2026 Preview: Gaffney Indians

What was Gaffney head coach Donnie Littlejohn's answer when we asked him what he learned that can benefit him from year one heading into year two after taking over for Dan Jones, the winningest head coach in school history at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Westwood two weeks ago?   Absolutely everything.   “For those people out there who, regardless of if you've been in a place 23 years or not, and you've been a coordinator or an assistant coach, when you move from those roles to the head coach, you absolutely know nothing," Littlejohn said. "I got to learn a lot."   He said that taking over for Jones was tough. And he knows the expectations of students, fans and alumni of the school located in Cherokee County in the Upstate are high.    Littlejohn has been pleased with what he's seen in the summer with the players that finished with perfect attendance during summer workouts.   “I feel like if we get the kids in there and with the atmosphere and the intensity that goes along with our strength and conditioning program, I think they're going to be better. And according to the numbers provided by Coach (Tony) Smith, our strength coach, I feel like this group is strong and fast. We've got a bunch of kids that are hitting 21 (to) 22 miles per hour this year, so just hoping that the hard work they put in in the offseason translates to the field, so I'm excited about that,” Littlejohn said.   The community support excites returning offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] as the Indians look to take the next step with the 2026 season on the horizon.   “Just the fan base and knowing that we're going to have a deep crowd at most of our games," Brooks said. "And being able to get the opportunity to play football again."   Brooks makes up a good nucleus of offensive starters coming back for the Indians. On the offensive line, Deuce Littlejohn will be back at left guard along with Trey Dawkins at center. [player_tooltip player_id='1716270' first='Hank' last='Davidson'] is expected to hold down the H-back and tight end role.    The Indians will need to figure out who will be their starting quarterback in 2026 but the running back room will be loaded with a few transfers locally from the Upstate and the Midlands, all of which we'll get into more below.   The defense is one of the areas Littlejohn believes will be the strongest. The entire secondary returns with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1604058' first='Kareem' last='Shaw'] and Adreyan Monroe back. [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] will be the anchor of the defense at linebacker along with Tom McGill. Ja'ronte Kimbrough will hold down things at defensive tackle along with [player_tooltip player_id='1852175' first='Marquel' last='Smalls'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1793551' first='Kamari' last='Briggs'] also expected to start up front.    The Indians heard plenty of outside noise during last year's 9-4 campaign, ending with a third round exit to eventual 5A-DII state champion Northwestern, Bailey and his guys are aware of it and are ready to make a statement.   “We were doubted all season last year," Bailey said. "They had us losing to everybody, basically. It isn't anything new. We're just going to come back and eat like we always do."   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] LB, 2027 (pictured) – Bailey will be the quarterback of the defense after a junior season that saw him wreck opposing offensive gameplans. He had 51 total tackles along with 18.5 of them (!!!) for a loss. If that's not enough, he could flip over to the offense at running back where he carried the ball 32 times for 273 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He committed to North Carolina Central University.    Bailey on college commitment: “What stood out to me the most was the relationship I had with the coaches.”   [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] OL, 2027 – Brooks will be the anchor on the offensive line at right tackle. He has great size and is tough to beat inside as he can get physical with his violent hands at the snap of the ball. He won't allow opposing defensive linemen to get penetration into the backfield while also being able to open up holes in the run game. He's been working to be better against the inside rush of defensive linemen and keeping his base wide in pass protection. He is currently committed to UAB.   Brooks on UAB commitment: “I think it was (UAB offensive line coach Matt) McCants. He played in the (National Football) League. I've been talking to Coach McCants since my ninth grade year so me and him had a good relationship.”   [player_tooltip player_id='873100' first='Zion' last='Dawkins'], DB, 2028 – Dawkins will be a part of a loaded Indians secondary in 2026. He finished 2025 with 57 total tackles and 4 interceptions, including one for a pick six. He even took a few punts back to the house as well. He has great closing speed on the ball at corner and can stay stride for stride with receivers. Numerous Power Four schools have offered him including Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Boston College and Syracuse to name a few   [player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White'] RB, 2027 – White transferred to Gaffney from Irmo for his senior season and should be a welcomed addition to an Indians offense that lost some production due to graduation. He ran for more than 1,300 yards last season in the Yellow Jackets run to a state title appearance.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1664489' first='Ayden' last='Montgomery'] DB, 2027 – Montgomery will be one of the leaders on the Indians' defense in 2025 after a nice junior season where he had 20 tackles in 11 games. He has a knack for getting after opposing wide receivers and meeting them with physicality when the ball comes his way. There were several times where he was able to jar the bar loose or limit the play to a short gain when he came up in run support. He can stay in phase with receivers and runs well.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Banks Bouton QB – Bouton was a dual-threat quarterback for the Indians, throwing for 1366 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for 834 yards and 12 touchdowns. Anytime you lose that kind of production, there will be a void left to fill. Bouton will play football at Furman University.   Josiah Hill RB – Hill ran for 953 yards on 191 carries, scoring 19 touchdowns during his senior year. He had three games where he went over 100 yards rushing.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Dylan McKey RB, 2028 – McKey transferred to Gaffney from Mountain View Prep after rushing the ball 47 times for 283 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. He had one game where he rushed over 100 yards, and will have a chance to compete for the starting running back role.   Marquis Young WR, 2028 – Young will provide the Indians another threat at wide receiver who they expect to be able to help them stretch the field vertically, which was Littlejohn says was a weakness for Gaffney last year.    Taylor is in competition with [player_tooltip player_id='1622746' first='Talmage' last='Person'] - a rising ninth grader - to take over as the Indians' starting quarterback in 2026. He played on JV last year and showed promise with his ability to stand in the pocket and make throws.   He can scramble around and make plays when things break down while keeping his eyes downfield. He has good size on him and has good athleticism for a young sophomore. Taylor currently has an offer from Samford University.

What was Gaffney head coach Donnie Littlejohn's answer when we asked him what he learned that can benefit him from year one heading into year two after taking over for Dan Jones, the winningest head coach in school history at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Westwood two weeks ago?