Summer Outlook: Gray Collegiate

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WEST COLUMBIA |</strong> Fall football could not start soon enough for Gray Collegiate head football coach Adam Holmes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Containing his excitement about the War Eagles' potential on defense with the influx of transfer talent like two-way lineman<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1359229' first='Trequan' last='Singleton']</strong>, formerly of Brookland-Cayce, and linebacker<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong>, formerly of Spring Valley, was difficult enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the offense's performance in finishing second at the 16-school Justin Bethel Beating All Odds Gridiron Classic, Holmes finds himself entering the summer with even less questions about his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tournament was supposed to serve as an opportunity for both rising sophomore quarterbacks <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Dre'Von' last='Dopson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] </strong>to throw the football. Injuries on defense resulted in Dopson playing cornerback for most of the day and Waller showing he was very comfortable in the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With wide receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord']</strong>,<strong> Savion Smith</strong>, <strong>Connor Holmes</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job']</strong> providing open targets for Waller, the War Eagles had a 9-2 record in finishing second behind Fairfield Central. While it appeared Waller put himself in the driver's seat in the starting quarterback battle, Holmes believes both players can contribute with their dual threat ability in passing and running the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The War Eagles will already have established running backs with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='Brian' last='Montgomery'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford']</strong>. There's also the threat out of the backfield of versatile senior <strong>Blaine Redmond</strong>, who's currently participating in travel baseball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A backup quarterback last season, Redmond can be utilized out of the Wildcat as well as play linebacker and strong safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another two-way threat on Gray Collegiate is rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett']</strong>. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Lockett is one of the team's best blocking wide receivers who stepped up as a leader and paired with Offord and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997302' first='Justin' last='Pauling']</strong> further boosts a crowded secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also included in this group is senior <strong>Rilan Cunningham</strong> and rising sophomore <strong>JP Sweat</strong>.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line returns senior tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1001124' first='JT' last='Sowell']</strong>, who's added 25 pounds to his 6-foot-4, 265-pound frame and has received offers from Georgia State, Dartmouth, and Mercer. The War Eagles also return All-State lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor']</strong> and <strong>Carter Stephens</strong> to go with the aforementioned Singleton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“He is a load in the middle,” Holmes said. “He's probably the strongest guy on the team. He benches about 335 and squats over 500 pounds. So, a lot of depth right there where we can really work.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebacking corps was already deep enough in returning last year's leading tackler <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams']</strong>, four-year letterman <strong>Blake Croft</strong> and Redmond. Now, the War Eagles have Boulware Jr. who has had eyes on him from scouts since eighth grade.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“He's got a motor himself,” Holmes said. “A lot of people are high on him. Schools came over during spring ball just to come watch him as a freshman.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate opens the regular season Aug. 18 at its new on-campus stadium against Christ Church.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->