Dorchester Academy begins new era under Nelson
St. George - After winning three consecutive eight-man football state titles at Holly Hill Academy, Michael Nelson is ready for a new challenge.
Nelson is the new head football coach at Dorchester Academy in 2023 and looks to build a program that can contend for SCISA state championships. The Raiders opened the new season on Aug. 18 with a loss to Branchville, Nelson’s first loss as a head coach. His Holly Hill Academy teams won 38 straight games in his three seasons.
Nelson knows the challenges he faces at Dorchester but the program has a solid history of winning. He feels he can rekindle the fire.
“We had a tough first game opponent but I saw some positive things,” Nelson said. “We have great kids and they love football. We’re limited a little in terms of depth but they are working hard. We’re going to be a competitive team. We just have some things to work out.”
Nelson notched his first win at Dorchester on Aug. 25 as the Raiders clipped Orangeburg Prep, 22-8.
Nelson reports the roster numbers increased by six players leading up to the season opener, which will help to build some depth.
“We had some guys come out and decide they wanted to play, which is great,” Nelson said. “Had a few seniors decide they missed being out there with their friends. Hopefully we can get them ready to help us.”
Senior Wayland Gruber has earned the nod at quarterback this season. Nelson says Gruber is a competitor with a high football IQ. Gruber tossed three touchdown passes in the win over Orangeburg Prep while grabbing two interceptions with nine tackles from his defensive position.
Senior Connor Hartzog will be the primary running back and also starts on defense at middle linebacker, Hartzog rushed for 154 yards in the win over Orangeburg Prep. John Whetsell starts at a wing back position and the top receiving threats are senior Drew Young, junior Layton Wimberly, and sophomore John Quattlebaum, who also is the backup quarterback.
Up front offensively, Nelson says four of the five spots are secure but they are still looking for someone to take charge at center. Junior tackle Landon Crisp (6-3,285) transferred from Holly Hill Academy and is starting at left tackle. Junior Chantz Judy and senior Nicholas Pinckney are the starting guards, with junior Jaxson Kositz (6-3, 245) starting at right tackle. Sophomore Abe Shuler starts at tight end and caught two touchdown passes in the second game.
Many of the same names appear prominently on defense. Crisp, Pinckney and Kositz are starters on the defensive line while Judy and Hartzog are starters at inside linebacker.
At outside linebacker are Whetsell and senior Benjamin West. Young and Wimberly are the starting corners, with Gruber and Quattlebaum working at safety.
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