By Thomas Grant Jr.
Life is good for Aaron Brand.
As Irmo head football coach, he’s leading the third-ranked team in Class 4A. The Yellow Jackets just claimed its first outright region title since 2002 and their first undefeated season since 2002.
Running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix was selected for the Touchstone Energy Bowl. Meanwhile, his son and quarterback A.J. Brand are among several players expected to receive All-Region and All-State honors.
They now begin the quest for the school’s first state title since 1980 Friday at home against Colleton County.
“We have done well,” Brand said. “These guys have really showed up and showed out every day and we’re so thankful and God is so good for putting us in a situation where we can continue playing amongst the elite, amongst the people that still get to.”
“We all came together, we’ve all got one goal,” Brand said. “Being ready is the least thing we’re worried about. We’ve just got to keep our heads down and grind and play Irmo football like we have this year.”
Domination is the best way to describe this year’s Irmo football. Last week’s 49-0 shutout of Lugoff-Elgin was the team’s fourth shutout and the eighth time in 10 games it has held a team under double digits.
“We work really hard every day,” linebacker Jylil Favor said. “We come in on Mondays. We watch film, get our gameplan ready and work from there.”
Offensively, the Yellow Jackets were a point shy of totaling 500 points scored during the regular season. The bulk of the points have come from the young Brand, who has 45 combined touchdowns without an interception.
Personal accolades
The Irmo players are not the only ones receiving accolades. A win on Friday will give the elder Brand his 100th career victory.
It’s a career that has seen him have championship success as an assistant under former Independence head coach Tom Knotts and a head coach at Mallard Creek, West Charlotte, and Vance high schools in North Carolina before arriving in South Carolina.
“What that tells me is that I’ve had really good players,” Brand said. “In such a short time to be at winner number 100 as a head coach. Keep in mind, I was with Coach Knotts a bunch of those years before I was a head coach. If I could have added those numbers, I’d really be good.
“I’m real excited that people have wanted me to be their head coach for this long. I came to Irmo with what I thought was an impressive resume. Did great things in Charlotte, won titles, and went to title games. Just want to do the same at Irmo. We’ve got a great group, and we hope we can finish this job this year.”
Most recently, Brand was named in the 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame class at alma mater Emery and Henry College in North Carolina. Brand excelled as a quarterback in football and football and pitcher/centerfielder in baseball.
“I’m so fortunate,” he said. “I worked my tail off in college. I studied hard. I played two sports and excelled in both of them fortunately. I was able to earn a seat at a table before I pass away. So many people that get this nod or get this chance to go into a Hall of Fame or have a seat at the big table they have to do it with somebody else accepting the honor for him. So, first of all, thankful for being alive and just so thankful for the institution that I attended for them to feel gracious enough to put me at the seat in the Hall of Fame.
He also developed his passion for coaching.
“Once I really started learning football at the latter part of college, the junior and senior year, and I started learning the ins and outs and the X’s and Os, I wasn’t ready to give it up,” Brand said. “So, I got an opportunity to coach after I graduated. I was a December graduate, got an opportunity to coach and the rest is history. Twenty-plus years later, still in the saddle.”
Brand now looks to lead his cavalry to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg the first week of December for the Class 4A title game.
S.C. High School League Class 4A rankings
1. South Florence (15) (10-0)
2. Northwestern (1) (9-1)
3. Irmo (10-0)
4. James Island (10-0)
5. Midland Valley (10-0)
6. Westside (9-1)
7. Lucy Beckham (8-1)
8. South Pointe (7-3)
9. North Augusta (7-3)
10. Hartsville (7-3)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, Myrtle Beach, Greenville
PHOTO BY THOMAS GRANT JR. – Irmo quarterback AJ Brand and head coach/father Aaron Brand
