By Thomas Grant Jr.
In some ways, this will be a “rewarding” Week 8 for Gray Collegiate Academy.
The top-ranked War Eagles will clinch the Region 4-2A title without taking the field. With Newberry joining the other region teams in forfeiting its upcoming matchup to Gray Collegiate, it will be the last team left standing with an unblemished region mark with one game remaining.
“We are looking to add one more game on Oct. 20,” Gray Collegiate head coach Adam Holmes said. “We are in talks of a national team coming to our place on that date.”
For now, the downside for Gray Collegiate (9-2, 4-0) is it could go a month without playing a game. This past week, the War Eagles ventured eight hours to Clearwater, Fla. for a matchup with Clearwater Academy International.
A late rally fell short in a 34-27 loss to the Knights. College prospect Sean Sevillano collected 15 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a sack against Gray Collegiate.
Both Tyler Waller and Dre’Von Dopson threw touchdown passes to Zion Job and Jamarious Lockett and Caleb Ford also rushed for a score.
“I have just seen our team mature the second half of this season,” he said. “When you are put into these circumstances, you have to be lasered focus and our guys were a little eyes wide open against St. John’s, but as we went to Clearwater, we played with a whole lot more confidence.”
Despite the forfeits, Holmes has seen growth in his team which could benefit them in the long run.
“It has benefited our guy greatly,” said Holmes about the out-of-state games. “When you play teams like St. John’s and Clearwater and compete, it shows your guys that you can play with anyone. I tell our guys if we can compete with these guys think about how much that helps us as we see good teams come playoff time.”
South Carolina Prep Football Class 2A Media Poll
1. Gray Collegiate (12) (9-2)
2. Abbeville (7) (6-1)
3. Oceanside Collegiate
4. Silver Bluff (6-1)
5. Hampton County (7-1)
6. Woodland (6-0)
7. Fairfield Central (5-2)
8. Marion (7-1)
9. Strom Thurmond (5-2)
10. Ninety-Six (6-1)
Others receiving votes: Saluda, Liberty
Photo by George Matsui – Gray Collegiate running back Caleb Ford in last year’s matchup with Newberry.
