2025 Preview: Byrnes Rebels

After a weird year that saw them play every game on the road in 2024, the Byrnes Rebels are ready to return to Nixon Field.   They're willing to hustle to make it happen if need be.   "We're going to be ready if I have to lay a few bricks myself," head coach Reggie Shaw said.   Shaw said that a year away from their home stadium was tough, but he thinks the team's chemistry might be better for it.   "We've just got a great group," Shaw said. "They really just like being around each other. That's the bond we're trying to build, that family. We're trying to be selfless, which is uncommon for 16-17-18 year olds. They're coachable, they work hard, they don't complain, and they hold themselves accountable for the most part. That makes it easy for us coaches, and that makes it fun to come to work."   Work in Region II-5A, across the board, starts with defense. That's somewhere Byrnes looks ready to shine.   "The Strike Force tradition never graduates," Shaw said. "We feel like we've got that team speed first and foremost. The guys have had a great summer in the weight room, a lot of them run track, and that's got a lot to do with the success."   Three-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='797155' first='Justice' last='Hopkins'] is expected to lead the way up front. He's used to terrorizing passers, but he's worked to increase his effectiveness against the run. He'll be joined by Josh Kyefero at NG and Jackson Delaney at the other DE. Octavious Davis returns after a 44-tackle year to lead the linebacking corps.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615038' first='Emerson' last='James'] started as a freshman at DB for the Rebels. He's joined in the secondary by DJ Torrence, Nehemiah Beasley, and several others who saw extensive playing time.   "It all starts up front, but we feel really good about the back half, too," Shaw said.   One of the biggest returners for Byrnes is [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'], the Rebels' all-everything RB who missed most of last season with an injury before a return late in the season and into the playoffs. He's maturing into a leadership role for the Rebels.   "Tre leads by example," Shaw said. "We've encouraged him to be more vocal, and he's starting to embrace that. He's big, fast, strong, and smart. That's a really good combination."   Segarra said he's fully healthy and ready to roll for the season.   "I feel great," he said. "I honestly probably feel better than I ever have going into the season. I'm excited to get back and ready to get started."   He's far from the only weapon on that side of the ball for Byrnes.   "Our receiving corps is the best I've had here, and it starts with [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris']," Shaw said. "We really have eight receivers who can go the distance every time they go the distance - guys like Nick Watson, Mason Stephens, [player_tooltip player_id='1581471' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson']. Kaylin McDowell has had a tremendous June. Jackson Delaney plays at TE, too. And you can't forget Jacobie Fuller at running back. He's a 4.4 guy at 195 pounds, and we've really got two DI guys at running back."   All that talent leads to some high offensive expectations.   "It's a great time to be a quarterback at Byrnes," Shaw said. "You've got weapons all over the place."   Caine Rogers split time at QB last year, throwing for more than 1,000 yards and eight TDs. Walker Burdette and [player_tooltip player_id='1579471' first='Aryan' last='Desai'] have both pushed for time with strong offseason performances.   The Rebels return some experience up front, with Zion Fullard, Trey McCullough, Daniel Cornell, and Justice Meredith all back. There's a battle for the fifth spot with a couple guys who will definitely be in the rotation, as Michael Piggee and Josiah Chambers have both had excellent summers.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] RB, 2027 - Segarra (pictured) is the key to the Rebels' offense. Despite playing just four games and notching 48 carries last year, he was still the team's third-leading rusher. He's got blazing speed, great vision, and the power to run through tackles, and he says he's healthy and feels better than ever. That's scary.   [player_tooltip player_id='797155' first='Justice' last='Hopkins'] DL, 2026 - Hopkins is the latest in a long line of standout guys on the edge for Byrnes. He does a lot of things well, and some of those are the little things that might go unnoticed but pay off big. He had 44 tackles with four tackles for loss last season, adding two sacks and nine hurries. He's able to bring unreal pressure, and he's just as effective against the run.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris'] WR, 2027 - Byrnes' strength training motto has long been "too fast, too strong". Well, Harris is exactly what you should think of when you hear the "too fast" part. He's an absolute burner, with plenty of skill on top of all that speed. Harris was second on the team in receiving yardage as a sophomore behind some talented seniors. It's his time to shine.   Jackson Delaney DE/TE, 2026 - Delaney is an old-school dual threat for Byrnes. He had some success at TE in the receiving game last year, catching a TD, and he's a good blocker as well. Defensively, he notched 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, three sacks, four hurries, and an interception. He'll look to do even more on both sides of the ball this year.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1592388' first='Jonathan' last='Montgomery'] LB, 2026 - Montgomery played just seven complete games for the Rebels, but he made a huge difference. He had 61 tackles and four tackles for loss in those games, showing what he's capable of. He has a nose for the ball, diagnoses plays quickly, and provides all the pop you want from a MLB.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Jaidyn Ferguson DL - A defensive pressure machine, Ferguson lived in the opposing backfield. He had eight tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven hurries, and 45 total tackles for the Rebels in his senior year.   Talik Dawkins ATH - Dawkins did a little bit of everything for the Rebels as a senior, leading the team in receiving, carrying the ball 41 times, and even lining up at QB a few times.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1615038' first='Emerson' last='James'] DB, 2028 - James started in the defensive backfield as a freshman, recording 38 tackles, picking off two passes, and recovering a fumble. He'll take on an even bigger role in the secondary this year.   Kaylin McDowell WR, 2026 - McDowell had a couple of carries and a couple of catches as a junior - and scored four times. He's quietly had what Shaw calls "a phenomenal summer" and he's ready to break out.    Chambers made the move from DL to OL late in the year for the Rebels last season, and took to the position well. Shaw loves what he's seen, and loves the willingness to work that Chambers has brought to his new position. He's strong and is learning how to use his leverage, and Shaw said that Chambers "has got a chance to be dominant".

After a weird year that saw them play every game on the road in 2024, the Byrnes Rebels are ready to return to Nixon Field.

They're willing to hustle to make it happen if need be.

"We're going to be ready if I have to lay a few bricks myself," head coach Reggie Shaw said.

Shaw said that a year away from their home stadium was tough, but he thinks the team's chemistry might be better for it.

"We've just got a great group," Shaw said. "They really just like being around each other. That's the bond we're trying to build, that family. We're trying to be selfless, which is uncommon for 16-17-18 year olds. They're coachable, they work hard, they don't complain, and they hold themselves accountable for the most part. That makes it easy for us coaches, and that makes it fun to come to work."

Work in Region II-5A, across the board, starts with defense. That's somewhere Byrnes looks ready to shine.

"The Strike Force tradition never graduates," Shaw said. "We feel like we've got that team speed first and foremost. The guys have had a great summer in the weight room, a lot of them run track, and that's got a lot to do with the success."

Three-year starter Justice Hopkins Justice Hopkins 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL/TE Byrnes | 2026 State SC is expected to lead the way up front. He's used to terrorizing passers, but he's worked to increase his effectiveness against the run. He'll be joined by Josh Kyefero at NG and Jackson Delaney at the other DE. Octavious Davis returns after a 44-tackle year to lead the linebacking corps.

Emerson James Emerson James 5'8" | 170 lbs | DB Byrnes | 2028 State SC started as a freshman at DB for the Rebels. He's joined in the secondary by DJ Torrence, Nehemiah Beasley, and several others who saw extensive playing time.

"It all starts up front, but we feel really good about the back half, too," Shaw said.

One of the biggest returners for Byrnes is Tre Segarra Tre Segarra 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Byrnes | 2027 State SC , the Rebels' all-everything RB who missed most of last season with an injury before a return late in the season and into the playoffs. He's maturing into a leadership role for the Rebels.

"Tre leads by example," Shaw said. "We've encouraged him to be more vocal, and he's starting to embrace that. He's big, fast, strong, and smart. That's a really good combination."

Segarra said he's fully healthy and ready to roll for the season.

"I feel great," he said. "I honestly probably feel better than I ever have going into the season. I'm excited to get back and ready to get started."

He's far from the only weapon on that side of the ball for Byrnes.

"Our receiving corps is the best I've had here, and it starts with Chanin Harris Chanin Harris 6'2" | 165 lbs | WR Byrnes | 2027 State SC ," Shaw said. "We really have eight receivers who can go the distance every time they go the distance - guys like Nick Watson, Mason Stephens, Isaiah Robinson Isaiah Robinson 5'8" | 157 lbs | WR Byrnes | 2028 State SC . Kaylin McDowell has had a tremendous June. Jackson Delaney plays at TE, too. And you can't forget Jacobie Fuller at running back. He's a 4.4 guy at 195 pounds, and we've really got two DI guys at running back."

All that talent leads to some high offensive expectations.

"It's a great time to be a quarterback at Byrnes," Shaw said. "You've got weapons all over the place."

Caine Rogers split time at QB last year, throwing for more than 1,000 yards and eight TDs. Walker Burdette and Aryan Desai Aryan Desai 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Spartanburg | 2027 SC have both pushed for time with strong offseason performances.

The Rebels return some experience up front, with Zion Fullard, Trey McCullough, Daniel Cornell, and Justice Meredith all back. There's a battle for the fifth spot with a couple guys who will definitely be in the rotation, as Michael Piggee and Josiah Chambers have both had excellent summers.

STARS SET TO SHINE

Tre Segarra Tre Segarra 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Byrnes | 2027 State SC RB, 2027 - Segarra (pictured) is the key to the Rebels' offense. Despite playing just four games and notching 48 carries last year, he was still the team's third-leading rusher. He's got blazing speed, great vision, and the power to run through tackles, and he says he's healthy and feels better than ever. That's scary.

Justice Hopkins Justice Hopkins 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL/TE Byrnes | 2026 State SC DL, 2026 - Hopkins is the latest in a long line of standout guys on the edge for Byrnes. He does a lot of things well, and some of those are the little things that might go unnoticed but pay off big. He had 44 tackles with four tackles for loss last season, adding two sacks and nine hurries. He's able to bring unreal pressure, and he's just as effective against the run.

Chanin Harris Chanin Harris 6'2" | 165 lbs | WR Byrnes | 2027 State SC WR, 2027 - Byrnes' strength training motto has long been "too fast, too strong". Well, Harris is exactly what you should think of when you hear the "too fast" part. He's an absolute burner, with plenty of skill on top of all that speed. Harris was second on the team in receiving yardage as a sophomore behind some talented seniors. It's his time to shine.

Jackson Delaney DE/TE, 2026 - Delaney is an old-school dual threat for Byrnes. He had some success at TE in the receiving game last year, catching a TD, and he's a good blocker as well. Defensively, he notched 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, three sacks, four hurries, and an interception. He'll look to do even more on both sides of the ball this year.

FILM REVIEW

Jonathan Montgomery Jonathan Montgomery 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Byrnes | 2026 State SC LB, 2026 - Montgomery played just seven complete games for the Rebels, but he made a huge difference. He had 61 tackles and four tackles for loss in those games, showing what he's capable of. He has a nose for the ball, diagnoses plays quickly, and provides all the pop you want from a MLB.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Jaidyn Ferguson DL - A defensive pressure machine, Ferguson lived in the opposing backfield. He had eight tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven hurries, and 45 total tackles for the Rebels in his senior year.

Talik Dawkins ATH - Dawkins did a little bit of everything for the Rebels as a senior, leading the team in receiving, carrying the ball 41 times, and even lining up at QB a few times.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Emerson James Emerson James 5'8" | 170 lbs | DB Byrnes | 2028 State SC DB, 2028 - James started in the defensive backfield as a freshman, recording 38 tackles, picking off two passes, and recovering a fumble. He'll take on an even bigger role in the secondary this year.

Kaylin McDowell WR, 2026 - McDowell had a couple of carries and a couple of catches as a junior - and scored four times. He's quietly had what Shaw calls "a phenomenal summer" and he's ready to break out.