2025 Preview: Gaffney Indians

If you're not from Gaffney, it's tough to understand the expectations surrounding football there.   Donnie Littlejohn lives it, and has for his entire career.   Gaffney's new head coach is an Indian through and through, and he's been on staff for some of the team's biggest successes.   Now, it's his turn to call the shots. He's ready.   "One of the good things about it is that I played here," Littlejohn said. "I've been here for my entire coaching career. I grew up here, immersed in the Gaffney culture and expectations and what this community expects. I understand it. Moving from a coordinator role to head coach has been a transition, but it's been a good transition. At the end of the day, it's a dream job for me. It's what I've prayed for a long time, and I just hope we're successful."   Littlejohn was an outstanding offensive lineman both at Gaffney and collegiately at Furman. It's no wonder, then, that one of the Indians' strengths will be up front.   "I'm proud of this offensive line," he said. "The problem is we haven't put on pads yet, and we're trying to piece five together. But we do have some really good ones. [player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover'] has gotten a lot of attention, and he's grown up a lot this summer. He's completely invested. [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] is a young buck. He started as a ninth grader, and this is going to be his third year starting. We forget how young he is. Cam Shippy isn't as big as those tackles, but he's real solid for us and has gotten extremely strong this summer. We've got another young guy, Derrius Littlejohn, who played the last six or so games at left guard last year, and we're excited about what he brings to the table. Seth Phillips is going to be in the rotation, with Carter Calvert and Landon Bailey. We think that's going to be the nucleus of the offensive line."   They'll be blocking for a deep and talented backfield, one that includes [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'], who should be back to full strength after being slowed by an injury last season.   "He got hurt in the first game last year, and the big question on everybody's mind is whether he's back and he's healthy," Littlejohn said. "The answer is absolutely yes. He's back, and I absolutely think he's going to be better. He can run, he can move, and I'm super excited to see what he can do."   McDowell will be joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1295076' first='Josiah' last='Hill'], who joins the Indians from Kings Mountain.   [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] is back under center for the Indians, and the Arkansas commit brings a wealth of talent to the table. The Indians are replacing some big-time weapons on the outside.   "We're still looking for some guys out on the perimeter to step up," Littlejohn said. "It's just making sure we get the right fit on the field and they're going to do what they're supposed to do."   One of those targets could be [player_tooltip player_id='1664489' first='Ayden' last='Montgomery'], a Daniel transfer who played both ways for the Lions.   Defensively, the Indians have a bunch of guys who can run and who are big hitters when they get to the pile. However, they aren't returning many on that side of the ball, with [player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyon' last='Ratchford'], [player_tooltip player_id='873100' first='Zion' last='Dawkins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] as the big names.   The Indians will benefit from a couple of defenders who are returning in a different way, as they're transferring back to where they started. Kelton Smith returns from Oakbrook Prep, and the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder will have an impact on the DL. [player_tooltip player_id='1041795' first='Chanson' last='Mickles'] is back from Chapman, and will play at LB. Ty McGill is moving over from offense to defense, and Littlejohn hopes he will fill a spot at inside linebacker.   "It's just about getting people in the right spots and putting out a good product on Friday nights," he said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] LB, 2027 - If you've been a fan of football in South Carolina for very long, you can close your eyes and picture a Gaffney LB. Well, you're looking at [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey']. Big, fast, strong, and physical, he's got all the tools. He had eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss a year ago, and he's just a junior.   [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] QB, 2026- If ever there has been a quiet 2,500-yard season, Gilmore had one last year. That's a strange thing to say, but it's true. He just goes about his business quietly, then you look at the stats and he's sometimes set the sheet on fire. He's a big QB with a big arm, and he'll have a chance to shine.   [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'] RB, 2026 - McDowell was hampered by his early injury all year, and never really approached full speed, though he did contribute for the Indians. Now, Littlejohn said he's even faster, which is scary. He's got all the tools out of the backfield, and brings an entirely different dynamic to the Gaffney offense simply by his presence. His ability in the passing game might be the most underrated part of his skill set - and one of the best.   [player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover'] OL, 2026 - In one of the most rugged defensive regions in the state, Dover stands out as a guy who neutralizes the guys lined up across from him. He's big enough and talented enough to simply impose his will. Littlejohn has been impressed with his work ethic, and Dover is continuing to turn heads.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyon' last='Ratchford'] LB, 2026 - Ratchford led the Indians in tackles with 68, had 18 tackles for loss and four sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered one, and generally wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Now realize that Littlejohn said Ratchford "had a phenomenal spring and summer", and raves about how much better and more mature he's getting every day. Yikes.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Jamarcus Smith ATH - Smith was an absolute problem, lining up at WR, RB, QB, and in the return game for the Indians. From notching two 99-yard TDs in a single game to playing multiple offensive positions, there's not much he didn't do for the Indians.   Andrew Ruppe LB - Ruppe was a wrecking ball, a four-year starter on a defense that's routinely among the best in the state. He drew a bunch of attention from opposing offensive lines, and still managed to make a ton of plays and set the defensive tone for Gaffney.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Brady Smith WR, 2027 - When the Indians are at their best, they've got a go-to guy as a possession receiver. That might be Smith. Littlejohn says he's "as tough as they come", and is looking forward to how he'll contribute this year.   Dominic Odom ATH, 2026 - Odom is a transfer from Blacksburg, and he's rehabbing from an injury. When he's healthy, he's fast, athletic, and incredibly strong, with a 500-pound squat to his credit.    Smith played a good bit for the Indians last season, giving them an outlet at the TE/H-Back spot as well as notching some carries. He's just another weapon on an offense that looks to be loaded, and he gives Gaffney a little bit of a different look for defenses to worry about.

If you're not from Gaffney, it's tough to understand the expectations surrounding football there.

Donnie Littlejohn lives it, and has for his entire career.

Gaffney's new head coach is an Indian through and through, and he's been on staff for some of the team's biggest successes.

Now, it's his turn to call the shots. He's ready.

"One of the good things about it is that I played here," Littlejohn said. "I've been here for my entire coaching career. I grew up here, immersed in the Gaffney culture and expectations and what this community expects. I understand it. Moving from a coordinator role to head coach has been a transition, but it's been a good transition. At the end of the day, it's a dream job for me. It's what I've prayed for a long time, and I just hope we're successful."

Littlejohn was an outstanding offensive lineman both at Gaffney and collegiately at Furman. It's no wonder, then, that one of the Indians' strengths will be up front.

"I'm proud of this offensive line," he said. "The problem is we haven't put on pads yet, and we're trying to piece five together. But we do have some really good ones. Scottland Dover Scottland Dover 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL Gaffney | 2026 State SC has gotten a lot of attention, and he's grown up a lot this summer. He's completely invested. CJ Brooks CJ Brooks 6'4" | 325 lbs | OL Gaffney | 2027 State SC is a young buck. He started as a ninth grader, and this is going to be his third year starting. We forget how young he is. Cam Shippy isn't as big as those tackles, but he's real solid for us and has gotten extremely strong this summer. We've got another young guy, Derrius Littlejohn, who played the last six or so games at left guard last year, and we're excited about what he brings to the table. Seth Phillips is going to be in the rotation, with Carter Calvert and Landon Bailey. We think that's going to be the nucleus of the offensive line."

They'll be blocking for a deep and talented backfield, one that includes Jaiden McDowell Jaiden McDowell 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2026 State SC , who should be back to full strength after being slowed by an injury last season.

"He got hurt in the first game last year, and the big question on everybody's mind is whether he's back and he's healthy," Littlejohn said. "The answer is absolutely yes. He's back, and I absolutely think he's going to be better. He can run, he can move, and I'm super excited to see what he can do."

McDowell will be joined by Josiah Hill Josiah Hill 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB/LB Gaffney | 2026 State SC , who joins the Indians from Kings Mountain.

Jayvon Gilmore Jayvon Gilmore 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Ridge View | 2026 State SC is back under center for the Indians, and the Arkansas commit brings a wealth of talent to the table. The Indians are replacing some big-time weapons on the outside.

"We're still looking for some guys out on the perimeter to step up," Littlejohn said. "It's just making sure we get the right fit on the field and they're going to do what they're supposed to do."

One of those targets could be Ayden Montgomery Ayden Montgomery 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Gaffney | 2027 State SC , a Daniel transfer who played both ways for the Lions.

The Indians will benefit from a couple of defenders who are returning in a different way, as they're transferring back to where they started. Kelton Smith returns from Oakbrook Prep, and the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder will have an impact on the DL. Chanson Mickles Chanson Mickles 5'9" | 195 lbs | LB/DB Gaffney | 2026 State SC is back from Chapman, and will play at LB. Ty McGill is moving over from offense to defense, and Littlejohn hopes he will fill a spot at inside linebacker.

"It's just about getting people in the right spots and putting out a good product on Friday nights," he said.

STARS SET TO SHINE

Kendaris Bailey Kendaris Bailey 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2027 State SC LB, 2027 - If you've been a fan of football in South Carolina for very long, you can close your eyes and picture a Gaffney LB. Well, you're looking at Kendaris Bailey Kendaris Bailey 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2027 State SC . Big, fast, strong, and physical, he's got all the tools. He had eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss a year ago, and he's just a junior.

Jayvon Gilmore Jayvon Gilmore 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Ridge View | 2026 State SC QB, 2026- If ever there has been a quiet 2,500-yard season, Gilmore had one last year. That's a strange thing to say, but it's true. He just goes about his business quietly, then you look at the stats and he's sometimes set the sheet on fire. He's a big QB with a big arm, and he'll have a chance to shine.

Jaiden McDowell Jaiden McDowell 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2026 State SC RB, 2026 - McDowell was hampered by his early injury all year, and never really approached full speed, though he did contribute for the Indians. Now, Littlejohn said he's even faster, which is scary. He's got all the tools out of the backfield, and brings an entirely different dynamic to the Gaffney offense simply by his presence. His ability in the passing game might be the most underrated part of his skill set - and one of the best.

Scottland Dover Scottland Dover 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL Gaffney | 2026 State SC OL, 2026 - In one of the most rugged defensive regions in the state, Dover stands out as a guy who neutralizes the guys lined up across from him. He's big enough and talented enough to simply impose his will. Littlejohn has been impressed with his work ethic, and Dover is continuing to turn heads.

FILM REVIEW

Zyon Ratchford Zyon Ratchford 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2026 State SC LB, 2026 - Ratchford led the Indians in tackles with 68, had 18 tackles for loss and four sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered one, and generally wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Now realize that Littlejohn said Ratchford "had a phenomenal spring and summer", and raves about how much better and more mature he's getting every day. Yikes.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Jamarcus Smith ATH - Smith was an absolute problem, lining up at WR, RB, QB, and in the return game for the Indians. From notching two 99-yard TDs in a single game to playing multiple offensive positions, there's not much he didn't do for the Indians.

Andrew Ruppe LB - Ruppe was a wrecking ball, a four-year starter on a defense that's routinely among the best in the state. He drew a bunch of attention from opposing offensive lines, and still managed to make a ton of plays and set the defensive tone for Gaffney.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Brady Smith WR, 2027 - When the Indians are at their best, they've got a go-to guy as a possession receiver. That might be Smith. Littlejohn says he's "as tough as they come", and is looking forward to how he'll contribute this year.

Dominic Odom ATH, 2026 - Odom is a transfer from Blacksburg, and he's rehabbing from an injury. When he's healthy, he's fast, athletic, and incredibly strong, with a 500-pound squat to his credit.