Spring practice at Bamberg-Ehrhardt was about finishing

Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Bamberg – The Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders had an outstanding season in 2023 by most standards (12-2), but their season ended on a disappointing note as they fell to Johnsonville in the lower state championship game 20-10 after leading 10-0 late in the second quarter which brings us to their focus during Spring football practice, FINISH!

In both of their losses last season (rival Denmark-Olar 22-15) the Red Raiders led both games at halftime before they as head coach Corey Crosby said did not finish.

“We haven’t talked about the Johnsonville game in the off season because we wanted to focus on the positive things from last season and the areas we need to improve upon,’ said coach Crosby. “The biggest thing we wanted the kids to understand is that when we have the chance to finish an opponent we cannot let up. I felt like both times last season when we got the lead we relaxed a bit and when you play championship caliber teams as we found out they will make you pay.”

Bamberg-Ehrhardt is one of the few class A teams that reloads and not rebuild each year. Despite losing one of the best senior classes in school history, especially on defense, spring practice was also about getting reps for the next man up.

“We had a great senior class last season and we will miss their leadership but we also have several guys ready to step in and play at a high level,” coach Crosby said.

One group that stood out during spring practice was the linebackers. The Red Raiders lost three All-State linebackers in Jamie Downing, Nick Folks and Eric Lee but waiting in the wings are Lever Miller, Jalen McGraw, and Jordan Logan. Miller finished second in the triple jump at the state track and field meet.

“We were ready to get Lever, Jalen, and Jordan on the field to see what we had and they did not disappoint. The biggest thing is their speed to the ball. They may be the fastest linebacking group we have had,” said coach.

The Red Raiders have two All-State defenders returning in juniors tackle Jarvis Logan and safety Colt Bunch.

Juniors Marcus Cann and Jaquanta Garvin head up the secondary and both had solid sophomores seasons.

Offensively, the Red Raiders return two All-State selections in quarterback Chanston Crosby and left tackle Tristan Jenkins.