By Thomas Grant Jr. The offensive and defensive lines are blending in new talent and teams are putting a higher emphasis on defending All-State wide receiver Donovan Murph. The one constant on the Irmo High School football team for this year remains quarterback A.J. Brand. In the 35-7 season-opening winContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Irmo football closed out the preseason with two scrimmage victories over Lowcountry schools. On Monday, the fifth-ranked Yellow Jackets rolled past Goose Creek 49-14 at home. Senior quarterback AJ Brand threw five touchdowns, two to fellow All-State selection wide receiver Donovan Murph. Four nights later, IrmoContinue Reading
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 PlayerContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The Chapin Kickoff Classic not only marks the close of preseason high school football for Chapin High School. The event’s return Friday to Cecil Woolbright Field Stadium highlights a “new era” for the school. A year ago, renovations to the seating and press box resulting inContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. After 15 seasons as Dutch Fork head coach and 15 state titles won in the Carolinas over five decades, Tom Knotts is as motivated as ever. Following Monday’s first practice for the upcoming season, Knotts said his defending state champions are still entering the new seasonContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Charlotte, the University of North Carolina, Oregon State and South Carolina all had interest in Irmo’s A.J. Brand. After months of receiving offers, the All-State dual threat quarterback decided to become a Hokie. On his personal Instagram page, he announced Sunday his plans to commit toContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The fifth-annual High School Blitz Senior Showcase Bowl took place Saturday at Brookland-Cayce High School. In both cases, players from throughout the Palmetto State overlooked for similar events took part. The East team included Irmo players linebacker Marquell Lewis, offensive lineman Bryant Ham and wide receiverContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. High school players from the town of Irmo and surrounding Lake Murray towns were well-represented in this year’s South Carolina Football Coaches Association All-State teams. Class 4A Lower State runner-up Irmo had eight players selected to the first team. Meanwhile, repeat Class 5A champion Dutch ForkContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. For Irmo senior safety Isaiah McClary, Saturday’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl was his “last hurrah” for high school. He’s scheduled to graduate this Friday and enroll at the University of South Carolina in January. McClary plans to join the football team as a walk-on. On Saturday,Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The winning seasons of both Class 5A runner-up White Knoll and Class 4A Lower State runner-up Irmo were rewarded by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association. Both head coaches Nick Pelham of the Timberwolves and Aaron Brand of the Yellow Jackets were named Lower State CoachesContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The high school football playoffs are over, but the All-Star season is in full gear. This weekend will see a pair of games featuring some of the top players from Richland and Lexington counties. Palmetto I-20 Classic The third edition of the All-Star game takes placeContinue Reading