Spring Outlook: Lexington Wildcats

LEXINGTON | Dustin Curtis is back at home.   It was 20 years ago when he shared the backfield with Demetris Summers. He's now back at his alma mater Lexington High School as head coach and athletics director.   Watching Curtis oversee the first week of spring practice with the Wildcats, he's clearly comfortable with his surroundings both from a personal and personnel standpoint.   “It feels really neat,” he said. “Really special. Got a couple of other guys on staff that played here. There's obviously a comfort level. Even though I haven't coached here, you just have so much familiarity with where you are and the people around here. I've been a head coach long enough now that I feel like I'm in a groove and know what I'm doing and now, it's just kind of getting to know the players better and staff and grow together during the spring.”   Making the coaching transition to Curtis smooth at Lexington are his top returning seniors. Starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines'] has provided leadership on offense by pushing practice tempo and bringing energy to the workouts.   Mines, who amassed over 2,600 total yards and 29 touchdowns last season, said he's focused on working on his reads with the wide receivers. It's a young group at the position, especially with returning leading wide receiver, rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer'], playing baseball right now.   The Wildcats are also looking to find a replacement at running back with the graduation of South Carolina Mr. Football finalist [player_tooltip player_id='443502' first='Jonah' last='Norris'].    “We're getting a lot of new faces coming up and I think the biggest thing is just giving them confidence and letting them know they can fill those shoes and we'll be good,” Mines said.     Curtis also praised returning offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1142708' first='Ryan' last='McFarland'], who leads an experienced group upfront for the Wildcats.   On the defensive side of the football, Curtis praised the play of Dylan Bolan on the defensive line and middle linebacker Matthew McAuley's overall enthusiasm.    Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton'] was the team's leading tackler with 100 last season. He's worked to add 15 pounds of muscle to his 6 '1, 210-pound frame and increase his speed as he prepares to move from middle to outside linebacker for his senior year.   “It's been different, just getting used to his new tactics,” he said. “Everything's been pretty different, but we're rolling.”   On special teams, Curtis plans to bring his aggressive style to Lexington. He also sees players like rising junior Lorenzo Katio and Nigel Lewis as capable kick returners and expects to have placekicker [player_tooltip player_id='800020' first='Tyler' last='Chavis'] back in camp following the end of the soccer season.   Over the next two weeks and through the summer, Curtis will focus more on preparing his team rather than focus on future opponents. Lexington will open the Curtis era Aug. 18 at home against West Florence.

LEXINGTON | Dustin Curtis is back at home.

It was 20 years ago when he shared the backfield with Demetris Summers. He's now back at his alma mater Lexington High School as head coach and athletics director.

Watching Curtis oversee the first week of spring practice with the Wildcats, he's clearly comfortable with his surroundings both from a personal and personnel standpoint.

“It feels really neat,” he said. “Really special. Got a couple of other guys on staff that played here. There's obviously a comfort level. Even though I haven't coached here, you just have so much familiarity with where you are and the people around here. I've been a head coach long enough now that I feel like I'm in a groove and know what I'm doing and now, it's just kind of getting to know the players better and staff and grow together during the spring.”

Making the coaching transition to Curtis smooth at Lexington are his top returning seniors. Starting quarterback Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC has provided leadership on offense by pushing practice tempo and bringing energy to the workouts.

Mines, who amassed over 2,600 total yards and 29 touchdowns last season, said he's focused on working on his reads with the wide receivers. It's a young group at the position, especially with returning leading wide receiver, rising junior Brandon Cromer Brandon Cromer 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Lexington | 2025 SC , playing baseball right now.

The Wildcats are also looking to find a replacement at running back with the graduation of South Carolina Mr. Football finalist Jonah Norris Jonah Norris 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Lexington | 2023 State SC .

“We're getting a lot of new faces coming up and I think the biggest thing is just giving them confidence and letting them know they can fill those shoes and we'll be good,” Mines said.

Curtis also praised returning offensive lineman Ryan McFarland Ryan McFarland 6'1" | 225 lbs | OL Lexington | 2024 State SC , who leads an experienced group upfront for the Wildcats.

On the defensive side of the football, Curtis praised the play of Dylan Bolan on the defensive line and middle linebacker Matthew McAuley's overall enthusiasm.

Linebacker Christian Sexton Christian Sexton 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC was the team's leading tackler with 100 last season. He's worked to add 15 pounds of muscle to his 6 '1, 210-pound frame and increase his speed as he prepares to move from middle to outside linebacker for his senior year.

“It's been different, just getting used to his new tactics,” he said. “Everything's been pretty different, but we're rolling.”

On special teams, Curtis plans to bring his aggressive style to Lexington. He also sees players like rising junior Lorenzo Katio and Nigel Lewis as capable kick returners and expects to have placekicker Tyler Chavis Tyler Chavis 6'2" | 145 lbs | K Lexington | 2024 SC back in camp following the end of the soccer season.

Over the next two weeks and through the summer, Curtis will focus more on preparing his team rather than focus on future opponents. Lexington will open the Curtis era Aug. 18 at home against West Florence.