‘We are going to surprise some people’: New Blythewood coach targets turnaround
Jason Seidel calls the past few months a blur after he took over the Blythewood High School football program.
Seidel was hired in January and has been trying to put his stamp on the program. That includes a grueling offseason conditioning program, installing a new, no-huddle offense and emphasizing more leadership among the players.
So far, Seidel likes the progress his team has made headed into Friday’s season-opener against Ridge View.
“We got here late, so we had to speed this timeline,” Seidel said. “The community and everyone has been supportive. We trying to change the culture and put Blythewood back on the map. It is on the kids. We told them this is their team, it is not the coaches’ or anyone else’s. It’s theirs. We have been getting after it this summer. I don’t think they have been through anything as tough as we put them through. Hopefully, they are better for it when the season comes.”
Seidel is the third coach in the past three years for the Bengals. He went 24-6 the past two seasons at Class 4A Hickory Ridge in North Carolina and made deep playoff runs each year. Blythewood went 3-7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Bengals didn’t score a touchdown in their final four games.
But Seidel’s teams are known for scoring and averaged 32.2 points and 448 yards of offense. Seidel has senior Quinton Patten to lead the no-huddle offense. Patten, the son of former Lower Richland High and New England Patriots standout David Patten, missed time with ankle an injury but is back healthy.
Jaylon Boyd and Brandon Edwards are behind him in the backfield, and Jakob Owens and Kavon Catoe are at receiver to go with an experienced offensive line. The Bengals’ defense was one of the area’s best, led by college prospect Patrick Godbolt and linebacker Brady Carson.
“We are building a foundation, and wins and losses don’t define that,” Seidel said. “But, obviously, we want to win some games, and we are going to surprise some people. All we hear is how down Blythewood is and we don’t have talent. To me, just keep saying that stuff, and we will keep doing our thing.”
About Blythewood
Coach: Jason Seidel (1st year)
Last year’s record: 3-7
Key returning players: DE/LB Patrick Godbolt, Nick Burrows, LB, Brady Carson, LB Nolan Holloway, CB Chase Atkinson, CB Christian Gaffney, QB Quinton Patten, RB, Jaylon Boyd, RB, Brandon Edwards, OL Cade Gillespie, OL Jayden Addison, Kevon Catoe, WR Jakob Owens, LB/CB Collin Williams
Newcomers to watch: DB Jordan Burrell, Marsellius Davis, WR Josh Burrell
2018 schedule
Aug. 17: at Ridge View
Aug. 24: vs. Westwood
Aug. 31: at Fairfield Central
Sept. 7: vs. North Augusta
Sept. 14: at Dutch Fork
Sept. 21: vs. Beaufort
Oct. 5: vs. Irmo
Oct. 12: at Sumter
Oct. 19: vs. Lugoff-Elgin
Oct. 26: at Spring Valley
This story was originally published August 14, 2018 at 9:31 AM.