Nothing raises the level of excitement around a program like winning a state championship, but with great enthusiasm comes great expectations. Such is life at Beaufort Academy, where the Eagles are preparing to embark on their SCISA 8-man state title defense.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” second-year BA coach Mark Clifford said. “Everybody knows who we are now. We realize that, and we realize that we can’t mistakes and we’ve got to be twice as good as we were last year.”
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The Eagles’ offense will have a slightly different look after the departure of star running back De’Shaun Epps, but BA returns an experienced quarterback in Dawson Coleman, who has the benefit of a year playing in Clifford’s offense.
“We’re way ahead of where we were last year,” Coleman said. “This time last year I was still learning the plays, but now we can start doing different reads at the line. It will change the game a lot.”
BA also hopes to benefit from an influx of players who were already walking the hallways but had not shown an interest in playing football until the Eagles’ unexpected run to the state title last fall.
“Everybody wants to be a part of it now,” Coleman said. “It’s definitely a different atmosphere.”
BEAUFORT ACADEMY EAGLES FOOTBALL (click for team page)
Coach: Mark Clifford
Record at BA: 11-2 (2nd season)
2018 record: 11-2 overall, 6-1 region (SCISA 8-man state champions)
Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense
Offensive scheme: Split Back
Defensive scheme: 4-2
Top returners: QB Dawson Coleman, WR/DB William Tumlin, RB/LB Ja’Sean Lawson, RB/DE Elijah Fess
Notable losses: LB Edward McCormick, OL/DL Daniel Richards, RB De’Shaun Epps
PLAYER TO WATCH
Dawson Coleman, QB: Coleman didn’t need to show off his skills very often last year thanks to a dominant running back, but the Eagles will need him to be more of a focal point in the offense this season. He’s more than capable — an outstanding multi-sport athlete who has an uncanny ability to read defenses, according to Clifford — and should be in line to put up big numbers both on the ground and through the air.
BURNING QUESTION
Who will produce the big plays on offense?
It seemed every time the Eagles needed a big play last season, they could count on Epps to break a long run. With that explosiveness absent, they’ll need someone else to become the playmaker. Coleman is a capable passer and has some solid receivers, including William Tumlin, but BA will also need backs Ja’Sean Lawson and Elijah Fess to flourish in Clifford’s split-back system.
REGION AND BEYOND
The Eagles face a daunting task in trying to repeat as state champs, especially with Epps out of the picture, but they have six games to work out the kinks before hosting perennial power Andrew Jackson in a state championship rematch on Oct. 11. The goal will be to again be in peak form at the end of the season in hopes of another magical playoff run.
SCHEDULE
8/23 — Open
8/30 — at Clarendon Hall
9/6 — vs. Laurens Academy
9/13 — at Richard Winn Academy
9/20 — at Holly Hill Academy*
9/27 — vs. Northside Christian*
10/4 — at St. John’s Christian*
10/11 — vs. Andrew Jackson Academy*
10/18 — vs. Cathedral Academy*
10/25 — at Palmetto Christian*
11/1 — vs. Patrick Henry*
*region opponent
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