SEASON OUTLOOK
Shane Samuels is part of an experienced secondary that Byrnes hopes will stay solid this season.
Photo/IIIustration by Randy Sartin
Gaffney. The Indians could be as talented as they were last season. Defensive end Jaylon Smith and receiver Shaq Davidson return from the team that smacked Byrnes 35-13 during the regular season, only to lose in the state finals. The Byrnes/Dorman game will be circled on the calendars of fans across the state and should be one of the biggest games in the country this fall.
Question mark: Will the defensive line be good enough to capture another state title? Right now, the unit is clearly Miller’s biggest concern. He trusts the players that will be slotting in, but they are untested.
Keke Ashmore is the other half of the 1-2 DB duo.
Photo by Randy Sartin
Woodruff could provide a challenge to Byrnes, but as mentioned, the biggest game on the team’s schedule, and most highly anticipated game in the state, will be the Byrnes/Gaffney clash. After a rebuilding year in 2011, Dorman, which beat Byrnes in the 2009 state finals, should also be improved.
Overall outlook: Byrnes is awfully hard to beat in the playoffs. It’s not the most absurdly talented team each year, but it is extremely well-coached and always seems to answer the bell in December. This fall, the offense will be a well-oiled machine, while the defense has a chance to be very good as well. A recipe, no doubt, for another state title run.
Coach quote: “We’ve got a good bit of returning guys, and we’ve got some young guys coming up that we’re excited about. We’ve got a group of ninth graders that are really a good group, too. Things are looking good for the future.”
- Chris Miller, head coach
