2018 1-A High School Football Preview

2018 1-A Previews

Region IV

Baptist Hill Bobcats

Head Coach: Marion Brown (11th season)

2017 Record: 11-2

Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 7 on defense including

Top Returners: Rashad Maxwell (WR, Sr.) Deshawn Stephens (CB, Sr.), Jamar Barron (LB, Sr.), TriQuan Bright (LB, Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Darrell McKinley (QB, Jr.), Jordan Bailey (Ath. So.), Terrence Brown (WR, So.)

Outlook: There's plenty of experience coming back for the Bobcats who made it to the state championship game last year. It's a loss that's proving to be motivation.  "It made them hungry, kept them alive and hopeful," says head coach Marion Brown. "They felt what they went through."

Charleston Charter Riptide

Head Coach: Jonathan Fay (1^st season)

2017 record: 1-7

Returning Starters: 13-14

Top Returners: Chance Sullivan (QB, Sr.), Brandon Broughton (RB, Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Khalil Pearson (DB/WR, Sr.), Brandon Bishop (WR/S, Sr.)

Outlook: The Riptide are continuing to try and grow their program. Head coach Johnathan Fay says it's moving in the right direction. "While we struggled for the first couple of years of our existence, there are some positive things that are happening," says Fay.

Military Magnet Eagles

Head Coach: Gene Ross (16^th season)

2017 Record: 2-9

Returning Starters: 7 on off 7 on def

Top Returners: David Holmes (RB, Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Kelvin Heyward (QB, Jr.)

Outlook: You'll see a lot of familiar faces on the field for the Eagles this season, especially with the senior class. "Now that they're seniors, it should be a good opportunity to do well and perform well. This is a good leadership and character group," said head coach Gene Ross.

St. Johns Islanders

Head Coach: Josh Harpe (2^nd season)

2017 Record: 7-5

Returning Starters: 4 on off, 7 on def.,

Top Returners: Lavon Traeye (WR, Sr.) Tyrus Richardson (RB/CB, Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Tyler Durham (QB, Sr.), Travis Waring (WR, Sr.), Trevon Brisbane (TE, Sr.), Tyrone Hicks (LB, Sr.)

Outlook: The Islanders are looking for new guys on the offensive side of the ball. "We're gonna have to replace a lot of production," says head coach Josh Harpe. "We need to solidify our offensive line and find the right guys in the run game."

Region V

Cross Trojans

Head Coach: Shaun Wright (10^th season)

2017 Record: 7-4

Returning Starters: 4

Key Newcomers: Zyrell Eadie (WR/DB, Jr.), Trevon Walters (OL/DL, Jr.), Deandre Brown (QB/S, Jr.), Marion Footman (WR/OLB, Jr.), Ashton Howard (TE/LB, Fr.), Dorian Pinckney (RB, Jr.)

Outlook: "We're in a rebuilding mode. We're relying on mostly underclassmen to get us thru the season," says Trojans head coach Shaun Wright. Standout running back Nathan Walker is now at Wofford so the Trojans won't be as one-dimensional this year. "We're definitely going to have to spread it around," notes Wright.