Jamboree of Champions to be held Friday, August 15, at Dillon Memorial Stadium with eight area teams to participate in the event.
A luncheon meeting was held today at the Twin Lakes Country Club in Hamer to finalize the preparations for the games.
Dillon School District Four Athletic Director Keith Coward thanked everyone for coming and offered a prayer for the season and a blessing of the food.
Those who were present enjoyed the food and fellowship.
Dillon High School varsity football Head Coach Kelvin Roller thanked everyone for coming and for the teams’ participation in the jamboree.
Game 1 at 6:30 p.m. will feature Latta vs. Fairmont. Fairmont first year Head Coach Scott Loosemore who has 37 years’ experience as a coach was happy to be able to be a part of this year’s jamboree. He stated he was having to learn “patience”. He told everyone that Fairmont had some good-looking players including some basketball players that gave the team good height as ends on offense. He remarked that he had some linemen who were 5’10” and weighed 280 pounds. The quarterback was returning from last year.
“We do have some talent”, stated Coach Loosemore. However, Fairmont has not enjoyed a winning season since 2018. We hope that will change this year. Latta Head Coach Brandon Iseman is excited about this year’s team. Although Latta doesn’t have a receiver over 6″2″, Latta is experienced. “We want to take the next step. We have 15 seniors,” remarked Coach Iseman.
Game 2 will begin at 7:30 with Hartsville vs. Scotland. Scotland Head Coach Richard Bailey appreciates the opportunity to play in the jamboree. Scotland has 4 returners on offense and 4 returners on defense. Scotland has youth on the team. “We have a good, strong schedule”, stated Coach Bailey who has 35 years experience as a coach.
Hartsville Head Coach Jeff Calabrese, who has coached for 32 years, looked forward to the opportunity to play in the jamboree. Hartsville and Scotland have had great programs and great players. Hartsville is returning 6 players on offense and 4 on defense. The Red Foxes will have a new quarterback this year. He is only 15 years of age. Hartsville has a lot of 5″7″ and 5″8″ players. Most importantly, Hartsville has a great kicker. He mad 92% of field goals last year.
Game 3 should begin at 8:30 with Richmond County facing West Florence. First year West Florence Head Coach Chad Wilkes will be coaching in Dillon for the first time. The team has a good amount of talent with good size and speed. Coach Wilkes stated “the kids are capable of being good.” The new coaching staff’s goal is to be good this year.
Richmond Coach Brad Denson is returning 9 of 11 on offense. On defense, the team has 2 returners in the secondary who are really good. The linebackers could be questionable. The kicker should be good. We are excited to play in this jamboree.
The final game of the night will begin at 9:30 with Dillon facing Darlington. Darlington Head Coach Jamie Johnson is excited to play Dillon . Darlington has 9 returners on defense. He has some small linebackers who are good and are the leaders of the team. There are 5 returners on offense. Coach Johnson said that the kids handle themselves with their problems. Coach Johnson is excited for the challenge to play Dillon.
Dillon Head Coach Kelvin Roller is happy to happy numbers on the offense and defense this year. Dillon has good depth this season, and the skilled group is also good. The Dillon quarterback is a freshman with good speed. He is capable of throwing or running the ball. Dillon has another rising senior with 3 years of experience. Dillon has good running backs. Last year Dillon depended on Jamarion Fling as the work horse. The Wildcats have good linebackers this year. Jasper McIntyre is a sophomore who we expect a great deal from this season. Zamarious Robertson, who has committed to North Carolina, will be a senior this year. He is expected to be a wide receiver and a defensive back with leadership qualities. The only returning starter on Dillon’s offensive line is Kiele Pompey. Dillon has had a good off-season in the weight room. “Dillon needs more practice for this season” remarked Coach Roller. Dillon is exited about this jamboree and this football season.
The rules for the games were provided by Dillon Athletic Director Keith Coward. There will be two 10-minute quarters with a regular clock. Each team will have 1 time out per quarter. The first possession will be determined by a coin flip. The football will be placed on the 30-yard line. No kickoff/returns. Punts and extra point attempts will be dead (no rush, no return-take possession where punt is field.
There will be a $10 entry fee paid at the gate. No bags will be allowed into the stadium. All fans will be required to pass through metal detectors.
Dillon Memorial Stadium is located at 101 Chapman Avenue, Dillon, S.C.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
