Jackie Hayes believes his Dillon Wildcats will be better in 2010 than they were in 2009. Those words should make all the rest of the teams in AA run and hide. But Hayes is not ready to just give his team their third straight state title just yet - “Just because we’re better, doesn’t mean we’ll win more games. We don’t want to be overconfident.”
Winning championships has brought a new type of commitment level to the Wildcat summer workouts. Over 100 players have come out four days a week, because, as Hayes says, “everyone wants a ring.”
Senior quarterback Tyquan Hayes returns to run the offense. The coach Hayes believes the QB Hayes will be one of the best in the state in his second full year as a starter. He’ll have an impact rusher behind him, in sophomore Jabo Lee, who people in Pageland are still having nightmares about after his incredible run in the state championship game.
On defense, Dillon has an incredibly deep unit. But the most experienced won’t necessarily start – Hayes believes he’ll begin the season with three freshman starting linebackers. Dillon’s defensive line will be a revolving door of talented players, including Rashad Myles, Tyshaun Hayes and Archie Gilchrist. Two returning starters, Kevin Lynch and Quincy Bethea, will anchor the secondary.
The Cats also return one of the most productive kickers in the history of the program – TJ Grimsley converted 52 of 57 extra points and 8 of 9 field goals last year.
With Myrtle Beach off the schedule, and bitter rival Cheraw now a non-region opponent, Dillon’s road to the playoffs is actually easier this year. For a program that went 50 years without a championship, a three-peat seems very possible.
