Aun & McKay Kickoff Classic to enter 5th year

Thomas Grant Jr.
chroniclesports@yahoo.com
Posted 7/26/19

Palmetto State coaches from Chronicle Country and as far as the Upstate gathered Friday at Timberlake Country Club.

Along with playing a round of golf, all were present to promote the 5th annual …

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Aun & McKay Kickoff Classic to enter 5th year

Posted

Palmetto State coaches from Chronicle Country and as far as the Upstate gathered Friday at Timberlake Country Club.

Along with playing a round of golf, all were present to promote the 5th annual Aun and McCay Kickoff Classic. The 8-team event on Aug. 17 at Cecil Woolbright Field will feature 4, 1-hour contests and include the host team Chapin, Gray Collegiate, Mid-Carolina, Spring Valley, Laurens, Barnwell, Westwood and Newberry.

Eagles’ head coach Justin Gentry praise the support of numerous sponsors - The Law Offices of Aun and McKay, Generations of Chapin, Victoria Ares-All State, Peggy Aun-Exit Palmetto, WFG National Title Insurance and Security Financial - in helping the Classic attract new and returning teams each year.  

Gentry is entering his 10th season at the helm. Coming off a 4-6 campaign which was also the program’s 1st in Class 5A, Gentry is pleased with his team’s off-season preparation and acknowledged having to adress team “complacency”. 

“I was my fault,” he said. “We got complacent. It was some things we needed to change, but we were successful. Well, I told my coaches last November there were some changes that would be coming down the pike and we’ve stuck to those changes in the pike. We have changed the outlook and mentality of Chapin football from the top down.

“I have probably enjoyed this past summer more than I have the past 25 years of coaching because we’ve got a group of guys and players that are fun to be around, that are busting their tail and we enjoy each other.”

Chapin will close out the Classic at 9 p.m. against Westwood. 

Fresh off winning a 1st ever region title, Gray Collegiate has pointed towards higher goals for the upcoming season. Head coach Adam Holmes returns a group led by Holy Cross commitment quarterback Hunter Helms that advanced to the 3rd round of the Class 2A playoffs. 

The War Eagles will face Mid-Carolina in the 8 p.m. scrimmage. 

One of the potential post-season opponents is Barnwell, coached by Dwayne Garrick. The former River Bluff assistant head coach led the Warhorses to a state runner-up appearance last year and will open the Classic at 6 p.m. against Newberry and former Batesburg-Leesville head coach Phil Strickland.

Spring Valley will face Laurens in the 7 p.m. contest. 

Tickets for the Classic are $6 at the gate. 

Aun, Mckay, Gray Collegiate, Chapin

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