The Brookland-Cayce Bearcats shocked its doubters last season after going 5-0 in region play and advancing to the state semifinal match. This season, the team will attempt to win consecutive region titles, something it has not achieved in at least 20 years.

Since the 2020 season, Brookland-Cayce and Gilbert have been going head-to-head in the region to see who takes the crown. The teams have traded the title in each of the past four seasons. Gilbert won consecutive region titles in 2019 before Brookland-Cayce joined, and in 2020.

“We’re hoping to build on that,” Bearcat head coach Rusty Charpia said. “We didn’t really expect to go that far last year, but the team actually molded together and played well. So, maybe this team can do the same thing.”

The Bearcats have been a very successful team in recent seasons. The team has made deep playoff runs and won its region multiple times. But still, the team has fallen short of winning it all.

“Brookland-Cayce, over the last seven years, not counting COVID, has averaged over nine wins a year,” Charpia said. “We’ve played in the fourth round three times with four region championships. I think the bar has been set high. And so, we’re hoping our kids step up and continue that trend.”

Brookland-Cayce will make its return to 4A play this season after massive realignment took place across the state of South Carolina because of the competitive balance multiplier rule. Joining the team in their new 4A region are a few Lexington County schools including Gilbert, Airport and Gray Collegiate to go with schools from Aiken and Augusta.

“The last time they put us in 4A, we won the region,” Charpia said. “We feel good about that. We won’t have the numbers or the quantity because we’re not really a 4A school, but that’s okay. We have quality, and we think that it might be tough early because so many of our guys have to play both ways, but if we can stay healthy, we think we’ll be a team to contend with at the end of the year.”

Offense

Brookland Cayce’s offense will be dependent on the success of its offensive line this year, Charpia said. The team is led by veteran linemen Jordan Browning Jr., O’Bryan Leaphart and Noah Jeffcoat. Charpia said the three will rotate through different spots on the line, so the team can find its best unit.

Who stands behind the line will change as the season progresses. Gray Collegiate transfer Dre’von Dopson won the starting job in the spring but was injured and is expected to miss the first few weeks.

Instead, two other quarterbacks will compete for the starting job until Dopson is ready to return. My’son Jones and Isaiah Oree could split responsibilities until Dopson is healthy.

“He might not be back until about the third game of the season, but when he comes back he’s really going to be a good player,” Charpia said.

Other offense weapons on the team include a deep receiving core consisting of new and returning players. Ammari King, Aiden Price, Javon Edwards, David Daniels, Isaiah Daniels and Tyree Johnson are a few of the guys Charpia said to keep an eye on.

“We really have some exceptional players that can really run, jump and catch, and so we feel really good in that area,” Charpia said.

Defense and Special Teams

The strong suit of the Bearcats’ defense will be the leadership of its linebacker group, featuring Davion Boykin and Unish Ospia. Charpia said he is confident those two guys will be a consistent voice for the entire defensive unit.

The outside linebacker spots will be filled by Chris Boston and John Weed.

Kicking for the team this season is Sterling Parsons, whom Charpia described as a “really good kicker.”

“If we can survive the non-region schedule against a couple of these 5A teams, we go into a hornet’s nest in the region this year with Gilbert, Gray, North Augusta, Midland Valley, and maybe we’ll have a chance,” Charpia said. 

Each week, both the offense and defense will focus on finding its consistency and cohesion to put the Bearcats in their best position to succeed.

“When you have this many athletes on one team, you got to make sure that selfishness doesn’t come in,” Charpia said. “Then staying healthy, which I think is what most people are going to say is going to be the key to who’s still playing late in the year. Those would be the two key factors with us.”

Schedule 

Week 1 - at River Bluff- Aug. 30

Week 2 - vs. White Knoll - Sept. 6

Week 3 - at May River - Sept. 13

Week 4 - vs. South Aiken - Sept. 20

Week 5 - at Midland Valley - Sept. 27

Week 6 - at Gray Collegiate - Oct. 4

Week 7 - vs. Aiken - Oct. 11

Week 8 - vs. Gilbert - Oct. 18

Week 9 - at North Augusta - Oct. 25

Week 10 - vs. Airport -  Nov. 1