Gilbert’s football program is under new leadership for the first time since 2016, but a familiar face has taken over and is looking to carry the program’s success from 3A to 4A play.

Ozzie Exume was the boys basketball coach and an assistant football coach at Gilbert. Under his leadership, the group will transition to 4A, which he said the program has been preparing for. 

“We’ve been playing five and 4A teams for a while,” Exume said. “I feel like our guys are battle-tested. We’ve coached against some really good 5A teams.”

Gilbert went 11-2 last season and 4-1 in region play, losing its lone contest to region winner and cross-county rival Brookland-Cayce. The Bearcats and Indians both moved up to 4A this season and will stay in the same region, joined by other Lexington County schools, Gray Collegiate and Airport.

Exume said the team’s results this season won’t be because of him but the players and coaches on the team that execute his game plan. One new coach is well-known to the Gilbert community for his contributions on the field. Jy Tolen is the school’s all-time passing leader and is now back as a quarterbacks coach. 

Offense

Exume was the team’s offensive line coach for eight years, including last season. Three of his starters are back, and their play will be critical to the team’s success.

Bryson Butler, Kennedy Harmon and Drew Hill will lead the five on the line. Their experiences allow Exume and the other coaches to teach new schemes instead of reteaching the same to new players.

Another key piece for the Indians will be tight end Connor Gooding. He is entering his third year as a starter and is committed to play college football at Marshall.

“He is the cream of the crop of tight ends in the state,” Exume said. “He’s just a great athlete, a great kid and kind of fills so many holes for us offensively and plays so many roles. He’ll be at receiver, he’ll be at fullback, he’ll be at tight end. He does so many things.”

Out wide is Krew Morris, the team’s “do-everything.” He will catch screens and deep balls and run the ball via jet sweep and block.

At running back, Exume said the team will lean on its two-headed monster of Trevon Williamson and Jaylen Jay. The two rushed for 1,000 yards each and will be a focal point in the team’s offense this year.

“They are two complete backs. They run well, they catch well, they block well,” Exume said. “I think it’s great when you can play a football game and have two guys that can impact offense in so many ways. And then, both guys can flip around and play some defense.”

Defense

Safety Wynn Meetze is one of the team’s defensive leaders. He had a strong year last year as the strong safety, recording about 150 tackles and four interceptions last season.

“He’s just a playmaker and a ball hawk,” Exume said. “Having a guy like him that supports the run game and is dynamic in the passing game is huge.”

Knox McFarland returns this year after dealing with an injury last season. He played mic and will most likely continue that responsibility, Exume said. He was described as a physical run-stopper who does a great job at getting the entire unit in place.

Grayson Gunter is back after earning a starting role as a sophomore. His competitive nature will strengthen the linebacker unit, Exume said.

“What we love about him is he’s the kind of player that we’re trying to get everybody to be,” Exume said. “He’s aggressive, he’s physical, he has that edge and he’s competitive. He takes everything personal with a chip on his shoulder.”

Schedule 

Week 0 - at Lexington Aug. 23

Week 1 - at Wilson Aug. 30

Week 3 - vs. River Bluff - Sept. 13

Week 4 - vs. North Augusta - Sept. 20

Week 5 - at Aiken - Sept. 27

Week 6 - vs. South Aiken - Oct. 4

Week 7 - vs. Midland Valley - Oct. 11

Week 8 - at Brookland-Cayce - Oct. 18

Week 9 - at Airport - Oct. 25

Week 10 - vs. Gray Collegiate Academy -  Nov. 1