2025 Preview: Summerville Green Wave

According to Summerville linebacker Eli Pressley, the team has long turned the page on the 2024 season.   The Green Wave returned to the state championship game with an undefeated record. They led in the first half before losing to defending champion Dutch Fork 35-21.   Fast forward seven months later, Summerville players are more focused on the present and winning the Class 5A Division I title.   “We've got to move forward,” Pressley said. “We've got to look past it. Last year happened. We're going to start a new year. Just going to get better, get back.”   Anong the biggest early question marks for head coach Ian Rafferty is at quarterback. It's a 2-man battle between championship game backup [player_tooltip player_id='1734478' first='Cooper' last='Kafina'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1734517' first='Max' last='Stafford'] to replace All-State starter Jaden Cummings.   Whoever wins the starting nod will have an opportunity to give the ball to the team's All-State tandem. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] and wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] ignite the offenses with their speed and playmaking abilities.   “They're not real big talkers, but they kind of lead by example by how they work and they're always there and they're always getting after it and they're always competing,” Summerville head coach Ian Rafferty said. “They're going to be juniors this year. We're expecting big things from them. They put in work in the weight room and they're better and they've had a good summer. So we're hoping they can match the production they did last year.”   Goose Creek transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1061146' first='Teru' last='Davis'] provides another weapon at wide receiver. The Green Wave will also look towards [player_tooltip player_id='1694664' first='Kaylaeb' last='Jenkins'] as another back to ease the load off Williams.   Despite losing three seniors, Rafferty has confidence in his returning offensive line. Along with returning seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1819779' first='Jahmarion' last='Lott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1271589' first='Christian' last='Hewett'], rising sophomores Quinn Cook and Jayden Wright look to work their way into the rotation.   The Green Wave have added Silver Bluff transfer defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'] upfront with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1734475' first='Jaden' last='Lofay']. The linebacking corps of Pressley and Demarcus King combines hungry youth and experienced athleticism. They look to pick up from departed seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1639684' first='Tyree' last='Patton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1267285' first='JT' last='Williams'] who combined for 214 tackles.   “It's going to take a lot of work to get where we were and to take that extra step to finish the job,” Lofay said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] RB, 2026   The rising senior accounted for about 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns last season to earn S.C. Football Coaches Association Class 5A All-State honors. He possesses breakaway speed at every open opportunity while shaking away defenders makes him difficult to bring down.   [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] WR, 2027   After tallying 110 tackles and four interceptions as a cornerback, the rising junior made even more of an impact on offense. He caught 81 passes for 1,202 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for five more touchdowns. Having added more muscle to his 5-foot 11, 185-pound frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'] DL, 2028   As a freshman, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Chavous was a force to be reckoned with upfront. Already overpowering opponents with strength and speed, his continued development will make the Green Wave's defense even more formidable.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734475' first='Jaden' last='Lofay'] DL, 2026   A four-year letterman (pictured) on the defensive line. The 6-foot 2, 280-pound rising senior provides leadership and a solid run defender upfront for the Green Wave. The presence of Chavous should also open opportunities to pressure the quarterback.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1734478' first='Cooper' last='Kafina'] QB, 2026   The rising senior was thrusted into the spotlight at the Class 5A final against Dutch Fork. He accounted for himself with 173 passing yards, including a 77-yard touchdown pass to [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] against arguably the Palmetto State's top defense. Along with showing poise and an ability to adjust his throw to the receiver, Kafina was difficult to tackle and showed quick instincts in releasing the football.      BIGGEST LOSSES   Jaden Cummings QB   The Class 5A All-State senior saw his high school career ended prematurely with a knee injury in the state championship game against Dutch Fork. With 2,362 passing yards and 31 touchdowns and 528 rushing yards and 14 scores, his impact on the offense could not be understated.   John Corley OL   A 3-year starter, he graded out at 90 percent with 37 pancake blocks at tackle last season to earn Class 5A All-State honors.   Keshon Washington TE   Before missing the playoff run due to injury, the 6-foot, 218-pound H-back was putting up career numbers. In nine games, he had 32 receptions for 588 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 184 yards.   Yasir Smith DL   An All-State defensive end who was ranked in the Prep Redzone Top 10 at his position last season.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1694664' first='Kaylaeb' last='Jenkins'] RB, 2026   The 5-foot 10, 170-pound rising senior looks to provide a 1-2 punch out of the backfield with Murray. More of a power back, Jenkins is a willing blocker and capable pass catcher out of the backfield. His goal is to reach 1,000 yards as long as injuries do not slow him down again.   Demarcus King DE, 2027   He played the first six games of last season at linebacker. Rafferty plans to utilize the 6-foot 1 rising senior at defensive end where he'll provide another pass rushing threat with [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'].   [player_tooltip player_id='1061146' first='Teru' last='Davis'] WR, 2028   The top-ranked player at his position for the Class of 2028, according to Prep Redzone. He caught 52 passes for 764 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Gators. Now paired with [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'], teams will now have to decide which speedster to limit in the secondary.    Eli Pressley LB, 2027   An active linebacker who's a student of the game. He reads field coverages, verbally calls out plays to teammates and will literally run several yards across the field to make a tackle. This is especially true when he's blitzing from the corner. Once Pressley goes full speed past the defensive end, the quarterback is already within his grasp.

According to Summerville linebacker Eli Pressley, the team has long turned the page on the 2024 season.

The Green Wave returned to the state championship game with an undefeated record. They led in the first half before losing to defending champion Dutch Fork 35-21.

Fast forward seven months later, Summerville players are more focused on the present and winning the Class 5A Division I title.

“We've got to move forward,” Pressley said. “We've got to look past it. Last year happened. We're going to start a new year. Just going to get better, get back.”

Anong the biggest early question marks for head coach Ian Rafferty is at quarterback. It's a 2-man battle between championship game backup Cooper Kafina Cooper Kafina 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Summerville | 2026 State SC and Max Stafford Max Stafford 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Summerville | 2026 State SC to replace All-State starter Jaden Cummings.

Whoever wins the starting nod will have an opportunity to give the ball to the team's All-State tandem. Running back Jayven Williams Jayven Williams 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Summerville | 2027 State SC and wide receiver Jaiden Kelly-Murray Jaiden Kelly-Murray 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC ignite the offenses with their speed and playmaking abilities.

“They're not real big talkers, but they kind of lead by example by how they work and they're always there and they're always getting after it and they're always competing,” Summerville head coach Ian Rafferty said. “They're going to be juniors this year. We're expecting big things from them. They put in work in the weight room and they're better and they've had a good summer. So we're hoping they can match the production they did last year.”

Despite losing three seniors, Rafferty has confidence in his returning offensive line. Along with returning seniors Jahmarion Lott Jahmarion Lott 5'11" Summerville | 2026 SC , Christian Hewett Christian Hewett 5'11" | 335 lbs | OL Summerville | 2026 State SC , rising sophomores Quinn Cook and Jayden Wright look to work their way into the rotation.

The Green Wave have added Silver Bluff transfer defensive lineman Dexter Chavous Dexter Chavous 6'2" | 315 lbs | DL/OL Summerville | 2028 State SC upfront with rising senior Jaden Lofay Jaden Lofay 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Summerville | 2026 State SC . The linebacking corps of Pressley and Demarcus King combines hungry youth and experienced athleticism. They look to pick up from departed seniors Tyree Patton Tyree Patton 5'9" | 215 lbs | LB Summerville | 2026 State SC and JT Williams JT Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Summerville | 2026 State SC who combined for 214 tackles.

“It's going to take a lot of work to get where we were and to take that extra step to finish the job,” Lofay said.

STARS SET TO SHINE

Jayven Williams Jayven Williams 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Summerville | 2027 State SC RB, 2026

The rising senior accounted for about 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns last season to earn S.C. Football Coaches Association Class 5A All-State honors. He possesses breakaway speed at every open opportunity while shaking away defenders makes him difficult to bring down.

Jaiden Kelly-Murray Jaiden Kelly-Murray 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC WR, 2027

After tallying 110 tackles and four interceptions as a cornerback, the rising junior made even more of an impact on offense. He caught 81 passes for 1,202 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for five more touchdowns. Having added more muscle to his 5-foot 11, 185-pound frame.

Dexter Chavous Dexter Chavous 6'2" | 315 lbs | DL/OL Summerville | 2028 State SC DL, 2028

As a freshman, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Chavous was a force to be reckoned with upfront. Already overpowering opponents with strength and speed, his continued development will make the Green Wave's defense even more formidable.

Jaden Lofay Jaden Lofay 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Summerville | 2026 State SC DL, 2026

A four-year letterman (pictured) on the defensive line. The 6-foot 2, 280-pound rising senior provides leadership and a solid run defender upfront for the Green Wave. The presence of Chavous should also open opportunities to pressure the quarterback.

FILM REVIEW

Cooper Kafina Cooper Kafina 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Summerville | 2026 State SC QB, 2026

The rising senior was thrusted into the spotlight at the Class 5A final against Dutch Fork. He accounted for himself with 173 passing yards, including a 77-yard touchdown pass to Jaiden Kelly-Murray Jaiden Kelly-Murray 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC against arguably the Palmetto State's top defense. Along with showing poise and an ability to adjust his throw to the receiver, Kafina was difficult to tackle and showed quick instincts in releasing the football.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Jaden Cummings QB

The Class 5A All-State senior saw his high school career ended prematurely with a knee injury in the state championship game against Dutch Fork. With 2,362 passing yards and 31 touchdowns and 528 rushing yards and 14 scores, his impact on the offense could not be understated.

John Corley OL

A 3-year starter, he graded out at 90 percent with 37 pancake blocks at tackle last season to earn Class 5A All-State honors.

Keshon Washington TE

Before missing the playoff run due to injury, the 6-foot, 218-pound H-back was putting up career numbers. In nine games, he had 32 receptions for 588 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 184 yards.

Yasir Smith DL

An All-State defensive end who was ranked in the Prep Redzone Top 10 at his position last season.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Kaylaeb Jenkins Kaylaeb Jenkins 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB/ATH Summerville | 2026 SC RB, 2026

The 5-foot 10, 170-pound rising senior looks to provide a 1-2 punch out of the backfield with Murray. More of a power back, Jenkins is a willing blocker and capable pass catcher out of the backfield. His goal is to reach 1,000 yards as long as injuries do not slow him down again.

Demarcus King DE, 2027

He played the first six games of last season at linebacker. Rafferty plans to utilize the 6-foot 1 rising senior at defensive end where he'll provide another pass rushing threat with Dexter Chavous Dexter Chavous 6'2" | 315 lbs | DL/OL Summerville | 2028 State SC .

Teru Davis Teru Davis 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Summerville | 2028 State SC WR, 2028

The top-ranked player at his position for the Class of 2028, according to Prep Redzone. He caught 52 passes for 764 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Gators. Now paired with Jaiden Kelly-Murray Jaiden Kelly-Murray 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC , teams will now have to decide which speedster to limit in the secondary.