By Thomas Grant Jr.
It’s a “Generation Next” movement taking place at Gray Collegiate Academy.
Under new head coach De’Angelo Bryant, the War Eagles are moving up to Class 4A with a roster filled with second-generation players.
On the defensive side, linebacker Michael Boulware Jr. is coming off a first season in which he led the team with 155 tackles and 11 quarterback hurries. The son of former NFL safety Michael Boulware is part of an experienced defense which returns Class 2A All-State selection Zeb Taylor, Trequan Singleton, and Evan Raysorupfront, and flex players LJ Holley and J.P. Sweatt.
The secondary will include one of the sons of former University of South Carolina and NFL wide receiver Troy Williamson. Defensive back Royal Williamson and his brother Royce, who will play wide receiver, come over from Blythewood High School.
Royce joins a revamped wide receiving corps which added transfers Hiszari Gantt of Silver Bluff and Quinton Stroman of Irmo. Quarterback Tyler Waller looks to build upon his first season as a starter in which he threw for 1,618 yards and 19 touchdowns to lead the War Eagles to their second Class 2A title game in three years.
The backfield returns B.J. Montgomery, but now Nate Dixon will replace Caleb Ford who transferred to Cardinal Newman.
The offensive line will include another second-generation player in Calhoun County transfer Nate Carson. The son of former All-State forward Nathan Carson can potentially see action on both sides of the football.
Gray Collegiate will compete in the lone 8-team region in Class 4A. It also has a difficult non-region schedule with games against defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork, James Island and Baylor School (Tenn.) coached by former Gamecock and Hammond School head coach Erik Kimrey.
GRAY COLLEGIATE 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUG. 23 – JAMES ISLAND
AUG. 30 – at Baylor (Tenn.)
SEPT. 6 – Bye
SEPT. 13 – at Dutch Fork
SEPT. 20 – MIDLAND VALLEY
SEPT. 27 – at North Augusta
OCT. 4 – BROOKLAND-CAYCE
OCT. 11 – AIRPORT
OCT. 18 – at South Aiken
OCT. 25 – AIKEN
NOV. 1 – at Gilbert
Photo by George Matsui – Gray Collegiate Academy linebacker Michael Boulware with the sack on Crestwood quarterback Javion Martin.
