By Thomas Grant Jr.
There were good vibes emanating from Gilbert High School football during the preseason.
After two seasons, head coach Ozzie Exume believes the Indians are ready to surprise other teams in becoming a contender again in Class 3A.
So far, Exume’s conference has been rewarded with a 2-0 start. Both wins over Nation Ford and A.C. Flora took place on the road.
A key factor has been an opportunistic defense that have forced six turnovers in the first two games. An area that grew concern with the graduaton of three starters has become a team strength.
“All off-season long, everybody asked me how you’re going to replace three college football players on the defense,” Exume said. “And they were asking me that question as if we didn’t have any players back and our guys took it personally.”
Linebacker Gavin Elliott was one of those players Exume described as playing with a “chip on his shoulder”. Along with making tackles throughout the field, he had a key touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
After initially bobbling the snap, Elliott made the recovery, swooped around his right and raced into the endzone.
Sophomore Jaylen Brost led the Indians with 158 yards and two touchdowns. Exume acknowledged he was frustruated with his preseason play, but his seen him grow going into the season.
Gilbert returns to action Sept. 11 at South Aiken to close out a 3-game road trip to open the season.
FRIDAY SCORES
Pelion 17, Barnwell 7
Tre Jackson rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown and Jonathan Davis returned a fumble for a touchdown for the Panthers.
The defense had two interceptions as the Panthers defeated the Warhorses for the first time since 2017.
American Leadership Academy 13, Camden Military 0
Gray Collegiate Academy 27, River Bluff 0
North Augusta 27, Lexington 16
Mid-Carolina 28, Batesburg-Leesville 21
Emerald 70, Newberry 34
WEEK 3 SCHEDULE
Saluda at Batesburg-Leesville
Pelion at Ridge Spring-Monetta
Mid-Carolina at Whitmire
Clinton at Newberry
Lexington at Swansea
River Bluff at Spring Valley
American Leadership Academy and Gilbert have a bye
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL (Week 1)
(Class 5A)
1. Dutch Fork (17), 2. Byrnes, 3. Dorman, 4. Northwestern, 5. Summerville (1-0), 6. James Island, 7. Rock Hill, 8. Ridge View, 9. Berkeley, 10. Sumter
Others receiving votes: Carolina Forest, River Bluff, Spartanburg, Hillcrest, Gray Collegiate, White Knoll, Lexington
(Class 3A)
1. Camden (12), 2. Daniel (4), 3. Hartsville, 4. Oceanside Collegiate (1), 5. Loris, 6. Powdersville, 7. Bishop England, 8. Belton Honea Path, 9. Wren. 10. Hanahan
Others receiving votes: Gilbert, Christ Church, Crestwood, Emerald, Seneca
(Class 2A)
1. Strom Thurmond (16), 2. Clinton (1), 3. Newberry, 4. Woodruff, 5. Dillon, 6. Marlboro County, 7. Mountain View Prep, 8. Philip Simmons, 9. Andrew Jackson, 10. Orangeburg-Wilkinson
Others receiving votes: Saluda, St. Joseph’s, Mid-Carolina, Chester, Manning, West-Oak, Keenan, East Clarendon
(Class A)
1. Fairfield Central (9), 2. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (6), 3. Abbeville (1), 4. Hampton County (1), 5. Central, 6. Cross, 7. Carvers Bay, 8. Batesburg-Leesville, 9. Lamar, 10. Barnwell
Others receiving votes: CA Johnson, Lake View, Lewisville, Blackville-Hilda, Cheraw
Voters this week: Mac Banks, Fort Mill Prep Sports; Lou Bezjak, The State Newspaper; Jed Blackwell, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Boland, Times & Democrat; JB Brown, Blue Ridge Tigers Sports Network; Tyler Cupp, WRHI; Chris Dearing, SC Prep RedZone/The State; Jordan Ferrell, WBCU Radio; Thomas Grant Irmo News/Cola Daily; Ian Guerin, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter; Wes Kerr, LowcoSports; James McBee, Boiling Springs Sports Journal; Chris Miller, WRHI; Brett Shugart, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Brandon Stockdale, SC Prep RedZone; Pete Yanity, WSPA
