March On Campus: North Myrtle Beach Chiefs

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | Although he's the new head coach, the sight of Perry Woolbright patrolling the sidelines at North Myrtle Beach High School isn't a new one.   Woolbright returned to lead the Chiefs' program in January after a 12-year absence, taking over a program he once led from a 22-game losing streak to a 9-3 record in his final season at the helm.   If our recent visit to the North Myrtle Beach campus is any indication, Woolbright and the Chiefs are wasting no time trying to bring the program back to prominence again.   North Myrtle Beach will look vastly different offensively in 2026 after operating a run-heavy scheme last fall. The Chiefs are not only looking to replace quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1822553' first='Will' last='McNeely'] (1,400 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last season) but are also shifting to a spread offense that will aim to utilize the run and pass equally. Rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1820050' first='Matthew' last='Sadler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822558' first='Blaine' last='Lentz'] are joined by rising sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1816395' first='Evan' last='Barrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823442' first='Mason' last='Walker'] in the quarterback room. Sadler returns to original position after switching over for his junior season, while Barrett appears to have a slight edge in the group in arm talent, throwing several impressive deep balls during our visit. After employing a two-quarterback system last year at Clover, don't be surprised if Woolbright, himself a former signal-caller at Clover and Appalachian State, gives multiple quarterbacks reps during the season.   "With those four guys," said Woolbright, "we're trying to find a mix of who fits best with what we're trying to do offensively."   The Chiefs' quarterback (or quarterbacks) will have a pair of veteran running backs to rely on as [player_tooltip player_id='1824442' first='Jayden' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820056' first='Jonathon' last='Evans'] are expected to lead North Myrtle Beach's ground attack. Despite breaking in a new offensive scheme, the offense will incorporate the same zone concepts that the Chiefs used last season, which should help the transition go smoother. Wilson certainly looks the part of a starting running back, as he was the most physically imposing player on the field during our visit and looked incredibly smooth during his time in the backfield during run installation.   "Jayden has really worked hard in the weight room," Woolbright said. "He's looked good and has been a leader for us in there."   Evans spent more time last year as a lead blocker for McNeely rather than as a ball-carrier, but he figures to be a much more prominent part of the run game in 2026. Evans possesses a violent, downhill style that could certainly help open up North Myrtle Beach's passing attack.   Speaking of the passing game, [player_tooltip player_id='1673915' first='Reo' last='Stevenson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664629' first='Jaden' last='Chestnut'] lead a veteran wide receiver corps for the Chiefs. Stevenson (pictured), an all-region selection last year, and Chestnut may be the two best all-around athletes on the North Myrtle Beach roster, but fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1817704' first='Braden' last='Pagan'] is also a talented playmaker who stood out with some athletic plays on both sides of the ball during the passing portion of our visit, including a pick-six on defense.   Up front, North Myrtle Beach returns key veterans who will be tasked with helping along several new faces on a unit that boasts good size across the board. Starting center [player_tooltip player_id='1822555' first='Kaedyn' last='Smith'] and guard [player_tooltip player_id='1822552' first='Michael' last='Jezierski'] return for their senior seasons, while rising juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1817718' first='Owen' last='Grall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816366' first='Jermiah' last='Whyte'] possess big, impressive frames and will be critical pieces up front. The projected starters showed great lateral quickness, which will be critical in a new scheme that focuses on getting playmakers out in space. Woolbright says there may be shifting of positions up front depending on where different individuals fit in.   "I've told the guys, don't worry about who's going where," he said. "Just take a rep every time you get a chance."   The Chiefs lost a lot from last year's defensive front, but returning defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1822564' first='Dustin' last='Clement'] is a fluid and agile playmaker on the edge who will be counted on to set the tone. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1822556' first='Imman'uel' last='Bellamy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820054' first='Jimmy' last='McCullough'] will be tasked with leading the secondary and linebackers, respectively.   The most decorated returner for North Myrtle Beach is the reigning Region VI-5A Special Teams Player of the Year. Junior kicker/punter [player_tooltip player_id='1817711' first='Nico' last='Miller'] was a perfect 27-for-27 on field goals and extra points last season and is ranked as one of the nation's top specialists. Although we didn't get to see him in action during our visit, a special teams weapon will be critical for the Chiefs as they undergo a transformation on both sides of the ball.   Although North Myrtle Beach has won just 17 games since its 2020 Class 4A state championship appearance, the rebuilding job for Woolbright may not be as long as it would seem on paper. Despite their 3-8 record last year, the Chiefs lost four games by a combined 20 points and were tied with Lucy Beckham at halftime of their eventual 38-21 loss in the opening round of the playoffs. Add in Woolbright's familiarity with the program and results may be possible quicker than at his previous stops.   "When I first took the job here, I was 26 years old," Woolbright said. "Your first time being a head coach, you've got a lot of ideas, but until you become a head coach, you think you have a system of how to do things but you really don't. Coming back here, this is the fourth program I've taken over. Now, I have a little bit more of a system and an approach of what I need to look at the first few weeks and what we need to get to after that. I don't think it's a complete overhaul and change, I think it's getting some consistency in some areas and just changing the mindset to a blue-collar mentality."   While North Myrtle Beach may not be ready to contend with South Florence for Region VII-4A supremacy immediately, Woolbright expects his team to grow plenty between now and the season opener on August 21.   "This place is a lot better place than when I first got here in 2010," said Woolbright. "Our guys are getting pushed every day, they're responding to that. We're building the things that will help us be successful in the fall."

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | Although he's the new head coach, the sight of Perry Woolbright patrolling the sidelines at North Myrtle Beach High School isn't a new one.