Fort Mill High School football coach ahead of 2020 season: ‘The future is watching us’

Repetition, repetition, repetition.

Fort Mill High School head football coach Rob McNeely said his team has been getting in record numbers of individual repetitions, drills and small-group work done ahead of the 2020 season.

In past seasons, players might do 15 or so minutes of individual drills, then move on to meet with the rest of their teammates. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, McNeely said his team has been working in small, position-related groupings for at least an hour and a half each day this summer.

McNeely hopes that the restrictions may turn out to be a blessing in disguise come next month’s season opener at crosstown rival Nation Ford High School on Sept. 25. He said that the team’s performance at practice is a direct correlation to how they’ll play each Friday under the lights.

“The future is watching us,” he told The Herald. “What that group of linebackers is doing right now on a Tuesday will show up on Friday night. If we work hard Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and all the meetings and lifting, and we come up short on Friday night, we know we did all we can to deserve to win.”

Nathan Brooks (6-4, 275 pounds), a senior offensive lineman and returning starter for Fort Mill, said the individual drills are helpful for developing his younger teammates. Brooks said he’s been focusing on his conditioning this summer, with the hopes of having quicker speed and better stamina.

While Brooks said it has been tough to deal with the “slow” practices, he thinks the team has adjusted quickly to the changes. He said his team was more than willing to accommodate if that means the school will be allowed to welcome in fans.

“I see myself as a leader, trying to focus this team on getting better every day,” he said. “You want to start hitting people, so it’s a struggle. ... Having a student section behind you to cheer you on (during games), when you get a good play, and getting that feedback, it keeps some kids in the game.”

Realignment has thrown a curveball for the teams in Region 3-5A. Instead of nearby Northwestern and Rock Hill, Fort Mill will be matched up against new region opponents Boiling Springs and Gaffney.

McNeely has preached to his players that they can’t control the outside changes, but they can control their reaction to it. What are the games on the schedule he’s most looking forward to?

“The very first one,” he said. “The next game we play is almost the most important.”

The Yellow Jackets have gone 1-9 in both of the past two seasons, their win last year coming against Lancaster at home.

Brandon Jennings (5-10, 235 pounds), a senior linebacker, said he’s learned a lot from watching the tape of last year’s games.

“It’s the best way to learn,” he said. “The film … doesn’t lie. You’re either doing it right or wrong. We try to work as hard as we can. We’re not as talented as other teams, but we can outwork them and outplay them. I would love it if we earned everything we got.”

Fort Mill offense

The Yellow Jackets will operate out of the multiple offensive scheme, allowing for a running back, a tight end and up to three receivers.

As of late August, Fort Mill has two sophomores competing for the starting quarterback spot: Gabriel Tooper (6-foot-2) and Isaiah Haynes (5-foot-8). According to McNeely, Tooper is a prototypical pocket passer, while Haynes is more athletic and can create space with his feet.

At running back, junior Michael Threatt (6-feet, 160 pounds) will likely shoulder much of the carries. Senior Liam Walsh led the team in carries and yards last year (82-for-229).

On the offensive line, Brooks will be joined by junior Marcus Boston Brinkley, Joey Okolita and Charlie Veltri.

McNeely said Walsh will feature at wide receiver and play a role in the return game. The coach said junior Joshua Sturgeon and sophomore Robert Graham will also join Walsh as receivers.

Fort Mill defense

Fort Mill will play out of the 4-3 defense, McNeely said.

Senior defensive end Kam Moyers (6-2, 235 pounds) has put on 40 pounds of “good weight,” according to his coach. Brinkley will feature at defensive tackle.

Junior Miller Shouse played on the defensive line last year, but McNeely said he’ll move Shouse to defensive end this season.

Senior Brandon Jennings will feature in his third year as linebacker. Senior Jack Noll will be the other inside linebacker, McNeely said.

“(Jennings) is a really good in-the-box linebacker,” McNeely said. “But we can get him out to certain coverages. With the knowledge he has, we’re looking for big things out of Brandon.”

Look for sophomore Gavin Steiner (6-foot-3, 190) to line up at outside linebacker.

In the secondary, junior JJ Ogwal will deputize at cornerback and safety. Sophomore Nick Krise is expected to play free safety, while Robert Graham can slot in as cornerback, as well.

Fort Mill special teams

Sophomore Gannon Burt is considered a long snapper to watch. McNeely said the punt team is the most important special team, given the field position a team can gain or lose.

Junior Scott Young will help the team as a punter. McNeely said Scott is the son of Matt Young, a former Fort Mill kicker.

Fort Mill football schedule

Sept. 25: Nation Ford (away)

Oct. 2: Clover (home)

Oct. 9: Hartsville (home)

Oct. 16: Boiling Springs (away)

Oct. 23: Gaffney (home)

Oct. 30: Catawba Ridge (home)

Nov. 6: Lancaster (away)

Editor’s note: This story is one of 15 high school football previews The Herald will run prior to the first game of the regular season on Sept. 25. Look out for a preview of the Chester football team to appear at heraldonline.com later this week.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled the name of senior linebacker Brandon Jennings on first reference. It also incorrectly stated that Fort Mill didn’t win a home game last year, which the team did. The article has been updated and corrected.

This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 9:00 AM.