Dreher’s Colby Fuller looks to build on a 2022 season where he threw for 1,374 yards.
It wasn’t exactly the debut Dreher Blue Devils head coach Corey Jenkins was hoping for in 2022.
“We didn’t perform to our standards,” Jenkins said. “I think it was a lot of things with being a new coach. I came in, worked on changing the culture, changing the attitude of the kids. This year the kids have bought in. They want to build on what we did last year.”
As the Blue Devils go through their summer workouts, Jenkins is happy with where the team is currently.
“We are ahead of where we were this time last year,” Jenkins said. “We started working out in January. Last year, we didn’t get to work out until the end of April, a week or two before spring ball. That meant spring ball was more trial and error, finding out what the kids could do. We weren’t able to do all the things we wanted to do. This year we were able to get on the field and get some things done.”
One area that will need to improve is Dreher’s offense, which averaged 18.6 points and 242.3 yards per game.
The Blue Devil attack will be led by quarterback Colby Fuller, who threw for 1,374 yards in 2022. Jenkins believes the Blue Devils will only be as good as Fuller.
“Our offense runs through him,” Jenkins said. “Last year was his first year starting as a varsity player. We are expecting big things from him this year. He made some mistakes last year. I hope they were learning experiences. He’s got a chance to be good this year. I want to see his knowledge of the game grow, as well as his ability to read defenses.”
Zyon Williams-Hayes will take over at running back, following the departure of leading rusher David Epps.
Caleb Perry and Tyler Teasdell will line up at wide receiver.
Up front, Charles Jeffcoat anchors the offensive line. He’s joined by Trey Clarkson and Jashaun Broadnax.
The Blue Devils’ defense is in rebuild mode. The foundation of the 2023 unit starts with middle linebacker Willie Smith. Free safety John Pohlmann will headline the secondary, while Jeffcoat and Trent Goodwin will anchor the defensive line.
Dreher’s Caleb Perry could make an impact in the Blue Devils’ passing attack in 2023.
Jenkins believes the strength of his team is in its togetherness.
“It’s going to be on them,” Jenkins said. “What kind of team and family are we going to be? We need to stay together and fight through the tough times. We need to fight through these workouts as a family. We aren’t the most talented, but we will work our behinds off, and we have to do it together.”
The schedule starts with a visit from a hard-nosed Keenan squad. Three out of the next four opponents come from 4A, with the remaining challenger, Lakewood, heralding from 3A.
Then comes the Region 5-3A schedule. Dreher opens with Swansea and Orangeburg-Wilkinson. The Blue Devils played two of their best games last year against those region foes. It would be helpful if Dreher could pick up some momentum with wins over those two, considering the final three games are against region title contenders in Gilbert, Brookland Cayce, and Lower Richland.
“The schedule will test our character,” Jenkins said. “We feel like we can compete with these teams. It’s going to be tough, but I feel it will be good. Our region is competitive every week.”
Jenkins overall expectation is to win a state title. However, to accomplish that, his team must continue to improve.
“ We want to be a region title winner,” Jenkins said. “We expect the best from our kids. We expect them to play hard all 48 minutes. As long as we do that I believe we can be successful, make the playoffs, and go on a run.”
Leave a Reply