2024 Preview: Ashley Ridge Swamp Foxes

For as much as 2023 was about coach Jeff Tate setting his playbook and bringing his state championship offense to the Lowcountry, the story of last fall was might as well been called the Derrick Salley Adventure.   The big receiver flirted with the top spot in the nation in receiving yards while playing just 11 games. He scored 27 total touchdowns (20 receiving, six rushing, one return) and made it all look so effortless in the process.    Meanwhile, he was masking what was also going on behind the scenes. Because while only one other player from an offense that averaged 40 points per game earned even an honorable mention nod on the coaches all-state list, there was a plan in place for the post-Salley times.   “Derrick was a rare talent. I've coached a long time and we did a lot of stuff, as far as moving him around to different places and create space for him with the football,” Tate said of his now-departed receiver. “Overall, the development of our quarterback and other receivers was probably the most important thing for us to do going forward because we had so many of them coming back. With him being a senior and the talent he had, sometimes we were pretty predictable. Some times it worked and other times it didn't. Now, with our quarterbacks and our running backs and our receivers understanding what we're doing… we're so far ahead offensively than where we were at any point last year.   “We're going to have a chance to be very productive.”   Gunsligning quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz'] will be joined by returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1157992' first='Jayden' last='Acosta'] (running back), [player_tooltip player_id='1395060' first='Mason' last='Driggers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1110005' first='Cody' last='Peterson'] (offensive line) and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1036782' first='Jagger' last='Spivey'] and Jaylen Drayton. The defensive will have a pair of returning starters at linebacker - Luca Sciannamea and [player_tooltip player_id='1012625' first='Dylan' last='Polansky'] (pictured) - and a pair of defensive backs - Markial Moore and Joseph Nelson - joining returning lineman Malachi Mitchell. And kicker/punter [player_tooltip player_id='1395070' first='Keith' last='McCune'] will be back, too.    Many of those names appear destined for the college ranks in the not-so-distant future. For as good as Salley was, the next crop is ready to show they can pretty special, too.    “We've got weapons we can throw to. We can run. I feel like we're a lot more diverse,” Peterson said. “We can do a lot more. He was always open. We could always throw it to him. But I feel like a lot of our younger guys are going to be able to shine.”    STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz'] QB, 2026 - The rising junior threw for 2,989 yards and 28 touchdowns last fall while completing 65 percent of his passes. While he's not viewed as a rushing threat, necessarily, he can move and added three more scores with this legs.    [player_tooltip player_id='1157992' first='Jayden' last='Acosta'] RB, 2025 - Possibly the most underrated tailback in the zone, Acosta did a lot of the dirty work for the Swamp Foxes in 2023. He finished the season with 959 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing, caught seven passes out of the backfield and even returned a handful of kickoffs.    [player_tooltip player_id='1110005' first='Cody' last='Peterson'] OL, 2026 - Peterson has to this point been dealing with multiple foot issues that have prevented him from being a full-time starter. But he's got the ability to take over when he's fully healthy. If he plays his full junior season, the offers will follow en masse. He's that good.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012625' first='Dylan' last='Polansky'] LB, 2025 - At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Polansky is lightning in a bottle. He led the Swamp Foxes in tackles (71), tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (10). He also blocked a punt, blocked a field goal, picked off a pass and forced a fumble.    FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1395060' first='Mason' last='Driggers'] OL, 2026 - For as much as the Swamp Foxes throw it around, the strategy doesn't work without an active line. And while Driggers isn't the biggest of the bunch, he's also not small. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound right guard displays excellent use of his hands while getting his lower body into position to help create even more leverage. He'll play a huge role in keeping the middle of the line solid.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Derrick Salley WR - All Salley did during his final year at Ashley Ridge was darn near lead the nation in receiving yards despite playing in only 11 games.    Dwayne Simmons TE - The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection was a great blocker who also hauled in 19 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1036782' first='Jagger' last='Spivey'] WR, 2027 - Spivey was tapped as a starter very early in his freshman season and went on to catch at least one pass in all 10 games he played. He's a shifty receiver who could have success in the slot or out wide depending on defensive scheme.    [player_tooltip player_id='1395070' first='Keith' last='McCune'] K/P, 2026 - The rising junior turned into a really dependable specialist. In addition to handling kickoff duties, he finished the year 49-of-52 on extra points, booted in a couple field goals and averaged 40 yards per punt.     While not new to the program, Markial is looking to establish himself after missing most of last year with an injury. Despite the absence, Tate has no issue saying he's one of the team's top players and primed to have a solid senior year. He can play corner, too, but he'll mostly line up at safety this season.

For as much as 2023 was about coach Jeff Tate setting his playbook and bringing his state championship offense to the Lowcountry, the story of last fall was might as well been called the Derrick Salley Adventure.