2024 Preview: Stratford Knights

GOOSE CREEK | The overall record shows one thing, but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] (pictured) and safety Amir McKnight took plenty of positives away from last season.   The Knights lost their first four games. They closed the regular season by winning three straight games for their first region title since 2006 and advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.   Given those accomplishments, the returning players can only see Stratford improving on last year's 5-7 record.   “We're using that definitely to carry momentum into the new year,” Davis said. “But at the end of the day, we're just worried about ourselves. All we can do is maximize our potential with the guys that we have.”   “We're coming off a region title, so people are coming for our heads,” McKnight said. “So we've got to stay on point, keep getting better every day. We're trying to be ourselves, keep getting better.”   The Knights are senior heavy at every position on offense. Davis will have J'Qwan Crosby and Freddie Alston back as wide receiver with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1253901' first='Kerwin' last='Squire'] at running back. Despite the graduation of Class 5A All-State selection Landon Stradcutter, the starting offensive line returns another All-State selection in rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1573961' first='Wes' last='Snowden'] and return rising juniors guard [player_tooltip player_id='1267289' first='Jameson' last='Pelham'], center/guard [player_tooltip player_id='1403903' first='Ben' last='Jordan'] and tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1399623' first='TJ' last='Bryant'] upfront.   At tight end, Jacob Deacon will be joined by Donelle Crawford, who played left tackle the last two seasons.   The defense returns seven starters with McKnight as the lone junior. Upfront, Otis Gardner will play at nose guard and will be joined on the defensive line by Snowden and Cartel Dawson. [player_tooltip player_id='464896' first='Darrell' last='Holmes'] will lead a young linebacking corps and cornerbacks Dannell Wynn, Travoi Jenkins and Kaden Jordan will team up with McKnight and fellow safety Francis Lloyd in the secondary.   The Knights return at special teams the tandem of placekicker Tyler Stament and long snapper Owen Letson.   This season, all of the Class 4A teams from Region VI move to Region VII where Lucy Beckham remains after finishing second to James Island last season.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] QB, 2026 – The rising junior has seven offers and threw for 1,416 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 593 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot, 185-pounder uses his athleticism to improvise on passing plays and is comfortable throwing from anywhere on the field.   Donelle Crawford TE, 2025 – The former left tackle is making the transition. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he presents matchup problems with his size and pass-catching ability. Blocking remains a strength as he continues to learn about route running.      Amir McKnight DB 2026 – At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, the rising junior is a quick reader of offenses and takes an assertive role in helping teammates get into the right position.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1573961' first='Wes' last='Snowden'] DL 2025 – Last season, he made the S.C. Football Coaches Association's Class 5A All-State team on the offensive line. Whether lining up at offensive tackle, guard or defensive end, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound rising senior plays with the same blocking ferocity. He's determined to take his defender to the ground on blocking plays and often continues to fight off blockers in pursuit of a tackle.      BIGGEST LOSS (es)   Markell Holman RB – An All-Region VI-4A selection and two-way player at running back and linebacker. He played a critical role in the first-round comeback win over Chapin.     Landon Stradcutter OL – He and [player_tooltip player_id='1573961' first='Wes' last='Snowden'] were the lone Knights' players selected to Class 5A All-State team last season.   Elijah Riley WR – The Knights' leader in touchdown receptions (6) and was second in receptions and receiving yards.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='464896' first='Darrell' last='Holmes'] LB, 2025 – A four-year starter who moves over from defensive end. Assistant coach Michael Stewart believes the 5-foot-10, 215-pound rising senior is ready to “raise eyebrows” in the Lowcountry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1399623' first='TJ' last='Bryant'] OL, 2026 – The rising junior provides versatility and equal production at defensive tackle/end and offensive tackle.    Whether going deep or turning a short reception into a long reception, the rising senior is a playmaker with the ball. He is dangerous in one-on-one coverage and shows a high level of concentration in making difficult catches when heavily defended. With the graduation of Riley, expect the Knights to increase Crosby's workload.

GOOSE CREEK | The overall record shows one thing, but quarterback Jachin Davis Jachin Davis 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Stratford | 2026 State SC (pictured) and safety Amir McKnight took plenty of positives away from last season.

The Knights lost their first four games. They closed the regular season by winning three straight games for their first region title since 2006 and advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Given those accomplishments, the returning players can only see Stratford improving on last year's 5-7 record.

“We're using that definitely to carry momentum into the new year,” Davis said. “But at the end of the day, we're just worried about ourselves. All we can do is maximize our potential with the guys that we have.”

“We're coming off a region title, so people are coming for our heads,” McKnight said. “So we've got to stay on point, keep getting better every day. We're trying to be ourselves, keep getting better.”

The Knights are senior heavy at every position on offense. Davis will have J'Qwan Crosby and Freddie Alston back as wide receiver with rising senior Kerwin Squire Kerwin Squire 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Stratford | 2025 State SC at running back. Despite the graduation of Class 5A All-State selection Landon Stradcutter, the starting offensive line returns another All-State selection in rising senior Wes Snowden Wes Snowden 6'1" | 250 lbs | OL Wando | 2025 State SC and return rising juniors guard Jameson Pelham Jameson Pelham 6'3" | 250 lbs | OL Stratford | 2026 State SC , center/guard Ben Jordan Ben Jordan 5'11" | 275 lbs | OL Stratford | 2026 State SC and tackle TJ Bryant TJ Bryant 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL Stratford | 2026 State SC upfront.

At tight end, Jacob Deacon will be joined by Donelle Crawford, who played left tackle the last two seasons.

The defense returns seven starters with McKnight as the lone junior. Upfront, Otis Gardner will play at nose guard and will be joined on the defensive line by Snowden and Cartel Dawson. Darrell Holmes Darrell Holmes 5'11" | 235 lbs | LB Stratford | 2025 State SC will lead a young linebacking corps and cornerbacks Dannell Wynn, Travoi Jenkins and Kaden Jordan will team up with McKnight and fellow safety Francis Lloyd in the secondary.

The Knights return at special teams the tandem of placekicker Tyler Stament and long snapper Owen Letson.

This season, all of the Class 4A teams from Region VI move to Region VII where Lucy Beckham remains after finishing second to James Island last season.

STARS SET TO SHINE

Jachin Davis Jachin Davis 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Stratford | 2026 State SC QB, 2026 – The rising junior has seven offers and threw for 1,416 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 593 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot, 185-pounder uses his athleticism to improvise on passing plays and is comfortable throwing from anywhere on the field.

Donelle Crawford TE, 2025 – The former left tackle is making the transition. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he presents matchup problems with his size and pass-catching ability. Blocking remains a strength as he continues to learn about route running.

Amir McKnight DB 2026 – At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, the rising junior is a quick reader of offenses and takes an assertive role in helping teammates get into the right position.

FILM REVIEW

Wes Snowden Wes Snowden 6'1" | 250 lbs | OL Wando | 2025 State SC DL 2025 – Last season, he made the S.C. Football Coaches Association's Class 5A All-State team on the offensive line. Whether lining up at offensive tackle, guard or defensive end, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound rising senior plays with the same blocking ferocity. He's determined to take his defender to the ground on blocking plays and often continues to fight off blockers in pursuit of a tackle.

BIGGEST LOSS (es)

Markell Holman RB – An All-Region VI-4A selection and two-way player at running back and linebacker. He played a critical role in the first-round comeback win over Chapin.

Landon Stradcutter OL – He and Wes Snowden Wes Snowden 6'1" | 250 lbs | OL Wando | 2025 State SC were the lone Knights' players selected to Class 5A All-State team last season.

Elijah Riley WR – The Knights' leader in touchdown receptions (6) and was second in receptions and receiving yards.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Darrell Holmes Darrell Holmes 5'11" | 235 lbs | LB Stratford | 2025 State SC LB, 2025 – A four-year starter who moves over from defensive end. Assistant coach Michael Stewart believes the 5-foot-10, 215-pound rising senior is ready to “raise eyebrows” in the Lowcountry.

TJ Bryant TJ Bryant 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL Stratford | 2026 State SC OL, 2026 – The rising junior provides versatility and equal production at defensive tackle/end and offensive tackle.