2024 Preview: Gray Collegiate War Eagles

[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'] knew it would be bulletin board material.    And the Gray Collegiate tailback ran with it anyway.    In mid-July, Montgomery went right at two of the Eagles' two new region foes.    “Playing [Brookland-Cayce] and Airport,” Montgomery said when asked what he was most excited about for his senior year.. “There are some guys who have been running from us for a long time.”   Not topping his 1,200 yards and 20 total touchdowns from his junior year. Not a repeat trip to a state championship game. Not even ushering in the De'Angelo Bryant era in style.   No, after watching a very public slew of forfeits, the enactment of a statewide multiplier that elevated Gray from Class 2A to Class 4A and listening to plenty of anti-charter school sentiment, the chance to play two of the Eagles' nearest traditional publics and players he's known for some time was too much to resist.    Gray certainly isn't acting like a team worried about moving up two class levels.   “They're not afraid to work,” said Bryant, who came over in the offseason after leading Silver Bluff. “That's been a very positive side of everything. Everything has been very inviting, very open. We've had very candid conversations and I think the guys understand that I'm going to be who I am. The biggest thing is those daily goals and planting those seeds.”   That's because the Eagles will have very little time to ease into their eight-team region play. Non-region matchups against James Island, Baylor (Tenn.) and Class 5A powerhouse Dutch Fork are all that stand between Gray and a beefed up region slate that kicks off against Midland Valley on September 20.    It's why Bryant immediately started leaning on standouts like Montgomery (pictured) and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] to rally around.   “Their leadership is warranted,” Bryant said. “Both guys have done a tremendous job of making sure they've matured over the offseason - physically, mentally, every aspect of their game. Those guys, it's gotta start with them.”   They aren't alone.   Returning starters Carter Stephens and Cameron Davis (offensive line), [player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job'] (receiver/defensive back), LaMorris Holley, [player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor'] and Ethan Raysor (defensive line), [player_tooltip player_id='402489' first='Davon' last='Toney'] (linebacker) and [player_tooltip player_id='1317550' first='Aiden' last='Legger'] (defensive back) are all ready to keep football at Gray near the top of the state.    STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'] RB, 2025 - He opened the 2023 season with a 297-yard, four touchdown showing against would-be two-time Class A state champ Christ Church. While he didn't have another game like that one, he continued to perform well, rushing for 1,230 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.    [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] QB, 2026 - Waller finished with 1,618 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 60 percent of his throws. He had some occasional issues with interceptions, but padded the blow there by showing off some occasional running ability. He also had 430 rushing yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359229' first='Trequan' last='Singleton'] DL, 2025 - With a ton of power that gives him a heck of a bull rush, the 5-foot-10, 275-pound tackle/end hybrid is often driving opposing linemen into the backfield as if Singleton had a running start. He had 61 tackles and 19 QB hurries as a junior.   [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] LB, 2026 - Boulware is everything a coach wants in a linebacker. Above all, he just knows how to get to the ball. After starting out at Spring Valley, he moved over to Gray prior to his sophomore season and led the Eagles with 155 total tackles. He can blitz when needed and even picked off four passes.    FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt'] WR, 2026 - Gray's new coach wasn't the only addition from the Silver Bluff ranks. In Gantt, the Eagles now have a certified burner on the outside. He's been clocked at 22.55 miles per hour during the Carolinas Coaches Combines and packages it with a nice ability to go up and get the ball. He more than counteracts the fact that he's 5-foot-7 with his physical gifts.     BIGGEST LOSS   Kaine Williams LB - Williams was nearly as effective as Boulware from the linebacker spot. He had 144 total tackles as a senior.    Jamarious Lockett WR/DB - The team's top receiver from a season ago finished with just shy of 1,000 yards while also stepping in and helping in the secondary.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] WR, 2027 - The Blythewood transfer caught 21 passes for 440 yards last year for the Bengals before making the quick jump over to Gray Collegiate in the offseason. He's likely going to play some defensive back, as well.    Kaleb Barry WR, 2026 - A transfer from Dreher is yet another weapon added to the Gray Collegiate roster. We've already got him in the top 100 in the Class of 2026 and believe the big receiver will help make this offense even more dangerous.     Armstrong presents one of those good problems to have. Essentially, he's so active that he not only contradicts his sheer lack of size for the position, but also to the point where he has the skill set to play any of them on the line. He's going to transition to left tackle to start the year. However, don't rule out a move back to center. He had a pretty good freshman campaign snapping the ball last year.

BJ Montgomery BJ Montgomery 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC knew it would be bulletin board material.

And the Gray Collegiate tailback ran with it anyway.

In mid-July, Montgomery went right at two of the Eagles' two new region foes.

“Playing [Brookland-Cayce] and Airport,” Montgomery said when asked what he was most excited about for his senior year.. “There are some guys who have been running from us for a long time.”

Not topping his 1,200 yards and 20 total touchdowns from his junior year. Not a repeat trip to a state championship game. Not even ushering in the De'Angelo Bryant era in style.

No, after watching a very public slew of forfeits, the enactment of a statewide multiplier that elevated Gray from Class 2A to Class 4A and listening to plenty of anti-charter school sentiment, the chance to play two of the Eagles' nearest traditional publics and players he's known for some time was too much to resist.

Gray certainly isn't acting like a team worried about moving up two class levels.

“They're not afraid to work,” said Bryant, who came over in the offseason after leading Silver Bluff. “That's been a very positive side of everything. Everything has been very inviting, very open. We've had very candid conversations and I think the guys understand that I'm going to be who I am. The biggest thing is those daily goals and planting those seeds.”

That's because the Eagles will have very little time to ease into their eight-team region play. Non-region matchups against James Island, Baylor (Tenn.) and Class 5A powerhouse Dutch Fork are all that stand between Gray and a beefed up region slate that kicks off against Midland Valley on September 20.

It's why Bryant immediately started leaning on standouts like Montgomery (pictured) and quarterback Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate Academy | 2026 State SC to rally around.

“Their leadership is warranted,” Bryant said. “Both guys have done a tremendous job of making sure they've matured over the offseason - physically, mentally, every aspect of their game. Those guys, it's gotta start with them.”

They aren't alone.

STARS SET TO SHINE

BJ Montgomery BJ Montgomery 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC RB, 2025 - He opened the 2023 season with a 297-yard, four touchdown showing against would-be two-time Class A state champ Christ Church. While he didn't have another game like that one, he continued to perform well, rushing for 1,230 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.

Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate Academy | 2026 State SC QB, 2026 - Waller finished with 1,618 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 60 percent of his throws. He had some occasional issues with interceptions, but padded the blow there by showing off some occasional running ability. He also had 430 rushing yards.

Trequan Singleton Trequan Singleton 5'10" | 275 lbs | DL Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC DL, 2025 - With a ton of power that gives him a heck of a bull rush, the 5-foot-10, 275-pound tackle/end hybrid is often driving opposing linemen into the backfield as if Singleton had a running start. He had 61 tackles and 19 QB hurries as a junior.

Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate Academy | 2026 State SC LB, 2026 - Boulware is everything a coach wants in a linebacker. Above all, he just knows how to get to the ball. After starting out at Spring Valley, he moved over to Gray prior to his sophomore season and led the Eagles with 155 total tackles. He can blitz when needed and even picked off four passes.

FILM REVIEW

Hiszari Gantt Hiszari Gantt 5'8" | 150 lbs | WR Gray Collegiate Academy | 2026 State SC WR, 2026 - Gray's new coach wasn't the only addition from the Silver Bluff ranks. In Gantt, the Eagles now have a certified burner on the outside. He's been clocked at 22.55 miles per hour during the Carolinas Coaches Combines and packages it with a nice ability to go up and get the ball. He more than counteracts the fact that he's 5-foot-7 with his physical gifts.

BIGGEST LOSS

Kaine Williams LB - Williams was nearly as effective as Boulware from the linebacker spot. He had 144 total tackles as a senior.

Jamarious Lockett WR/DB - The team's top receiver from a season ago finished with just shy of 1,000 yards while also stepping in and helping in the secondary.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Royce Williamson Royce Williamson 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/DB Gray Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC WR, 2027 - The Blythewood transfer caught 21 passes for 440 yards last year for the Bengals before making the quick jump over to Gray Collegiate in the offseason. He's likely going to play some defensive back, as well.

Kaleb Barry WR, 2026 - A transfer from Dreher is yet another weapon added to the Gray Collegiate roster. We've already got him in the top 100 in the Class of 2026 and believe the big receiver will help make this offense even more dangerous.