2025 Preview: West Florence Knights

West Florence linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1025773' first='Romello' last='Patterson'] is chomping at the bit to get the 2025 season underway. It's not only a chance for the senior to end his prep career on a high note but the expectations have risen just a notch with state championship winning coach Chad Wilkes taking over the Knights program.   “The transition has been amazing,” Patterson said nearly a month ago at the Media Day held on his campus. “(Coach Wilkes) brings a state championship mindset to the team. He's bringing in a mindset this school has never had. We're excited about the direction we're headed, and this group of seniors is going to need to step up and be the leaders that coach Wilkes can count on.”   It's not like West Florence was bad under coach Jody Jenerette. The Knights are coming off an 8-4 season. Wilkes won a state championship while at Oceanside Collegiate but stepped down at the beginning of last season.   He's found a new life in West Florence.   “It's a great opportunity for me to come to a school that's been really successful over the past few years,” Wilkes said. “The school has a lot of resources and a lot of talent. It's been exciting but any time you have a transition, it can be tough. You're teaching new schemes and a new coaching staff coming in so there is a lot that needs to be built on, but it's been a really productive spring and summer.”   There's a lot to build around other than Patterson. Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1664594' first='Avery' last='Weaver'] is back and he's going to lead a young offensive attack that could potentially start eight or nine underclassmen.   The offensive line will be massive, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1675030' first='Tayden' last='Singletary'], all 6-foot-5, 360 pounds. And a name to watch for future years will be incoming freshman Jaden Walcott.   The defense should be stout, and it will have to be with defending Class AAAA state champion South Florence on the schedule right out of the gate. They also play in a region that includes Sumter, Ridge View, Westwood, Blythewood and Lugoff-Elgin.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1669645' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] is probably going to play both the offensive and defensive line positions. Add in defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1165145' first='Clayton' last='Folse'] and athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1738331' first='Matthew' last='Benjamin'] and West Florence could be poised to be a contender in the Class AAAAA, Division II playoffs.   “If you're going to be the best, obviously you need to try and beat the best,” Wilkes said. “Even if you don't win those games, it's a great opportunity to know where you are. Game one is South Florence so we will know regardless of outcome where we are in relative terms of where we're trying to go.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1025773' first='Romello' last='Patterson'] LB, 2026 – There's very little question that Patterson (pictured) will be playing somewhere on Saturdays in the fall of 2026. He's 6-foot, 224 pounds and is an absolute wrecking ball. He makes plays from sideline to sideline and usually arrives in a bad mood. His biggest adjustment is going to be from putting his hand in the dirt to playing on his feet and reading and reacting quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165145' first='Clayton' last='Folse'] DB, 2026 – Wilkes thinks so highly about Folse that he's moving him from outside linebacker to a safety spot after he had an outstanding junior season. He is likely to be the quarterback of the defense and make sure everyone is lined up in the right spot. He's even keeled and doesn't get too high or too low. He had three interceptions last season and will be able to build on that this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664594' first='Avery' last='Weaver'] QB, 2027 – The junior started a handful of games last year and that experience will help this season. He's an outstanding athlete as he's the shortstop on the baseball team. He's played a lot of baseball this summer, but Wilkes said he's done his homework to be the starter. Don't be surprised if he runs for more yards than he throws this season just because he's a dynamic runner.     [player_tooltip player_id='1675030' first='Tayden' last='Singletary'] OL, 2026 – tackle. If you want to talk about a kid that got better as the season progressed, it would be Singletary. He was a mainstay once the region schedule began and he's a massive individual that has a chance to be special. He checks in at 6-foot-5, 360 pounds and he's still learning how to play on the offensive line. His continued development will be key.     FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1669645' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] DL, 2026 – Williamson is a beast in the middle at 6-foot-2, 290 pounds. He had 60 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles a season ago. He has a high motor and never gives up on a play. He uses his hands and leverage well and can fight off blockers to become involved in the play. He's going to give the Knights a defender that can play every snap and be effective.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Bobby Patterson ATH – Not only was Patterson a vocal leader but he rarely came off the field. He played a number of positions and excelled at all of them. But the biggest loss might be his voice.     Terry Lowery RB – Lowery was someone the Knights knew they could count on week in and week out. He was special with the ball in his hands and his contributions to the running game will be hard to replace.     UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1738331' first='Matthew' last='Benjamin'] LB/DB, 2027 – Benjamin is set to help in a number of ways. He could be a linebacker, or a defensive back plus play some wide receiver or running back on offense.  He's 5-foot-10, 160 pounds but plays a lot larger than that. He could also factor into the return game.   Jaden Walcott OL, 2029 – Wilkes is calling Walcott a Division I, Power 4 type of player even before he takes a varsity snap. All the intangibles are there, and the work ethic and drive make him a special player from the outset. By the end of the season, he could be the most talented lineman on the team.    Dixon made his mark on the defensive side of the ball last season but he's likely to start or receive plenty of carries at running back this season. He's one of the strongest and fastest players on the team and doesn't shy away from contact. If he does play defense, he's going to be a force at the linebacker spot.

West Florence linebacker Romello Patterson Romello Patterson 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB West Florence | 2026 State SC is chomping at the bit to get the 2025 season underway. It's not only a chance for the senior to end his prep career on a high note but the expectations have risen just a notch with state championship winning coach Chad Wilkes taking over the Knights program.

“The transition has been amazing,” Patterson said nearly a month ago at the Media Day held on his campus. “(Coach Wilkes) brings a state championship mindset to the team. He's bringing in a mindset this school has never had. We're excited about the direction we're headed, and this group of seniors is going to need to step up and be the leaders that coach Wilkes can count on.”

It's not like West Florence was bad under coach Jody Jenerette. The Knights are coming off an 8-4 season. Wilkes won a state championship while at Oceanside Collegiate but stepped down at the beginning of last season.

He's found a new life in West Florence.

“It's a great opportunity for me to come to a school that's been really successful over the past few years,” Wilkes said. “The school has a lot of resources and a lot of talent. It's been exciting but any time you have a transition, it can be tough. You're teaching new schemes and a new coaching staff coming in so there is a lot that needs to be built on, but it's been a really productive spring and summer.”

There's a lot to build around other than Patterson. Junior QB Avery Weaver Avery Weaver 6'0" | 155 lbs | QB West Florence | 2027 SC is back and he's going to lead a young offensive attack that could potentially start eight or nine underclassmen.

The offensive line will be massive, led by Tayden Singletary Tayden Singletary 6'5" | 360 lbs | OL West Florence | 2026 State SC , all 6-foot-5, 360 pounds. And a name to watch for future years will be incoming freshman Jaden Walcott.

The defense should be stout, and it will have to be with defending Class AAAA state champion South Florence on the schedule right out of the gate. They also play in a region that includes Sumter, Ridge View, Westwood, Blythewood and Lugoff-Elgin.

Senior Jamie Williamson is probably going to play both the offensive and defensive line positions. Add in defensive back Clayton Folse Clayton Folse 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB West Florence | 2026 State SC and athlete Matt Benjamin Matt Benjamin 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB/ATH West Florence | 2027 State SC and West Florence could be poised to be a contender in the Class AAAAA, Division II playoffs.

“If you're going to be the best, obviously you need to try and beat the best,” Wilkes said. “Even if you don't win those games, it's a great opportunity to know where you are. Game one is South Florence so we will know regardless of outcome where we are in relative terms of where we're trying to go.”

STARS SET TO SHINE

Romello Patterson Romello Patterson 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB West Florence | 2026 State SC LB, 2026 – There's very little question that Patterson (pictured) will be playing somewhere on Saturdays in the fall of 2026. He's 6-foot, 224 pounds and is an absolute wrecking ball. He makes plays from sideline to sideline and usually arrives in a bad mood. His biggest adjustment is going to be from putting his hand in the dirt to playing on his feet and reading and reacting quickly.

Clayton Folse Clayton Folse 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB West Florence | 2026 State SC DB, 2026 – Wilkes thinks so highly about Folse that he's moving him from outside linebacker to a safety spot after he had an outstanding junior season. He is likely to be the quarterback of the defense and make sure everyone is lined up in the right spot. He's even keeled and doesn't get too high or too low. He had three interceptions last season and will be able to build on that this season.

Avery Weaver Avery Weaver 6'0" | 155 lbs | QB West Florence | 2027 SC QB, 2027 – The junior started a handful of games last year and that experience will help this season. He's an outstanding athlete as he's the shortstop on the baseball team. He's played a lot of baseball this summer, but Wilkes said he's done his homework to be the starter. Don't be surprised if he runs for more yards than he throws this season just because he's a dynamic runner.

Tayden Singletary Tayden Singletary 6'5" | 360 lbs | OL West Florence | 2026 State SC OL, 2026 – tackle. If you want to talk about a kid that got better as the season progressed, it would be Singletary. He was a mainstay once the region schedule began and he's a massive individual that has a chance to be special. He checks in at 6-foot-5, 360 pounds and he's still learning how to play on the offensive line. His continued development will be key.

FILM REVIEW

Jamie Williamson DL, 2026 – Williamson is a beast in the middle at 6-foot-2, 290 pounds. He had 60 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles a season ago. He has a high motor and never gives up on a play. He uses his hands and leverage well and can fight off blockers to become involved in the play. He's going to give the Knights a defender that can play every snap and be effective.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Bobby Patterson ATH – Not only was Patterson a vocal leader but he rarely came off the field. He played a number of positions and excelled at all of them. But the biggest loss might be his voice.

Terry Lowery RB – Lowery was someone the Knights knew they could count on week in and week out. He was special with the ball in his hands and his contributions to the running game will be hard to replace.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Matt Benjamin Matt Benjamin 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB/ATH West Florence | 2027 State SC LB/DB, 2027 – Benjamin is set to help in a number of ways. He could be a linebacker, or a defensive back plus play some wide receiver or running back on offense. He's 5-foot-10, 160 pounds but plays a lot larger than that. He could also factor into the return game.

Jaden Walcott OL, 2029 – Wilkes is calling Walcott a Division I, Power 4 type of player even before he takes a varsity snap. All the intangibles are there, and the work ethic and drive make him a special player from the outset. By the end of the season, he could be the most talented lineman on the team.