COLUMBIA, SC — Football rules South Carolina this time of year. USC and Clemson are the big dogs but there are couple of programs that will also be in the gridiron this year. Palmetto Prep and Allen University.
The Palmetto Prep Minutemen,a post grad program that has been around for eight years, is now led by head coach Tom Labozetta, They hosted Teddy Keaton and the Allen University Yellowjackets at Brookland Cayce High School on Sunday.
Allen is entering it's first year of college football under Keaton who has experience in Arena Football and Division II programs. He also has former Orangeburg Wilkinson head coach Tommy Brown on his staff to coach up a young defense.
The Minutemen brought in former Gamecock and Chapin offensive lineman Mason Zandi as their offensive line coach.
The teams were able to get in a couple of weeks of practice and faced off in their first scrimmage of the season this afternoon.
Palmetto Prep edged Allen 7-6 in an exhibition that was called to lightning but there was plenty of playmaking on both sides.
For Coach Keaton the fact that Allen has a football program and actually playing games is a major accomplishment.
"You know we did something that most people wouldn't do in a matter of 8 months and we're fielding a football team and play a seven game schedule. Most people would've took the year off and did some different things to get their team bigger faster and stronger but I think they've responded well," Jeaton said.
Keaton loves the way his young group of players have embraced the challenge of starting this football program despite the obstacles that are ahead.
"They've hit the weight room. They practice well but that moment of adversity is going to hit somewhere down the road so we're just hoping we can prepare them for success. Whether it's a failure or whether it's a win we got to learn how to respond to those things be able to move on to the next play."
Football at Allen will be big deal for the alumni and current students. Keaton says football will bring a buzz to the campus.
"I think it increases enrollment and it creates spirit. You remember football is the front porch of most institutions. You can't go anywhere without having supper or dinner and somebody going to say well how's your football team? So you want to have something that you can be proud of. I think it's a chance for when people come home for homecoming they get a chance to be able to have something to brag about and celebrate all year long."
Allen will have their first game at WC Hawkins Stadium in Irmo on September 1 against Columbus State.