By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
St. George — Woodland head football coach Eddie Ford and his staff worked out around 65 varsity and junior varsity football players during Spring drills in May with a focus on the upcoming football season that is just three months away.
“We had a good group to work with in grades 9-12,” said Coach Ford who will be starting year five at Woodland this August. “Finding a quarterback to replace Sudarian Harrison (headed to Virginia) was one of our major focus points during our work-outs. I feel like we accomplished a lot over the two-week period.”
The leading quarterback candidate coming out of Spring drills is sophomore Jaden Cato (6-0,180) who is moving up from the junior varsity program. “He is more of a runner but he has a decent arm,” said Coach Ford. “Our other candidate at quarterback is senior Tyree Edwards who has been a wide receiver. If Edwards does not become the quarterback, we know we will have an excellent receiver.”
The running back position should be one of the strengths of the team. Rising senior Jayden Gardner was an all-region performer a year ago when he rushed for 700 yards and had 500 yards in receptions. “He will be out go-to guy,” said Coach Ford.
Depth will be aplenty at the running position with Cane Bay transfer T. J. Wright (5-10, 205) joining the Wolverines program. He rushed for around 1,200 yards last season.
The top recruit on the team is senior left tackle Kam Pringle (6-7, 321) who chose South Carolina after his junior season was complete from over 30 offers across the nation. “Kam has looked like a major college football player for a long time,” said Coach Ford. “He plays very physical, very aggressive but yet very smart also. He is very coachable and team oriented. He has a great future in the game of the football.”
The Wolverines run a spread-option type offense with a lot of key reads made by the quarterback. In such an offense wide receivers are key elements. Edwards is one option at receiver. Junior Trevon Walker (6-2, 215) will be a big target at receiver also. Jackcase Salley (6-2, 280) had a good spring at wide-out also.
Joining Pringle in the offensive trenches are junior left guard Antonio Ford (5-11, 320), and right guard Xavier Green (6-3, 303).
On defense, junior Migule Rhodes (5-9,165) and Lavont Furray will help hold down the secondary. Jerrell Sullivan is a sophomore newcomer that will contribute at free safety. Sophomore Jaemin Pinckney (6-2, 170) is another strong candidate at free safety. Jaylen Samson will be a sophomore strong safety/nickel back. Jarvis Guest (6-0,210) is a junior returnee at one outside linebacker slot.
“Our sophomore class this season will stack up against any sophomore class we have had at Woodland,” said Coach Ford. “We have a lot of sophomores who are outstanding football players.”
Junior Donovan Miles (6-2, 280) is a sophomore prospect at defensive end. Miles could play center if needed. He will join two-way lineman D.J. Blanding at the other defensive end slot. Nose guard Antonio Ford who will play in both lines. Junior Antonio Addison (6-1, 250) is a key returner in the defensive line as well.
Junior Jarvis Guest (6-0, 210) returns at one outside linebacker spot along with newcomers Aaron Pulliam and rising senior Chance Green (5-11, 220).
Place kicker Erin Carrera returns and Tyree Edwards could handle punting duties.
Last year Woodland was 11-2 and only lost one game during the regular season to Barnwell in the final game of the season for the region championship. They won their first two playoff games before losing to Oceanside Collegiate in the third round.
Woodland’s only new varsity assistant this season is Hannah Fononta who will work with wide receivers.
Woodland will begin the 2023 season in Week one against Bethune-Bowman. They have scrimmages planned against Oceanside Collegiate and Silver Bluff. The team will also compete in the Dorchester County Jamboree hosted at Summerville High as well.
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