Swansea’s football team is entering its second year under the guidance of head coach Willie Fox.

In year one, Fox led the Tigers to a 7-4 record just a season after an 0-10 winless 2023. While surpassing last year’s record would be a nice bonus, Fox said the goal this year is to continue building the culture and getting better every day.

“We never talk about winning the state championship or winning the region or anything like that,” Fox said. “It may sound cliché, but we just talk about trying to get better every day. Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of them- selves.”

The Tigers’ team this year will look a little different than the team that took the field in 2024. Fox said he lost 16 players from last year’s team, including many starters.

Those 16 players were crucial to setting the foundation Fox wanted to implement last season, and now the Tigers will have to rely on younger, less experienced players.

“I feel like we’re a pretty talented football team, just young,” Fox said. “Young can be good, or it can be bad. I think we’re probably gonna see both sides of that at times this year. We’re going to ask some guys to grow up quickly. If they do, then I think we’ve got a shot to be pretty successful. If they don’t, then we’re going to have some growing pains.”

Fast development is possible for this group. Many came from Swansea’s JV program, which had a successful 7-1 campaign last season and won almost all their games by a wide margin.

With a full season together under their belt, Fox and the team could spend this offseason focused on improvement, instead of getting everyone acclimated to a brand new system.

“The only place to go was up. I think our kids bought what we were selling. I think we’re just trying to build on that now,” Fox said. “The kids there want to win, and they’re hungry for success.”

Swansea opens its season on Aug. 22 with a home game against Mid-Carolina.

Offense

As a small school, Swansea will rely on many of its players to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball.

On offense, the team will look to Dante Caldwell to carry the load of the rushing attack. The rising senior has been one of Swansea’s top rushers the past few seasons and will play some defense this year as well.

DeAndre Caldwell is a younger guy who could be on the rise. The rising sophomore will join Dante in the running back room and will also play defensive back.

Trace Selfridge will also play some running back, as well as other skill positions.

At the quarterback spot, Swansea will look to a new face. Kendall Wright is a rising sophomore and will play his first season of varsity football. Fox said he sees a lot of potential in Wright and believes he can become a good quarterback for years to come.

Charles Moody, Carder Young and Kevin Sightler will be in charge of protecting Wright on the offensive line. Moody is one of the few returning linemen and will be expected to lead the younger guys. Many players on the offensive line will also spend time on the defensive line.

Defense

William Geddis is one of the team’s top returning players on the defensive side of the ball. Geddis was an All-Region selection last season and was one of the group’s vocal leaders.

This will be Geddis’ final season at Swansea. He will take reps on both sides of the ball, playing tight end on offense. Fox said to expect big things this year.

Joining Geddis on defense are returners Jerel Wine, Patrick Larry and Jordan Donahue, among others.

Fox said Jamarieye Jones is a newcomer on the defensive line to watch for.

“All those guys have a chance to be really, really good football players,” Fox said. “They’re going to make some dumb mistakes because they’re young. They got a lot of time to get better, so by the time those guys graduate, they should all be really, really special football players.”

2025 Swansea Schedule 

Week 0 - vs. Mid-Carolina - Aug. 22

Week 1 - at Denmark-Olar- Aug. 29

Week 2 - at Wagener-Salley - Sept. 5

Week 3 - vs. Pelion - Sept. 12

Week 4 - at Barnwell - Sept. 19

Week 5 - vs. Columbia Sept. 26

Week 6 - at Keenan* - Oct. 3

Week 7 - BYE

Week 8 - vs. Silver Bluff* - Oct. 17

Week 9 - vs. Fox Creek* - Oct. 24

Week 10 - vs. Newberry* - Oct. 31

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