2024 Preview: Beaufort Eagles

Not all that long ago, Beaufort went from a team that was just sort of scratching the surface of the peripheral to one that played for back-to-back state titles.    And while saying 2024 could be the beginning of replicating the Eagles' 2021 and 2022 seasons is premature, if nothing else, the recipe looks similar: A few experienced seniors, supported en masse by a bunch of juniors who have potential.   So while Beaufort might be coming off a 7-5 finish from last fall, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to rule out coach Bryce Lybrand's team as a contender just yet.    “We've got several kids who started in that game,” Lybrand said of the team's 2022 Class 3A title. “When you get to that level and you've played for one and won another one, the standard's the standard. You can't let it slip. Last year wasn't up to the standard. This senior class, one of the things they said was they wanted to get back to playing for championships and being in really big games late in November.”   Leading that charge will be a slew of seniors. [player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds'] (quarterback, pictured), Jaemin Odom (receiver) and [player_tooltip player_id='809756' first='Will' last='Codding'] (linebacker) are the names that people know.   But the heavily fortified junior and sophomore classes are who Lybrand needs the seniors to urge into the next batch of big-time roles. And if we've discovered anything about Lybrand's brand of football, it's that good examples work more through actions than words.    “I know that I have to step up and be a leader,” said Bonds, who started the 2022 state championship victory where the Eagles quite famously didn't attempt a pass. “Everybody else will have to fall in line if Beaufort is going to do what it's capable of.”   Bonds is a shining example of doing what it takes to win. After all, he nearly threw for 1,000 yards during his introductory season of Eagle football that title season before shelving his own abilities for team success in the championship game.   Last fall, the reins were loosened somewhat, as Bonds finished with 1,200 passing yards and another 600 rushing. He hasn't had spectacular numbers, but Lybrand believes he's a winner.    “There's probably not a quarterback in the state that's played in more bigger games than him,” the coach said. “He's battle tested. When we do get in big games, he doesn't freak out. There's probably not anyone I'd rather have out there for a season than him going into his senior year.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds'] QB, 2025 - Developed over time, Bonds enters his final year as an Eagle with 20 varsity wins under his belt and a nice receiving corps that could help him boost his passing yards to numbers that match his sophomore and junior years combined. Oh, and he can run, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036774' first='Amare' last='Patterson'] WR, 2027 - For our money, there aren't many sophomore receivers in the state we'd takeover Patterson right now. He's got some size (with the potential for plenty more) and averaged 20 yards per catch last season in an offense that isn't known for airing it out.   [player_tooltip player_id='816738' first='Jayden' last='Simmons'] DL, 2026 - The rising junior brings a linebacker mentality to the line, where his job is pursuit and stop. Last fall, he was second on the team in tackles (78) while leading the way in tackles for loss (19) and sacks (five).    [player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] OL, 2026 - In a class chock full of huge names at the position, Speaks continues to hold his own from the tackle position. He's 6-foot-3 and at a little more than 265 pounds at last check is as mobile as ever. He's not a stationary dude just holding his ground.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='809756' first='Will' last='Codding'] LB, 2025 - The quarterback of the Eagles' defense is a middle linebacker who loves contact maybe a little more than he should. In his mind, he's going to read the play, get a full head of steam and let the chips fall where they may. The strategy works for him, as he finished his junior season with a team-high 87 tackles.    BIGGEST LOSSES   James Denton LB - The team's third-leading tackler from 2023 had 76 total stops while helping Codding mad the linebacker position.    Jaydn Andrews RB - He went from 148 rushing yards as a junior to 1,200 as a senior and totaling just shy of the Eagles' offense last fall.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jamarrion Jackson WR 2026 - The newly worked-in receiver will be making the jump from the JV ranks and will be among the beneficiaries of Patterson and Odom drawing most of the focus.   [player_tooltip player_id='816748' first='Isaac' last='Smalls'] LB, 2026 - While we've known about Smalls for some time and ranked him a while back, he's making the move from safety to linebacker and fills a void from graduations.    Brown missed the bulk of the 2023 season thanks to an injury. But in limited reps in August and September, he showed a skill set that the Eagles can put to use this year. Against Hilton Head alone, he had eight tackles and four tackles for loss. He's effective as a stand-up edge rusher or hand-in-the-turf containment. Now healthy, he's a big part of Beaufort's defensive scheme.

Not all that long ago, Beaufort went from a team that was just sort of scratching the surface of the peripheral to one that played for back-to-back state titles.