Mid-Carolina Aiming to Reset After Tough Season
PROSPERITY, S.C. — Mid-Carolina High School is looking forward to the 2024 football season, eager to leave behind a challenging year filled with injuries and struggles. As the saying goes, “You limp into the season, then you will limp out of it.” After a tough 2023 season, head coach Chris Arnoult is determined to turn things around with a talented group of young players.
Building for the Future
Last season, the Rebels faced a tough road as injuries sidelined key players. They finished with a 2-9 record, including a 2-4 record in region play, and experienced an early exit in the state playoffs. Mid-Carolina has a lot of room for improvement, and that starts with their roster.
Although the team lost three of their top offensive playmakers from the previous year, there is a strong youth movement within the program. Players like Wyatt Mazza gained valuable experience on the varsity level last season, which will certainly help the Rebels in their pursuit of a better record this year.
Looking Ahead
The Rebels are not just aiming for more wins; they also want to reclaim some pride against their rivals. Mid-Carolina had a long-standing streak of victory against Whitmire, but that came to an end last season with a defensive battle that saw the Wolverines come out on top. This year, they have the chance to travel to Whitmire and reclaim that honor.
Additionally, their rivalry with Newberry High School looms large. Mid-Carolina has not beaten Newberry in football since 2010, and they are eager to change that narrative in the upcoming season.
Aiming for More Wins
Another significant milestone for the Rebels this year is to surpass the three-win mark in a season. It has been a struggle for them, as they have not achieved this feat in the last nine seasons. Fans are hopeful that the team can also break a long playoff drought, as they seek their first playoff win since 2010.
Mid-Carolina starts its season with a home advantage, playing their first two games at home. Remarkably, two of their first three games are against rival teams, setting the stage for an exciting start to their season.
Key Players to Watch
The Rebels will be looking to several key players to lead the charge this year. Among them are:
- Keshon Williams – Running Back / Linebacker, Junior
- Ezerial Prater – Middle Linebacker, Senior
- Jamarian Dewalt – Wide Receiver / Free Safety, Senior
- Wyatt Mazza – Outside Linebacker / Running Back, Sophomore
- Jaxson Moody – Defensive End, Senior
The 2024 Schedule
The Rebels have a challenging schedule ahead of them, which is as follows:
- Aug. 23 – vs. Swansea
- Aug. 30 – vs. Newberry
- Sept. 6 – @ Whitmire
- Sept. 13 – @ North Central
- Sept. 20 – vs. Pelion
- Sept. 27 – @ Batesburg-Leesville
- Oct. 4 – vs. Fairfield Central*
- Oct. 11 – @ Columbia*
- Oct. 25 – @ Chester*
- Nov. 1 – vs. Eau Claire*
All games are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., but times are subject to change.
Conclusion
The Mid-Carolina Rebels are ready to reset after a tough year filled with injuries. With a talented roster and a determination to succeed, they hope to leave the hardships of 2023 in the past and focus on building a more successful season in 2024.
