2026 Preview: Loris Lions

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   It's been a few years since the Loris Lions had to adopt an “underdog” mentality.    Whether it's genuine or manufactured, that's the attitude that has taken hold of a team that lost 17 of its 2025 starters to graudation   “We really lost a lot of players,” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1422629' first='Roderick' last='Purcha'] said at the Prep RedZone Media Day at South Florence. "But we've been working hard. There's a lot of people doubting us.”    One could question the wisdom of doubting a program that's won 24 of its last 27 games, has made back-to-back appearance in the Class 3A Lower State championship, and tied the school record for wins last season with its first unbeaten regular season since 1988.    However, there are legitimate holes to fill if the Lions hope to win their third consecutive region championship. Ayden Scott is projected be the new QB1, despite having never thrown a pass against varsity competition. Loris lost both of its leading wide receivers, who each caught double-digit touchdown passes and averaged over 20 yards per reception. Eight of the Lions' top 10 tacklers from last season graduated and a young but promising linebacker corps will have to lead the way.    That's not to say that there aren't talented playmakers waiting in the wings.    Rising seniors Purcha (32 catches, 581 yards, 7 TDs) and [player_tooltip player_id='1816126' first='Antonio' last='James'] are expected to step up as go-to playmakers on the perimeter and [player_tooltip player_id='2163955' first='Kenny' last='King'] will have to be a veteran leader in the defensive secondary. In the backfield, Scott will have the luxury of handing the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens'] (930 rushing yards, 16 TDs).    “It takes a lot of pressure off me,” said Scott when asked about the presence of proven playmakers like Purcha and Stephens on the offense. “I can look at them when I'm in doubt.”   “As a senior, it's on me to step up and show everybody what's right from wrong with the help of Rod, Antonio, and Kenny,” Stephens said.   Loris also possesses ample underclassmen talent, led by rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] at linebacker. Shaw burst onto the scene as a freshman (108 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 3 INTs) and will partner with rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1817499' first='Jay' last='Todd'] (113 tackles, 4.0 TFL) to give the Lions one of the states best linebacking duos.    Ultimately, regardless of holes to fill or doubting prognosticators, Loris is aiming to maintain the standard that has been set over the past two seasons. The Lions have enjoyed the best two-year stretch in program history, but a pair of semifinal playoff losses in back-to-back seasons means there's still another step to take.    They may be viewed as more of an underdog than in years past, but Loris enters 2026 with a quiet confidence.    “We lost a lot of players, a lot,” Purcha said. “But we're going to be straight.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1422629' first='Roderick' last='Purcha'] ATH, 2027 – Purcha can be deployed at nearly every offensive position on the field. He was considered to take over at quarterback before Scott won the job. Now, Loris can utilize him at wide receiver and running back, where he accounted for 938 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns last year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens'] RB, 2027 – Stephens is one of the area's best tailbacks, as evidence by his 8.2 yards per carry average as a junior. He averaged over 10 yards a touch in six different games last season and saved his best performance for the playoffs, where he ripped through Orangeburg-Wilkinson in the second round to the tune of 252 yards and four touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821580' first='Jeffery' last='Williams'] OL/DL, 2027 – Williams was a huge transfer pickup for the Lions, both literally and figuratively. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound rising senior comes to Loris from Atlantic Collegiate Academy and has been identified by Lion players and coaches alike as an immediate difference-maker with his size and impressive agility.    [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] LB, 2029 – One of the best rising sophomores in the state, Shaw flies around the field like a veteran. Loris has had great young linebackers before, but Shaw may be the best of the bunch. Don't be surprised if he somehow finds a way to surpass his monstrous freshman season.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1817499' first='Jay' last='Todd'] LB, 2028 – Todd led the Lions with 113 tackles as a sophomore and one look at the film makes it clear why. Todd has a high football IQ, quickly diagnosing plays and filling his gap with purpose. His athleticism is on display as well, as he redirects on blitzes and chases down a scrambling quarterback for a sack. After an offseason in the weight room, Todd should be even more disruptive from his inside linebacker spot.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Moon Gerald QB – Gerald led the most prolific offense in Loris history last season, throwing for 2,772 yards and 47 touchdowns while tossing just three interceptions. He was also the Lions' second-leading rusher with 431 yards on the ground.   Landon Conner DL – Conner ruined opponents' days on plenty of occasions last season, finishing with 56 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. He also was a veteran presence on the offensive line.    UP-AND-COMING TALENT   Ayden Scott QB, 2028 – Scott watched Gerald operate for the past two seasons and now gets his chance to lead the Loris attack. While he hasn't faced live fire yet, he's gotten plenty of reps in 7-on-7 events this summer and has enough firepower around him to make the transition smoother.    CJ Gore ATH, 2028 – Gore can get lost in a crowded linebacker corps with big names, but he flashed last season with 23 tackles. While offenses will certainly try to avoid Shaw, Gore could get opportunities to eat if teams are more likely to run towards him.    The younger of the Schuhmann brothers on the offensive line, Bryson was the lone freshman starter up front for Loris last season. He already possesses the frame of a next-level lineman and is projected to grow even larger.   The Schuhmann siblings will have a huge impact on the Lions' offensive success this season. Bryson is slated to start at right tackle while his older brother Dylan is penciled in at right guard.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.