Scott's Branch High School varsity football Coach Wayne Farmer is entering his fourth year with the Eagles.
His first year, the team was 1-9; the second, they were 4-7.
"We got to 5-6 last year," he said. "There were a couple of games that we let go that we shouldn't have, but I had a good group of seniors who graduated."
But Farmer is excited about the seniors he has this year.
"They've been in this system for almost four years now, and they work hard," he said. "So, I'm really excited about their passion and their leadership and the experience that they have."
The team's biggest obstacle, Farmer said, is the offensive line.
"They are still young, but with the skills guys and the success that we've had in track, I think it should carry over into our football program this year," he said.
Both the boys' and girls' track teams took Lower State titles in 2017.
"The biggest thing (that has changed for this team) is experience," said Farmer. "They went on a three-year span where they played for three straight state championship titles and won two out of those three. Then, when that coach left, the three years before I got here, they didn't win a game."
That's when the program hit rock bottom, he noted.
"When I came in, I came in at rock bottom," he said. "We've been moving up each year. I guess the biggest thing now is the mentality of understanding what the difference is between winning and losing; and how to have a winning program and what it takes to do that."
He said that the team's current players have now seen others go on and have full athletic rides at different collegiate programs.
"So, they kind of see the whole picture now," he said. "They see where the academics tie in with athletics, and they understand what it takes as a team for us to get to that next level as far as winning, competing for a region and a state championship."
To work toward that elusive state championship, Farmer will lean on several returning players.
"I have Ty'Quarius Brown at running back and defensive back," he said. "I have Vaquan Wilder at running back and defensive back. He has been there forever. He is very sound. I have Josh Pringle and Robert Matterson on the offensive and defensive line."
Marquise Thomas is a running back and linebacker, while Keondre Tappin serves as a defensive and running back.
"We've got Tyrese Riley at running back and linebacker," said Farmer. "He's a great leader and a great player. All of those guys have great experience and have played a lot of minutes and understand the game."
"So, I'm dependent upon them to be our leaders," Farmer said. "I have a rising junior quarterback who's been starting since his freshman year."
That would be Amonte Brown.
"And I've got linebacker and tight end Kendrick Lesesne," said Farmer. "We have some new guys coming in, a couple of transfers who I can't tell you exactly how they're going to be. They look good, but we have to wait and see when we put the pads on and get on the field."
Farmer said the team will have to "focus on staying focused."
"We have to take one game at a time," he said. "The next game isn't any bigger than the game we've got to play. The biggest thing is consistency and staying with it. There are about three or four ball games that (we) shouldn't have lost late in the game. We've just got to know how to finish and play four quarters."
He said that, this year, the Eagles are going to bring "the excitement."
"We're coming off of a State Championship year in boys and girls track," he said. "We won both of them; it's the first time in years that any school in South Carolina has done that. I think that is going to carry over into our football."
"When we hit the field on Aug. 18, and on through the season, I think we're going to have a shot," he said. "We had a home playoff game we lost last year. It was good to have a home playoff game, but our immediate goal is to win the first game."
"Our short term goal is to win the region, and our long term goal is to win a state championship," Farmer said. "I think we can be in the Top 5 in that mix, if we do what we've got to do. We've seen it. It's been a process, and this is our fourth year. Now, there are no more excuses. It's there. We already know what the recipe is to do what we need to do. I think we've got a chance to play exciting football and get it done this year."
