The Lake View Wild Gators began practices on Friday, August 2. (Photos by Dawson Jordan.)
In 2011, the Gators made it to the state championship game, but fell 35-14 to Christ Church. Last season, the Gators made it to the lower state championship, but fell 41-40 to Cross, who went on to win the state title with a 38-26 win over McCormick.
But this season the Wild Gators will return to the field without 13 of their top players from last season. Among their biggest losses were Chris ford and Darius Leonard. Head coach Daryl King says Ford “knew offense better than we did,” and Leonard was a leader on offense and defense. With “pretty much all” of the key positions empty, the Gators will be looking for rising junior varsity players to help fill the void.
King says his main goal this season will be building a young team and helping them get better. Most of his offensive line is returning, but he says he’s still working several players in the quarterback position. He added that he’s been pleased with the turnout so far, with a good number of players showing up every day.
King has been coaching at Lake View for 14 years and this is his fifth year as head coach. His coaching staff will return this year, including Jonathan Robinson, Cloy Ford, Andy Ford, Johnny Dew, Larry Inman and Jeffrey Caesar.
The Wild Gators are looking at another tough conference schedule this year, with Johnsonville, Latta, and Hannah-Pamplico all formidable teams. Johnsonville swept the region last season and finished with a 13-1 record and the lower state championship in Class A, Division 1, falling 27-18 to Christ Church in the state championship.
While Latta finished last season with a 3-7 record, they have one of the state’s top players in Donell Stanley and are looking to be competitive this season. Hannah-Pamplico, who finished third in the region last year, has a new coach at the helm and promises to be even more challenging this season.
The Wild Gators will see their first action on Thursday, August 15, in the Lake View High School Jamboree, which will include Mullins, Johnsonville, Latta, Dillon, and Lumberton.
Lake View will begin the regular season on the road at Aynor on Friday, August 23 and will be at home to host Dillon on August 30. Lake View hasn’t won a game against Dillon in over a decade and the Gators have only scored six points against the Wildcats since 2009.
The Wild Gators will also face Fairmont, Socastee, and Military Magnet in September before opening conference play in October.
“We’ll have to do a lot of work to get better each week,” King said. “But I’m looking forward to the season.”
Photos by Dawson Jordan/THE DILLON HERALD. Click images below to view at full size!
