Brookland-Cayce’s Byars looking to improve off last season’s impressive varsity debut

Rusty Charpia’s persistence paid off.

The Brookland-Cayce football coach kept hounding Dominick Byars to come out for the football team when he had him during his weightlifting class during the 2013-14 school year.

Byars played football in seventh and eighth grade but admitted he was “lazy” and didn’t go out for the team during his first two years of high school. Instead, he played for the Bearcats’ soccer team.

After Charpia’s urging and his own desire to return to the gridiron, Byars joined the B-C football team and was one of the breakout players in the Midlands last season. The safety led the area with six interceptions in helping the Bearcats to their second straight playoff appearance.

The Bearcats will begin their quest for their third straight playoff appearance for the first time in school history when they travel to Fairfield Central on Friday.

“What a surprise,” Charpia said of Byars. “We had kid in the secondary who played in the (2013) Shrine Bowl and is at Indiana, Zeke Walker. And he played better than Zeke. He was always near the ball.

“Dominick is one of those kids that never complained and did what he had to do. If you had a team full of Dominick Byars, you wouldn’t lose many games, I promise you.”

Byars didn’t have many expectations going into the season. He said he just was hoping to contribute. The 6-foot-1 defensive back said playing in the secondary is similar to his role as center back on the soccer field. Byars scored eight goals and had 13 assists for the B-C soccer team last season.

“Center back is kind of like safety, you got to read the field, anticipate and step to it,” Byars said.

Opponents can expect to see more of Byars this season. In addition to being a starter on defense, he’ll play receiver and also handle kickoff returns. Charpia said colleges, such as Furman, are interested in Byars at receiver.

“He is going to return kicks and punts too,” Charpia said. “And show on the field he can play offense as well as defense. His confidence level has improved since last year because he has proven he could be one of the best on the field.”

Byars is taking his success in stride and wants to back up last year’s strong performance for his final season.

“I’m not trying to get hot headed and not think I am all that,” Byars said. “I want to play hard like I usually play and make sure my game reflects that.”