By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Columbia — When Ray McCleod left his alma mater at Northwestern, after 19 years as an assistant to take over head coaching duties at Keenan in 2021, he brought with him a strong culture of winning champion ships.
He was the “Defensive MVP” as a linebacker on the 1989 Northwestern state championship team. He went on to play at Elon College. In his first season with the Raiders they made the playoffs and last season they improved to 6-5 and made it to the second round with a first win over Landrum.
“We have about 50 varsity candidates participating in Spring football drills,” said Coach McCleod. “We anticipate 8 starters back on defense and seven starters back on offense so we expect to be an improved team this season.
“I played on a state championship team as a player, coached on three other state championship teams as an assistant coach at Northwestern, so I am all about preparing teams to compete for state titles,” he said. “My first goal every year will be to win a state championship. We have showed improvement every year so with this our third year at Keenan why not compete for and win a state championship.
“My second goal is to prepare all of our senior players for either an opportunity to play at the next level, or get them ready for the academic challenges they will face at the next level and education is very important to me,” said Coach McCleod. “We stress the importance of taking care of your school work to our players al the time.”
Coming out of Spring football drills the starting quarterback come August is slated to be junior Desmond Washington (6-1, 195), a first-year starter. “He is an excellent athlete and a good pitcher on the baseball team, so he has a strong arm, and he is very accurate on his throws,” said Coach McCleod. “We are an air-raid offense and we averaged like 48 points a game so he has a chance to put up some good numbers.” Antonio Adams will be the back-up quarterback coming out of Spring drills.
Keenan’s receiving corp is very experienced and very deep. “Our top receiver returning from last year is all-region returnee Rashard Robinson (6-1, 165) and he led us in receptions,” said Coach McCleod.
Other experienced receivers returning include highly regarded Amari King (6-1, 195), along with junior Antonio Williams who will also see action in the secondary. Ny’Keim McNeil (6-0, 160) will provide depth at the receiver position and he will also flip to defense to play free safety. Rashad Horton is also a talented returning receiver. Senior Eddie Sutton is also working out at receiver.
Coming out of Spring drills Coach McCleod is very high on his offense line led by veteran Zyan Abney (6-5,365) who will play some at tackle spot on offense and start at nose guard slot on defense. Some other offensive linemen back with experience are junior Victor O’Neal (6-1, 265) along with Mosheh Sterns (5-11, 270) and Jaliyl Jamison (5-8,245) who will compete for time at the center position. Junior Keith Jowers (6-1, 280) will be a key reserve up-front.
“Abney has a 4.8 and he is a dual credit kid who once he graduates from Keenan he will be like a sophomore in college,” said Coach McCleod. “He is a next level prospect for sure and he should get a full academic ride wherever he goes to college.”
The Raiders will employ both an H-back and a running back this season. Senior Chris Brown, (5-11, 190), an all-region middle linebacker last season, will see action at running back and linebacker this season. Junior Tyheim McNeil (6-3, 165) will see action at running back.
On defense, the Raiders employ a three-man front with multiple looks. Joining Abney in the trenches are DE Warren Bailey (6-0,245) along with first year tackle starter Jose Boone (5-10,275). Sophomore Jy’Kil Walker (5-11,260) will see action at the other end slot. Tyrique Davenport-Smith (6-3,215) is a solid sophomore prospect who could start at defensive end.
Joining Brown in the linebacking corp are outside linebacker Samtonius Johnson (6-0,225), inside linebacker Stephen Coleman (6-2, 210) along with senior outside linebacker Ben Fleming (6-1, 185). Titus Bowman (6-1,220) is expected to see action at inside linebacker after playing DE last season .season.
The secondary is led by the return of junior all-region performer Adis Jamison (5-11, 180) who can play all positions in the secondary. Jaziah Maja (5-10, 165) is slated for time at free safety. Several receivers will also flip to play in the secondary as forementioned.
“We have 15 kids in our varsity program right now who can flat play the game of football,” said Coach McCleod. “We are playing some bigger 4-A schools early in the season (O-W and RNE) to get ready for a tough region schedule. We don’t like to play a lot players both ways unless we have to because we are up-tempo on offense and like to move the ball as fast as we can. This is year three for myself and our staff and we are expecting to take that next step this season.”
Keenan will begin the 2023 season at Dreher on August, 18th.
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