Tigers ready to pounce in 2024

The thought that pervaded the Saluda Tigers’ sideline last season was that they were playing with house money. With just three seniors on the squad, there were plenty of sophomores and juniors–and a couple of freshmen–out there getting live game reps for the Tigers last season. Those players are all a year more mature and a year more experienced. 

No more house money. There is a full stack of purple $500 chips pushed squarely in the middle of the table.

Realignment dropped Saluda in Region 2-2A with some familiar faces. Strom Thurmond, Ninety Six, Batesburg-Leesville and Pelion are all former region foes once again in the same region as the Tigers. Newcomers American Leadership Academy are an almost complete unknown, though early reports from fall camp indicate they will not be a very good team in 2024. This region could easily be one of the best in the state and is definitely at the top of the list in Class 2A.

The biggest loss for the Tigers was All-Lakelands selection Kenmane Brunson. Brunson, now playing at Newberry College, was the heartbeat of the Tigers for the past two seasons. Taking some of the sting out of Brunson’s loss is the return of SK Media Defensive Player of the Year J.T. Lott. In 2023 Lott recorded 77 total tackles with 26 tackles for loss and six sacks. He had nine quarterback hurries, batted down six passes, forced three fumbles, and recovered one. He will be the centerpiece of a defensive front that will also see contributions from Devon Wallace, Amir Johnson, and Jaxon Berry. Jordan Hagler will move down from safety to linebacker this season and is joined by transfer Akiem Mills, Tristan Daniels, Merrick Medlin, and Nick Butler.

The defensive backfield will look as different as the linebacking corps in 2024 for the Tigers, with Hagler moving to linebacker and 2023 All-Lakelands performer Vic Gaines playing offense almost exclusively this season. With those two big pieces gone, it will be up to C.J. Springs, Tymar Cannon, and Jayden Foulks to patrol the back end for the Tigers defense. Also new to the Tigers’ defense will be defensive coordinator Daryl Smith, who was the head coach at Laurens for the past four seasons.

“Defensively, I think we’re in great shape,” Tigers head man Stewart Young said. “The guys have really bought in to what Coach (Daryl) Smith is doing with the defense and they have had a really good spring and summer. I’m excited to see what this group can do on Friday nights.”

The Tigers’ offense is a nice mix of new and old. The offensive line is anchored by 2023 All-Lakelands selection Bryan Gomez. Gomez has seen work at both guard and tackle, but mostly guard throughout the preseason. The other guard position will be held down by Walt Cannon. They are joined up the middle by center Sid Shaw and those three look ready to part the Red Sea for Brayden Williams, another player who will play predominantly offense this season after playing a ton of snaps at linebacker last season. Gaines will provide explosive plays on the outside and Josh Uhlar is a perfect balance to that as one of the top possession receivers in the area. Jah Foulks will see a lot of snaps in the slot and could be an impact player with defenses being forced to account for Gaines, Williams, and Uhlar on every snap. Just like the defense, the offense has a new coordinator in Greg Werner, who came over from Gilbert.

“We are beyond excited to get started with the season,” Young said. “This team has worked as hard as any team I have coached here. Hopefully, we can stay injury free and have Lady Luck on our side. If those two things happen we can have a special season.”

Schedule Prediction: Saluda County will know exactly what their team is made of after the first five games of the season. The Tigers open on the road against Crescent before a couple of home games against Ridge Spring-Monetta and Chester, one of the sexier picks to represent the Upper State in the 2A title game. They chase that with trips to Southside Christian and Newberry, who knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs last season. They start region play with games against ALA and Pelion and finish up with a tough run by going to Ninety Six and then hosting Storm Thurmond and Batesburg-Leesville. Those final three weeks could determine the fate of the season. There are a wide range of outcomes for the Tigers this year given their difficult schedule. Tigers finish up the regular season 6-4 and second in Region 2-2A before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs.