James Island – After an 11-2 season in 2022, expectations are high for the James Island football program. Head coach Jamar McKoy has effectively changed the culture and mindset within the program and enters his fourth season hoping for bigger and better things.
McKoy returns a bevy of veterans from last year’s team and feels the Trojans are primed to take another step in their goal of being a state AAAA champion. But, as he says, the road does not get easier. The higher the climb, the harder.
“We are excited about where we are as a program but we’re not satisfied,” McKoy said. “We don’t want to be a one year thing. We want to be a winning program, year after year. To do that, we have to work harder and become more focused. What we did last year was a great start but it only gets tougher. We won’t sneak up on anyone this season.”
The Trojans opened the 2023 campaign with a 25-7 win over Stratford in a game they had control from the outset but were far from perfect. While there were no turnovers, there were a pile of penalties.
“For a first game we did a lot of good but those penalties are disappointing,” McKoy said. “We have to be better, be more disciplined. We can’t be giving away 15 yards with mental mistakes and a lack of maturity. Those are the kind of things that keep you from winning big games. We will get it fixed. I think this team has a chance to be really good.”
Leading the offense is senior quarterback Braxton Scott, who threw for 214 yards in the week zero win. Scott was the starter last season but an early injury forced him out of the lineup. He gives McKoy a proven leader with dual threat capabilities.
Scott’s favored target is returning all-stater Wushi Ravenel, a senior college prospect. Amontrae Scott and Montreal Jenkins also factor into the air attack.
The running game is anchored by returners Junior Maxwell and Amor Scott, along with transfer speedster Jalen Brown-Singleton, who also excels at cornerback and in the kick return game. Brown-Singleton had a 64-yard kick return for a touchdown in the win over Stratford.
Returning all-region tackle Magnum Chestnut leads the group up front. Other starters include Michael Crouse, Maverick Chestnut, Jon Garrett and Drew Thomas.
The strength defensively is along the front four, which includes Hendrix Beran, Dalton Woodall, Malachi Jefferson and Jacob Nettles.
Senior Chris Glover is the lone returning starter at linebacker and is joined by Luke Thomas and Coleman Jones.
Senior corner Jayden Whaley is a returning all-stater and Amontrae Scott will see time as well. Demarcus Green also starts in the back and Brown-Singleton will see extensive time as well.
The Trojans boast one of the top special teams units in the state. Senior punter Coleman Franzone is a returning all-stater with a five-star grade as a national prospect. He averaged 44.3 yards per punt last season.
Junior Gray Dangerfield is a five-star rated prospect as a placekicker. He made nine-of-11 field goal attempts last season and his kickoffs routinely clear the back line of the endzone.
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