The Mullins Auctioneers are looking forward to the football season and will open the regular season on the road against Hemingway on Friday, August 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Last year, the Auctioneers won 7 games and lost 4 games.
Although Mullins Head Coach Marc Lowery lost 8 players, who had starting minutes, to graduation, his team still possesses 7 players at the skilled positions who have started the last 2 years plus he has 6 more who have a year on the starting team. Coach Lowery and his coaching staff are trying to focus the players on taking that role as a vocal leader.
One bright spot on the offensive line is junior Jyrell Pee who has been a starter since his freshmen year. However, the coaching staff is pleased with the offensive line’s progress at this time. Yet, it is still an unknown as to how good the line can be. If they can jell early and play consistently, there is no telling how far this group can go.
“As far as the defensive line, that’s another spot where we have some questions. We will be more athletic than last year, but with little experience. DeAndre Stackhouse will be playing the Nose and we hope at 6’3″, 305 pounds, he can be an impact player,” remarked Coach Lowery. “We moved to a 3-4 defense to take advantage of our skill positions and to get more athletes on the field. If we play assignment football and do our jobs, we could have a very talented group” exclaimed Coach Lowery.
The most experienced group on the team is the receivers. Mullins has 4 returning starters who bring a lot of speed and size. All of them play basketball and have started the past two years. Ayntwain Crawford is a senior who is 6″3″, Braden Huges is a senior at tight end and is 6’3″ and weighs 205 pounds, Amir Lee is a senior at 6’2″), Justin Reaves is a senior and a state qualifier in the 100 meters, and Keith Bridgett is a junior who played a lot as a sophomore.
As mentioned earlier, Mullins moved to a 3-4 defense to make use of their athletes. They moved defensive ends Braden Hughes and Ayntwain Crawford to drops/OLB with the ability to bring them to the edge if needed. Coach Lowery stated “we return to the best inside linebackers in the area in Andre Littlejohn (All-Region) and Nathan Peracki who is a junior and the team’s leading tackler in 2023 and 2024.” At the defensive back position is Terrion Grant who is a senior and a corner back, Deyon Ford is a senior is a senior who is at safety, and Da’Karai Worley is a junior as a safety who was also an All-State basketball player. All of these guys have started for the past two years with the exception of the two safeties who have one year under their belt according to Coach Lowery.
Anthony Campbell who is a junior and receiver Justin Reaves as a wide receiver will get some reps there according to Coach Lowery.
“Dakarai Worly is not a true kicker. However, he did a great job for us last year as our all-around kicker. We do not have a field goal kicker,” remarked Coach Lowery.
“Our special teams are just that…special,” quipped Coach Lowery.
The Mullins Auctioneers run a spread offense that can get in a power look with TE/H-Back, Braden Hughes moving around the formation,” stated Lowery. This is the third year in the system, so the team is looking to take an even bigger step forward this year. The Auctioneers run a lot of RPOs that help put them in a better position to eliminate negative plays. “We had a great 7-on-7s this summer and feel good about where we are at this time of the season. This group will be as good as they want to be. It will be predicated on how hard they work and the self-discipline that they show,” Coach Lowery said.
Mullins has all of their running backs from last year. They did not lose anyone.
Senior KaNazzion Bethea has started at quarterback for the past two seasons. He made All-Region in 2023 and 2024. He still has not played to the level that the coaches know he can. Bethea has put in a lot of hard work this offseason to get better at all aspects of the quarterback position. If he does a better job taking what the defense gives him, there is not telling how good he could be. Bethea was also the team’s leading rusher last season. He should end the season as one of the best quarterbacks in the state!
Although Mullins players did not play on both sides, defense and offense, last year, this year may be different. “With the experience and athleticism, we have at some positions, we will have to keep those guys on the field. I don’t like doing that, but with little depth, and the fact that we have about 7 guys who are “that dude”, we may have to play them on defense and offense,” said Coach Lowery.
Although Mullins is young on the offensive line, the players will get better with each passing game.
The Auctioneers are blessed to have 5 “go to” guys, and team believes in themselves. Although that is a good thing, but at the same time, the players have to understand that they haven’t done anything yet, and need to put the work in and focus on all the little things that help make a team successful.
Mullins added Myrtle Beach to their preseason schedule in a game-like scrimmage. That team will definitely let us know where we are headed into the season.
The Mullins Auctioneers will open the season on August 22 on the road against non-region foes beginning with Hemingway who is presently struggling followed by another road trip to Lake View on August 29. Lake View is always good and well-coached. Last year, Mullins defeated Lake View for the only regular season loss last year. Of course, Mullins will host Latta, another very good and well-coached team on September 12. On September 5, Mullins host region foe Green Sea Floyds. On September 19, Mullins travels to Atlantic Collegiate. Mullins will host Marion on September 26 and will travel to Lake City on October 3. Mullins will be home to face Manning on October 10. On October 17, the Auctioneers hit the road to face East Clarendon. Mullins will close out the regular season at home against Kingstree on October 24.
Mullins welcomes Coach Kamrone McAllister as a newcomer to the coaching staff. The Mullins coaching staff consists of Head Coach March Lowery who will be calling the plays. Assistant Coach Donald Brown will coach the wide receivers while Tony Nelson is the defensive backs coach. Aykelle Cross is the defensive line coach, and Jeremy Oxendine is coaching the linebackers and running backs.
Support your team; attend the games.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
