Some of the best junior football players in the state traveled to Lexington County to play in Sunday’s South Carolina High School Blitz Junior Showcase game. 

92 players from the class of 2025 were divided into an East team and a West team before competing in a friendly match on Sunday at Brookland-Cayce High School. Chronicle Country was well represented with 13 athletes participating in the game. 

Local players were split, with Dutch Fork, Chapin, River Bluff and Gray Collegiate athletes participating for the West, and Irmo, Gilbert and Brookland-Cayce playing for the East. 

Irmo, Dutch Fork and Brookland-Cayce all had three players representing their school. Gilbert had two athletes, while Gray Collegiate, River Bluff and Chapin had one. 

Quarterback A.J. Brand, defensive back Malachi Smith and offensive lineman Ryan Love participated on the East team for Irmo. 

“I haven’t been on the field in a long time, so coming back to play in this game, it really just made me remember the season,” Brand said. “I loved it.”

Brookland-Cayce sent offensive lineman Antohn Ford, defensive back Jvonn Edwards and defensive lineman Nicholaus Matthews. 

Tight end Connor Gooding and athlete Krew Morris represented Gibert, while Chapin offensive lineman Nathan Gilley and Gray Collegiate running back B.J. Montgomery also took the field, facing some familiar foes. 

“One of my former teammates from my little league team played on the East team, so that was love,” Montgomery said. “We always play together, never against each other, so that was good.”

River Bluff kicker Tripp Bryant was the starting kicker for the West team and named special teams MVP after making all of his extra-point tries. 

“It’s an honor, you know, but it can’t be done without the people in front of me,” Bryant said. “It’s great to meet people from all over the state. It’s great to be with the best, compete with some of the best guys around.”

The game itself was uncompetitive, with the West team cruising to a 42-7 win. The West’s defense in particular was impressive, allowing 0 points against some of the state’s most dynamic players. 

Despite the lopsided results, the score does not count toward any records, and the game is meant to be a celebration of a successful season for these players. Teaming up with other top-tier athletes allows players to learn from their peers and make new bonds. 

“Me and this cat [Ladainnian Martin] from Greer, we’re roommates and I knew nothing about him,” Montgomery said. “It just seemed like as soon as he walked in the room, we just clicked. We’ve been hanging together since Friday, and I got his number because now he’s like one of my best friends.”

Gilbert’s Morris got the game going by pulling in a 3-yard reception from Summerville quarterback Jaden Cummings. Cummings and Morris connected again for 16 yards a few plays later on a third and six to keep the opening drive going for the East.

That drive eventually stalled and the West took over for the first time. The team moved down the field, but then Brookland-Cayce’s Edwards came down with a drive-killing interception. 

Irmo’s Brand came out as quarterback for the East on the team’s second drive. He never really got into rhythm in this contest, much like the rest of the East’s offense. Brand did have a few impressive runs that left defenders on the ground. 

Spartanburg’s Justin Rice scored the game’s first points on the West’s next drive after a huge 61-yard catch and run. 

The East marched on the field looking to match the West’s score but did the opposite. Hannah-Pamplico’s Wade Poston came in as quarterback for the third drive, took a hit and lost the football, which was eventually scooped by a West defender for a touchdown. 

Before the half, the West scored one more touchdown and added three more in the second to leave no doubt on which side of the state was superior this season. 

The lone East touchdown came near the end of the third quarter and was made by the defense. Woodmont’s Jordan Sink attempted a screen pass, but Sumter’s Jeremiah Burson jumped the route and ran 50 yards to the endzone to cut the lead to 28-7. 

The game’s last two scores came in the fourth quarter when the contest was well in the West team’s control. The constant pressure on the East kept the West ahead where they never looked back.

These players have one more year to make the most of their high school careers, and Bryant said playing in this game gives them an edge heading into next season. 

“Just playing another game is great,” Bryant said. “I mean playing with different people is also good. Just practicing and learning how other people play.”