When the Byrnes Rebels football team invited a talented Dutch Fork into Nixon Stadium in week three of last season, optimism was exceptionally high - and it deserved to be. The Rebels offense was on a roll, putting up 92 points in back to back dominate performances against Greer and Chapman. The defense showed out as well, holding the Yellow Jackets to just a pair of touchdowns and keeping the Panthers to 27.
Unfortunately, it would be a few more weeks before Byrnes would celebrate again, but the foundation was laid. A four game losing streak to a very talented DFHS team, a two point nerve-wracking L to Westside, a non-regional defeat at the hands of Westside High, and another heartbreaker at home against Spartanburg would separate the Rebels from their next win.
But it's not the close L's of a 6-6 campaign that Coach Reggie Shaw and the Rebels are focusing on to begin the 2022-23 season.
It's the growth of a group that will look to bring Byrnes back to the success the community is used to that will ultimately be the goal. Shaw knows that, and his team knows that.
On Monday, under the sweltering August heat with not a whisper of a breeze to be felt, Coach Shaw gathered his team around on the practice field. The atmosphere - minutes ago pierced by bass lines of hip-hop music on the speakers and coaches shouting the next stretches to be done - went silent as the boys listened to the man wearing the blue bucket hat and whistle around his neck.
"You play on Friday," he told them, "but you win TODAY."
With that, position groups gathered to hear the tactics and strategies they're likely to see from their Week One opponents, Brooklyn-Cayce High, when they kick-off the season on Friday night.
The biggest news of the offseason came with the restructuring of divisions around South Carolina. Byrnes will compete in Class 5A, Region Two, alongside Boiling Springs, Dorman, Gaffney, and Spartanburg. Byrnes snuck by Dorman 20-17 last year, and dropped an exceptional game to Spartanburg 33-30. Gaffney presented a much more formidable challenge, downing the Rebels 45-15.
It's no secret that the first challenege for Coach Shaw and the Rebels will be finding the names that will replace the names of last year's biggest producers.
It'll start at the quarterback position. Gabe Rogers stepped away after a blitz of TD's last year, and matching an impressive stat sheet left behind won't be easy. Answering that task this year will be Shaw's son, a 6'4" left handed senior, Colby Shaw. Shaw will command an offense with a few established offensive players, and a few more answering the bell for the first time.
One of those returners will be standing behind Shaw in the backfield, running back Mack Long. Long missed a significant chunk of time last year due to a major injury, but showed an explosiveness and ability to change directions as a sophomore that should not only help open up the offense, but make Long a major player in it, if he can stay healthy. Long is a threat to make any number of honors teams at the end of the regular season.
Playing in his final campaign at the wideout position will be Kyai Cook, a six footer with the ability to jump over the lights in the stadium. Cook threatened six hundred yards last year, and cashed in seven times on the season. With his ability, and defenses focusing on stopping Long, it won't be a shock for Cook to replicate - and perhaps improve - those numbers.
A new name will join the group as well, one that Byrnes fans will hear over the PA for the first time. Joining the Rebels after transferring over from Dorman is Charmarryus Bomar. Bomar is a former quarterback for the Cavaliers who has spent the summer and fall rotating in at defensive back and wide receiver for Shaw's squad.
One question Byrnes will need to answer is along the offensive line. Last year, the big boys up front were led by Eli Henderson, who accepted a scholarship to Arkansas last year. That group will likely make the difference for the playmakers listed above.
Miquel Dingle Jr., a 6'2" 215 pound outside linebacker will lead a very physical but slightly undersized front seven for Byrnes. Dingle is a commit to Texas Tech, and will surely be a vocal leader this year.
Byrnes hosts Brooklyn-Cayce High Friday, August 19th at Nixon Stadium.
