By Thomas Grant Jr.
The high school football schedule shows Brookland-Cayce and Airport opening the season in Week 0.
For their supporters, it might as well be another preseason game. The following week, a much bigger game awaits as the Bearcats and Eagles renew their longstanding rivalry.
Until then, the two teams will look to pick up momentum with an early-season win.
Brookland-Cayce will play host to Harding University off out Charlotte N.C. The Rams compete in Classes 3A/4A in the Tar Heel State and has posted just one winning season since winning the Class 4A title in 2017 with a 14-1 mark.
The Bearcats are coming off a 7-5 season in which they won six of their final 10 games. The key to the turnaround was a dominant three-headed run attack with Will Young, De’Shaun Washington and Naahzeikial Mays.
Both Young and Washington return, with the former expected to see time at quarterback, running back and even on defense. The preseason has seen Airport transfer Myson Jones play at quarterback and David-Saul Daniels provide another run option.
The offensive line is also a team strength led by Kamden Sox. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound senior can play anywhere on the offensive line and leads a group similar in size and intensity.
The key for Brookland-Cayce, according to head coach Reed Charpia, will be the play of the defense. He will lean on defensive linemen John Allen Mower and Tyrone Jackson along with linebackers Jamorion Brown and Washington to solidify that side of the ball.
Airport Eagles
The Shane Fidler era begins on the road for Airport as it visits Bennett Stadium to face Swansea.
The former Stratford and Waccamaw head coach looks to lead the Eagles to their first winning season in three years. He’s also the team’s third head coach in three seasons.
Since arriving to West Columbia, Fidler has sought to revive community and player pride in the program. He does have some building blocks to work with led by Appalachian State commit offensive lineman Dylan Barbrey, quarterback Jesse Hoover and running back Amari Lewis.
Lewis accounted for both touchdowns in the 14-7 win over Pelion at the Lexington Sportsarama on Aug. 11.
Defensively, the Eagles will lean on its linebackers Bryant Cherry and Trey Neil to make plays and Kelby Stroman and Brendon Powe to limit big plays in the secondary.
Palmetto Sports to
air Airport, B-C games
Airport and Brookland-Cayce High School will have an app to watch their respective sports teams.
This Friday marks the debut of the Palmetto State Sports Network. The brainchild of Mike Hagins, President of Palmetto State Media Group, the network will offer full coverage of both the Eagles and Bearcats starting with this year’s football season.
In addition, fans can replay the games and listen to planned podcasts.
Stephen Knight will call the Airport football games.
Visit the app store to download the Palmetto State Sports Network.
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