Photos by Northside Christian Academy- Northside Christian Academy quarterback B.J. Suits
By Thomas Grant Jr.
Graduation and the departure of players to other programs left head coach Dean Howell looking to guide a young team this season.
A senior who did return helped lead the Crusaders last Friday at home to a 21-20 season-opening victory over Greenwood Christian.
Quarterback/defensive back B.J. Suits accounted for all three touchdowns for Northside Christian. Along with 147 rushing yards and 110 passing yards, he sealed the victory with a late interception.
“BJ is a special young man who happens to be really good at football,” Howell said. “He has been raised by unbelievable parents who expect the absolute best out of him spiritually, academically, and, lucky for us, athletically.
“Last year we had some good players choose to leave our school, and they were in his ear about him being better than Northside and that he needed to leave. He stayed the course and believed in our mission here.”
Howell referenced the 6-7 players who transferred to go with the 14 seniors who graduated last season. With 18 freshmen seeing their first career action, having players who lead by example like Suits and center Will Brodie as the “heart and soul” of the program is an asset for Howell.
“We’ve had a great offseason, and they are all bigger, faster, and stronger,” he said. “I look forward to seeing their continued improvement and the opportunities they have to prove themselves as better this year. If everything works to our advantage, this will be a fun group to watch.”
Northside Christian Academy plays host to Thornwell School Friday.
2026 SCHEDULE
AUG. 21 – THORNWELL, AUG. 28 – at Thomas Sumter Academy, SEPT. 4 – SPARTANBURG DAY, SEPT. 11 – Bye, SEPT. 18 – SPARTANBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, SEPT. 25 – at Trinity Collegiate Academy, OCT. 2 – WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS OF AUGUSTA FOOTBALL, OCT. 9 – at Cardinal Newman, OCT. 16 – Bye, OCT. 23 – FLORENCE CHRISTIAN, OCT. 30 – at Wilson Hall
Lexington Two Teams Open Regular Season
Brookland-Cayce and Airport high schools both had a final preseason scrimmage before this Friday’s season openers at home
Both participated in the Lexington County Sports-A-Rama held at two locations. The format saw the varsity teams play one quarter and junior varsity compete in the second quarter with a 20-minute running clock.
The Bearcats faced White Knoll at Pelion High School and fell 27-0.
The Eagles scrimmaged at host school Lexington High School. They lost 27-7, but got a touchdown reception from Braden Gross.
Airport opens the season against Pelion, looking to snap a 16-game losing streak. Brookland-Cayce plays host against defending SCISA Class 4A champion Hammond. It’s the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
2026 SCHEDULE
(Airport)
AUG. 21 – PELION, AUG. 28 – SOUTH AIKEN, SEPT. 4 – at W.J. Keenan, SEPT. 11 – at Chapin, SEPT. 18 – at Columbia, SEPT. 25 – Bye, OCT. 2 – SWANSEA, OCT. 9 – at Lower Richland, OCT. 16 – GILBERT, OCT. 23 – at Brookland-Cayce, OCT. 30 – CAMDEN
(Brookland-Cayce)
AUG. 21 – HAMMOND, AUG. 28 – at Chapin, SEPT. 4 – SOUTH AIKEN, SEPT. 11 – at Lakewood, SEPT. 18 – Bye, SEPT. 25 – at Mid-Carolina, OCT. 2 – LOWER RICHLAND, OCT. 9 – GILBERT, OCT. 16 – at Camden, OCT. 23 – AIRPORT, OCT. 30 – at Swansea
Gators open season
River Bluff opened the Lexington County Sports-A-Rama at Wildcat Stadium against North Augusta. After a lightning delay, the Gators were defeated 10-7 by the Yellow Jackets.
The lone touchdown for River Bluff was a touchdown pass by Davis Taylor to Zach Caldwell. It plays host to Cane Bay Friday in The Swamp.
2026 SCHEDULE
AUG. 21 – CANE BAY, AUG. 28 – GRAY COLLEGIATE, SEPT. 4 – at Spring Valley, SEPT. 11 – at Midland Valley, SEPT. 18 – W.J. KEENAN, SEPT. 25 – A.C. FLORA, OCT. 2 – CHAPIN, OCT. 9 – Bye, OCT. 16 – at Dutch Fork, OCT. 23 – WHITE KNOLL, OCT. 30 – at Lexington
