The Spartanburg Vikings are coming off a 9-3 Co Region Championship season which saw the Vikings make it to the Upper State Championship game for the 2nd time in 4 years. The 2024 Vikings featured one of the best defenses in recent history led by a core group of Senior LBs Cam Smith, Quez Smith, Peyton Jones and C.J Woodruff.
For 2025, Spartanburg not only has to replace these 4, but 5 other Defensive starters as well. DT JayUndra Cohen and CB Christian Davis are the only 2 returning starters. The DL should be a source of strength centered around Cohen. DL Kemarion Davis, and transfers Tryon Duncan and Mike Frye should give this group a solid front.
Make no mistake, the 2024 LB core will be one of the toughest position groups to replace in school history, so Coach Hodge is looking to a group of Seniors to do so. Carter Waugh, Jacob Friedberg and Ruben Landrum along with Jr Isaih Lipscomb will anchor this group in the Vikings’ 3-4 setting.
Expect to see a pair of very athletic Sophomores in heavy rotation at Safety to go with a couple of veterans at corner led by Davis who had 44 tackles and 1 INT last season. The coaching staff believes Sophomores Sentell Hall and Jaden Brown will have bright futures at Spartanburg.
On Offense, it starts with Junior RB Trenton Lynch who is well on his way in passing Carnie Norris as the school record holder in rushing yards at 4712. Steven Davis had 4501. Lynch, who ran for just under 1000 yards as a Fr, had over 1400 on the ground last season. With a multi year starter at QB in Trey Burke, the Viking backfield is one of the best in the state. The question then becomes who replaces WRs Justin Rice, Calvin Choice, Zy Williams Bond, and TE Justin Hodge.
Spartanburg will again turn to a group of Seniors in now 3 year starter Zeke Bell Boyd, Keyvion Ferguson, and Kendrion Keenon…all who have plenty of experience at the Varsity level. The OL lost 4 of its 5 starters from last season so DL Jordan Thomas has slid over to help.
But the biggest weapon for the Vikings without question comes in the form of the best Kicker in the country Will Love. The 4 year starter made multiple FGs over 50 yards last season and will certainly be relied upon to capitalize on stalled drives in opposing territory.
This is one of the more inexperienced teams in the last few years, but as Coach Hodge said recently, this is a very disciplined group who just lacks snaps on the field. The team speed and athleticism are incredibly high.
The Vikings begin play by facing the 2 defending 5A State Champs last season in Northwestern and Dutch Fork.
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