Photo by George Matsui – Gray Collegiate Academy running back Trevon Williamson
By Thomas Grant Jr.
There are other high school football observers who have positive vibes about Gray Collegiate Academy’s prospects in Class 5A than the team itself.
Despite the War Eagles making their first appearance in the classification, the S.C. Prep Football Media selected them ninth in its preseason poll.
In fact, numbers 7-9 in Class 5A were made up of the newest members of the revamped Region 4-5A in Ridge View, Sumter and Gray Collegiate Academy.
Having overseen the movement up three classifications in four years, War Eagles’ head coach Deangelo Bryant understands this is arguably the program’s biggest challenge yet. Nevertheless, the entire team has prepared for this moment through a complete focus on winning football games.
“Taking on this off-season, we kind of hit the ground running once we found out we were really in 5A,” he said. “We understood the challenge we have. We understand from a region standpoint the type of teams that we’re also playing as well and what everybody else has to offer too.
“I think that’s a really big deal for us and we must understand that we have to do some things different, also a little unorthodox in the way we scheme and kind of have our talent level and how we use our talent level on the field.”
From a starting position standpoint, Gray Collegiate Academy matches favorably with other Class 5A opponents. Quarterback Xavier Wright emerged as an All-Region freshman, leading the team to 10 straight victories.
The skilled positions on offense have gamebreakers with running back Trevon Williamson. He had a team-best 1,662 yards and seven seasons after transferring from Gilbert.
“We don’t have the numbers that other teams have, so being to be able to play all four quarters will be helpful for us,” Trevon said.
On the outside, Wright has speedy targets in wide receivers Corey Gleaton and Royce Williamson. Upfront, the War Eagles return three starters in senior and two-way lineman Jack Armstrong, sophomore Treyson Gordon and center Wilson Sweatt.
Arguably the biggest position where depth is concerned is at linebacker. Gray Collegiate Academy graduated Michael Boulware, J.P. Sweatt and Ty Rivers who combined for over 400 tackles.
“There’s a lot of wealth of knowledge that left when those three guys left,” Bryant said. “We were able to have some guys like Hampton Boling, who played three games for us last year, Ryan Mobley who started at strong safety who’s been willing to move to linebacker. His leadership skills have been great.”
Damarion Wilson is expected to move from defensive line to linebacker. White Knoll transfer Jheis McKiever also look to play a role at linebacker and wide receiver.
Of the 10 opponents on Gray Collegiate Academy’s schedule, only two (South Florence and Mountain View Prep) are under Class 5A. It opens the season in Charlotte, N.C. against Class 7/8A Chambers.
“Our coach always tells us we’ve got a target on our back, so it only wants to make us work 10 times harder,” Royce said.
2026 SCHEDULE
AUG. 21 – at Chambers
AUG. 28 – at River Bluff
SEPT. 4 – JAMES ISLAND
SEPT. 11 – MOUNTAIN VIEW PREP
SEPT. 18 – at South Florence
SEPT. 25 – at Dutch Fork
OCT. 2 – SPRING VALLEY
OCT. 9 – at Sumter
OCT. 16 – BLYTHEWOOD
OCT. 23 – at Ridge View
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA PRESEASON POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (12), 2. Northwestern (3), 3. J.F. Byrnes, 4. Dorman, 5. Summerville, 6. James Island, 7. Ridge View,8. Sumter, 9. Gray Collegiate, 10. Spartanburg
Others receiving votes: White Knoll, Berkeley, Carolina Forest, River Bluff, Rock Hill, Hillcrest; Lexington
Voters this week: Mac Banks, Fort Mill Prep Sports; Lou Bezjak, The State Newspaper; Jed Blackwell, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Boland, Times & Democrat; JB Brown, Blue Ridge Tigers Sports Network; Cole Bryson, The Fan Upstate; Scott Chancey, Florence Morning News; Chris Dearing, SC Prep RedZone/The State; Thomas Grant New Irmo News; Ian Guerin, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter; James McBee, Boiling Springs Sports Journal; Chris Miller, WRHI; Brett Shugart, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Brandon Stockdale, SC Prep RedZone; Pete Yanity, WSPA
LEXINGTON SPORTSARAMA AT LEXINGTON H.S.
(Friday’s Schedule)
River Bluff vs. North Augusta 6 p.m.
Pelion vs. Gilbert 7:05 p.m.
White Knoll vs. Brookland-Cayce 8:10 p.m.
Lexington vs. Airport 9:15 p.m.
