Stags 'light years ahead' heading into new season
By Rob Gantt, rgantt@ourgazette.com
At this point in 2023, Eric Lodge was barely four months into his new gig as Berkeley High School’s football coach. Plucked from the Sunshine State with a recently-won state championship ring in tow, Lodge took over a proud program desperate to win at a high level again
Now, with one campaign under his belt in Moncks Corner and a new season arriving soon, Lodge can easily see how far the Stags have come.
“To compare the two teams is not even fair,” Lodge said. “Those kids were learning not only how we worked out, they were trying to get in shape. Those guys were learning what our systems were, how we do things, our language, the daily operations. Everything is way more ironed out and moving a lot smoother. The place we are now is light years ahead of where we were last year.”
Lodge’s first bunch of Stags finished 6-6 and advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs after the previous two teams combined for a total of five wins and sputtered on offense. The offensive side of the ball – and a penchant for winning at home - was the highlight for the 2023 Stags. Berkeley scored 299 points, a stark contrast to the paltry 91 points put up in 2022. The 2021 Stags tallied just 131 points, with 48 of those coming against winless Stall in that season’s opener.
“Obviously, we expect to be much sharper,” said Lodge, whose first squad finished 6-0 in Moncks Corner. “We expect to be better as a team. Our schedule is pretty tough. We’re hoping our record reflects how much better we’ve gotten. We just continue to look toward ourselves and try to improve every single day.”
A collection of proven skill players will be back, too. Senior receiver Kevin Boone returns after hauling in 43 passes for 797 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, garnering all-state honors. Fellow senior target Kayden Bash earned all-region honors as a junior, grabbing 45 passes for 756 yards and five scores.
“We’re looking for them to continue the momentum they had last year,” Lodge said. “… We’re looking for them to lead their teammates in the right direction and go out and set a good example.”
Sophomore quarterback Henry Rivers and junior offensive lineman Zion Britt are returning all-region players, along with junior linebacker Marcus Henderson on the other side of the ball.
Rivers put on a show as a freshman, throwing for 2,302 yards and 25 scores while rushing for 557 yards and eight more touchdowns.
South Carolina High School League football teams can begin practice Friday, Aug. 2 and optimism will be running high in Moncks Corner.
The curtains come up on the new regular season with a home clash against Ashley Ridge Friday, Aug. 23, in Week Zero, followed by a trip to Winter Park, Florida, six days later in Week 1. Berkeley then hosts rival Summerville Friday, Sept. 6, in Week 2. Berkeley's first three opponents combined for a 30-5 mark in 2023, including the Green Wave that knocked off Berkeley twice en route to a 13-1 record.
Berkeley heads to West Ashley Friday, Sept. 13, in Week 3 before a Week 4 bye. The Stags host St. James Friday, Sept. 27, in Week 5 to complete the non-region slate.
Berkeley’s Region 7-5A opponents include Stratford (home), Goose Creek (home), Wando (away), Lucy Beckham (away) and Cane Bay (away).
“We’re looking forward to taking our show on the road a little bit,” Lodge said.