The Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats will play host 7:30 p.m. today to Gray Collegiate Academy of West Columbia, at Billy Chitwood Field.
It will be former Manning High School coach Robbie Briggs’ second season leading the swampcats. And he will be facing a student in this first game of the season: Gray Collegiate Academy is coached by Adam Holmes, a former player at Manning High.
Holmes also played for Brad Scott and Lou Holtz as a Gamecock before coaching at a number of schools throughout the state. He recently led the Orangeburg Prep Indians from 2008-13 before starting with Gray Academy.
This is Gray’s first year as a public charter school, and the Swampcats will be the first ever football game for the War Eagles. Gray Academy participated in the Willie Jeffries Classic in Orangeburg, where they lost to Lower Richland 12-0 in the shortened game.
Gray will be considered an at-large team in South Carolina High School League for the next two years before the next reclassification of schools.
The War Eagles plan to run a balanced offense consisting of a spread system and a zone-read running game led by sophomore quarterback Bryce Fields. Joseph Mealing is one of the school’s three seniors on the team who will play wide receiver and strong safety for Gray this season. Howie Bayer coaches the defense with a four-man front that attempts to generate a significant pass rush with linebackers Grant Robertson and Eric Harris.
After falling in the second round to eventual state champion Wilson Hall, the Laurence Manning Swampcats are listed near the top of most preseason rankings in SCISA Class AAA. Although Briggs will have to replace running back Rashae Bae and his 2,247 yards and 27 touchdowns, the Swampcats feel they will be a better team this year.
Laurence Manning senior Tyshawn Epps will receive a bulk of the carries this year after rushing for 1,447 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013.
Senior J.T. Eppley is a three-year starter at quarterback and has been impressive in preseason contests.
Former East Clarendon athlete Adam Lowder has transferred to Laurence Manning for his senior season, and will split time with Eppley. He brings the ability to be a wildcat quarterback. Briggs has three returning starters on the offensive line in seniors Raymond Davis and Tillman Tumbleston along with junior center Caleb Pipkin.
Briggs brought in a former player and former assistant coach in Elmer Bench to be his defensive coordinator. Cagney Brunson returns to anchor the secondary after starting for three years and intercepting five passes a year ago.
Tripp Mason, Todd Larrimer and Davis Martin return at the linebacker position. Joining them will be sophomore Maleke Davis and senior Cameron Menzer to provide an experienced group of backers.
The offensive line will rotate in a defensive tackle in the Swampcats’ 3-4 defense while junior Owen Robinson will be at left defensive end and sophomore Josh Edwards at the right.
