Drayton finds satisfaction in final season at Waccamaw

While most checked off a list of activities accomplished over the course of this past summer, Waccamaw’s Jabbrel Drayton was busy creating one of his own.

His final year as a Warrior drawing nigh, the senior standout wanted to ensure he left the football program on solid ground.

“Among my preseason goals was to make it back to the playoffs as a team,” he said. “I wanted to have more tackles than I did the previous season. I wanted more tackles for a loss, and more sacks.”

Though a preseason setback prevented him from accomplishing all of his goals, it was an unexpected achievement that he has found the most satisfying.

Drayton will finish his prep football career Saturday at the 2015 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Energy Bowl – North vs. South All-Star Game.

“I just want to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “I want to thank God and my family, as well. It is a huge honor, one I didn’t really think I would be part of … it’s great.”

A linebacker in defensive coordinator Gordon Walters’ 3-4 scheme, the senior racked up 57 tackles and assisted with 14 more. Drayton also had 17 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and five pass break-ups.

“I missed the first three games of the season, but still had pretty good stats,” the Waccamaw standout said. “I finished second on the team in tackles. … A lot of that has to do with Coach Walters, who pushed us hard in the weight room and stressed always giving 100 percent.”

Lining up at defensive tackle on Tuesday, Drayton’s strength and quickness were on full display, harassing his offensive counterparts with regularity. Nevertheless, he confessed there is still so much more to learn – both on and off the field.

“I have good teammates, and they motivate me. I hope I can do the same for them,” he said. “… At first I was kind of nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. Thanks to them, I’ve learned some new techniques on the field, and off the field gained some new friends.”

With college scouts crawling throughout the Myrtle Beach High School grounds this week, putting a good foot forward could have an added benefit for Drayton and others participating in the North-South game.

“I just want to show out for them, give them something to look at,” he said. “I believe I can play at the next level, one of my goals is to make it to college.”

Most importantly, the Waccamaw defensive standout has his sights set on helping the South side to a victory on Saturday.

We’re coming together as a team, and really want to beat the North,” Drayton said. “This week, we are setting our schools aside. We’re the South team, and not individuals.

“I’m hoping for five or six tackles, honestly. But coming away with a win is most important.”

NOTES

▪  Versatility at the quarterback position was certainly a commodity sought by coaches for this year’s North-South game. Whether it be the South’s collection of Myrtle Beach’s Drayton Arnold and Dillon’s Avery McCall, or the North’s group of Logan Bailey (Chapin), Avery Armstrong (Dreher) and Elijah Turner (Seneca), the signal callers have the ability to make something out of nothing thanks to being fleet of foot.

▪  While North head coach Kenneth Schofield is known most for employing the Wing-T at Class A’s Great Falls, he is taking a more aggressive approach this week, showing off a more diverse brand of play calling. Expect more than your share of surprises this Saturday when the North team is on offense.

▪  The South may be skillful in the secondary, but the sheer size of several of the North team’s receivers would make some college offensive coordinators blush. The collection of Braxton Westfield (Christ Church), Hank Tuipulotu (Nation Ford), Antonio Lomax (Westside) and Evan Estridge (Chapin) are 6-foot-3 or above, offering North quarterbacks big targets to pass to.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 8:31 PM with the headline "Drayton finds satisfaction in final season at Waccamaw."