Players To Watch At Aun And McKay Kickoff Classic
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For the first time in nine years, the Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic will take place off the Chapin campus. Stadium renovations to Cecil Woolbright Field resulted in the preseason event moving to Winnsboro at Fairfield Central. The status of…
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Continue ReadingFor the first time in nine years, the Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic will take place off the Chapin campus.
Stadium renovations to Cecil Woolbright Field resulted in the preseason event moving to Winnsboro at Fairfield Central. The status of the Eagles’ home opener against Irmo Aug. 19 remains in question as school officials await approval Friday from state inspectors.
There’s also one less scrimmage this year at the Classic with only six teams participating in the 12-quarter scrimmages.
The lower numbers, however, does not mean a shortage of talent to watch.
GAME ONE: Chapin vs. Gray Collegiate, 6:30 p.m.
The Eagles find themselves in the rare position as playing in the opening Classic matchup. They are coming off a 3-8 season and competing in an even more competitive Region IV-5A.
Quarterback Brady Albro Brady Albro 5'10" | 190 lbs | QB Chapin | 2025 State SC will get tested against an experienced, physical War Eagles’ defense. He will have a bevy of targets with Isaiah Green, Jonathan Sheppard, Khalen Bostick, Weldon Gunter and Jacob Nerone.
Chapin is also expected to have a more productive running game with sophomore John Rossi and junior Cole Martin.
The defense lost a couple of top tacklers to graduation but returned defensive linemen senior Hayden Burriss Hayden Burriss 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Chapin | 2024 State SC and sophomore Caden Muskus. The secondary underwent some scheme changes and look to play more aggressive.
While Chapin seeks a rebound season, the War Eagles have higher aspirations in Class 2A. Two years removed from winning their first state title, the team returns 15 starters and added a couple of transfers expected to contribute immediately.
Headlining that list is sophomore Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC at linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound son of the former NFL linebacker of the same name comes over from Spring Valley and joins a loaded defense with all-state talent both upfront and within the secondary.
The defensive line is led by Class 2A All-State senior Zeb Taylor, 6-foot-4, 265-pound senior JT Sowell JT Sowell 6'4" | 255 lbs | OL Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , Carter Stephens, and Brookland-Cayce transfer Trequan Singleton.
Kaine Williams Kaine Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC was the leading tackler for Gray Collegiate last season. He will face a challenge holding that title with Boulware, four-year letterman Blake Croft and Blaine Redmond.
Both Gray Collegiate’s defensive back and wide receiver positions will have the same effective players. Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC is one of the team’s best blocking wide receivers and will be paired with Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC – who verbally committed to South Carolina State on Thursday – and Justin Pauling Justin Pauling 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC .
Offensively, quarterback Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC has stood out during 7-on-7 scrimmages this summer where he’s taken more snaps. Dre’von Dopson was moved cornerback. Running backs BJ Montgomery and Caleb Ford Caleb Ford 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2025 State SC bring experience and the receiving corps is deep with Savion Smith, Connor Holmes, and Zion Job Zion Job 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC alongside Offord.
GAME TWO: Irmo vs. Mid-Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Irmo quarterback AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC put on a show with his arm and legs in earning Offensive MVP honors at last year’s Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic.
The Yellow Jackets promised to be even more explosive on offense this year with the arrival of two key transfers. Running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC his bruising style to Irmo while wide receiver Donovan Murph Donovan Murph 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Irmo | 2026 State SC (pictured) moved in from Our Lady in Good Counsel in Olney, Md.. He is expected to further open the field with his speed and ability to get open.
Center Bryant Hamm is a college prospect and leads the Irmo offensive line. The defense has several returning starters, including defensive lineman Xavier Montgomery Xavier Montgomery 6'1" | 210 lbs | DL Irmo | 2024 State SC , linebacker Jylil Favor Jylil Favor 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Irmo | 2024 State SC , free safety DeMarkio Campbell and cornerbacks Malachi Smith and Isaiah McCrary.
It’s a tough task for a Rebels’ program which has posted just one winning season in the past 10 years. Even more challenging is replacing Class A All-State running back Anthony Wicker and all-region selections in wide receiver AJ Jackson and defensive end Michael Lindler.
Among the returning Mid-Carolina players are running back Keshon Williams, linebacker Braeden Wessinger and defensive back Jaxson Moody.
GAME THREE: Fairfield Central vs. Spring Valley 8:30 p.m.
The Classic finale could be nicknamed the “Buddy Bowl”.
Both head coaches Demetrius Davis of Fairfield Central and Nygel Pearson of Spring Valley played and served as assistant coaches under South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough.
Davis played quarterback at Fairfield Central under Pough, who later coached Pearson at offensive tackle for the Bulldogs.
The comparisons end there as Davis brings a seasoned Griffins team to Winnsboro, while Pearson is entering his inaugural season with the Vikings.
Expect the ball in the air constantly during this scrimmage. Fairfield Central quarterback Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'3" | 230 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2026 State SC is already a strong college prospect as a sophomore after having posting some of the state’s best numbers as a freshman quarterback last season (3,319 yards, 13 TDs).
Wide receivers Jai Boyd and TyDarian Grier are among McMillon’s favorite targets. On defense, linebacker Myles Robertson is a disrupter and defensive back Christopher Pearson has the build, speed and technique to become one of the better cover men in the state.
Pearson promised a spread offense for the Vikings. Quarterback Aden Jones will look to lead the new offense with four returning offensive linemen in Sir Stokes, Alan Hartwell Alan Hartwell 6'1" | 285 lbs | OL Spring Valley | 2024 SC , Robert McGriff and Joel Amos.
Despite the transfer of Boulware, the Vikings are still experienced on the defensive line with Jonas Wilson, KJ Griffin, Khalil Allen, and David Alford.