Rebels repeat as Palmetto State Showdown 7-on-7 champs

When the final horn sounded at Nixon Field on Thursday, Byrnes once against stood tall.

The Rebels defended their Palmetto State Showdown crown without obtaining a single chink in their armor, going 5-0 in pool play and winning all three matchups in the championship bracket to hoist the trophy for the second straight year.

Eighteen teams gathered at Byrnes High for the showdown, a tournament that featured some of the top football talents from both South and North Carolina.

“That was big time,” said Byrnes head coach Reggie Shaw. “You want to play great competition because it’s only going to make you better. Our guys stepped up.”

In pool play, the Rebels took down West Charlotte, Hillcrest, Butler, Irmo, and Mauldin. By going undefeated, the Rebels earned a double-bye in the bracket. Byrnes knocked out Shelby (33-10) in the quarterfinals and Butler again in the semifinals (37-11) before facing a familiar foe in the championship: Providence Day.

“We played them in [the championship] game two years ago,” said Byrnes quarterback Andrew Stevens. “They beat us back then.”

Thanks largely to Stevens’ heroics, the Rebels ensured that didn’t happen again. Byrnes pulled out an 18-17 victory to secure the title.

“It felt good to get that one back,” Stevens said.

The senior quarterback was a nightmare for defenses to try and stop all afternoon, connecting with a plethora of different targets from an offense that, despite how it may have looked Thursday, was actually missing several key pieces.

“The past few 7-on-7s, we’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys out,” Stevens said. “I’ve started to form a connection with the guys who have stepped up to those starting spots. I think that connection was there a lot on Thursday.”

“To go in there without all our weapons and still find a way to win, that’s big,” said Shaw. “There’s been some younger players who’ve stepped up because of injuries; they’ve done some things and surprised us. It’s always good to find new guys that can make plays and to build depth and hopefully confidence throughout the process.”

Patience paid off

Stevens has waited in the wings for years.

The 6-foot-3 signal-caller backed up all-state Byrnes quarterbacks Gabe Rogers and Colby Shaw for the past two seasons. Now, in his last year as a Rebel, all signs point to Stevens finally being handed the keys.

“It feels really good,” Stevens said. “It’s kind of like I’ve waited my turn patiently. Stepping up into that position is a big spot for me. I know the guys before me left some really big shoes to fill.”

Stevens’ position isn’t an unusual one, however. Both star quarterbacks before him did their due diligence and only started their senior years, as well. Such tends to be the way at Byrnes, a program perennially loaded with upper-class talent at most positions.

“It’s been this way for us the last three years,” said Shaw. “Gabe and Colby, they both only started their senior seasons. Now Andrew has earned it. I just appreciate his character, patience, and him just continuing to work hard to earn that spot. I think that says a lot about him.”

“Andrew’s done a great job of going out there and being a leader,” said Byrnes wide receivers coach Jamauri Davis. “The way he’s taken charge has been a huge help for us.”

Shaw has seen strides in his quarterback as the summer has progressed. Most notable to Shaw has been Stevens’ newfound vocality.

“He’s starting to take charge, and that’s good to see, because Andrew’s kind of a quiet, reserved person,” said Shaw, “so he’s had to get out of his comfort zone and be a lot more vocal.”

“That’s one way I’ve known I’ve needed to be better,” said Stevens. “I want to speak out more, be more of an outspoken leader for my guys. I think I’m getting there.”

Coach notes

• Stevens had a great afternoon making several deep throws into tight windows. However, he wasn’t mistake-free, said Shaw.
“He threw a couple bad balls, but he didn’t get rattled.”
Shaw added that Stevens’ composure after mistakes might have impressed him more than anything else.
“If you’re going to be the guy in charge, you’ve got to have a short memory. You’ve got to be focused on the next play and on constantly learning and adjusting.”

• Shaw praised the performances of wide receivers Ta’lik Dawkins and Caleb Williams, who he said have both “really stepped up this summer.”

• In the championship game against Providence Day, wide receiver and free safety Dreson Evans made two game-saving plays. First was a tip to prevent Providence Day from converting an extra point try.
Immediately after, Evans’ first-down catch helped run out the clock and ice away the Rebels’ win.
“Great players make great plays in big-time situations,” Shaw said of Evans’ performance. He referred to Evans as having a “breakout” summer.

• Shaw praised defensive back David Wilson, who had several key pass breakups on the afternoon: “He comes to work every day on defense and doesn’t complain. It’s kind of a blue-collar mentality, whatever it takes.”

The countdown continues during a summer of hard work for Byrnes, with just over six weeks until the season kicks off. Byrnes’ first matchup of the year will be on August 18 at 7 p.m., a Week 0 tilt in Charlotte against North Carolina powerhouse Hough.