Second McDonald’s Classic Gives Look At Reigning Champs
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The second segment of the McDonald’s Kickoff Classic will showcase the defending state 5A champions for the first time. The event, which began last week with two game-type scrimmages at Byrnes, will move to Gaffney for a pair of two-quarter…
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Continue ReadingThe second segment of the McDonald’s Kickoff Classic will showcase the defending state 5A champions for the first time.
The event, which began last week with two game-type scrimmages at Byrnes, will move to Gaffney for a pair of two-quarter jamborees. Gaffney will host Independence in the nightcap, with Boiling Springs playing Southside in the opening two quarters. The event is sponsored by the District 2 Football Officials’ Association.
Gaffney has a number of players on the PRZ rankings lists, none as highly-regarded as QB Grayson Loftis Grayson Loftis 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2023 State SC . Loftis threw for nearly 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago, in a season when the Indians had two rushers with more than 1,200 yards and rushed for nearly 3,000 as a team. Loftis did plenty to make the offense go, and might be called upon to do even more this season.
He’ll be helped out on the offensive side of the ball by Edward Jefferies, who had 566 yards receiving last year, to go with seven TDs.
Defensively, the defending champs are loaded at every level, and it starts with OLB/DE Brayshawn Littlejohn Brayshawn Littlejohn 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2023 State SC . Littlejohn is a wrecking ball for the Indians, with 87 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks last season. Gaffney uses his athleticism in a number of ways – in man coverage, as an edge rusher, and as a run stopper.
There’s also a lock-down guy in the backfield, as Kaliber Hoey returns. He brings back 48 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 6 pass break-ups and 4 interceptions last season. He’ll routinely draw the opposition’s toughest matchup.
In addition to the Indians, the Classic will showcase a new-look Boiling Springs team under first-year head coach Matt Reel, who takes over for the Bulldogs after a successful stint at North Myrtle Beach.
Kam Williams will play a big role for Boiling Springs. He returns off a campaign that saw him rush for 743 yards, including two outings with more than 200 yards. He contributed 21 catches, and will be counted on to be even more versatile this season.
Defensively, Calvin Jackson is a standout at DE. He had 29 tackles last season, with 11 tackles for loss in just 10 games.