2024 Preview: Porter-Gaud Cyclones

Porter-Gaud is set to be one of the more veteran teams in the SCISA ranks this fall. The Cyclones had a youth movement a few years back and now that group will be seniors. Porter-Gaud graduated very few players from a season ago and that in turn will likely give them as many as 17 senior starters this coming season.   The last two years have ended in the state semifinals, including a 48-20 loss to Laurence Manning last November. Those two losses have been the driving force this offseason. They went 9-3 last season with wins over SCHSL members Bishop England and Burke.   “We have a huge senior class and the guys have been playing together since our sophomore year,” starting quarterback Nolen Shuman said. “We've grown together, and we feel like we can continue to lead the team to hopefully get over that hump. It's what motivates us every single day.”     The Cyclones have a solid starting point on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1157754' first='JJ' last='Fludd'] returns fresh off a season in which he ran for 2,279 yards and 37 touchdowns. Add into the mix Shuman back at quarterback, running back [player_tooltip player_id='1360313' first='Tony' last='Brown'], wide receiver Grayer Hyatt and tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1316824' first='Frank' last='Schmidt'] and Porter-Gaud could be lethal on offense.   “We're the strongest we've been since we've been here,” Brown said. “Everyone knows what we have and what the expectations are. We've put in the work to get over that semifinal spot.”   The Cyclones have that veteran leadership on defense as well. Brown will play strong safety with defensive tackle Kyler Bogan, linebacker Austin Smith, and cornerback Hampton Geils among other leaders.   Coach Brad Bowles was unavailable but offensive coordinator Josh Harpe is excited about what he's seen. The foundation is there for a successful season.   “They've been there through a struggle of a 10-game season. This senior class has gotten to the semifinals the last two years. They've been close and they know what it takes,” Harpe said. “They want more than anything to get over that hump. No matter what happens, they will leave this program in better shape than when they came in as freshmen.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1360313' first='Tony' last='Brown'] SS/RB, 2025 – Brown is a standout on both sides of the ball, he just doesn't get the necessary carries on offense with Fludd around. He added 70 tackles with a sack and interception from his safety position. He's a hard-hitter and will be counted on to lead the defense this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157754' first='JJ' last='Fludd'] RB, 2025 – The shocking thing about Fludd is he was better known as a basketball player than football star just a couple of years ago. Now he's regarded as one of the best running backs in the state regardless of classification. He runs with power and can outrun most defenders once he gets a step.   Nolen Shuman QB, 2025 – Shuman (pictured) is the general of the offense, making sure everyone is in the right spot and more than anything else, protecting the football. He can make the throws when necessary but with a back like Fludd in the mix, it's better to play in control than take many risks.   Haze Marchant OL, 2026 – Marchant is only a junior but has started for two seasons already. He plays with a mean streak and is physical at the point of attack. As the center, he makes a lot of calls for the offensive front as well.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1360276' first='Chase' last='Anderson'] DB, 2025 – Smith had more than an exceptional junior season. He finished with 76 tackles and five interceptions. He's 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and he is comfortable coming up in run support or playing in coverage. He's a hard-hitter and plays in the middle well.    BIGGEST LOSS(es)   Andrew Winterfield LB– Winterfield wasn't available all season but made an impact when he played. He registered three sacks and was a presence on defense.   Hartley Bickerstaff ATH – Bickerstaff was a glue guy that did a little bit of everything. He scored five touchdowns and ran for nearly 300 yards while also logging time on defense.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Amir Chisolm DB, 2027 – Chisolm was not a starter as a freshman, but he did log some valuable minutes. His teammates mentioned his name repeatedly when asked to name a younger player that has impressed. He will play a large role in the secondary.     Benjamin Tolley LB, 2026 – Tolley missed time as a sophomore but will be full-go this season. He played on the outside and is able to rush the passer or play in coverage. A huge season from Tolley could go a long way in improving the Cyclones defense.    Brown is a breakout star waiting to happen. He recorded 15 tackles last season as a freshman but has gotten bigger and stronger since then. Even with a senior-laded lineup, Brown could be on the leaders on the defensive side of things. A full year in the weight room seems to have paid off.

Porter-Gaud is set to be one of the more veteran teams in the SCISA ranks this fall. The Cyclones had a youth movement a few years back and now that group will be seniors. Porter-Gaud graduated very few players from a season ago and that in turn will likely give them as many as 17 senior starters this coming season.

The last two years have ended in the state semifinals, including a 48-20 loss to Laurence Manning last November. Those two losses have been the driving force this offseason. They went 9-3 last season with wins over SCHSL members Bishop England and Burke.

“We have a huge senior class and the guys have been playing together since our sophomore year,” starting quarterback Nolen Shuman said. “We've grown together, and we feel like we can continue to lead the team to hopefully get over that hump. It's what motivates us every single day.”

The Cyclones have a solid starting point on offense. JJ Fludd JJ Fludd 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC returns fresh off a season in which he ran for 2,279 yards and 37 touchdowns. Add into the mix Shuman back at quarterback, running back Tony Brown Tony Brown 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC , wide receiver Grayer Hyatt and tackle Frank Schmidt Frank Schmidt 6'4" | 240 lbs | OL Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC and Porter-Gaud could be lethal on offense.

“We're the strongest we've been since we've been here,” Brown said. “Everyone knows what we have and what the expectations are. We've put in the work to get over that semifinal spot.”

The Cyclones have that veteran leadership on defense as well. Brown will play strong safety with defensive tackle Kyler Bogan, linebacker Austin Smith, and cornerback Hampton Geils among other leaders.

Coach Brad Bowles was unavailable but offensive coordinator Josh Harpe is excited about what he's seen. The foundation is there for a successful season.

“They've been there through a struggle of a 10-game season. This senior class has gotten to the semifinals the last two years. They've been close and they know what it takes,” Harpe said. “They want more than anything to get over that hump. No matter what happens, they will leave this program in better shape than when they came in as freshmen.”

STARS SET TO SHINE

Tony Brown Tony Brown 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC SS/RB, 2025 – Brown is a standout on both sides of the ball, he just doesn't get the necessary carries on offense with Fludd around. He added 70 tackles with a sack and interception from his safety position. He's a hard-hitter and will be counted on to lead the defense this season.

JJ Fludd JJ Fludd 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC RB, 2025 – The shocking thing about Fludd is he was better known as a basketball player than football star just a couple of years ago. Now he's regarded as one of the best running backs in the state regardless of classification. He runs with power and can outrun most defenders once he gets a step.

Nolen Shuman QB, 2025 – Shuman (pictured) is the general of the offense, making sure everyone is in the right spot and more than anything else, protecting the football. He can make the throws when necessary but with a back like Fludd in the mix, it's better to play in control than take many risks.

Haze Marchant OL, 2026 – Marchant is only a junior but has started for two seasons already. He plays with a mean streak and is physical at the point of attack. As the center, he makes a lot of calls for the offensive front as well.

FILM REVIEW

Chase Anderson Chase Anderson 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC DB, 2025 – Smith had more than an exceptional junior season. He finished with 76 tackles and five interceptions. He's 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and he is comfortable coming up in run support or playing in coverage. He's a hard-hitter and plays in the middle well.

BIGGEST LOSS(es)

Andrew Winterfield LB– Winterfield wasn't available all season but made an impact when he played. He registered three sacks and was a presence on defense.

Hartley Bickerstaff ATH – Bickerstaff was a glue guy that did a little bit of everything. He scored five touchdowns and ran for nearly 300 yards while also logging time on defense.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Amir Chisolm DB, 2027 – Chisolm was not a starter as a freshman, but he did log some valuable minutes. His teammates mentioned his name repeatedly when asked to name a younger player that has impressed. He will play a large role in the secondary.

Benjamin Tolley LB, 2026 – Tolley missed time as a sophomore but will be full-go this season. He played on the outside and is able to rush the passer or play in coverage. A huge season from Tolley could go a long way in improving the Cyclones defense.