Airport football made strides last year in head coach Shane Fidler’s first year as coach. The team went from 2-8 and winless in 4A Region 4 play to 5-6 with a region win against Aiken.

As Fidler enters his second season, his team will have to rely on youth and a lot of first-time varsity guys to be successful in a new region that features some cross-county rivals.

“I really like our kids where they’re at with buying into our program,” Fidler said. “We have sophomores and first-time varsity kids, and even freshmen, that are going to be on the field for us. We like the talent they have. We like their advancement in our weight program and our off-season program. But we know that experience, there’s no substitute for it, and we’re going to have to do everything we can to get these guys as much experience as possible early.”

Airport’s region got tougher this year following the massive state-wide realignment that took place after the debate about competitive balance was settled. Fellow Lexington County schools Brookland-Cayce, Gray Collegiate and Gilbert have moved classifications to 4A after all having successful years in 2023.

“We probably have the toughest region, pound for pound, of any classification in the state,” Fiddler said. “The team that finishes last in our region, could host playoff games out of other regions. That’s how good our region is. We know that, and we know that every week it’s going to be a slugfest with the team on the other sideline.”

Fidler is not interested in finishing last in the region. The goal is the same every year, be the best and win it all.

“The team goal is always to hang banners,” Fidler said.  “If you have any other goal in high school football, you’re doing a disservice to your program and your kids.”

Offense

Airport will rely heavily on young pieces offensively.

The team will start a freshman at quarterback. Jay Eady is set to take the keys from last season’s starter Jesse Ray Hoover. Eady impressed and won the job in the spring, while also receiving a Division One offer to play at Miami of Ohio.

“He was an 8th grader, which says a lot about his talent,” Fidler said. “But obviously, playing the quarterback position, there’s a lot of factors there besides just talent that makes you successful there. So, he’s going to have to really mature fast for us to be successful.”

Protecting Eady will be a mix of veteran and youthful pieces on the offensive line. Last season’s starter Cooper Langford returns on the line for his senior campaign. Joining him will be sophomores Daniel Butts, Ben Humphries and Josiah Thompson.

“That’s going to be important, making sure those guys are straight,” Fidler said. “Those guys at offensive tackle are going to be key.”

Wide receiver Avery Jones will look to make a comeback in his senior season after getting injured and missing about half the games last year. Fidler expects him to be a top target for Eady but is unsure if he will be on the field in game one as he is fighting another injury.

Defense

Airport’s defense will revolve around two returning players, Bryant Cherry and Montrelle Keys.

“They’re two of the better linebackers in the area and do a great job of getting to the football and being great examples for the rest of their teammates,” Fidler said. “Those guys in particular I think provide a lot of leadership qualities for our program. They provide a lot of experience. They’ve played a lot of football over the last couple of years. They’re some of the few guys we have that did.”

Fidler said another key player on defense is Justin Conyers. He will also play linebacker and Fidler expects him to see a lot of attention in the run game as opposing teams look to avoid Cherry and Keys.

“Kid runs, he’s big, great attitude, does everything we ask him to do,” Fidler said. “But he’s going to be in a critical spot. So, we’re going to have to ask him to step up early and often for us and to make plays.”

Schedule

Week 0 - at May River - Aug. 23

Week 2 - vs. Orangeburg-Wilkinson - Sept. 6

Week 3 - vs. Westwood - Sept. 13

Week 4 - vs. Aiken - Sept. 20

Week 5 - at South Aiken - Sept. 27

Week 6 - at Midland Valley - Oct. 4

Week 7 - at Gray Collegiate Academy - Oct. 11

Week 8 - vs. North Augusta - Oct. 18

Week 9 - vs. Gilbert - Oct. 25

Week 10 - at Brookland-Cayce - Nov. 1