2025 Preview: Lugoff-Elgin Demons

Lugoff-Elgin found itself in a very unfortunate situation just before the beginning of spring practice this past May. Coach Leon Boulware bolted to Rock Hill, his alma mater, just days before the Demons were expected to start practice.   Defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Jarvis Littlejohn was named head coach a few days later and the transition has been maybe smoother than expected. Littlejohn had come in with Boulware the previous season and has kept a lot of things the same.   “The transition has been very good,” Littlejohn said at the Media Days held at West Florence at the end of June. “I came in with Coach Boulware as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach so it's been seamless. The kids are gravitating towards me. I'm trying to bring and keep things consistent. We're using the same terminology and system we had last season on offense. More 11-personnel than an Air Raid but other than that we're keeping the same basic principles.”   The Demons went 4-7 in Boulware's one season at the helm but the learning curve was steep. Lugoff-Elgin turned to a lot of freshmen and sophomores last season and while they took their lumps, they also grew up in the process.   And it's not like the senior class is devoid of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='1658086' first='Kelan' last='Hammond'], [player_tooltip player_id='1267277' first='Shamil' last='Saadiq'] and Jar'kese Grant are a couple of offensive players that have taken leadership roles along with [player_tooltip player_id='1639661' first='Fernando' last='Simuel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592561' first='Preston' last='Rhodes'] on defense.   Saadiq has openly embraced the chance to be a leader this season.   “I try to help the younger guys with concepts and things they might see,” the 6-foot-3 wide receiver said. “The biggest thing for us is we must keep our confidence level high and not worry about what happened in the past. It's always focus on the next play or next rep.”   Lugoff-Elgin will play the likes of Camden in non-region games and then face a region gauntlet that includes Blythewood, Ridge View, Sumter, and West Florence in region games.   They feel like they're up to the task after winning just once after September 13 last season. That's the type of confidence Littlejohn has brought to the table.   “The transition has been nice and smooth,” Hammond said of Littlejohn taking over. “He's a great coach and he's well liked by everyone. He's made a huge impact on the team with the biggest area just being our overall confidence and weight training. We're excited to get started.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   Jar'kese Grant RB/DB, 2026 – Littlejohn called Grant the wildcard going into 2025. He was the starting running back last season and he will still get carries this season but he's also going to see time in the secondary. He's adapted well and has shown great coverage ability in 7-on-7 situations this summer.     [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] WR, 2027 – Richardson already holds offers from Coastal Carolina and Virginia Tech and those should increase with another solid season. He' a great route runner and uses his hands to catch the ball away from his body. He has the potential to form one of the better 1-2 punches in the state with Saadiq.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267277' first='Shamil' last='Saadiq'] WR, 2026 – Going into his senior season, Saadiq has offers from Charlotte, ETSU, Lenior-Rhyne and Catawba among others. He's 6-foot-3 and can play inside or outside. He finished with 32 catches for 470 yards and five touchdowns but that's just touching the surface of his potential. He goes and gets the ball at the high point and presents a matchup problem for smaller defensive backs.     [player_tooltip player_id='1658086' first='Kelan' last='Hammond'] OL and Cam Morrison OL, 2026 – The Demons are very talented across the skill position but Hammond and Morrison and the rest of the guys in the trenches might be the key to the Demons success. Hammond is 6-foot-5, 305 pounds and moves well for a big guy. He's also become a leader and got stronger in the weight room.  Morrison is 6-foot-6, 275 pounds and can handle bigger defensive lineman or those on the quicker side.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1639661' first='Fernando' last='Simuel'] LB, 2026 – It's safe to say Simuel is a headhunter from his linebacking spot. He plays with a high motor and great intensity and never thinks a play is over until the whistle blows. He reads and reacts well and has tremendous closing speed to make plays all over the field. He averaged over 14 tackles per game a season ago and he could put up those same types of numbers this season as well.    BIGGEST LOSSES   TyQuawn Murphy DB – Murphy was a leader last season on what was a smaller senior class. He was athletic and heady enough to be another coach-type on the field.   Christian Smith OL – Smith cast an imposing figure last year with his 6-foot-5, 280-pound frame. He's moved on to Newberry College but he was a leader on what was an impressive offensive line last season.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Tyler Lewis DB, 2028 – By the time the season ended last year, Lewis was starting and seeing plenty of time in the secondary. He's already 6-foot-1, 175 pounds and he can fly. He's a big-time track guy that participated in some national meets this year. He obviously can run with anyone and is learning technique after being pushed in the fire last season. He could end up as a highly touted football prospect as well as track.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422637' first='Corey' last='Murphy'] DB, 2027 – Murphy was a huge menace last season as he recorded seven interceptions, and he took three of them to the house for touchdowns. He broke up another 12 passes so he's an elite defender that can be left alone on an island to cover the opposing team's best receiver.      We've added Fitzgerald here and it's yet to be determined what position he will play in 2025. He's coming off a sophomore campaign where he threw for 1,234 yards and 19 touchdowns but he's in a battle with sophomore Zach Williams for the starting nod. We don't see a situation where Fitzgerald will not get any reps at quarterback but he's going to contribute in more than one way. He can also play tight end and could be a pass catching option or an added blocker at the end of the line.

Lugoff-Elgin found itself in a very unfortunate situation just before the beginning of spring practice this past May. Coach Leon Boulware bolted to Rock Hill, his alma mater, just days before the Demons were expected to start practice.