Class 2A Final Preview
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Plenty in the coming days will be discussed about the all-charter school Class 2A final between Gray Collegiate and Oceanside Collegiate. Here at Prep Redzone South Carolina, we’ll focus entirely on the matchup between the lines. Gray Collegiate has ranked…
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Continue ReadingPlenty in the coming days will be discussed about the all-charter school Class 2A final between Gray Collegiate and Oceanside Collegiate.
Here at Prep Redzone South Carolina, we’ll focus entirely on the matchup between the lines.
Gray Collegiate has ranked at or near the top of the Class 2A polls all season. A schedule which included non-region games against state finalists Christ Church and Camden was further strengthened with the addition of nationally-ranked out of state opponents.
The Landsharks have lurked in the standings behind Gray Collegiate and Abbeville. They have also played a forminable in-state schedule with games against regular-seaason Class A number-one Lewisville and defending Class 4A champion South Florence and are holding opponents to just under 10 points per game.
Whether Oceanside Collegiate can slow down a War Eagle offense averaging 43 points a game will be one of the factors in the opening game of the “Weekend of Champions” at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field in Orangeburg.
GRAY COLLEGIATE (15-3, 14-0 in-state) vs. OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE (11-2)
Time: 7 p.m., Thursday
About the War Eagles: Gray Collegiate responded from an early deficit to top-ranked and defending Class 2A champion Abbeville to win 27-12 in the Upper State final. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC (pictured) continues to show the maturity and poise of a veteran in his first year as a starter. It helps when flanked by college-bound wide receivers like Touchstone Energy Cooperatives selection Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , who will be playing at his new home South Carolina State, and Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC (53 receptions, 1,051 yards, 13 TDs), who caught one of Waller’s two touchdown passes against the Panthers. Upfront, Gray Collegiate presents a big, physical offensive line led by Class 2A All-State and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives selection JT Sowell JT Sowell 6'4" | 255 lbs | OL Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Zeb Taylor which protects Waller and open holes for BJ Montgomery BJ Montgomery 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC (1,279 yards, 16 TDs) and Caleb Ford Caleb Ford 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2025 State SC (474 yards, 13 TDs).
With several talented new transfers like linebacker Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC and defensive lineman Trequan Singleton, the War Eagles have spent the season developing a cohesive group with upfront returnees Charles Scarborough, LJ Holley, Sowell and Taylor. The defense gave up 129 points in the three out-of-state losses, while 161 points in the nine non-forfeit victories.
Crestwood accounted for 60 of the points in a two-point win by the War Eagles in Week One.
Class 2A All-State linebacker Kaine Williams Kaine Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC is a catalyst for the defense and the secondary is quick and athletic with Lockett, Offord and Rilan Cunningham among the team leaders in interceptions.
About the Landsharks: A year after losing to Abbeville in the final, Oceanside Collegiate overcame the loss of its starting quarterback and team rushing touchdown leader Edward Reidenbach to make it back. Out of the three quarterbacks head coach Chad Wilkes has rotated, freshman Aiden Manavian Aiden Manavian 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Oceanside Collegiate | 2027 State SC has proven to be the most consistent in the playoffs. He threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns, three in the third quarter, to rally the Landsharks to the 42-21 win over Hampton County in the Lower State final. Oceanside Collegiate also overcame early turnovers and the play of Mr. Football finalist Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC in holding the Hurricanes to seven points in the second half. Will Virgilio, Trey Brown and Gavin Gaspar have emerged as pass-catching threats for the Landsharks. On defense, Army West Point commit and Touchstone Cooperatives selection Ben Britton Ben Britton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC leads the linemen on both sides of the football and linebacker Max Moorman Max Moorman 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Oceanside Collegiate | 2025 State SC can make tackles and interceptions.
Key Matchup: Special teams could play a major role and the War Eagles have one of the most dangerous kick returners in the playoffs in Montgomery. His 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after a Panthers’ score put the game in Gray Collegiate’s favor. Both teams have also shown a knack for creating point off blocked punts as safety Grayson Freeling Grayson Freeling 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Oceanside Collegiate | 2025 State SC returned one in last week’s win.
X-Factor: Blaine Redmond is Gray Collegiate’s Swiss Army knife where he can be usually on either side of the football and make plays. He had a touchdown reception in last week’s win over Abbeville and is among the team leaders in sacks. The Landsharks cannot afford to lose sight of him with the bevy of offensive weapons Gray Collegiate possesses.