2024 Preview: South Florence Bruins

Standing on the sidelines at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium last December and watching Westside receive the Class AAAA state championship trophy is all the motivation South Florence needed to get ready for 2024.   The Bruins won the state title in 2022 but came up just short last season. They felt like something was taken from them.   “We know how bad last year hurt and we want to get back to that point but come back with a trophy this time,” star defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams'] said. “It hurt watching someone else get the trophy that you worked so hard to get. It's the extra motivation we needed.”   South Florence isn't starting from scratch, but they did have 29 senior's last season. Among that graduating class were five players that were four-year starters.   “There's a lot of big shoes to fill,” head coach Drew Marlowe said. “It will be the first time since I've been at South Florence that I will have different guys starting in certain positions. The guys we have coming back are talented, but they have to learn to play on big stages.”   The Bruins have nine starters returning on offense highlighted by the return of wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers']. The South Carolina commit was injured in the sixth week last season and lost for the remainder of the year. He should be cleared by the first week and he's eager to get going after accounting for just over 500 yards of total offense last season.   The offensive line returns four starters – [player_tooltip player_id='1157891' first='Jayden' last='Granger'], Tyler Cockfield, [player_tooltip player_id='1574065' first='EJ' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578887' first='Barry' last='McLaughlin']. [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] returns after splitting time at quarterback last season. [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] and RJ Jett combined for over 2,300 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns last season.   Defense is where the big hit happened. Adams, the Clemson commit, returns, as does hard-hitting linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1157897' first='Cameron' last='Coe']. [player_tooltip player_id='1267265' first='Amare' last='Reaves'] is the lone returner in the secondary. Marlowe must find seven new starters and get them prepared for a non-region slate that includes    Summerville, Northwestern and Fort Dorchester.   “We talk all the time about how we need everyone to focus on themselves and build their bodies to be bigger, faster and stronger. If each individual does that, we can become the best team possible and reach our full potential,” Marlowe said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams'] DL, 2025 – The numbers Adams registered on the defensive front are impressive, but they only tell part of the story of his impact. He finished last year with 61 tackles to go along with nine tackles for loss and the sacks. But he garners the attention of multiple blockers, freeing other guys to make plays. He's bullish and there is a reason he's our third-ranked player in the 2025 Class.   [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] LB, 2026 – You want to talk about big numbers? Gordon recorded 111 tackles to go along with 17 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble. Gordon is a big-time hitter that should be on the radar of several Power Four schools. He pursues relentlessly and fills gaps with a purpose. Gordon will be a key contributor on a defense that is reloading.   [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'] WR, 2025 – Sellers (pictured) only played in the first six games last season and finished with 295 yards rushing and 216 receiving yards. He's fully recovered and will be used in multiple ways. The biggest key will just be getting the ball in his hands and letting him create. The Bruins have playmakers, but the return of Sellers will be a huge boost.   RJ Jett RB, 2025 – Take note that South Florence ran for over 4,400 yards last season and while Jett was a huge part of it, he might be more involved this season. He was the third leading rusher last year with 775 yards and seven touchdowns. He makes guys miss and uses good vision to find the open lanes.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] RB, 2025 – Gilbert will run through or around people. He only needs a small crease to turn a short gain into a big one. He was the leading rusher last year with 1,535 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Bruins did lose the services of Syree Livingston and his 25 touchdowns to graduation so Gilbert will get more red zone opportunities to have even better numbers from a season ago.    BIGGEST LOSS(es)   Syree Livingston RB – We mentioned above that Livingston contributed 25 touchdowns, but he also added 1,234 yards while averaging over 10 yards per carry.   Dirrick Goodman DB – Goodman ended the season with 67 tackles, but he had six tackles for loss, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1574090' first='Lennix' last='Valarie'] WR, 2025 – Valarie is a big target that hauled in 13 passes for 200 yards and two scores. The Bruins should be better in the passing game this season and Valarie gives them a safety valve that can be a solid target.   [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] QB, 2026 – Jackson only threw 44 passes last season, but he's had a great offseason. He has a better command of the offense, and his confidence is off the charts. He could blossom into a real weapon that is able to guide a talented, deep offense.    Reaves is going to have to do a lot of things in 2024 and coach on the field is one of them. The Bruins lost three starters in a seasoned secondary with Reaves being the lone returning starter. He had 23 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception that he returned 73 yards for a touchdown.

Standing on the sidelines at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium last December and watching Westside receive the Class AAAA state championship trophy is all the motivation South Florence needed to get ready for 2024.

The Bruins won the state title in 2022 but came up just short last season. They felt like something was taken from them.

“We know how bad last year hurt and we want to get back to that point but come back with a trophy this time,” star defensive lineman Amare Adams Amare Adams 6'4" | 305 lbs | DL South Florence | 2025 State SC said. “It hurt watching someone else get the trophy that you worked so hard to get. It's the extra motivation we needed.”

South Florence isn't starting from scratch, but they did have 29 senior's last season. Among that graduating class were five players that were four-year starters.

“There's a lot of big shoes to fill,” head coach Drew Marlowe said. “It will be the first time since I've been at South Florence that I will have different guys starting in certain positions. The guys we have coming back are talented, but they have to learn to play on big stages.”

The Bruins have nine starters returning on offense highlighted by the return of wide receiver Jayden Sellers Jayden Sellers 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR South Florence | 2025 State SC . The South Carolina commit was injured in the sixth week last season and lost for the remainder of the year. He should be cleared by the first week and he's eager to get going after accounting for just over 500 yards of total offense last season.

Defense is where the big hit happened. Adams, the Clemson commit, returns, as does hard-hitting linebackers Terry Gordon Terry Gordon 5'11" | 225 lbs | LB South Florence | 2026 State SC and Cameron Coe Cameron Coe 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB South Florence | 2025 State SC . Amare Reaves Amare Reaves 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB/ATH South Florence | 2026 State SC is the lone returner in the secondary. Marlowe must find seven new starters and get them prepared for a non-region slate that includes Summerville, Northwestern and Fort Dorchester.

“We talk all the time about how we need everyone to focus on themselves and build their bodies to be bigger, faster and stronger. If each individual does that, we can become the best team possible and reach our full potential,” Marlowe said.

STARS SET TO SHINE

Amare Adams Amare Adams 6'4" | 305 lbs | DL South Florence | 2025 State SC DL, 2025 – The numbers Adams registered on the defensive front are impressive, but they only tell part of the story of his impact. He finished last year with 61 tackles to go along with nine tackles for loss and the sacks. But he garners the attention of multiple blockers, freeing other guys to make plays. He's bullish and there is a reason he's our third-ranked player in the 2025 Class.

Terry Gordon Terry Gordon 5'11" | 225 lbs | LB South Florence | 2026 State SC LB, 2026 – You want to talk about big numbers? Gordon recorded 111 tackles to go along with 17 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble. Gordon is a big-time hitter that should be on the radar of several Power Four schools. He pursues relentlessly and fills gaps with a purpose. Gordon will be a key contributor on a defense that is reloading.

Jayden Sellers Jayden Sellers 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR South Florence | 2025 State SC WR, 2025 – Sellers (pictured) only played in the first six games last season and finished with 295 yards rushing and 216 receiving yards. He's fully recovered and will be used in multiple ways. The biggest key will just be getting the ball in his hands and letting him create. The Bruins have playmakers, but the return of Sellers will be a huge boost.

RJ Jett RB, 2025 – Take note that South Florence ran for over 4,400 yards last season and while Jett was a huge part of it, he might be more involved this season. He was the third leading rusher last year with 775 yards and seven touchdowns. He makes guys miss and uses good vision to find the open lanes.

FILM REVIEW

Zion Gilbert Zion Gilbert 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB South Florence | 2025 State SC RB, 2025 – Gilbert will run through or around people. He only needs a small crease to turn a short gain into a big one. He was the leading rusher last year with 1,535 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Bruins did lose the services of Syree Livingston and his 25 touchdowns to graduation so Gilbert will get more red zone opportunities to have even better numbers from a season ago.

BIGGEST LOSS(es)

Syree Livingston RB – We mentioned above that Livingston contributed 25 touchdowns, but he also added 1,234 yards while averaging over 10 yards per carry.

Dirrick Goodman DB – Goodman ended the season with 67 tackles, but he had six tackles for loss, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Lennix Valarie Lennix Valarie 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR South Florence | 2025 State SC WR, 2025 – Valarie is a big target that hauled in 13 passes for 200 yards and two scores. The Bruins should be better in the passing game this season and Valarie gives them a safety valve that can be a solid target.

Messiah Jackson Messiah Jackson 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB South Florence | 2026 State SC QB, 2026 – Jackson only threw 44 passes last season, but he's had a great offseason. He has a better command of the offense, and his confidence is off the charts. He could blossom into a real weapon that is able to guide a talented, deep offense.

Amare Reaves

SC #80

DB/ATH #12

HEIGHT 5'10"

WEIGHT 170

POS DB/ATH

CLASS 2026

View Player

Amare Reaves

State: South Carolina

School: South Florence

Reaves is going to have to do a lot of things in 2024 and coach on the field is one of them. The Bruins lost three starters in a seasoned secondary with Reaves being the lone returning starter. He had 23 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception that he returned 73 yards for a touchdown.