2023 Preview: Beaufort Academy Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nic Shuford has a new coaching home in the Lowcountry, and he won't have to wait much longer for his debut.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shuford's Beaufort Academy Eagles will kick off what could be the school's most promising season in some time this Saturday, facing Trinity Collegiate under the lights at Charleston Southern. It'll be a massive test for a group full of talent, experience, and hunger to go all the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles came just a kick short of reaching the state title game for the first time in their 11-man history, and they'll turn to Shuford with four straight SCISA 1A crowns under his belt at Thomas Heyward. His son <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268686' first='Dietrich' last='Shuford']</strong> will more than likely take the reins under center, complemented by a lethal one-two punch in the backfield of <strong>Jaxen Porter</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976400' first='Devonte' last='Green']</strong>. The Eagles will sorely miss the services of two-way standout Braydon Dineen, but they'll have beastly lineman <strong>Alex Williams</strong> back to anchor both sides of the line alongside a very underrated <strong>Tripp Gregory</strong>. Shuford will hope to use the opener to assess where his squad is at, and then hope to get back to CSU in a few months' time for the big one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“They're an extremely hard-working group of guys with the same goal in mind,” Shuford said. “They put in the work to hopefully reach that goal.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 RECAP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8-3, 4-1 region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SCISA 2A Quarterfinal: 36-23 W vs Orangeburg Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SCISA 2A Semifinal: 23-20 L vs Colleton Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976400' first='Devonte' last='Green'], RB, 2024- </strong>A loaded force of energy every time he takes the field, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976400' first='Devonte' last='Green'] </strong>returns for his senior year to lead a star-studded two-headed monster at Beaufort Academy. He's quick to the hole and has a gritty and tough side to his game as well to evade tackles and pick up coveted extra yards. Green should get a good bulk of early-down work again for the Eagles in his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxen Porter, RB, 2024</strong>- You can't complete the backfield without talking about Green's right-hand man, <strong>Jaxen Porter</strong>. At six feet tall, Porter is an athletic and elusive runner who makes the most of every carry he gets out on the field. He's also an effective pass-catcher out wide and could see a lot of different work as he operates with Shuford and a new-look offense. He's a security valve as well as a high-octane runner who can make explosive plays happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Williams, OL/DL, 2024- </strong>Maybe the most unheralded returner on BA's roster this year, <strong>Alex Williams</strong> is primed to dominate on both sides of the ball on the line. A hard worker with superb toughness and grit on the field, Williams will stop at nothing to make big plays for his team at timely moments, including a crucial game-clinching sack early last year. He has the stamina and astounding muscle to put in a top effort for all 48 minutes and will be critical to opening up holes and creating leverage defensively.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268686' first='Dietrich' last='Shuford'], QB 2025</strong>- After a promising year at Thomas Heyward just coming up short of a state championship, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268686' first='Dietrich' last='Shuford'] </strong>should have a great opportunity to prove himself with an electric skill-position core beside him. Alongside his growing skills as a pocket passer, Shuford loves to take off with his legs when he sees an opening and can make plays of his own running the football. He'll have some opportunities to use his dynamic running on some designed plays this year as well as managing the game with quick screens and short passes to his many weapons. Shuford has the passion to absorb concepts and knowledge as a passer, and will have the opportunity to take a huge step forward, especially with dangerous wideout <strong>Zeke Gonzalez</strong> back in the fold. But with the speedy and versatile&nbsp; offense he has with him this year, he may adopt a similar role with what we saw with his time at Heyward. And Nic Shuford should carry much of the same philosophy with him to the new program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braydon Dineen, QB/LB</strong>-&nbsp; Dineen was the heart of Beaufort Academy's program for the last few seasons and provided everything the Eagles wanted in a player: a true leader with an extraordinary amount of hustle and passion that he brought to the field on every play. It's tough to replace any player of that caliber.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hampton Lane</strong>- <strong>OL </strong>&nbsp;Lane was a very reliable center over his Eagle career who was crucial in opening up what was a dominant run game last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devin Fripp, DB, 2026- Devin Fripp</strong> is a quick and agile corner who is ready to make a big jump up to help this Eagle secondary this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Cooper, DB, 2026- </strong>Another hard-working young player looking to prove himself at the SCISA high school level, <strong>Nick Cooper</strong> should provide some strong depth for Shuford's squad in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->