Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. Lexington wide receiver Ian Dansan on kickoff return TD versus Dreher
By Thomas Grant Jr.
Archrivals Lexington and River Bluff enter Year Two with its respective head coaches.
Each team managed to reach the Class 5A Division I playoffs. Both head coaches are hoping an off-season of adjustments and improved camaraderie with the players will lead to more victories.
“It’s hard to build a relationship player/coach, coach/player in one off-season or summertime basically,” Wildcats’ head coach Stewart Young said. “I think this year the relationships are closer amongst the team and amongst the staff and the players. So that’s been very noticeable and we’ve got some maturity. We played a lot of players last year in big roles and now, they’ve got a year under their belt and ready to sprout.”
“Our coaching staff stayed in place,” Gators’ head coach Perry Parks said. “We’ve got a lot of guys returning and we’re excited about the possibilities this season for sure.”
Young made a major coaching move with the hiring of former River Bluff head coach C. Blair Hardin to his staff. The winningest head coach in Gators’ history returns to the sidelines after a 1-year hiatus to coach his former archrival.
“It’s been amazing,” Young said. “I’ve learned a lot from him because he’s done it in this place, in this region for eight years. He was very successful, so he’s been a good shoulder to lean on the last couple of months.”
Lexington looks to use Hardin’s input to improve upon its lack of success in close games. Young lamented losing three games last year in the final minute and wants to see his team build confidence.
That starts at quarterback where Easton Crocker looks to improve upon his freshman year. He will be greatly aided by sophomore wide receiver Victor Kaczenski and senior Ian Dansan.
Dansan showed his explosiveness with the 90-plus yard kickoff return TD in Monday’s tri-scrimmage with Dreher and Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Wildcat Hallow.
Over in The Swamp, Parks returns both quarterbacks Brayden Moore and Davis Taylor. Two-way threat Darius Carter is joined by Brady Barrineau at wide receiver and grouped with Caleb Pinckney, Jyree Grady and Nick Washington form what Parks called one of top secondary units in the state.
Pinckney will also see action at running back with a ‘scrappy’ offensive line leading the way. A position Parks expects to see improvement is linebacker with Reece Huffstetler, Charlie Walton, Levi Gibbons and a returning Bubba Alexander.
The defensive line returns Brady Williams, R.J. Jacobs and Preston Minor and Liam Flynn solidifies the kicking position.
“We know exactly what we’re facing,” Parks said. “A part of the intrigue for me to be interested in this job last year was the chance to play against the best week in and week out. But it showed how it helped us last year in the post-season. You play against stronger opponents, stronger region plays. That always gives you a chance to make a run in the post-season. Nobody has to get up to play Dutch Fork. Everybody knows what type of task that is and we’re glad they’re in our region.”
2023 SCHEDULES
(LEXINGTON)
AUG. 21 – MIDLAND VALLEY
AUG. 28 – at North Augusta
SEPT. 4 – at Swansea
SEPT. 11 – SPRING VALLEY
SEPT. 18 – EMERALD
SEPT. 25 – at Blythewood
OCT. 2 – DUTCH FORK
OCT. 9 – at White Knoll
OCT. 16 – Bye
OCT. 23 – at Chapin
OCT. 30 – RIVER BLUFF
(RIVER BLUFF)
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
LEXINGTON SPORTSARAMA AT LEXINGTON H.S.
(Friday’s Schedule)
River Bluff vs. North Augusta 6 p.m.
Pelion vs. Gilbert 7:05 p.m.
White Knoll vs. Brookland-Cayce 8:10 p.m.
Lexington vs. Airport 9:15 p.m.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA PRESEASON POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (12), 2. Northwestern (3), 3. Byrnes, 4. Dorman, 5. Summerville, 6. James Island, 7. Ridge View, 8. Sumter, 9. Gray Collegiate, 10. Spartanburg
Others receiving votes: White Knoll, Berkeley, Carolina Forest, River Bluff, Rock Hill, Hillcrest; Lexington
Class 3A
1. Oceanside Collegiate (13), 2. Camden, 3. Daniel (1), 4. Hartsville, 5. Belton-Honea Path (1), 6. Loris, 7. Powdersville, 8. Wren, 9. Bishop England, 10. Seneca
Also receiving votes: Christ Church, Hanahan, Crestwood, Swansea, Gilbert, Emerald, Broome
Class 2A 1. Strom Thurmond (7), 2. Dillon (6), 3. Clinton (2), 4. Newberry, 5. Woodruff, 6. Mountain View Prep, 7. Phillip Simmons, 8. Marlboro County, 9. Chester, 10. Saluda
Others receiving votes: Southside Christian, Andrew Jackson, Manning, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Timberland, Woodland, East Clarendon
Class A
1. Fairfield Central (5), 2. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (7), 3. Abbeville (1), 4. Hampton County (1), 5. Central, 6. (tie) Lewisville (1) & Lamar, 8. Cross, 9. Carvers Bay, 10. Batesburg-Leesville
Others receiving votes: Cheraw, Barnwell, Johnsonsville, Blackville-Hilda, Lake View, HKT, Latta, C.A. Johnson
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; Cole Bryson, The Fan Upstate; Scott Chancey, Florence Morning News; Chris Dearing, SC Prep RedZone/The State; Thomas Grant Lake Murray News; Ian Guerin, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter; James McBee, Boiling Springs Sports Journal; Chris Miller, WRHI; Brett Shugart, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Brandon Stockdale, SC Prep RedZone; Pete Yanity, WSPA
