2024 Preview: Lugoff-Elgin Demons

Bring together a team with potential led by a new head coach known for building a winning program and good things are supposed to happen.   According to senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1254042' first='Tyquawn' last='Murphy'], the Lugoff-Elgin players and first-year head coach Leon Boulware remain in their ‘honeymoon phase' going into the regular season.   “It's been pretty seamless so far,” Murphy said. “All of my new coaches are pretty good. They're really experienced. All of them have played or coached at the collegiate level. So, it's pretty good so far.”   After leading Lewisville to a 21-4 record in two seasons, Boulware faces the challenge of turning around a Demons' program whose last winning season was 2017.   Nevertheless, he sees building blocks for success. It starts with the offensive line where he has size with starting left tackle Daniel McCaskill (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) and guard [player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith'] (6-foot-4, 280 pounds, pictured).   Boulware has also had the number to see his wide receivers, defensive backs and cornerbacks in action in 7-on-7 tournaments. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1267277' first='Shamil' last='Saadiq'], Myles Hamilton, senior Jeremiah Benson and rising sophomore EJ Richardson provide speedy targets for sophomore quarterback Jace Williams. Richardson has also shown to be a passing threat as well.   Class 4A All-State honorable mention [player_tooltip player_id='1360322' first='Craig' last='Jones'], Justin Miller, [player_tooltip player_id='1282315' first='Regginald' last='Brown'], Justus Harris and Murphy will lead the secondary.   “The formula doesn't change,” Boulware said. “It's going to be built off hard work and we're really pushing the keys and making sure they're committed to the program.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   Daniel McCaskill OL 2025 – At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, the rising senior leads with his actions and words. He's a sound blocker who can also overpower defenders with his strength.   [player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith'] OL 2025 – He's so committed towards lifting Lugoff-Elgin to a winning season that he spent the summer adding 40 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4, now 280-pound frame. He has also worked to fine tune his blocking techniques to go with his athleticism.   Justin Miller DB 2025 – He had a strong showing at the South Carolina State prospect camp. He had 44 tackles last season and his versatility at safety and cornerback gives head coach Leon Boulware even more flexibility in his pass defense.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1267277' first='Shamil' last='Saadiq'] WR 2026 – Arguably the fastest among a group of speedy wideouts on the Demons. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising junior is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He has solid hands and his routes are run with such efficiency that he's open well before getting noticed by a defender.    BIGGEST LOSS   KD Outten LB – One of the team's bright spots on defense with 120 tackles and six sacks.   DaSean Jenkins DB – A valuable strong safety last season with 44 tackles and two interceptions.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   EJ Richardson WR 2027 –. The rising sophomore provides another speedy threat at wide receiver. He's also proven his ability at wide receiver and even quarterback during the summer. He's also expected to see action on special teams as a kick returner.    The two-year starter has an offer from Dartmouth. The video film displays his blazing speed in breaking up passes as a safety and he's physical enough to hold his own against wide receivers. In addition, Murphy is a dangerous kick returner and can be utilized on special offensive plays.

Bring together a team with potential led by a new head coach known for building a winning program and good things are supposed to happen.

According to senior defensive back Tyquawn Murphy Tyquawn Murphy 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Lugoff-Elgin | 2025 State SC , the Lugoff-Elgin players and first-year head coach Leon Boulware remain in their ‘honeymoon phase' going into the regular season.

“It's been pretty seamless so far,” Murphy said. “All of my new coaches are pretty good. They're really experienced. All of them have played or coached at the collegiate level. So, it's pretty good so far.”

After leading Lewisville to a 21-4 record in two seasons, Boulware faces the challenge of turning around a Demons' program whose last winning season was 2017.

Nevertheless, he sees building blocks for success. It starts with the offensive line where he has size with starting left tackle Daniel McCaskill (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) and guard Christian Smith Christian Smith 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Lugoff-Elgin | 2025 State SC (6-foot-4, 280 pounds, pictured).

Boulware has also had the number to see his wide receivers, defensive backs and cornerbacks in action in 7-on-7 tournaments. Rising junior Shamil Saadiq Shamil Saadiq 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Lugoff-Elgin | 2026 State SC , Myles Hamilton, senior Jeremiah Benson and rising sophomore EJ Richardson provide speedy targets for sophomore quarterback Jace Williams. Richardson has also shown to be a passing threat as well.

“The formula doesn't change,” Boulware said. “It's going to be built off hard work and we're really pushing the keys and making sure they're committed to the program.”

STARS SET TO SHINE

Daniel McCaskill OL 2025 – At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, the rising senior leads with his actions and words. He's a sound blocker who can also overpower defenders with his strength.

Christian Smith Christian Smith 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Lugoff-Elgin | 2025 State SC OL 2025 – He's so committed towards lifting Lugoff-Elgin to a winning season that he spent the summer adding 40 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4, now 280-pound frame. He has also worked to fine tune his blocking techniques to go with his athleticism.

Justin Miller DB 2025 – He had a strong showing at the South Carolina State prospect camp. He had 44 tackles last season and his versatility at safety and cornerback gives head coach Leon Boulware even more flexibility in his pass defense.

FILM REVIEW

Shamil Saadiq Shamil Saadiq 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Lugoff-Elgin | 2026 State SC WR 2026 – Arguably the fastest among a group of speedy wideouts on the Demons. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising junior is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He has solid hands and his routes are run with such efficiency that he's open well before getting noticed by a defender.

BIGGEST LOSS

KD Outten LB – One of the team's bright spots on defense with 120 tackles and six sacks.

DaSean Jenkins DB – A valuable strong safety last season with 44 tackles and two interceptions.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

EJ Richardson WR 2027 –. The rising sophomore provides another speedy threat at wide receiver. He's also proven his ability at wide receiver and even quarterback during the summer. He's also expected to see action on special teams as a kick returner.