March On Campus: Loris Lions

LORIS | After an unbeaten regular season and its second consecutive trip to the Class 3A Lower State Championship game in 2025, the Loris Lions face the unenviable task of replacing 18 starters.   But don't shed a tear for head coach Greg Mance just yet.   Our recent visit to the Lions' campus showed exactly why.   Despite losing veteran leaders on both sides of the ball, the Lions appear to be primed for another playoff run in 2026, with a nucleus of senior talent and numerous playmakers who've waited in the wings during the last two seasons as Loris has won 24 of its last 27 games.   The most pressing need comes at quarterback, where [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald'] guided the Lions to back-to-back region titles and helped the Lions set a school record for points scored in 2025. The former signal caller is now at Elizabeth City State, leaving a void under center.   Two candidates to replace Gerald are junior [player_tooltip player_id='1817499' first='Jay' last='Todd'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1422629' first='Roderick' last='Purcha'] - both of whom Mance expects to see time at quarterback this fall. Todd is the more polished of the two options and looked to have a slight edge as a passer. The junior also has a high football IQ, as he ran the defense from his inside linebacker spot last year, leading the Lions with 113 tackles. In a move designed to possibility limit the number of hits their starting quarterback takes, Loris coaches are considering moving Todd to safety.   Purcha (pictured) accounted for over 900 total yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior and his dynamic playmaking ability makes him a weapon at multiple spots on offense. Purcha says he feels comfortable at quarterback despite last taking snaps at the position in eighth grade. He is the lone returner on offense with over 160 receiving yards last season. He is a far more enticing option from an athleticism perspective, although he is the less polished passer. Putting Purcha at quarterback also takes away one of the Lions' top receiving targets.   Either quarterback will benefit from handing the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens'] (930 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns last fall). Stephens appears to have added muscle while maintaining the burst that makes him so dangerous. The Lions' top rusher averaged more than 8 yards per carry last year and put on a 252-yard, four-touchdown performance against Orangeburg-Wilkinson in the second round of the playoffs.   Stephens is confident that the offense can continue to produce, despite plenty of new faces taking over key spots.   "We lost a lot of guys, but I feel like we've got a lot of young guys that are going to step up this year," Stephens said. "We're just trying to get a bunch of young guys in the mix of what we do. I feel like we've got something special going on."   Even without pads on, the size of the offensive line stands out. No player casts a more imposing figure than incoming transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1821580' first='Jeffery' last='Williams'] and his 6-foot-4 frame. Williams, who transferred in after previously playing at Atlantic Collegiate Academy, is an athletic and surprisingly mobile player who will start at left tackle. The 300-pound senior moved fluidly during drill work and is also going to serve as the defensive line's anchor at nose guard.   Williams grew up in the area and had connections with many current Lions dating back to their youth league days, which made his transition much smoother.   "Everybody over here's been playing together ever since they were little," Williams said. "Even when I was gone, I stayed connected. During rec league, I played with them too. It's basically like no one left."   At right tackle, Bryson Schuhmann returns after serving as the Lions' lone freshman starter on the offensive line in 2025. The 6-foot-4 rising sophomore is projected to grow several more inches and already possesses the frame of a quality lineman at the next level. Schuhmann will likely work alongside his brother. [player_tooltip player_id='1817248' first='Dylan' last='Schuhmann'] is a junior who is slated to start at right guard. Fellow juniors Traymarius Cooke and [player_tooltip player_id='1818531' first='Jacob' last='Dozier'] are expected to start at left guard and center, respectively. The Lions can also utilize junior [player_tooltip player_id='1818533' first='Jayden' last='Bellamy'] at center, where he played last season for the junior varsity squad. With a good offseason in the weight room, Bellamy could become a key rotational piece on the offensive line.   Loris will have weapons on the outside with unproven but talented rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1816126' first='Antonio' last='James'] and Kenny King headlining the receiving corps. James, who'll also see time in the defensive backfield, played meaningful snaps during the Lions' playoff run last season and looks the part of a go-to receiver, appearing to be a favorite target of both Todd and Purcha. King is the speedster of the group, having already clocked a 4.51 40-yard dash and a time of 10.8 in the 100-yard dash. His explosiveness off the line of scrimmage was eye-catching and he tested his quarterbacks' arms on multiple deep pass patterns.   The Lion linebackers are young and deep as Loris looks to continue its trend of outstanding play at that position. [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] ranked second on the team with 108 tackles as a freshman, while junior [player_tooltip player_id='1818536' first='Cj' last='Gore'] moved up last season and showed flashes of great potential. Shaw's athleticism was evident as he flew around the field throughout the workout, getting into several passing lanes during seven-on-seven competition.   A name to watch is senior player_tooltip player_id='1816129' first='Donaldson' last='Williams'] on the defensive line. Williams backed up [player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner'] last season, but is a fast and athletic player in his own right. His high motor and great hands will serve him well at defensive end, as well as on offense where he'll be used as a tight end and h-back.   Williams' work ethic has earned the respect of his teammates. Multiple Lions named him as a player who could have a breakout season.   "He works really hard in practice," Shaw said of the veteran lineman. "Whenever he gets in the game, he goes off."   The Lions' secondary will feature sophomore Tristen Hemingway at safety. Hemingway is a wildly athletic defender whose broad jump measures at 9-foot-6. His length and build makes him a strong prospect in the back end of the defense. He'll likely pair with fellow sophomore O'Bryan Clark at the other safety position. Clark, the quarterback on last year's junior varsity team who has impressed coaches with his vision, can also line up at cornerback and wide receiver.   Overall, the 2026 Lions look just as threatening as last year's outfit. The size in the trenches is noticeable and should undoubtedly help Loris break in whoever takes over at quarterback. With two of the more explosive athletes in the area, expect the Lions to utilize the ground game plenty this season as Stephens and Purcha will likely get the majority of the touches.   Loris should be the overwhelming choice to win Region VI-3A and capture its third consecutive conference crown, but the question is how far a new core can take this program come in November. Expectations are sky-high after back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time since 1990-91.   If recent history is any indication, it would be foolish to sleep on the Lions.

LORIS | After an unbeaten regular season and its second consecutive trip to the Class 3A Lower State Championship game in 2025, the Loris Lions face the unenviable task of replacing 18 starters.