During his days at the University of South Carolina, Adam Holmes played under Lou Holtz with a spread offense.

 

Now, as head coach of Orangeburg Prep, he hopes to implement a similar offense and a tenacious defense in order to bring the same sort of success to the Indians’ football program.

Holmes was the assistant head coach at Hammond for five years, where he helped the Skyhawks win back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007 before taking the job at OPS. He and his players have had to become more familiar with one another over the past few weeks, but he hopes this year will be the beginning of a stable relationship between players and coaches at OPS.

 

“These kids have been through a lot,” Holmes said. “I’m their fourth head coach in four years. So they haven’t had any stability and that’s what I’m trying to bring to them. I’m going to be here for a while and I’m going to coach them up and they can get everything out of us.”

 

This year, the Indians will have 25 seniors on the team. With that much experience and leadership on the roster, OPS hopes to accomplish as much as they can during the regular season.

 

“I think this is the year where we have a lot of good players in that class and some playmakers there in the skill positions,” Holmes said. “I don’t know if there’s a sense of urgency. At the same time, we feel like we’ve got the talent to compete at the best level.”

 

Senior quarterback Thomas Plumb (6-2, 190) returns as one of nine starters on offense. Plumb will have two big targets to throw to in seniors Michael Williamson (6-2, 185) and A.J. Andrews (6-3, 175). Seniors Ryan Salley (5-10, 170) and Chris Williams (5-9, 165) are other weapons Plumb will have at his disposal while in the pocket. In the backfield for the Indians will be senior John Brunson (5-11, 195).

 

Even with the talent OPS has at the skill positions, Holmes believes his offensive line is one of the team’s biggest strengths.

 

Senior center Mackie Bryant (5-11, 205) leads the offensive line, along with senior Hunter Shaw (6-1, 240) and senior guard Jared Porter (5-11, 210). Defensively, the Indians hope some of the changes implemented by defensive coordinator Howie Vayer and linebackers coach Willie Offord will make a notable difference.

 

“We’re trying to bring a defensive mentality that’s been lacking here for a while,” Holmes said. “Vayer and Offord have been really harping on our defense, and we’re finally getting 11 hats flying around to the football.”

 

Leading the OPS 4-3 defense will be senior linebackers Zack Gearhart (5-11, 200) and Dickson Jones (5-10, 180), along with sophomore linebacker Thacker Staley (5-10, 170). Looking to make contributions on the defensive line are junior defensive ends Joe Schriver (6-3, 205) and Evan Salley (6-3, 185). Senior defensive tackle Julius Weathers (6-0, 235) and junior nose guard Ronnie Goodwin (5-10, 205) hope to plug up the opposition’s running lanes up front.

 

Despite the level of talent that Holmes has at Orangeburg Prep, the way his team responds to adversity early on will be a major concern for him and his coaching staff. Holmes believes it will take some effort and determination to get the Indians back at the top of the SCISA mountain.

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