James Isand football hopes to carry success into AAAAA

James Island – After posting consecutive impressive records over the last two seasons in class AAAA, the James Island football program looks to continue the growth as a member of Class AAAAA this fall.

The Trojans are 23-3 over the last two seasons under coach Jamar McKoy, who enters his fifth season at the school. Gone are a lot of the players that handled the heavy lifting for the past two years but McKoy is hopeful that the recent success has instilled a strong competitive spirit in the newer crop of talent.

“I see great buy-in from these guys,” McKoy said. “I think this group has seen what it takes to be successful. The guys before them set the standard. These guys know that it takes work and discipline and so far their work ethic has been on point. They’re showing up at 6:30 every morning to work and get better.”

While there are significant losses in personnel, the 2024 roster does include a solid core of returners. There are holes to fill along the offensive line and McKoy is breaking in a new quarterback, but the Trojans could be strong defensively once again.

A lot of the offensive success the last two years came with experienced quarterbacks and a stable of running backs and receivers. The lone returner at running back is senior Tank Scott, who gained nearly 800 yards as part of a three-headed monster in the running game.

The top returner in the passing game is slot Jalen Brown-Singleton, an explosive athlete with 4.41 speed. McKoy plans to be creative in ways to get his speed involved. Brown-Singleton also is one of the top kick returners in the state.

Through the summer, the quarterback position remains an open battle between Connor Dantzler, who was the backup last season, and First Baptist transfer Zacobi Riley.

“Neither has really taken hold and become the No. 1 guy yet,” McKoy said. “It’s still very open but we’re hoping one of them will step up. Both are capable but we need that No. 1 guy.”

Anchoring the offensive line is one of the state’s top sophomore prospects, 6-3, 320-pound tackle Israel Harris.

The strength defensively is along the front with a ton of talent and experience returning, led by seniors Malachi Jefferson, Hendrix Beran and Dalton Woodall. Tra’Sean White, a transfer from St. John’s, adds to the depth and will be a force, according to McKoy.

Back at linebacker are Coleman Jones and Luke Thomas while Jamari Rivers returns in the secondary.

“I feel like our defense can hold its own and then some,” McKoy said.

The kicking game also will be a strength with the return of senior Grady Dangerfield, who has a huge leg and routinely lifts kickoffs through the endzone.