2025 Preview: Greenwood Eagles

With the growing pains from a couple of years ago fully behind the Greenwood football team, there's a bunch of senior Eagles ready to soar this fall. Two years ago, Greenwood went 6-6 for its second consecutive six-win season. That's something quite a few programs would aspire to, but below expectations for the Eagles. That 2023 season, a total of 12 sophomores started - the most Greenwood coach Chris Liner said he's ever started.   That season of experience seemed to pay off last year as the Eagles went 9-3, their season ending in a second-round playoff loss at eventual undefeated Class 5A Division II state champion Northwestern. All that experience could really pay off this fall as Greenwood returns 17 starters, many of whom are among the 27 seniors on the roster.   "We've certainly got high expectations going into this year," Liner said. "A couple of years ago we knew this senior class had a ton of talent in it."   In this day and age of constant roster turnover, it's impressive for any team to return 17 starters. Geography and tradition have helped the Eagles in that regard.   "We're kind of out in the middle of nowhere - just an old textile town. You've kind of got to be going there to get there, but Greenwood's got as much football tradition as any school in the state," Liner said. "We had shirts made this summer with 'M-I-G' on the back for 'made in Greenwood,' because we have zero transfers going out or coming in. We've got what we've got and most of these guys have been playing together since they were five and six years old."   There will be senior leaders all over the place for Greenwood, but you don't have to look any further than quarterback for the one making waves this offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] is the latest outstanding dual-threat quarterback for the Eagles and he recently announced his commitment to South Carolina. Lewis will play defensive back for the Gamecocks, which he will also do this fall for Greenwood. With his commitment done, Lewis can fully focus on the task at hand.   "Being a leader is easier when you've been playing with the same guys since you were a little kid," Lewis said. "Building from last year, we've just got to play as a team more. We need to just have that mindset going into the game that 'we're fixing to win.' "   There's plenty of fellow senior weapons for Lewis to get the ball to. [player_tooltip player_id='1743679' first='Trey' last='Crawford'] returns at running back after carrying for more than 800 yards last season. Jay Duncan and Khire Richard are speedy experienced receivers. Duncan, who's also a point guard on Greenwood's basketball team, is a big target at 6-foot-3. Sophomore receiver Desiray Christian is the youngster in the mix, but he made varsity starts as a freshman last season. Tight end Thomas Chandler, who's a star on the Eagles' tennis team, is another big target at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds.   Then there's who should really no longer be a secret weapon for Greenwood in [player_tooltip player_id='1743674' first='Bryce' last='Seaborn'] (pictured above). Out of his H-back position on offense, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior just seams to have a knack for finding a way to make a big play when the Eagles need it the most.   "There's a lot of variants in that (H-back) role and how we use it. A lot of it's blocking and understanding leverage on blocking," Seaborn said. "I'm not 220 pounds, so I've got to understand how to use leverage to win blocks. But I've also got to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, catch the ball out of the slot and run the ball out of the backfield."   If there's any group that took any kind of hit by graduation, it's the offensive line where Greenwood graduated a few big, talented players. Senior Antonio Gaines (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) is back to lead the way up front this season.   On the other side of the ball, the Eagles are loaded with senior talent. It all starts up front with [player_tooltip player_id='1639742' first='Ahmad' last='Scott'] , who seemingly resides in opponents' backfields. [player_tooltip player_id='828831' first='Damarion' last='Roman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1732593' first='Dyson' last='Davis'] are tackling machines at linebacker, while [player_tooltip player_id='1247862' first='Khamari' last='Griffin'] is a big playmaker. Davis had 101 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss and three sacks last season, while Griffin had 45 tackles, including 11 tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two sacks and nine pass breakups.   "Dyson's probably grown as much as any kid we've had this offseason. He's really put on some good muscle," Liner said. "He's fast, smart and has high character. He's just that guy you want playing for you."   Seaborn, [player_tooltip player_id='1734551' first='Alvarez' last='Norman'] and Isaiah Goodwin are returning leaders in the secondary.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] QB, 2026 - Lewis is looking to build off a 2024 season in which he had 1,444 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and 843 yards rushing with 11 more touchdowns. He's also a pitching standout on the baseball team with a fastball that's topped out at 93 mph.   [player_tooltip player_id='1639742' first='Ahmad' last='Scott'] DL, 2026 - Scott terrorized opposing backfields last season. Of his 39 tackles, seven went for sacks as part of 14 tackles-for-loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='828831' first='Damarion' last='Roman'] LB, 2026 - On a team where three different players had at least 90 tackles last year, Roman led the way with 110 stops, including 27 tackles-for-loss. He had four sacks, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1743679' first='Trey' last='Crawford'] RB/DB, 2026 - Crawford runs much bigger than his 5-foot-7, 170-pound frame, as he doesn't shy away from contact and is tough to bring down. He was second on the team with 801 yards rushing last season. and also had 330 yards on kickoff returns and scored nine touchdowns. He also added two interceptions on defense, both of which came in a playoff win over Hillcrest.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1743674' first='Bryce' last='Seaborn'] ATH - Seaborn is a two-time all-state wrestler and he hits like one on the gridiron, where he's the only Eagle who starts on both sides of the ball. The hard-hitting safety had 90 tackles, including eight tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups and three interceptions last season. Offensively, he had 426 total yards and six touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He also converted four fake punts for first downs. Off the football field and wrestling mat, Seaborn is top in his class with a 5.5 GPA.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Robert Stevens OL - At 6-foot-0 and 305 pounds, Stevens is a big loss figuratively and literally. He's now playing at Charleston Southern.   Noah Perrin K/P - Perrin joined a long list of Greenwood kickers to go on to college football careers when he signed with Virginia-Wise.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1820250' first='Garreth' last='Seaborn'] TE/LB, 2028 - Younger players who've previously been trucked by his brother Bryce should be advised that another Seaborn is on the way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1752366' first='Jayden' last='Cunningham'] OL, 2028 - Greenwood has a tradition of producing imposing, talented linemen and the 6-foot-2, 289-pound Cunningham could be the next one we hear about.    Christian received a scholarship offer from Gardner-Webb before he ever set foot in Greenwood High last season. After the season began, he showed why. He was able to make an impact on varsity, looking nothing like a freshman when he made catches over the middle in traffic. His biggest highlight came on a 99-yard touchdown reception in which he turned around to make a catch deep along the left sideline, shed one tackler as he completed a 360-degree spin, and was never challenged again on his way to the end zone.

With the growing pains from a couple of years ago fully behind the Greenwood football team, there's a bunch of senior Eagles ready to soar this fall. Two years ago, Greenwood went 6-6 for its second consecutive six-win season. That's something quite a few programs would aspire to, but below expectations for the Eagles. That 2023 season, a total of 12 sophomores started - the most Greenwood coach Chris Liner said he's ever started.