April On Campus: Clover Blue Eagles
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There are two distinct differences in the latest head coaching job Perry Woolbright is undertaking. For openers, he’s far from a stranger to Clover. Woolbright graduated in 2001 and his father, Marty Woolbright, was the Blue Eagles’ head football coach…
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Continue ReadingThere are two distinct differences in the latest head coaching job Perry Woolbright is undertaking.
For openers, he’s far from a stranger to Clover. Woolbright graduated in 2001 and his father, Marty Woolbright, was the Blue Eagles’ head football coach from 1993-97.
The second difference is in comparison to Woolbright’s previous jobs – North Myrtle Beach, Batesburg-Leesville and Lexington – he sees less of an uphill climb in bringing Clover to a chapionship level.
“We’ve got a great group of kids,” said Woolbright during the April 2 Palmetto Combine for seniors at York. “Coach (Brian) Lane (now at Westside) did a great job here and stuff like that. It’s not like a total rebuild like some other jobs that I’ve taken. This one is just getting my philosophy and my culture established in the kids. Everybody is going to have different Xs and Os, so getting our schemes installed as quickly as possible.”
Helping the players get on the same page as Woolbright is his son and rising senior safety Brayden Woolbright. He led Lexington with five interceptions to go with 51 tackles and also saw limited action at wide receiver.
The elder Woolbright expects his son to have a similar two-way role at Clover as well as serving as a bridge to get his teammates familiar with the new schemes.
“I know what he comes with,” Brayden said. “I know what he means when he talks. He’s going to be harder on me because I’m his son. I know what he expects, and I just try to help the other guys out with what he expects from us.”
Other leaders on defense are free safety Cade Pilgram and outside linebacker Jayden Bryant Jayden Bryant 6'4" | 215 lbs | DL Clover | 2024 State SC . Pilgram has led by example during team workouts both on the field and in the weight room and the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Bryant was named the top Defensive Lineman at the senior combine at York High School.
“Great head coach who expects a lot from us,” Bryant said. “He pushes us in the weight room and on the field. Look forward to working with him.”
Offensively, the Blue Eagles return wide receiver Dion Brown Dion Brown 6'0" | 150 lbs | WR Lewisville | 2024 State SC . He caught 44 passes for 1,063 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and Woolbright expects him to be one of the team’s big playmakers again.
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- At 6-4 and 220 pounds, the rising senior uses his speed, size and strength to stop the run and pressure the quarterback
- Quick off the edge at outside linebacker and is versatile enough to play on the defensive line
- Was named the Top Defensive Lineman at the Palmetto Combine held at York High School. He had a broad jump of 9.7 and a pro shuffle of 4.4 seconds
- Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Middle Tennessee State among the schools expressing interest
Highlights
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- At 5’8 and 212 pounds, he led the Blue Eagles with 1,063 yards and 11 touchdowns last season
- Uses his agility, his 74-inch wingspan and desire to get the football to his advantage
- A verbal leader on offense who’s always encouraging his teammates
Cade Pilgrim
Cade Pilgrim
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- A starting free safety who on-field vision and fleet feet makes him a leader on defense
- A two-sport athlete, he’s committed to play baseball at the University of South Carolina as a left-handed pitcher
- A team motivator who looks to get his teammates in the right position
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- Spent first 1 1/2 years at Fort Mill before transferring. He’s played at both guard and tackle
- Shows the ability to finish blocks in dominating fashion, uses hands and footwork to handle defensive linemen and linebackers
- A vocal leaders on the offensive line
- Bench presses 285 pounds and squats 405 pounds
Highlights
Peyton Roof
Peyton Roof
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- At 282 pounds, he’s nimble on his feet as displayed by his time in the pro shuffle (4.8 seconds) at the Palmetto Combine at York
- Takes pride in his ability to “punch” his way past offensive linemen to pressure the quarterback
- Defends screen passes and is a strong open field tackler
- Currently bench presses 250 pounds and should benefit from increased weight room work under Woolbright
Brayden Woolbright
Brayden Woolbright
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- A safety joining his father and new head coach at Clover from Lexington
- Collected a team-high five interceptions last year for the Wildcats
- Shows cover skills and an eye for the football on defense
- Serves as a go-between in helping his teammates adopt his father’s new schemes
- Appalachian State, The Citadel and Limestone among the schools showing interest