Photo by GoFlashwin.com
By Thomas Grant, Jr.
Irmo football returns to previously chartered territory this Friday.
When it plays host to North Augusta, the game marks their return to Region 5-4A. This is also the first meeting between the two Yellow Jacket teams since 2015.
“New region, new foes,” Irmo head coach Aaron Brand said. “We don’t know much about these times. It’s time and we open up with the guys they say that’s on top of the map. So, it’s us and North Augusta and we’ve got our work cut out for us early on.”
Irmo looks to rebound from their 20-14 overtime loss to Class 5A ranked Dorman. Since losing the season-opener 21-7 to defending Class 2A champion Strom Thurmond, North Augusta has won five consecutive games.
It has defeated Class 5A schools Lexington and White Knoll and are holding opponents to 14 points a contest.
Jayden Hatcher has emerged as North Augusta’s newest ground threat. He had four rushing touchdowns in last week’s 55-19 win over May River.
After sharing time with A.J. Hillary (who’s now at Strom Thurmond), quarterback Corey Tillman has thrived in the starting position. On defense, the group is experienced with defensive backs D.J. Johnson and Dallas Williams and defensive lineman Simeon Jones Jr.
Jones is one of three players selected to the 2026 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas playing Friday. The other two will line up alongside him in Spartanburg in Irmo’s Jaiden Bryant and Tyrone Jennings.
“Jaiden and Tyrone very deserving,” Brand said. “Their body of work and then, they’re having monster years. Tyrone is having his best year ever. He’s been really been able to be all over the place for us and has turned into a leader. Jaiden has been all-world the last three years.”
(Class 4A)
1. Westside (10), 2. South Pointe (6), 3. Irmo, 4. Gaffney, 5. Indian Land, 6. Lugoff-Elgin (2), 7. T.L. Hanna, 8. Hilton Head Island, 9. North Augusta, 10. North Myrtle Beach
Others receiving votes: South Florence, Greer
