Sure, they’re working on the fundamentals and putting in plays, but one other objective kept coming up for May River’s football team this preseason — getting meaner.
The Sharks played with a chip on their shoulder throughout their magical 2018 season, running through the regular season undefeated and reaching the third round of the Class 3A playoffs in just their third season. They’ve filled the holes left by graduating 11 starters, but they’re still trying to replicate their attitude.
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“We just need to be more aggressive,” offensive lineman Kailin Prescott-Ferguson said. “The last group we had, all those boys were as mean as I don’t know what. It was like playing with dogs out there.”
“Big Man,” as Prescott-Ferguson is known, is talking about former offensive line mates Gabe Long, Connor Kovacs, and Joe Whiteaker, but the sentiment is the same on the other side of the ball, as the Sharks look to replace leading tacklers Jordan Barrow and Kaleb Foulk.
“We have some guys who’ve got it mentally and are starting to get it physically — they’ve just got to get mean,” linebacker Eli Hall said. “Defense is a spot where you’ve got to be a bully on the field.”
The Sharks beat up on everyone in their path last season, but they know it won’t be smooth sailing at the start of this year, especially with eight new starters on defense. They also have to replace leading rusher Brandon Morales, a job that the trio of Donovan Ling, Cam Scott, and John Paul II transfer Melik Frost will share for the time being.
“We’ve got to use the pre-region schedule to tune-up and get better and get some guys some experience,” coach Rodney Summers said. “We know we’re going to have some hiccups with some new guys who haven’t been battle-tested, but the guys are working hard and I think they know what our expectations are.”
MAY RIVER SHARKS FOOTBALL (click for team page)
Coach: Rodney Summers
Record at MRHS: 16-17 (4th season)
2018 record: 12-1 overall, 4-0 region (reached third round of Class 3A playoffs)
Returning starters: 3 offense, 8 defense
Offensive scheme: Pro Style
Defensive scheme: 3-4
Top returners: WR/DB Terry Fields, QB Ahmad Green, RB/DL Rod Grant, TE/LB Eli Hall, OL Kailin Prescott-Ferguson, TE Will Wilson, DB Steffin Gadson, WR/DB Jayden Void, WR/DB Johnathon Gaston, LB Ridge Dowe
Notable losses: OL Gabe Long, OL Joseph Whiteaker, LB Jordan Barrow, RB Brandon Morales, LB Kaleb Foulk
PLAYER TO WATCH
Rod Grant, DL: Grant is an absolute handful for opposing offensive linemen. His low center of gravity, combined with his balance and explosiveness — he’s a dominant wrestler for the Sharks, too — allow him to penetrate the line and wreak havoc on nearly every play. If that sounds like another Lowcountry product — Grant and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford are brothers.
BURNING QUESTION
Is the offensive line ready?
The Sharks graduated four of their five starting offensive linemen, including first-team All-Lowco picks Gabe Long and Connor Kovacs and second-teamer Joe Whiteaker, and a small army of tight ends. That’s a lot of manpower to replace in the trenches. Where the big gains on the ground came so easily last year, Green and the running backs might find tougher sledding this season.
REGION AND BEYOND
Despite the flood of graduates, the Sharks are widely considered the co-favorites in Region 8-3A, along with Wade Hampton. It’s not likely to go as smoothly as last year’s magical campaign, but there’s plenty of reason to believe May River could be playing for another region title at home on Nov. 1.
SCHEDULE
8/23 — Open
8/30 — vs. Bluffton
9/6 — at Whale Branch
9/13 — vs. Hilton Head High
9/20 — vs. Colleton County
9/27 — at Burke
10/4 — at Lake Marion*
10/11 — vs. Ridgeland-Hardeeville*
10/18 — at Beaufort High
10/25 — at Battery Creek*
11/1 — vs. Wade Hampton*
*region opponent
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