2022 Preview: Southside Christian Sabres
It’s been a typical summer at Southside Christian, according to Sabres’ head coach Mike Sonneborn. “We don’t do a lot of 7-on-7, but we did go to North Greenville and Limestone,” he said. “We tend to just kind of focus…
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Continue ReadingIt’s been a typical summer at Southside Christian, according to Sabres’ head coach Mike Sonneborn.
“We don’t do a lot of 7-on-7, but we did go to North Greenville and Limestone,” he said. “We tend to just kind of focus on us, give our kids freedom to go to some camps and things like that. Our roster isn’t big enough to be missing three or four top guys and be competitive at things like that. We just focus on us.”
There are a lot of people focused on the Sabres. The entirety of the 1A classification is paying attention.
Southside Christian is coming of a second straight 1A state title, and has some key players back from last year’s title-winning squad. QB Ja’Corey Martin Ja’Corey Martin 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Southside Christian | 2023 State SC (pictured) is at the top of that list.
Martin accounted for 44 touchdowns – 22 passing and 22 rushing – a year ago while throwing for almost 1,800 yards and rushing for more than 600.
“He’s a dynamic guy,” Sonneborn said. “Anytime your starting quarterback is returning, it’s a plus, and with a guy like him, it’s all you can ask for. We’re going to do a few different things with him, and he’s going to ply some defense for us, and some receiver. He’ll still play plenty of QB. His athleticism allows us to move him around and he helps us anywhere he plays.”
When Martin isn’t under center, the Sabres will turn to Carson Bolemon. He’s one of several new faces on the offensive side of the ball.
“We’re not as deep at the skill positions,” Sonneborn said. “We lost a couple of transfers, and we graduated 12, which is a big number for us. But we do have some experienced guys back, and we’re looking forward to seeing what some of our younger guys can do.”
Sophomore Kyle Zimmerman is expected to be the Sabres’ lead running back after a successful stint on the JV squad. Collin Phillips led the team in receptions last year, and is back to lead the receivers group this season.
Up front, it’s a different story. Southside Christian is returning some starters who are veterans of those state championship runs, including Will Owens and Trey Dowling, who have started for three and two seasons, respectively. Guy Hawkins is in his first year starting, but is already 6-4 and 265 pounds. Jeremiah Jackson and Micah McGowan will help round out the group, with Jackson expected to contribute heavily on the defensive line as well, along with Deuce Hill.
The Sabres also return plenty of experience in the heart of their defense, as the team’s two leading tacklers return. LBs Mykel Woodfield and Zach Martin return at that spot to lead the team.
Sonneborn said expectations for the Sabres remain the same: to have a say in who’s 1A champion.
“It’s not the winning that’s the hard part, it’s the sustained winning,” Sonneborn said. “You look at Dutch Fork, Daniel, some of the other programs in the state who have sustained winning at a high level over several years, and the expectation doesn’t change. That’s what we want. We’ve got different groups, with different strengths and weaknesses, but it just gets down to the basics. Be physical, play smart, don’t turn it over, and you’ve got a chance. We think we’ve got a good group.”