinator Brent Venables have often referred to as the “heart and soul” of the unit.

Beasley and Jarrett lead a defensive line that features nine returning players who’ve combined for 91 career starts.

At the next level, Clemson’s leading tackler from last season, Stephone Anthony, is also back after recording 131 stops and 13.5 tackles for loss as a junior.

Returning lettermen Ben Boulware, T.J. Burrell, B.J. Goodson, Kellen Jones and Tony Steward all came into camp competing for jobs at the other two linebacker spots.

Clemson returns both starting safeties, Robert Smith and Travis Blanks, from a year ago, and Jayron Kearse shined in place of Blanks when he went down with a seasonending injury — so much so, in fact, Kearse seems likely to keep the job, while Blanks could move back to nickelback, where he played the previous season.

A pair of youngsters, redshirt freshman Mackenzie Alexander and sophomore Cordrea Tankersley, emerged from spring ball as the starting corners, and veterans Martin Jenkins and Garry Peters will also continue to push for playing time.

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CLEMSON UNIVESITY

LEADING THE CHARGE Defensive line takes marquee billing for Tigers entering 2014

32 THE JOURNAL

Grady Jarrett said the players couldn’t afford to get caught up in the hype.

“At the end of the day, it’s all preseason stuff,” Jarrett said. “Preseason stuff doesn’t matter at all. Auburn was in the national championship, and they were unranked.

The only thing that matters is December and January if we happen to make it that far.”

Jarrett and the Tigers are simply ready to get to work in justifying the hype.

“We’ve got to come out here and work,” he said. “We can’t just say that we’re good and we’re going to do this and do that.

We’ve got to come out here and put the work in on the field. Time will tell, and we’re just out here trying to work and build off what we did last season.”

2013 RESULTS

Opponent Result Georgia South Carolina State at N.C. State Wake Forest at Syracuse Boston College Florida State at Maryland at Virginia Georgia Tech The Citadel at South Carolina * Ohio State

W, 38-35 W, 52-13 W, 26-14 W, 56-7 W, 49-14 W, 24-14 L, 14-51 W, 40-27 W, 59-10 W, 55-31 W, 52-6 L, 17-31 W, 40-35

* Orange Bowl

2014 SCHEDULE

A

bout this time last year, Dabo have a lot to prove.

“We know we have a talented group of Swinney sat down for an interview with former NFL guys who have a chance to be pretty good, star-turned-radio-host Eddie if not great.”

And that all starts with Beasley, who George and fielded questions on Clemson’s upcoming opted to return for his senior season after season, its high-octane offense, stars Tajh most assumed he would be plying his trade Boyd and Sammy Watkins and the usual in the NFL this fall.

He was second in the gamut of preseason topics. nation in tackles for loss Then the head coach per game and tied for turned the tables and third in sacks per game, asked the former Heisman along with tying for 10th Trophy winner to name in caused fumbles. one of his team’s defensive Beasley admitted linemen — just one. the lack of recognition George drew a blank he and his line mates and was forced to admit received going into he could not, and like last season had given any coach worth his salt, them “a big chip on our Swinney used the tale to shoulder as a defense.” motivate his players going “A lot of people into last season. thought that we was the With a few rare weak link of the team,” exceptions such as former Clemson senior Vic Beasley, South Carolina freak of a consensus All-American as he said at the ACC Kickoff media event nature Jadeveon Clowney, a junior last season, will help this summer in Greensboro, N.C., “so we came into that season last year defensive linemen are lead arguably the nation’s with a chip on our shoulder, and we not typically household top defensive line. (Rex were just ready to make a statement names, but Clemson’s Vic Brown, The Journal) to the country.

Beasley made his case “I feel like that’s what we did last year, for that status by recording 13 sacks and 24 tackles for loss last season en route to and we’re looking to do the same thing this year.” consensus All-American honors.

Soft-spoken by nature, Beasley said one Though the rest of the defensive front toiled in somewhat more anonymity, the of his goals for the campaign is to be a more stats show they made their presence plenty vocal leader for the defense, then made a evident on the gridiron, where the Tigers bold statement suggesting he might be led the nation in tackles for loss (122) by a ready for that role.

“I think we have the potential to be the wide margin.

And with Clemson set to embark on the best defense in the country,” he said. “With 2014 campaign, nobody will be overlooking the experience up front like we have … its defensive line this time around, as it I feel like the guys on the front seven are returns 12 lettermen — six defensive ends capable of being very beneficial to the team and six defensive tackles — including nine this year, and I feel like we have the ability to that have combined to make 91 career be the top defense in the country this year.”

Just based on merit, Beasley’s suggestion starts. Of the 12 returning ACC players who had at least 10 tackles for loss last year, five that this year’s Tigers could be one of the elite defenses in the country doesn’t seem are Tigers.

“Overall, I like the collection of guys too farfetched.

Clemson’s 2013 defense finished in the that we have,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said at Clemson’s media golf top 25 in the nation in scoring defense and outing in July. “A year ago there weren’t total defense and was 10th in turnovers.

But whatever plaudits the Tigers’ defense a lot of household names, and now more people know who they are, but they still is getting in the preseason, senior tackle

BY STEVEN BRADLEY

Date Opponent Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 6 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29

at Georgia South Carolina State at Florida State North Carolina N.C. State Louisville at Boston College Syracuse at Wake Forest at Georgia Tech Georgia State South Carolina

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33

CLEMSON UNIVESITY

Clemson football faces transition this season

A

BY GREG OLIVER

year ago, Clemson fans had high expectations entering the 2013 season due primarily to a standout core of returnees, led by quarterback Tajh Boyd and wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and an improving defense.

Although the Tigers experienced a blowout loss to Florida State at home and a fifth consecutive defeat at the hands of archrival South Carolina in Columbia, the team’s opening-game win over Georgia and seasonending Orange Bowl victory over Ohio State — which went undefeated during the regular season — capped an outstanding 11-2 season.

That achievement marked the first time in school history Clemson won 11 games in back-to-back seasons, while the Tigers’ third straight 10-win season marked an achievement unseen since they did it four consecutive season from 1987-90.

Those accomplishments, coupled with bowl wins the past two seasons — the Tigers topped LSU in a thrilling Chick-fil-A Bowl to close the 2012 season — have led to lofty expectations among the Tiger faithful. Clemson has also set a benchmark for what fans feel the program should be able to achieve every season.

While the Tigers return a number of outstanding players and continue to be ranked among the top programs when it comes to recruiting, there should be some caution exercised when looking at the upcoming season.

Quarterback Cole Stoudt has game experience, but not against the major programs Clemson will face, while freshman Deshaun Watson has yet to step onto the field.

The Tigers have a talented group of skill-position players, a deep stable of running backs, as well as wide receivers Mike Williams, Charone Peake — who’s returning from injury — and Adam Humphries. Defensively, the Tigers are led by defensive end Vic Beasley, who decided to forego a jump to the NFL, as well as Grady Jarrett, Jayron Kearse, Stephone Anthony and promising redshirt freshman MacKensie

Alexander among others.

There are enough games on the The schedule is quirky this year in Tigers’ schedule that should ensure an that the Tigers face Georgia, Florida eight- or nine-win season and a nice State and improving North Carolina bowl game. However, the Georgia within the first month of the season. game is on the road against a team In addition, new league member hungry for revenge after last year’s Louisville and new/old head coach Tiger victory, Florida State poses Bobby Petrino will bring a highenormous challenges as the Tigers powered offense to Death Valley learned last year and I really don’t in October, and there are always need to say anything more about challenges presented when facing South Carolina.

Georgia Tech and Boston College.

Despite the outstanding year the While the Tigers had their way Adam Humphries will be the Tigers enjoyed last year, they went a against the Yellow Jackets at home last season, I veteran leader of a Clemson combined 1-2 against those teams, receiving corps that loses don’t have to remind you just how much this team leading receivers Sammy and that was with Boyd, Watkins and struggled with Boston College at home. This year, Watkins and Martavis company. both contests are away, and Clemson has had its Bryant from a season ago.

What the Tigers have in their favor, share of problems playing in both Atlanta and (Rex Brown, The Journal) in addition to an outstanding core Chestnut Hill, Mass. of returnees and recruits that will Clemson also faces a major road challenge at receive their first opportunity to play significant snaps, is Florida State, the team that thumped the Tigers so badly in having head coach Dabo Swinney, offensive coordinator Death Valley last season, and an equally challenging home game against South Carolina. Although Clemson owns a Chad Morris and defensive coordinator Brent Venables at large advantage in the head-to-head series, the Gamecocks the controls. Swinney signed a multiyear contract in the have turned the tables by winning five consecutive games offseason that ensures his stay in Tigertown will be a long one, while Morris and Venables have demonstrated their and still have the talent on hand to make it six in a row.

While this sounds like it’s all gloom and doom, it isn’t ability to coach up their players.

Fans need to understand this team may take a little meant that way. Instead, it is merely a matter of wading through the hype and sometimes unrealistic expectations time to jell due to the combination of losing experienced that preseason polls often place on teams without looking players and plugging in inexperienced ones to fill their more closely at the numbers. We’re not talking about a shoes. Even though the argument can be made that a program that is facing a complete rebuild, but I’m not sure number of players have seen game action, the fact they will now be expected to shoulder the load rather than someone reloading is the proper term here either.

There are key contributors from the past several years else is a different matter indeed.

How they handle these new responsibilities will go a who will be missed, and whether or not the Tigers are able to sustain the same type of success or take a step back, even long way toward whether or not the Tigers can make it four consecutive double-digit win seasons in 2014. a slight one, depends on those taking their places.

BREAKING DOWN THE TIGERS LAST YEAR >>> 11-2, 7-1 ACC, second in Atlantic Division; defeated Ohio State 4035 in the Orange Bowl HEAD COACH >>> Dabo Swinney — at Clemson: 51-23, six seasons PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> 12; 4 offense, 7 defense, punter KEY RETURNERS >>> LB Stephone Anthony, DE Vic Beasley, WR Adam Humphries, DT Grady Jarrett, QB Cole Stoudt KEY LOSSES >>> QB Tajh Boyd, DB Bashaud Breeland, LB Spencer Shuey, OT 34 THE JOURNAL

Brandon Thomas, WR Sammy Watkins PRIMARY STRENGTHS >>> Swinney has often claimed he was scoffed at a year ago when he suggested the defensive front seven would be the strength of his team, but few are disputing that idea heading into 2014.

The Tigers led the nation in tackles for loss by a wide margin last season and return virtually all the players responsible. Led by consensus AllAmerican Beasley, Clemson returns 12 lettermen — six ends and six tackles — on the defensive line alone.

QUESTION MARKS >>> Stoudt will get first crack at the unenviable task of filling the shoes of Boyd, who finished his career with ACC records for total offense and touchdown responsibility. The senior has plenty of experience in coordinator Chad Morris’ system and has played well in limited duty, but can he bear the burden of taking the reins of the offense?

The Tigers also must replace superstar receiver Watkins and 1,000-yard back Rod McDowell.

OVERVIEW >>> For the first time since Morris arrived three years ago,

the Tiger defense is getting top billing heading into the season. While Clemson has notched double-digit wins in each of those campaigns, it remains to be seen how the dynamics will change if the team plans to hang its hat on the defensive end. Morris’ hurry-up offense is capable of scoring in bunches, but has also been prone to quick three-and-outs — and even the deepest defenses wear down if they are on the field enough.

“We can win 10-7, and I’d be just fine with that,” Swinney said this summer. It remains to be seen, however, if that is a viable formula for winning games.

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

GETTING CLOSER

BY STEVEN BRADLEY

S

GAMECOCKS LOOK TO TAKE NEXT STEP INTO ELITE STATUS

teve Spurrier always knew he was in it for the long haul at South Carolina, and he has no intention of resting on his laurels with the Gamecocks are on the precipice of joining the nation’s

elite.

“We’re close. We’re very close,” South Carolina’s head coach said in July.

“Somebody told me there’s only three teams in America to finish in the top 10 the last three years, and we’re one of them.”

The other two schools in that elite company are Alabama and Oregon, but what the Gamecocks have yet to achieve that those other two have is winning a conference title.

South Carolina has come reasonably close, making a run to the SEC Championship in 2010 before being dismantled by eventual national champion Auburn, then beating the Eastern Division champion each of the last three seasons, yet failing to make the title game.

But even with the loss of a slew of star players from last season’s team that finished 11-2 and No. 4 in the nation, the pundits who cover the SEC tabbed the Gamecocks to win the Eastern Division at the annual SEC Media Days.

Spurrier will turn 70 next year, but he has shown no signs of slowing down in building what has been dubbed the “golden age” of Gamecock football, which has included five straight wins over archrival Clemson for the first time in the history of the rivalry.

But other than star tailback Mike Davis, this year’s South Carolina squad is bereft of many of the big names that have helped

36 THE JOURNAL

usher in that era — names such as Marcus Lattimore, Alshon Jeffery, Jadeveon Clowney and Connor Shaw.

“We started winning around here because of the players first, not because of me,” Spurrier said. “I coached my butt off the first five years around here, but about seven wins was about the best we could average. But we started to get better players. Facilities got a lot better. We’ve got better coaches in, and all together we’ve been able to put it together pretty well.”

South Carolina running back Mike Davis, seen here last season against Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl, is poised for a huge season for the Gamecocks. (Associated Press)

OFFENSE Spurrier is keenly aware that part of the deal with recruiting top-notch talent is you might not be able to keep it on campus as long as you’d like.

Opponent Result

2013 RESULTS

Jeffery left after three years, Lattimore opted to forgo his senior season even after a major knee injury late in the season and Clowney’s decision was a no-brainer.

Spurrier knows he could face a similar scenario with Davis. His take is that’s a good problem to have.

“We’re going to shake his hand and let him go,” Spurrier said of Davis, the younger brother of former Clemson standout James Davis. “That’s why you keep on recruiting more running backs.”

The younger Davis exploded onto the scene last year and turned in the fourthbest rushing season in school history with 1,183 yards.

A powerful runner between the tackles, Davis will be the focal point of the offense this season behind a line that features four returning starters — Cody Waldrop and A.J. Cann on the interior, and Brandon Shell and Corey Robinson at the tackle spots.

Preventing teams from focusing all their attention on the ground game are a pair of speed merchants on the outside in receivers Shaq Roland and Damiere Byrd, while the Gamecocks also have a pair of physical specimens at tight end in Rory Anderson

North Carolina at Georgia Vanderbilt at UCF Kentucky at Arkansas at Tennessee at Missouri Mississippi State Florida Coastal Carolina Clemson * Wisconsin

W, 27-10 L, 41-30 W, 35-25 W, 28-25 W, 35-28 W, 52-7 L, 23-21 W, 27-24 (2OT) W, 34-16 W, 19-14 W, 70-10 W, 31-17 W, 34-24

2014 SCHEDULE

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Date Opponent Aug. 28 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29

Texas A&M East Carolina Georgia at Vanderbilt Missouri at Kentucky Furman at Auburn Tennessee at Florida South Alabama at Clemson

* Capital One Bowl

and Jerrell Adams.

The key to making the whole thing go is likely to be senior Dylan Thompson, who takes the reins from Shaw under center.

Thompson is not without experience, boasting a 3-0 record as a starter. He completed 58.4 percent of his passes last season for 783 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.

DEFENSE Spurrier was famous for his highpowered “Fun ‘n’ Gun” offense at Florida, but his teams at South Carolina have frequently been known more for their work on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season’s unit ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (12th), passing defense (12th) and total defense (19th), and never allowed an opponent to reach 30 points after losing to Georgia 41-30 in the

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA second game of the season.

While this year’s defense won’t have a headline-grabbing name quite like Clowney, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward believes his group can make up for star power with cohesiveness.

“There are no big-name players on this team,” Ward said after the Gamecocks’ first practice of fall camp. “They’re like family.”

The biggest area of strength is at the linebacker level, where two of the team’s top three tacklers — Skai Moore (56 tackles) and Kaiwan Lewis (54) — return, along with second-team AllSEC performer Sharrod Golightly, who mans the hybrid SPUR position in Ward’s 4-2-5 scheme.

South Carolina also returns both safeties in Brison Williams and Chaz Elder, but will need players to emerge to replace Jimmy Legree and Victor Hampton, along with a top reserve in Ahmad Christian, at cornerback.

Up front, the Gamecocks must replace Clowney, Kelcy Quarles and Chaz Sutton, with fifth-year senior J.T. Surratt being the lone returning starter.

SPECIAL TEAMS Elliott Fry became the first true freshman to kick in a South Carolina season opener since 1996 last season, and he ended up setting a single-season school record with 54 extra points.

Fry’s solid performance has the Gamecocks feeling far more confident in the kicking game entering this season, as the sophomore is on the Lou Groza Award watch list.

Senior punter Tyler Hill is also back after walking onto the team in 2012, seizing the job and holding it for the past two seasons.

Hull averaged 37.8 yards per punt a year ago, down from his 39.4-yard average in 2012, and could be pushed for his job by Patrick Fish and Jonas Price.

In the return game, Pharoah Cooper earned a spot on the Freshman All-SEC team last season after averaging 22.4 yards per kick return. He did not have the same success in returning punts, but he has the big-play ability to fare better this year.

— The Associated Press also contributed to this report.

38 THE JOURNAL

BREAKING DOWN THE GAMECOCKS LAST YEAR >>> 11-2, 6-2 SEC, second in SEC East; defeated Wisconsin 34-24 in Capital One Bowl HEAD COACH >>> Steve Spurrier — at South Carolina: 77-39, nine seasons; as a head coach: 219-79-2, 24 seasons RETURNING STARTERS >>> 16; 8 offense, 6 defense, place-kicker, punter PLAYERS TO WATCH >>> OG A.J. Cann, RB Mike Davis, SPUR Sharrod Golightly, LB Skai Moore, WR Shaq Roland KEY LOSSES >>> DE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Bruce Ellington, CB Victor Hampton, DT Kelcy Quarles, QB Connor Shaw PRIMARY STRENGTHS >>> Spurrier built a powerhouse at Florida, largely on the strength of playing “pitch and catch,” but his success at South Carolina has had just as much to do with pounding opponents into submission on the ground. The emergence of Davis as a legitimate star allowed the Gamecocks to not miss a beat following the departure of Marcus Lattimore.

On defense, South Carolina returns all three starters at linebacker, including its leading tackler in Moore and a secondteam All-SEC pick in Golightly.

QUESTION MARKS >>> While the Gamecocks face the task of replacing a No. 1 overall NFL draft pick — Clowney — for the first time since Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers in 1981, perhaps the biggest shoes to fill are those of Shaw. He left with a schoolrecord 27 career wins, including a perfect 17-0 mark at home. South Carolina must also adapt to life after Clowney, as well as Quarles and Chaz Sutton, who spearheaded a devastating defensive front during their time in Columbia.

OVERVIEW >>> It says a great deal about the respect South Carolina has earned that the SEC media picked it to win the Eastern Division, yet didn’t vote a single Gamecock to the preseason All-SEC first team. While it may seem a slight against players such as Davis, who’s coming off a 1,100-yard season, there’s no doubt South Carolina’s three straight 11-win seasons have changed the perceived pecking order in the SEC East. The Gamecocks’ most recognizable faces are gone from last season, but eight starters return from an offense that averaged 34 points per game, and Dylan Thompson has had his moments as a starting quarterback, notably leading a win at Clemson in 2012.

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