2025 Preview: Clover Blue Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two consecutive years and two second round playoff losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's how the last two seasons have ended for the Clover Blue Eagles – in 2023 against Gaffney and last year's loss coming to JL Mann as they finished 8-5 in 2024. As head coach Perry Woolbright and his team continue to prepare for the 2025 season opener at home on August 22 against Chambers out of Charlotte, the hunger is there to get over the hump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Everybody's goal is to win the state championship, but, realistically, only one team gets to do that in 5A, two now with the split. But, you know, to me, I feel like if you can get to the playoffs, you can give yourself a chance now because anybody can win once you get to the playoffs. It's even games. Nobody's really better, and it's how you go out there and execute. We want to continue to execute, like we do during the regular season and into the playoffs and get past the second round hump and then make a little run at it,” Woolbright said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Eagles will continue to run a two-quarterback system with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] </strong>and <strong>Brody Woolbright</strong>. The biggest piece that will have to come together for Clover is their offensive line, which only returns one starter in <strong>Heath Pinti</strong>, but Woolbright feels confident about the guys that will be coming up from the JV level. <strong>Jaylen Holmes </strong>returns as part of an experienced Clover defense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603816' first='Grady' last='Stone'] </strong>RB, 2027 – After rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, Stone returns for his junior season. Woolbright calls him explosive. He runs with a purpose to get yards and help keep the offense churning along.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734584' first='Brandon' last='Smith']</strong> DB, 2026 – Smith (pictured above) is the senior leader in the secondary for the Blue Eagles. He had 46 solo tackles and 3 interceptions in 2024. He patrols the middle of the field well and can come up and lay the lumber on the opposing receiver. There were several moments on his film where he jarred the ball loose to prevent a completion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2025: “We lost a group of guys and we're trying to reload and bring some guys up, teach them and develop them and it's an all around developing defense. Making sure all areas, even special teams, is to the level to where it needs to be, come start of the season.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expectations of the defense: “We've got to communicate. If we don't communicate, we're not going to gel together and it's not going to work together.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Justin Haywood</strong> WR, 2026 – Haywood had over 200 yards receiving in 2024 and is a speedster from his slot position. If he gets out into the open field, look out because it may be a quick six points. We expect him to be an outlet for Shealey and Woolbright when the Blue Eagles put it in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2025: “Mostly just the little stuff. You've got to do the little stuff right. As long as we get that right, I think it's going to be good. The biggest thing for me is moving the ball effectively and efficiently. You can't really win games if you're not doing the little things right.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404968' first='Jackson' last='Hill'] </strong>DL, 2027 – Hill finished the 2024 season with 13 sacks and 15 TFLs and returns to anchor the Blue Eagles' defensive line in 2025.<strong> </strong>He is an enforcer on the inside who is tough to run against as he can plug up running lanes and get after the passer. His pursuit of the quarterback is fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Landon Stone</strong> RB – Anytime you lose a 1,000 yard back, there is a void to fill there and that's what Clover will look to do in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823062' first='Jaytwon' last='Croom'] </strong>RB, 2027 – Croom has a great combination of speed and power once he gets out into the open field. We saw plenty of times where he ran right through arm tackles. He doesn't dance in the hole, it's good north and south progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17747775/67436215a403a896489c61fb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685b44ce710a6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mahki James </strong>OL, 2027<strong> </strong>and <strong>Cevion Douglas</strong> OL, 2026 – Woolbright was complimentary of these two lineman as they played a significant role on JV. They will be counted on to help the Blue Eagles' offensive line gel, especially in the early part of the season.</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":"Najah Potts","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_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-685b44ce72bb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Potts is a ball hawk at the safety position. He came in when the Blue Eagles had some injuries off the JV team and made an impact. He had two interceptions late in 2024, one came against Blythewood in the first round and the other came against Indian Land.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21009228/675f1713ec2e317680298581' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685b44ce72bec"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->