Gray Collegiate enters the 2025 season looking to return to the playoffs and move past the sanctions and controversy surrounding the school over the past few seasons.

The War Eagles have been at the center of a heated debate over competitive balance between public and charter schools. Gray has dealt with cancellations, sanctions, realignment and more ever since a handful of teams took a stand against what they felt was an unfair advantage.

Gray was moved to the 4A classification last season as part of a potential solution for the conflict. But even then, Gray could not escape the shadow looming over them.

Last season, first-year head coach D’Angelo Bryant was suspended for the end of the season after the school was accused of committing a recruiting violation. Then, in a separate case, the team was banned from the postseason for playing with an ineligible athlete.

Bryant feels Gray has been treated unfairly in these situations. When facing similar circumstances, nearby public schools received a significantly less harsh punishment, he said.

“ Gray Collegiate has not been treated very fairly in this process,” Bryant said. “I say that as somebody who is in it now, but I also speak as somebody who was on the outside.”

Bryant’s Silver Bluff team lost the 2021 2A football title to Gray.

While the past few years still linger on the players’ minds, Bryant said his team is ready to move past the whole situation and play a full schedule of football.

Gray had a successful first year in 4A and was poised to make a deep playoff run before the sanctions came down and forced the team to forfeit all their games in 2024. The team is motivated to come back better than ever and show what they couldn’t last season.

“ We have some very resilient kids,” Bryant said. “ That’s one of the things as a coach you feel good about because whenever you get ready to go to battle, you know what kind of young men that you’re going to battle with.”

Gray spent the majority of the offseason focused on development. The team does not have the numbers as most other 4A teams due to the multiplier rule, so they will rely on many players to contribute in multiple spots.

“We try to make it a challenge every day for our young men,” Bryant said. “Whether that’s putting them in a certain situation, whether that’s making them get used to being uncomfortable so that the uncomfortable things become comfortable. That’s been the biggest goal in the offseason.”

Gray will test itself this season before the playoffs. Not only does the team play in one of the deepest 4A regions, but it also has non-region games scheduled against James Island, Marlboro County and Dutch Fork.

 ”Talking about working to be the best, a lot of times, you have to play the best,” Bryant said. “You find out some of your strengths and weaknesses, and I think that happens with every program in your first couple games, especially your non-region games.”

Offense

Gray’s offense is centered around returning quarterback Tyler Waller. The rising senior has been the team’s starter for multiple seasons now and was described as a tough and gritty player.

Hiszari Gantt will be one of Waller’s top receiving options. Corey Gleaton and Royce Williams will also be top wideouts this year.

Jack Armstrong will be the leader on the offensive line with Trevon Williamson and Nate Dixon running behind him as the halfbacks.

Defense

In the defensive secondary, many of the team’s wide receivers will also line up at corner and safety. Gleaton and Williamson, in particular, will see extended action on both sides. Caleb Raysor will also be a defensive back to keep an eye on.

Michael Boulware is a force at the linebacker position. He put up big numbers since joining the varsity team and is expected to continue his high-level production this season.

JP Sweatt will also play linebacker this season.

The biggest question mark surrounding the team is its defensive line group. The War Eagles are still experimenting with different looks and have a lot of youth and inexperience at the position. Despite this, Bryant is still confident in his team’s abilities.

“We’re  really excited to see the guys who have really put a lot of work in the offseason, to see their development and to continue to create competition within our own football team,” he said.

2025 Gray Collegiate Schedule 

Week 0 - at James Island - Aug. 22

Week 1 - BYE

Week 2 - at Marlboro County - Sept. 5

Week 3 - vs. Dutch Fork - Sept. 12

Week 4 - at Midland Valley* - Sept. 19

Week 5 - vs. North Augusta* - Sept. 26

Week 6 - at Brookland-Cayce* - Oct. 3

Week 7 - at Airport* - Oct. 10

Week 8 - vs. South Aiken* - Oct. 17

Week 9 - at Aiken* - Oct. 24

Week 10 - vs. Gilbert* - Oct. 31

Note: (*) indicates a game against a region opponent