Summer Camps: Gilbert Indians

GILBERT | So many ‘toys'.   Having a backfield with two returning 1,000-plus running backs, a versatile slot back and an All-State tight end with increased college interest is what first-year Gilbert head coach Ozzie Exume has at his disposal.   “I have confidence in what's in that locker room,” he said. “And so, it's going to be a new challenge and I love challenges and we're going to be hungry to really go out there and try to impose our will.”   The offensive cupboard was far from empty after the school's winningest head coach Chad Leaphart stepped down. Last season started with concerns with the running game with the transfer of All-State running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix.   Stepping up first to fill the void was [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay']. The junior made a quick impression with 250 total yards and four touchdowns in a win over Saluda.   An injury by Jay opened the door for freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson']. He broke out the gap with a streak of 100-yard, three-touchdown plus games, finishing with a team-high 1,401 rushing yards and 20 TDs.   When getting handoffs from Class 3A All-State quarterback Drake Braddock, [player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris'] could also make plays out of the backfield off short passes. He had 53 receptions for 822 yards and finished with 11 total touchdowns.   With all three back and an offensive line which returns starters center [player_tooltip player_id='1395083' first='Bryson' last='Butler'], left guard [player_tooltip player_id='1734574' first='Kennedy' last='Harmon'] and left tackle Drew Hill, Exume's biggest challenge is making sure “everyone is fed”.   Looking to help keep the Indians' weapons happy is new starting quarterback Cooper James. He's currently splitting his time at Gilbert and summer baseball but saw limited action last year and has developed on on-field rapport with his next-door neighbor Morris and Gooding.     Lexington transfer Kaden Kingerly will lead the team during Thursday's 7-on-7 tournament at Lower Richland and is expected to push Jones as a backup.   The event is also an opportunity for wide receivers rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1809066' first='Chandler' last='Guthrie'] and rising senior Ethan Coleman to continue their strong progress this summer.   A prime target should be Gooding, who had 22 receptions for 389 yards and eight touchdowns and shows an ability to make tight catches in close coverage. He's received offers from Marshall, Chattanooga, Dartmouth, Bucknell, Austin Peay, Charleston Southern and West Georgia.   Much like the coaching staff which has four new assistants, the defense also underwent an overhaul. The Indians graduated five defensive lineman and Class 3A All-State Shrine Bowl outside linebacker Caleb Strese.   Gilbert still has linebackers Knox McFarland, Elijah Reynolds, and Williamson and an athletic secondary led by rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'], Tytrell Smith, R.J. Kearse and [player_tooltip player_id='1734578' first='Demarion' last='Brown']. The defensive line does returning Hill, [player_tooltip player_id='464882' first='Jamarcus' last='Williams'] and Brayden Keisler.   An area which will receive extra attention this season is special teams. Exume said the team has hired a special teams coordinator to work on kickoffs and coverage.   He also believes rising senior placekicker Vikram Cheema can be a valuable weapon moving up to Class 4A.   The players do not appear intimidated by going up a classification. Exume also embraces the new frontier for the program.   “At then end of the day, when teams play us, they're going to feel like they're going to war and that's our job,” he said. “So I feel very good about where we'll be.”    A "playmaker" and "animal" according to head coach Ozzie Exume. His 148 tackles was among the team leaders and he collected four interceptions and two pass breakups in the secondary. He thrives the challenge of man-to-man coverage and can make open field tackles to prevent big plays.     Possesses speed to keep up or in stay in front of equally fast wide receivers. His length and reach also gives him an advantage in coverage and he's not afraid to make physical contact. A track athlete whose 40-yard time was last clocked at 4.5 seconds. He had 33 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups last season.     A three-year letterman who relies on on-field instincts and getting players in the right position at the MIKE spot. He tallied 72 tackles and three pass breakups last season. A strong communicator who looks to control the middle of the field.

GILBERT | So many ‘toys'.

Having a backfield with two returning 1,000-plus running backs, a versatile slot back and an All-State tight end with increased college interest is what first-year Gilbert head coach Ozzie Exume has at his disposal.

“I have confidence in what's in that locker room,” he said. “And so, it's going to be a new challenge and I love challenges and we're going to be hungry to really go out there and try to impose our will.”

The offensive cupboard was far from empty after the school's winningest head coach Chad Leaphart stepped down. Last season started with concerns with the running game with the transfer of All-State running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix.

Stepping up first to fill the void was Jaylen Jay Jaylen Jay 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Gilbert | 2025 State SC . The junior made a quick impression with 250 total yards and four touchdowns in a win over Saluda.

An injury by Jay opened the door for freshman Trevon Williamson Trevon Williamson 6'1" | 210 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC . He broke out the gap with a streak of 100-yard, three-touchdown plus games, finishing with a team-high 1,401 rushing yards and 20 TDs.

When getting handoffs from Class 3A All-State quarterback Drake Braddock, Krew Morris Krew Morris 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Gilbert | 2025 State SC could also make plays out of the backfield off short passes. He had 53 receptions for 822 yards and finished with 11 total touchdowns.

With all three back and an offensive line which returns starters center Bryson Butler Bryson Butler 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Gilbert | 2026 SC , left guard Kennedy Harmon Kennedy Harmon 5'10" | 295 lbs | OL Gilbert | 2026 State SC and left tackle Drew Hill, Exume's biggest challenge is making sure “everyone is fed”.

Looking to help keep the Indians' weapons happy is new starting quarterback Cooper James. He's currently splitting his time at Gilbert and summer baseball but saw limited action last year and has developed on on-field rapport with his next-door neighbor Morris and Gooding.

Lexington transfer Kaden Kingerly will lead the team during Thursday's 7-on-7 tournament at Lower Richland and is expected to push Jones as a backup.

The event is also an opportunity for wide receivers rising sophomore Chandler Guthrie Chandler Guthrie 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Gilbert | 2027 State SC and rising senior Ethan Coleman to continue their strong progress this summer.

A prime target should be Gooding, who had 22 receptions for 389 yards and eight touchdowns and shows an ability to make tight catches in close coverage. He's received offers from Marshall, Chattanooga, Dartmouth, Bucknell, Austin Peay, Charleston Southern and West Georgia.

Much like the coaching staff which has four new assistants, the defense also underwent an overhaul. The Indians graduated five defensive lineman and Class 3A All-State Shrine Bowl outside linebacker Caleb Strese.

Gilbert still has linebackers Knox McFarland, Elijah Reynolds, and Williamson and an athletic secondary led by rising junior Wynn Meetze Wynn Meetze 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Gilbert | 2026 State SC , Tytrell Smith, R.J. Kearse and Demarion Brown Demarion Brown 5'9" | 175 lbs | LB Gilbert | 2026 State SC . The defensive line does returning Hill, Jamarcus Williams Jamarcus Williams 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Hannah-Pamplico | 2025 State SC and Brayden Keisler.

An area which will receive extra attention this season is special teams. Exume said the team has hired a special teams coordinator to work on kickoffs and coverage.

He also believes rising senior placekicker Vikram Cheema can be a valuable weapon moving up to Class 4A.

The players do not appear intimidated by going up a classification. Exume also embraces the new frontier for the program.

“At then end of the day, when teams play us, they're going to feel like they're going to war and that's our job,” he said. “So I feel very good about where we'll be.”