New coaches face tough road to postseason

The Midlands saw several coaching moves in the offseason. Here’s a look at the new faces and how the programs might fare in their first year with new leaders.

WESTWOOD: The Redhawks brought in Dustin Curtis, former offensive coordinator for A.C. Flora, for his first head coaching gig. Curtis will have his hands full as the Redhawks move into a very tough region with South Pointe, York, Ridge View, Richland Northeast and Lancaster. In addition to the competition, there has been a lot of turnover on the coaching staff, as well as some transfers (most notably quarterback Jalen Smith).

Prediction: 3-7

LOWER RICHLAND: Rodney Barr is the new guy for the Diamond Hornets and could also be in a tough battle in getting the train on the track. A former defensive coordinator at Wilson High and most recently at Overhills High (N.C.), where he was 14-22, Barr has some good athletes returning, including one of the Midlands’ top 2018 players in quarterback Tevaughn Higgins. But a tough region with A.C. Flora, Chapin, Dreher and Orangeburg-Wilkinson will make it tough to make the playoffs.

Prediction: 2-8

GILBERT: A great hire in Chad Leaphart from Swansea, who turned the Tigers around while he was there, the Indians face some attrition at key positions. While there’s some beef in the trenches, depth at skills positions is shallow. Fortunately, remaining in Class 3A will help and the region is top heavy. They will see Brookland-Cayce, Strom Thurmond, Pelion, Edisto and Swansea.

Prediction: 5-5

SWANSEA: Greg Wright will take the reigns of a program that’s lost impact players in each of the last three seasons. A new coaching staff usually slows turnaround, but there is talent. The region will be competitive for playoff spots and the Tigers should be able to get in the mix for postseason.

Prediction: 6-4

Still without coach hires: Keenan and Eau Claire.

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 11:02 PM with the headline "New coaches face tough road to postseason."