2025 Preview: North Charleston Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After two straight four-win seasons and going winless during that span, North Charleston is looking forward to a successful season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We are in our third year in with leading these guys,” special teams coach Kendall Keel said. “So really, we should have our best foot forward this year. We have established our weight room strong this year, stronger than we've had in the past. And we were keeping the guys together and building that bond, So really, we've depended on that. We're depending on our bond and the fact we are together this year to really take us all the way this year.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars will turn to either rising senior <strong>D'Andra Thompson</strong> or rising freshman <strong>Benjamin Gross</strong> at quarterback. Both players are lacking experience at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, experienced and talented wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1346277' first='Lorenzo' last='Kitching']</strong> should give whomever wins the job a reliable downfield target. The three-year letterman is an elusive weapon both running and receiving the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's leading rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467813' first='Raymond' last='Middleton']</strong> returns for his sophomore season. Leading the way upfront is fellow rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467808' first='Anthony' last='Simmons']</strong> at defensive tackle and guard </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other two-way players on the line include <strong>Isaiah Dunbar</strong> and <strong>Frank Williams</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebacker corps has a couple of athletic rising juniors in wrestling standout <strong>Jay Fleming</strong> (pictured) and <strong>Cedric Burkes</strong>. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819810' first='Cordai' last='Gadsden']</strong> patrols the middle of the field at the MIKE position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior <strong>Tion Blakeney </strong>is one of the leaders in the secondary. He takes pride in his speed, field coverage and taking the “bond” message to heart. Lining up opposite of Blakeney is senior <strong>Thaj Butler</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Charleston is seeking its first winning season since 2017.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tion Blakeney</strong> DB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-year letterman has played at safety and outside linebacker during his three varsity seasons. At 5-foot 8 and 155 pounds, he uses his speed to disrupt the passing game. While comfortable with one-on-one coverage, Blakeney prefers having the opportunity to roam the field. He's committed to the weight room where he's adopted the team's message of “bonding.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1346277' first='Lorenzo' last='Kitching']</strong> WR, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another three-year letterman committed to the weight room. At 5-foot 6 and 168 pounds, Kitching takes a fearless approach to carrying the football. He tallied over 1,000 total yards last season running, receiving and kick returning. His versatility also carried over to defense where he had 37 tackles and a team-high four interceptions at free safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jay Fleming</strong> LB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A raw talent entering his second year of varsity football. At 5-foot 8 and 160 pounds, Fleming is comfortable assisting at outside linebacker. He also relishes one-on-one coverage and supporting the defensive front line. As Fleming works to improve physically, he's also expanding his football knowledge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467808' first='Anthony' last='Simmons']</strong> DL, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6 feet and 345 pounds, the rising sophomore is the largest lineman on the team. As a freshman, he led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss to go with 37 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His prodigious size gave him an advantage off the snap. Once he broke the line of scrimmage, Simmons often used his reach to drag down defenders. Simmons also plays at guard on offense where he uses a similar physical approach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23299245/67913ab1a73ac5e6a51133e8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687dbc689ac96"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X'zaivon Capers</strong> WR – He was the team's leading receiver with 19 receptions for 405 yards and six touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Richard Hazel</strong> QB – He completed 52-of-85 passes for 767 yards and 11 touchdowns while also playing linebacker in six games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zaiden Holmes</strong> LB – He was the team's leading tackler (50) and added 6.5 for loss and three sacks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedric Burkes</strong> LB, 2027 – He and fellow linebacker Jaiveon Fleming both qualified for the state wrestling championships last January. Burkes also ran in the 100 and 200 meters for the track team. The rising junior looks to apply all of those skills over to the gridiron. Along with playing at linebacker, Burkes could see time at running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amaris Carter</strong> TE, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot 2, 195-pound rising junior is a two-way player for the Cougars. His size and length make him a favorable target downfield. Carter is also utilized on kickoffs as he provides an intimidating presence running down a returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1467813"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687dbc689d8db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a freshman, Middleton made an instant impression on the Cougars. He amassed most of his team-high 460 rushing yards on 50 carries and three touchdowns in first four games of action. Middleton has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage. His speed allows him to quickly turn the corner on run sweeps. He also shows good hands catching screen passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18045622/67917fe9231c08fe3958e3af' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687dbc689d916"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->