By Thomas Grant Jr.
The expectations are high for Irmo High School football.
The Yellow Jackets return key starters from last year’s undefeated regular season team that reached the Class 4A Lower State final.
Monday night at A.C. Hawkins Stadium, players like Virginia Tech commit and Lower State Offensive Player of the Year quarterback A.J. Brand and wide receiver Donovan Murph showed why the team is a preseason Top 10 team in Class 5A in its first year in the classification.
The duo connected on two of Brand’s five touchdowns in a 49-14 scrimmage win over Goose Creek. Nevertheless, Irmo head coach Aaron Brand believes his team still has work to do to justify its number five ranking.
“I don’t know if we deserve that,” he said. “I know we’re going to battle like crazy to try to hold that spot. But, if we’re in the Top (Five), we’re not ready yet. But we’ll take it.”
After giving up a long touchdown pass on the Gators’ first drive, Irmo responded with a long touchdown pass of its own. It was Brand to an open Murph who made the over-the-shoulder catch near the back of the endzone.
The Yellow Jackets went on to score 42 unanswered points. Sophomore Maleek Miller also got into the scoring with two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score.
“He’s a young guy that we’ve kind of thrown to the fire,” Brand said. “Made a couple of plays last year, but nothing like what he’s got to do this year. He’s playing a really tough position. His position is probably the third hardest on the team behind playing center, playing quarterback. So he’s got a tough thing.”
Senior center Ryan Love also caught a pass in an unexpected way. As Brand rolled out and his screen was tipped, Love caught the reception and rushed for an eight-yard gain.
On defense, sophomore tackle Jaiden Bryant was in mid-season form. From pressuring the quarterback to making stops, he was among the most active defenders on the field.
“He’s on 10 already,” Brand said. “He’s tough to block and I think the world is going to figure that out in a hurry.”
Irmo heads to Ashley Ridge High School Friday for a scrimmage with third-ranked Summerville. It opens the season Aug. 23 at home against Oceanside Collegiate.
Final Scrimmages
The preseason will officially close out for most S.C. High School League teams at two Friday Jamborees.
Lexington High School is the host site for the Lexington County Sports-A-Rama. It will feature four, 2-quarter scrimmages involving six county teams:
Fox Creek vs. Pelion 6 p.m.
River Bluff vs. North Augusta 7 p.m.
Gilbert vs. White Knoll 8 p.m.
Lexington vs. Airport 9 p.m.
All eight participants made the post-season last year, with White Knoll finishing state runner-up to Dutch Fork in Class 5A. This season, the Timberwolves will compete in Division II and the Silver Foxes Division I.
The latest realignment has also resulted in Gilbert, Brookland-Cayce and Gray Collegiate moving up to Class 4A in Region 4 with Airport, North Augusta, South Aiken, and Midland Valley.
Over at Cecil Woolbright Field Stadium, Gray Collegiate will take part in the Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic. The event is back at Chapin after a one-year absence due to stadium renovations.
AUN & MCKAY KICKOFF CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Gray Collegiate vs. Midland Valley 6 p.m.
Spring Valley vs. Midland Valley 6:45 p.m.
Clinton vs. Blythewood 7:30 p.m.
Chapin vs. Ridge View 8:15 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL PREP FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (13)
2. Gaffney (3)
3. Summerville
4. Northwestern (1)
5. Irmo
6. White Knoll
7. TL Hanna
8. JL Mann
9. Sumter
10. Hillcrest
Others receiving votes: Spartanburg; Byrnes; Ridge View; Fort Dorchester; James Island; Clover; Carolina Forest; Greenwood
Class 4A
1. Westside (17)
2. South Florence
3. Daniel
4. South Pointe
5. Camden
6. Gray Collegiate
7. Hartsville
8. Midland Valley
9. Brookland-Cayce
10. Gilbert
Others receiving votes: Beaufort; AC Flora; Greer; Crestwood; May River; North Augusta; York
Class 3A
1. Belton-Honea Path (10)
2. Oceanside Collegiate (6)
3. Dillon (1)
4. Christ Church
5. Chapman
6. Pendleton
7. Silver Bluff
8. (tie) Broome
8. (tie) Powdersville
10. Marlboro County
Others receiving votes: Hanahan; Mountain View Prep; Loris; Keenan; St. Joseph’s; Newberry; Woodruff; Battery Creek; Southside Christian; Aynor
Class 2A
1. Chester (9)
2. Clinton (7)
3. Hampton County (1)
4. Strom Thurmond
5. Barnwell
6. Fairfield Central
7. Philip Simmons
8. Saluda
9. Manning
10. Andrew Jackson
Others receiving votes: Cheraw, Ninety-Six, Timberland, Batesburg-Leesville, Marion, Whale Branch, Atlantic Charter, Chesnee, Andrews
Photos by Thomas Grant Jr.
