2026 Preview: Swansea Tigers

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.   Last season started off as the best in more than a decade for Swansea's football program.   Seven consecutive wins. A spot in the top 10 in the state media poll. A 1-0 start in region play with the opportunity to buckle in to the driver's seat for a league title.   Instead, the Tigers lost two of their last three to close out the regular season, then ran into a Marlboro County buzzsaw in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. An 8-3 finish was obviously disappointing after a 7-0 start, but making it more frustrating is that it was almost a carbon copy of the 2024 season.   Needless to say, the Tigers are in agreement about their biggest goal heading into year three under head coach Willie Fox. With 15 wins in the last two seasons they're far removed from a winless campaign in 2023, but they're not satisfied. They want to push forward.   "I was part of that team that went defeated," lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1822445' first='Davis' last='Livingston'] said, referring to the 0-10 record his freshman year, at last month's Prep RedZone Media Days at Gilbert. "I know how it feels. To see the guys really buy in and take it to the next level and, each practice, seeing the guys keep buying in - we've just got to start finishing. That's our only problem right now."   It's not the easiest code to crack to break through in the postseason, but Fox has been there before. He led a turnaround at Wagener-Salley that took a couple of tries to get past the first round before making deep playoff runs, and this group with nine returning starters on both sides of the ball may be on a similar trajectory. A more difficult non-region schedule is a big first step toward building and maintaining a level of intensity they can carry into the region and beyond.   "We came in two years ago and took over a program that was in trouble," Fox said. "The first year we were able to win seven, last year we took a step forward and won eight. We're still struggling to win in the playoffs. We get into our region and we're kind of finishing in the middle of the region and losing in the first round of the playoffs. What we've talked about in this spring and summer is trying to take that next step."   Another element the Tigers are counting on to help out is improved depth and the competition at each position group that brings with it. Those returning starters aren't guaranteed a spot just because they held it last year. Eight or nine defensive backs could crack the starting lineup at any time, as could seven or eight offensive linemen, four or five wingbacks or three or four tailbacks.   "We've got a lot of competition in different groups," wingback [player_tooltip player_id='1816291' first='Trace' last='Selfridge'] said. "It's really iron-sharpens-iron, making us better."   It's a Fox-coached team, so that group of linemen up front will be a focal point. Livingston and [player_tooltip player_id='1804680' first='Kevin' last='Sightler'] are two returning anchors up front on both sides, with Tromel Riley and Aadyn Goff projected to take the tackle spots with [player_tooltip player_id='1819942' first='Ethan' last='Jeffcoat'] at center. They and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='2235553' first='Carder' last='Young'] will work together to pave the way for returning All-Region pick [player_tooltip player_id='1819945' first='Deandre' last='Caldwell'] at tailback and Selfridge at wingback, and buying time for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1672924' first='Kendall' last='Wright'] to look for receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='2070776' first='Tarez' last='James'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819943' first='Gavyn' last='Mack'] out wide.   The defense will also look familiar, with rising sophomore Jeremyah Waymyers joining Sightler and Livingston up front. Young, Selfridge and Gabriel Kirsch are slated as the starting linebackers, Brian Zeigler is in line to line up alongside Caldwell and Mack at safety spots, and Jayron Heartwell and [player_tooltip player_id='1817378' first='Jaden' last='Stroman'] are set to hold down the cornerback spots.   The Tigers allowed only 10.9 points per game in their eight wins, but they gave up an average of 43 in the three losses. That's an area where finding ways to finish off games could make a big difference, and it's something Swansea will look to accomplish with healthy and friendly in-roster competition.   "I don't think we have a team. I think we have a brotherhood," Livingston said. "We're all very tight-knit. It is a small town and a small school. I think that's one thing we have that's really great for us."   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1816291' first='Trace' last='Selfridge'] WB/DB, 2027 (pictured) - The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder scored eight touchdowns and intercepted two passes last season. His versatility gives Swansea an added dimension on offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1672924' first='Kendall' last='Wright'] QB, 2028 - Wright was efficient last season, surpassing 1,000 all-purpose yards with 10 touchdowns against only one interception. He picked up a lot of valuable experience, and he had a big spring that included an All-State selection in baseball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1804680' first='Kevin' last='Sightler'] OL/DL, 2028 - Sightler is a wrecking ball up front for the Tigers, with the 5-foot-10, 270-pounder showing a good understanding of using leverage to move defenders out of the way. He can do the same to clog the middle when he plays on the defensive line.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822445' first='Davis' last='Livingston'] OL/DL, 2027 - The 6-footer may not have the prototypical offensive lineman build, but his quickness and motor are perfect for the type of scheme Fox employs. Don't be surprised to see him escorting defenders way down the field when the Tigers break long runs.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1819945' first='Deandre' last='Caldwell'] RB/DB, 2028 - Caldwell was an All-Region selection last season after rushing for 518 yards and 10 touchdowns on 76 carries, and more accolades could be on the way as he takes on an expanded role. He keeps opposing defenses off balance because of his ability to take either handoffs or direct snaps, and while he has some breakaway speed he shows plenty of patience to ensure he hits the jets at exactly the right time. That patience, and his vision, are also on display in his defensive clips, and he times his breaks well to get into position to wrap up opposing ball carriers.    BIGGEST LOSSES   William Geddis, LB/TE - Geddis was a mainstay in the Tigers' starting lineup, twice earning All-Region and All-State honors before heading off to Erskine.   Dante Caldwell, RB/DB - The speedy Caldwell was an All-Region pick last year as a senior after rushing for 750 yards with 14 touchdowns plus a kick return score.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jeremyah Waymyers DL, 2029 - If the season started today, Waymyers would have a starting spot on the defensive line with veterans Sightler and Livingston. He had a big freshman season on the wrestling mat, and we always like to see how that success carries over into football season.   Aadyn Goff OL, 2029 - Ditto for Goff at one of the tackle spots. Considering the importance Fox places on offensive line play, and the depth Swansea has, it tells us Goff is already well ahead of schedule toward becoming a cornerstone for the Tigers for years to come.    Young is in line to start at both tight end and linebacker for the Tigers after also playing both sides of the ball during his sophomore season. He started on the offensive line, so we expect him to have a big impact as essentially the sixth blocker up front, and while playing on defense he made nine tackles with a fumble recovery and a pass deflection.   We don't expect his production to increase simply because of his experience and his standing as a returning starter. We expect him to play a valuable role because he's proved his dedication to his teammates with his hard work and attendance in the weight room, and we expect to see the results of that all season long.

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.

Last season started off as the best in more than a decade for Swansea's football program.

Seven consecutive wins. A spot in the top 10 in the state media poll. A 1-0 start in region play with the opportunity to buckle in to the driver's seat for a league title.

Instead, the Tigers lost two of their last three to close out the regular season, then ran into a Marlboro County buzzsaw in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. An 8-3 finish was obviously disappointing after a 7-0 start, but making it more frustrating is that it was almost a carbon copy of the 2024 season.

Needless to say, the Tigers are in agreement about their biggest goal heading into year three under head coach Willie Fox. With 15 wins in the last two seasons they're far removed from a winless campaign in 2023, but they're not satisfied. They want to push forward.

"I was part of that team that went defeated," lineman Davis Livingston Davis Livingston 6'0" Swansea | 2027 SC said, referring to the 0-10 record his freshman year, at last month's Prep RedZone Media Days at Gilbert. "I know how it feels. To see the guys really buy in and take it to the next level and, each practice, seeing the guys keep buying in - we've just got to start finishing. That's our only problem right now."

It's not the easiest code to crack to break through in the postseason, but Fox has been there before. He led a turnaround at Wagener-Salley that took a couple of tries to get past the first round before making deep playoff runs, and this group with nine returning starters on both sides of the ball may be on a similar trajectory. A more difficult non-region schedule is a big first step toward building and maintaining a level of intensity they can carry into the region and beyond.

"We came in two years ago and took over a program that was in trouble," Fox said. "The first year we were able to win seven, last year we took a step forward and won eight. We're still struggling to win in the playoffs. We get into our region and we're kind of finishing in the middle of the region and losing in the first round of the playoffs. What we've talked about in this spring and summer is trying to take that next step."

Another element the Tigers are counting on to help out is improved depth and the competition at each position group that brings with it. Those returning starters aren't guaranteed a spot just because they held it last year. Eight or nine defensive backs could crack the starting lineup at any time, as could seven or eight offensive linemen, four or five wingbacks or three or four tailbacks.

"We've got a lot of competition in different groups," wingback Trace Selfridge Trace Selfridge 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Swansea | 2027 State SC said. "It's really iron-sharpens-iron, making us better."

It's a Fox-coached team, so that group of linemen up front will be a focal point. Livingston and Kevin Sightler Kevin Sightler 5'10" | 270 lbs | OL/DL Swansea | 2028 State SC are two returning anchors up front on both sides, with Tromel Riley and Aadyn Goff projected to take the tackle spots with Ethan Jeffcoat Ethan Jeffcoat 6'1" Swansea | 2027 SC at center. They and tight end Carder Young Carder Young 6'0" | 210 lbs | DL/TE Swansea | 2028 State SC will work together to pave the way for returning All-Region pick Deandre Caldwell Deandre Caldwell 5'9" Swansea | 2028 SC at tailback and Selfridge at wingback, and buying time for quarterback Kendall Wright Kendall Wright 5'10" | 185 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2028 State SC to look for receivers like Tarez James Tarez James 5'10" SC and Gavyn Mack Gavyn Mack 5'7" Swansea | 2027 SC out wide.

The defense will also look familiar, with rising sophomore Jeremyah Waymyers joining Sightler and Livingston up front. Young, Selfridge and Gabriel Kirsch are slated as the starting linebackers, Brian Zeigler is in line to line up alongside Caldwell and Mack at safety spots, and Jayron Heartwell and Jaden Stroman Jaden Stroman WR North Charleston | 2027 SC are set to hold down the cornerback spots.

The Tigers allowed only 10.9 points per game in their eight wins, but they gave up an average of 43 in the three losses. That's an area where finding ways to finish off games could make a big difference, and it's something Swansea will look to accomplish with healthy and friendly in-roster competition.

"I don't think we have a team. I think we have a brotherhood," Livingston said. "We're all very tight-knit. It is a small town and a small school. I think that's one thing we have that's really great for us."

STARS SET TO SHINE

Trace Selfridge Trace Selfridge 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Swansea | 2027 State SC WB/DB, 2027 (pictured) - The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder scored eight touchdowns and intercepted two passes last season. His versatility gives Swansea an added dimension on offense.

Kendall Wright Kendall Wright 5'10" | 185 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2028 State SC QB, 2028 - Wright was efficient last season, surpassing 1,000 all-purpose yards with 10 touchdowns against only one interception. He picked up a lot of valuable experience, and he had a big spring that included an All-State selection in baseball.

Kevin Sightler Kevin Sightler 5'10" | 270 lbs | OL/DL Swansea | 2028 State SC OL/DL, 2028 - Sightler is a wrecking ball up front for the Tigers, with the 5-foot-10, 270-pounder showing a good understanding of using leverage to move defenders out of the way. He can do the same to clog the middle when he plays on the defensive line.

Davis Livingston Davis Livingston 6'0" Swansea | 2027 SC OL/DL, 2027 - The 6-footer may not have the prototypical offensive lineman build, but his quickness and motor are perfect for the type of scheme Fox employs. Don't be surprised to see him escorting defenders way down the field when the Tigers break long runs.

FILM REVIEW

Deandre Caldwell Deandre Caldwell 5'9" Swansea | 2028 SC RB/DB, 2028 - Caldwell was an All-Region selection last season after rushing for 518 yards and 10 touchdowns on 76 carries, and more accolades could be on the way as he takes on an expanded role. He keeps opposing defenses off balance because of his ability to take either handoffs or direct snaps, and while he has some breakaway speed he shows plenty of patience to ensure he hits the jets at exactly the right time. That patience, and his vision, are also on display in his defensive clips, and he times his breaks well to get into position to wrap up opposing ball carriers.

BIGGEST LOSSES

William Geddis, LB/TE - Geddis was a mainstay in the Tigers' starting lineup, twice earning All-Region and All-State honors before heading off to Erskine.

Dante Caldwell, RB/DB - The speedy Caldwell was an All-Region pick last year as a senior after rushing for 750 yards with 14 touchdowns plus a kick return score.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Jeremyah Waymyers DL, 2029 - If the season started today, Waymyers would have a starting spot on the defensive line with veterans Sightler and Livingston. He had a big freshman season on the wrestling mat, and we always like to see how that success carries over into football season.

Aadyn Goff OL, 2029 - Ditto for Goff at one of the tackle spots. Considering the importance Fox places on offensive line play, and the depth Swansea has, it tells us Goff is already well ahead of schedule toward becoming a cornerstone for the Tigers for years to come.