For the Lamar Silver Foxes, Friday’s game marked the return of legendary coach J.R. Boyd. For the Cheraw Braves, it marked the return to business as usual. The defending 2A state champs routed Boyd’s Silver Foxes to open the season at Donald R. Poole Stadium.

The two-time defending Class 2A state champions and four-time defending lower state champions return seven starters on offense and six on defense from last year’s championship squad.

With J.R. Boyd back in charge of the program, thoughts of returning to the state championship are probably on the minds of every Lamar football fan. They’ll get an early chance to see how realistic those expectations are.

In preparing for his senior year, Cheraw running back Travis Small kept things pretty much the same this offseason. “I really didn’t do anything different training-wise,” Small said. “I just do the normal things, try to stay in shape and then turn it on when the season starts.”

The Braves return possibly the most dynamic backfield in the state, led by 2,000 yeard rusher Travis Small. Despite breaking in a new quarterback in Grey Stratford, Coach Johnny White’s gameplan will remain the same - run the ball, and then run it some more.

South Carolina has their eye on three Pee Dee football players. Travis Small, Kinsman Thomas and John Coleman will take part in the Gamecocks camp tomorrow with hopes of luring in a scholarship offer.