By Thomas Grant Jr.
For Irmo quarterback Britton Davis, last Friday’s 39-0 shutout win over South Aiken provided a double bonus.
The Yellow Jackets (8-3) not only advanced to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, it gets a chance to avenge their last loss. They travel to Region 5-4A rival North Augusta (9-1).
“Rematch, most definitely,” he said. “It’s not going to be a close game.”
Against the Thoroughbreds for the second time this season, Davis threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns. During the 5-game winning streak, he thrown for 1,123 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.
As a first-year starter, Davis has been aided by an emerging batch of weapons. Wide receivers Ethan Singletary, Jay Eaddy and Demarion Arrington have developed into deep threats and running back Zay Chew has helped fill the void of injured senior Tai Phillips.
“We can’t keep talking about the players we don’t have,” said Brand, whose program also lost wide receivers Maleek and Corey Miller to Dutch Fork and running back Amire White to Gaffney. “We have to talk about and really live with the players that we do have because they’ve been making plays.”
A productive offense puts less pressure on a defense which has posted three straight shutouts. Miami commit Jaiden Bryant continues to lead the defensive line and the secondary has played “lights out’, according to Brand.
Antwoine Pierce had a one-handed interception against South Aiken. Seniors Jamar Grissett. Zion Gates, Jayden Arrington and C.J. Currence round out the experienced unit.
Nevertheless, Brand is hoping for a better outcome against North Augusta as compared to the first meeting.
“He’s got to play better next week and he’s done well,” said Brand about Davis. “You look back and this is still Britton’s first year as a starting quarterback. But he’s really turning the corner. He’s got a rocket arm and he’s starting to really invest in the offense and it’s become a really good thing for himself and the team.”
FINAL S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
CLASS 4A
1. WESTSIDE (11), 2. GAFFNEY (4), 3. NORTH AUGUSTA, 4. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, 5. SOUTH POINTE, 6. LUGOFF-ELGIN, 7. TL HANNA, 8. INDIAN LAND, 9. IRMO, 10 SOUTH FLORENCE (7-3)
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: LUCY BECKHAM, WILSON, LANCASTER
