By Thomas Grant Jr.
A football season that showed great promise and potential abruptly ended in disappointment and controversy at Gray Collegiate Academy.
On Tuesday, the S.C. High School League’s appellate panel voted 5-0 to uphold sanctions against the program for using an ineligible player. As part of the punishment handed down Nov. 8 by the Executive Committee by a 10-2 vote, the War Eagles forfeited their six wins, were fined $500 and were kept out of the Class 4A playoffs.
This was the second penalty handed out in two weeks by the SCHSL. It had voted to suspend head coach DeAngelo Bryant and an assistant coach for the rest of the year for violating the league’s rules on recruiting. The school was also fined $2,500 and placed on a one year warning.
During the two-hour meeting, panel member Gregory McCord suggested amending the sanction to include a ‘death penalty’ to Gray Collegiate for repeated fines and sanctions the past two years. The motioned was not seconded and not placed for a vote.
At the same time, Gray Collegiate principal Brian Newsome expressed displeasure about the ‘subjectivity’ the school has received from league officials. He cited how sanctions against Irmo regarding an ineligible player were overturned at the same hearing attended by Gray Collegiate last week.
The league voted to allow Irmo football to remain in the Class 5A Division II playoffs as long as the player in question remains inactive until their eligibility is confirmed.
PLAYOFF FIELD
Since Gray Collegiate was not included in the released Class 4A bracket, the Lower State matchups for Airport and Brookland-Cayce remain unchanged for Friday.
The Eagles (2-8) head on the road to face fellow Region 4-4A member and champion North Augusta (9-1). Ironically, the Yellow Jackets defeated Gray Collegiate 20-17 last Friday in what proved to be its final game of the 2024 season.
North Augusta defeated Airport 56-8 on Oct. 17. This is the Eagles’ second straight playoff appearance under head coach Shane Fidler and the winner faces either Bluffton or Hilton Head Island.
The Bearcats (4-6) will also open on the road at defending Lower State champion South Florence (7-3). It’s the first meeting between the two schools with the winner facing either Hilton Head or Crestwood.
Follow both teams by visiting the Palmetto States Sports Network. The phone app is available.
In Class 5A, River Bluff (8-2) plays host to Mauldin (2-8) in The Swamp to open the Division I playoffs.
This is the first meeting between the two programs with the winner visiting Rock Hill, a team the Gators defeated 48-34 to open the season.
River Bluff is coming off a 24-10 victory over archrival Lexington as Hayden Myers rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The victory snapped a 3-game losing streak in the rivalry to the Wildcats (5-5).
The Mavericks defeated Easley and Greenville in back-to-back weeks to earn a playoff berth. The contest marks a return to River Bluff for Mauldin head coach Andre Cook, who served as a defensive coordinator at the school before spending a season at Airport.
CRUSADERS IN SEMIFINALS
Having won 10 games for the first time in program history, Northside Christian Academy stands a win away from another milestone.
A victory over Pinewood Prep means a berth in the SCISA Class 3A final and second state championship game in program history.
The Crusaders (10-1) opened the playoffs with a 53-28 win over First Baptist School. Senior running back Sam Burks rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns as he surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau.
B.J. Suits rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns and Mani Lee and Trevor Hoffman both returned interceptions for touchdowns. It was the eighth straight win for Northside Christian.
The Panthers (8-2) are coming off a 49-13 victory over Trinity Collegiate and are riding a 7-game winning streak. Friday’s winner faces either Wilson Hall or Hilton Head Christian Academy for the title next week.
FINAL S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (17) (9-0)
2. Northwestern (1) (10-0)
3. Summerville (10-0)
4. Sumter (10-0)
5. Irmo (9-1)
6. Gaffney (8-1)
7. Spartanburg (7-2)
8. JL Mann (8-2)
9. TL Hanna (8-2)
10. Greenwood (8-2)
Others receiving votes: River Bluff, Dorman, Clover
Class 4A
1. Westside (18) (9-0)
2. Daniel (8-1)
3. South Pointe (8-2)
4. Hartsville (8-1-1)
5. North Augusta (9-1)
6. South Florence (7-3)
7. Wren (7-2)
8. Bishop England (8-2)
9. Hilton Head Island (8-2)
10. (tie) Seneca (8-2)
10. (tie) May River (7-2)
Others receiving votes: Camden, Gray Collegiate, AC Flora, Greer
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
Airport at North Augusta
Brookland-Cayce at South Florence
Northside Christian Academy at Pinewood Prep
Mauldin at River Bluff
Photo by George Matsui – Gray Collegiate Academy captains for the coin toss against James Island
