2024 Preview: Southside Christian Sabres

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southside Christian finished the 2023 season with an 8-4 record, falling to St. Joe's in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. With a combined 12 starters back, there is an excitement in the program to continue to make strides, especially with the Sabres going from the 1A classification to 3A in 2024, according to offensive coordinator Jonathan Jeffcoat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“There's an excitement in the program now, getting moved up from 1A to 3A is going to be a challenge because it's kind of almost been something that the program has kind of circled the wagons on a little bit. The guys understand that there's going to be a little bit more of a target on our back at some points. They're accepting that challenge and they're working hard to succeed,” Jeffcoat said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sabres will return five starters offensively with the strength coming up front on the offensive line which includes <strong>Ben Bobo </strong>and <strong>Reece Dillard. </strong>Sonneborn says they have a lot of flexibility on offense and the ability to move guys around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like the offense, the strength for the Sabres on defense will be up front with seven total returning starters back including <strong>Shy Moore </strong>on the defensive line, <strong>Bryson Duck </strong>in the secondary and <strong>Lawson Pasko </strong>at linebacker<strong>. </strong>Sonneborn expects they will be a bit more athletic than they've been but the focus will be catching up some of the youth and inexperience at some of the skill positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southside Christian will open the 2024 season on the road against Abbeville on August 23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jack Criswell</strong>, 2026, QB – The biggest change offensively for the Sabres is the addition of the Fountain Inn transfer to the fold. Sonneborn says Criswell has done this summer during the 7on7 period. He has a good arm to be able to make throws downfield, like we saw on a skinny post for a touchdown or he can go underneath on a shallow route and allow the receiver to do the rest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian Kaiser</strong>, 2025, RB/WR – Expect Kaiser (pictured above) to be used in different roles on the offense this year. Jeffcoat says he's done a great job during the offseason of getting in the playbook and being mentally ready for the challenges it will present. He had 12 receptions for 123 yards and 1 touchdown in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kaiser on 2024 preparations: “So far, so good. We did pretty decent for the new (region) we're going into having our 7on7 at North Greenville. We've got some good guys coming up this year, a lot of leadership and a lot of chemistry on our team so I think so far, we're doing pretty good.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Jackson</strong>, 2025, OL/DL – He can plug up running lanes in the run game and move sideline to sideline from his defensive tackle spot. He's tough for opposing defensive lineman to try to move on the other side of the ball as he has good size for the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D.J. Lee</strong>, 2026, WR/CB – After spending last year over at Woodmont, Lee will be a welcomed addition to the Sabres. He is a downfield threat who can beat one-on-one coverage and excels in making plays in routes designed to the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jon Talton</strong>, 2025, DE – Talton is tough to block from his defensive end spot. He takes great angles to the ball and can recognize plays quickly to make the stop. He has the ability to affect the quarterback and will be a big key for the Sabres defensively in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Chandler</strong>, WR – The Sabres' leading receiver from last season is now at Gardner Webb. He had 49 receptions for 668 yards and 8 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822140' first='Keldin' last='Wrona']</strong>, 2026, WR – Wrona is an excellent possession receiver on the outside, who returns as a starter for the Sabres in 2024. He runs his routes with precision to where he can find the green grass, especially against zone coverage. He finished with 17 receptions for 193 yards in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14808177/65fe53e75eede21944d5cc1f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668f3abd6faed"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aaron Gilliam</strong>, 2027, WR/CB – After recording five receptions for 43 yards in 2023, we expect that Gilliam will become more involved in the offense and play a bigger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Richie Maxwell</strong>, 2027, TE/DE/LB – Maxwell can move well to the second level and be aggressive with his hands. He can also pull block and help create huge run lanes for the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Rhodes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Southside Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668f3abd71452"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhodes had an impressive sophomore campaign at Fountain Inn and should be a viable asset to the Sabres in 2024. He has a great combination of power and speed to make something happen in the hole. His ability to cut is impressive as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18582296/64f741a24df535086063fb5c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668f3abd7148b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->