Gray Collegiate is no stranger to moving classifications, and this year, the War Eagles moved to the top. 

After starting in 2A, Gray jumped to 4A when the South Carolina High School League adopted an out-of-zone attendance multiplier. Two years later, the War Eagles were put in 5A, following the latest round of reclassification. 

War Eagle head coach De'Angelo Bryant said his team expects them to compete well. However, he is concerned the players themselves were not considered enough when the decision was made. 

“I really think the high school league got this wrong with this multiplier. I think it's a very punitive thing,” Bryant said. “It's not fair to our kids. It's not fair to our parents. It's not fair to our school. We're having to play up a whole classification with the type of numbers and the lack of depth that we'll have in our football program.” 

Gray will have smaller numbers than their competition. The War Eagles will have to have players play both sides of the ball, and their sub options will be limited. 

Despite this, the team is still expected to be formidable. 

The War Eagles dealt with a similar number issue in 4A, and still turned in two competitive seasons. After being barred from the postseason in 2024, the 2025 team finished the season undefeated in region and made it to the state semifinal round before losing to South Florence. 

Bryant expects Gray to be in contention for a deep run again this year. 

“Here we talk about championships, and that's nothing we’re going to shy away from with us moving up a level to 5A,” he said. “Our eyes are always on the prize.” 

The War Eagles will play a challenging schedule that should test them before reaching the playoffs. The team started the season against North Carolina’s Chambers. Gray will also play fellow Lexington County 5A schools, River Bluff and Dutch Fork. 

Gray will be in a region with Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley, and Sumter.

“It’s a challenging schedule, and I think every game is very meaningful,” Bryant said. “We just want to be able to take one game at a time and go into these games and win, dominate and do all the things that we're practicing to do right now.” 

Players to watch

Like many teams, Gray will have a mix of new and returning players fill important roles. 

One facet where the team is most consistent from the previous year is in the skill position groups. 

Wide receiver Corey Gleaton was the team’s top target, recording over 1,200 yards in 2025. He also plays on defense as a corner and is always a threat for interceptions. 

Royce Williamson is also a receiver and plays in the defensive secondary as a safety. Bryant called the Williamson-Gleaton duo the team’s Swiss Army knife. 

Trevon Williamson is back at running back for his senior season. He had over 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior. 

Jack Armstrong and Carson Cartwright will be key players on the offensive and defensive lines. 

All five of those players are seniors and have offers to continue playing football in college.

2026 schedule

Week 0 -  Aug. 21 - at Chambers 

Week 1 - Aug. 28 - at River Bluff

Week 2 - Sept. 4 - vs. James Island

Week 3 - Sept. 11 - vs. Mountain View Prep 

Week 4 - Sept. 18 - vs. South Florence 

Week 5 - Sept. 25 - at Dutch Fork 

Week 6 - Oct. 2 - vs. Spring Valley* 

Week 7 - Oct. 9 - at Sumter*

Week 8 - Oct. 16 - vs. Blythewood* 

Week 9 - Oct. 23 - at Ridge View* 

Week 10 - Oct. 30 - BYE 

Note: (*) indicates a game against a region opponent