Gray Collegiate football returns top playmakers, might be a region favorite

After back-to-back playoff appearances in its first two years of postseason eligibility, Gray Collegiate football is thinking bigger things this season.

The War Eagles have their eyes set on a region title, something that slipped away from them last season with a 17-14 loss to Saluda. But with the Tigers moving Region 2-2A, Gray Collegiate is one of the favorites for Region 3-2A.

“That’s the thing we are trying to take that next step. That’s our motto,” coach Adam Holmes said. “We are trying to get the easiest path to get there and get a one seed to move on and make a run to the playoffs. But that is a long ways away from that right now.”

Gray Collegiate returns 14 starters from last season, including quarterback Hunter Helms. The junior is the top returning passer in the Midlands and threw for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Running back Julian Jackson rushed for almost 900 yards last year and Josh Doctor is the team’s leading returning receiver. Doctor caught 58 passes for 719 yards last season.

Newcomer TE/DE Dallaz Corbitt should make an impact on both sides of the ball. The senior hasn’t played football since his freshman year but had a strong showing at Clemson football camp and has picked up three Division I offers already. The War Eagles’ secondary should be strong with return of Emmanuel Harley, who missed most of season with ACL injury and Kelvon Robinson.

Gray Collegiate faces a tough non-region schedule and plays defending Class A champion Lamar, Gilbert, Dreher, White Knoll and sister school Oceanside Collegiate in a game at South Carolina State.

About Gray Collegiate

Coach: Adam Holmes (5th year, 57-54 overall)

Last year’s record: 7-4

Number of starters returning: 14

Key returning players: QB Hunter Helms, WR/DB Josh Doctor, OL Tyler Lamar, DL/OL Brendan Evans-Grayson, LB Arthur Albritton, DB Emmanuel Harley, RB Juilian Jackson, DB Kelvon Robinson, WR Kyzer Samuel, K Eric Anderson

Newcomers to watch: DE/TE Dallaz Corbitt, WR Nykeem Smith, RB/DB Kazarius Adams

Schedule

Aug. 17: at Gilbert

Aug. 24: vs. Swansea

Aug. 31: vs. Dreher

Sept. 7: vs. Oceanside Collegiate (at S.C. State)

Sept. 14: at White Knoll

Sept. 28: at Lamar

Oct. 5: vs. Columbia

Oct. 12: at Calhoun County

Oct. 19: vs. Eau Claire

Oct. 26: at C.A. Johnson

This story was originally published August 14, 2018 at 8:41 PM.