Midlands coach of the year: Lexington’s Josh Stepp
As the closing seconds dwindled down in the Class 4A Division II championship game, Lexington coach Josh Stepp stood alone on the sideline and wanted to collect his thoughts.
The third-year Wildcat coach wanted to take a minute to reflect on the team’s special season despite it ending with a 63-13 loss to Northwestern.
“It wasn’t the outcome we wanted. It doesn’t take away what our group accomplished all year,” Stepp said. “It was a special season with a special group of kids.”
Stepp said he will spend more time reflecting over the Christmas break on what a special season it was. Lexington won a school-record 13 consecutive games, the Region 4-4A title and defeated defending state champion Spartanburg on its way to the school’s first championship game since 2000.
Nine players from the team earned all-region honors and the Wildcats had two players in each of the state’s two all-star games -- the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl and the Shrine Bowl. Kicker Christian Kinsley was the Class 4A Lower State Specialist of the Year, and running back Slade Carroll rushed for more than 2,000 yards.
Stepp also earned his share of accolades. He was region coach of year, Class 4A Lower State Coach of Year and is The State’s Coach of the Year.
“Starting out in spring practice and all through summer camp, we knew we had a really good group,” Stepp said. “We knew we had a special group who cared about each other.”
Stepp points out two defining moments in the Wildcats’ season. The first came against Wando on Sept. 12. Lexington rallied from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a 40-35 victory over the Warriors.
Then after just two days of practice because of the floods, Lexington fell behind on the road against North Augusta, 26-7, before going on to a 54-33 victory.
“Those two games, I think, turned our season,” Stepp said. “We kept finding ways to win even though we didn’t play very well. That’s when we knew we had a good team.”
Stepp praised his coaching staff and veterans on the team for being a driving force in the team’s success. Lexington had 28 seniors with most of them contributing in some way.
The seniors were sophomores when Stepp took over three seasons ago and bought into the coaching staff’s vision and “family” atmosphere he wanted to create.
“They left a legacy and what a great example of what hard work and determination will get you,” Stepp said. “We went through highs and lows and I don’t think you get through that without great leadership. That is testament to coaching staff and this group of seniors.
“They laid a great foundation and great example to our younger kids. We feel good about the future of our football program because of the foundation.”