By Thomas Grant Jr.
The South Carolina High School League football season begins Friday for Cayce/West Columbia teams.
Eagle Stadium will hold the lone home contest as Airport opens the Chris Napier era against May River.
He brings years of offensive coaching experience to the position. Among his first tasks is incorporating a new starting quarterback in junior Talon Harlin and rallying the defense around new leaders.
Airport looks to improve upon a 2-9 season and a second straight playoff appearance. The Palmetto State Sports Network will air both Airport and Brookland-Cayce games all season at https://network1sports.com/station/pssn2.
Sanctions by the SCHSL prevented Gray Collegiate Academy from making a post-season run in its first year in Class 4A. Now with head coach De’Angelo Bryant back in place, the War Eagles are motivated to make a deeper run.
They open the season on the road at James Island. The War Eagles closed out the regular season with a 7-0 win over defending Class 2A champion Clinton at the Chapin Kickoff Classic.
It was the only contest completed before incoming lightning storms forced the event’s cancellation.
Quarterback Tyler Waller threw a 40-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Hiszari Gantt for the scrimmage’s only score. Transfer running back Trevon Williamson had a 50-yard reception and sophomore defensive back R.J. Oliver had an interception that set up Gantt’s touchdown.
Bad weather also cut short the Lexington Sportarama that was moved to River Bluff High School. The host team Gators managed to scrimmage North Augusta for one full quarter before played was halted.
Former Ridge View head coach Perry Parks is the third head coach in program history for River Bluff. He takes over a program that won a school-record 10 games and reached the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
In SCISAA, Northside Christian Academy looks to rebound from a 34-0 loss to Greenwood Christian in the season-opener. The Crusaders play their home opener
WEEK 0 SCHEDULE
(Games Start at 7:30 p.m.)
May River at Airport
Gray Collegiate at James Island
Calhoun Academy at Northside Christian Academy
River Bluff at Rock Hill
Brookland-Cayce is idle
Photos by Thomas Grant Jr. – Gray Collegiate Academy wide receiver Hiszari Gantt
