By Billy G. Baker
editor
Columbia –
Lucy Beckham Highwho had a 9-2 football season in 2023, was represented by the offensive lineman at the HSSR’s annual football media day at the University of South Carolina
Sawyer Hearne (6-4, 275), Tight End
Talmage Askins (6-3, 215) and quarterback
Chalmers Ballard (6-2, 180).
Jamel Snith is the head coach of the Bengals and they hope to build on a very successful season in 2023.
Athletes like Hearne, Askins and Ballard certainly give the team a chance to build on last year’s success at the new school in Mt. Pleasant, which began playing college football in 2022 after being a highly successful junior college program the previous two seasons.
Askins talked about his role on the team for the upcoming season. “I have to step up and be a good leader, and we have to play even harder this year moving up from 4-A to 5-A, so there will be new competition,” Askins said. “On our offense, we run the ball a lot, so I block a lot, but I also catch passes, so I’m a hybrid tight end.
“My goal is to help the team win games no matter what role I’m put in,” Askins said. “I’m an H-back tight end and although I do a lot of blocking, I can also get into open space and catch passes.”
Askins was hampered by a knee injury last season, but returned late in the season to help the Bengals.
Askins, who is entering his final season, was contacted about a possible opportunity at the next level by
Lenoir Rhyne,
Newberry,
limestone College,
Anderson University and
Erskine
and he hopes to earn a college football scholarship with his play as a senior under Lucy Beckham.
Ballard, an All-Region QB pick last season, will make his third start on the Bengals’ offensive line. “One of my personal goals as a senior is to earn a spot in the
North-South or
Shrine bowl
“I’ll be on the team after the season and I’ll get a few scholarship offers during the season,” Ballard said. “I’m also focused on helping the team continue to be successful.”
After completing 95 of 175 passes for 1,025 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore, Ballard had an even better season as a junior. Last year, he completed 129 of 203 passes for 1,708 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Ballard spoke about why he believes the school has had early success in football as a new program. “I think the time all the players spend together conditioning and preparing for the season helps with unity and focus,” Ballard said. “Even though we’re a younger team this year, we’ve worked really hard and are focused on having a successful season. My coaches have asked me to be a good senior leader this season and that’s what I plan to do.”
Hearne, who left media day early, is a returning starter with a bench weight of 315 pounds and 500 squats, and he will start at left tackle for the Bengals.
“My goal is to help my team win as many games as possible,” Hearne said. “My main goal is to be a good leader for my team.”
Hearne hopes to earn All-Region honors again this season and also hopes to be selected for a postseason All-Star game. According to his head coach, Hearne scored 87 percent last year.
His top five colleges in his senior year include
Appalachian State,
Carolina Coast,
Wofford,
North Greenville And
Mercer.
Coach Smith said the Bengals return only four starters on offense and three on defense this season. “We released 23 seniors last season and I’m starting my 5th season at the school, but this is only our third season as a varsity program,” said Smith, who played football at
Spring Valley HHigh School. “We only have 13 seniors in the program this season and when we move from 4-A to 5-A, we need to expand quickly.”
Beckham’s other regular players include WR
Trevor Reynolds (6-2, 200), center
Seth Damron (6-1, 240), DL
MichaelJackson (5-11, 240), DL
Parker Causey
(6-0,230), together with LB
Hank Aepli (6-0.200), who earned All-State honors last year.
Lucy Beckham begins the season as presenter
West Ashley on August 23rd. Region 7-AAAAA this year includes:
Berkeley,
Cane Bay,
Located in Stratford, the hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Stratford Train Station and 1.7 km from The Mall., Goose Creek
And
Wando.
