The lights at 160 Fairforest Way aren't just for visibility. For anyone who has spent a Friday night in Greenville, South Carolina, those lights represent a massive cultural shift. It’s weird, honestly. For years, people kinda looked at JL Mann High School football as an afterthought compared to the powerhouses like Gaffney or Dutch Fork. But things have changed.
The program has moved from a "maybe next year" mentality to a "win now" culture. You've probably seen the scores. The 2023 season was a legit fever dream for Patriot fans, ending in a 11-3 record and a trip to the Class AAAAA state semifinals. They lost by a single point—31-30—to Dutch Fork. That's a "stay awake at night" kind of loss.
The Bryce Smiley Era and the 2025 Reality Check
Transitions are never smooth. When Steve "Scoot" Watson left for Greenville High in early 2025, it felt like a gut punch to some. He was the guy who steered them to that 11-3 record and a subsequent 9-3 run. Enter Bryce Smiley. Taking over a program that just tasted elite success is basically playing on "Hard Mode."
The 2025-26 season has been, to put it bluntly, a massive learning curve. The Patriots finished 1-10 overall. Yeah, you read that right. 1-10.
- The Lone Win: A gritty 14-13 victory against Easley on September 19th.
- The Region Struggle: 1-6 in AAAAA Region 1.
- The Playoff Reality: A tough 45-3 exit against Spartanburg in the first round.
It’s easy to look at that record and think the wheels fell off. But if you actually watch the film, you see a team that is extremely young. They aren't just losing; they are growing. Most of the stat leaders this past year weren't seniors. They were sophomores and juniors who are getting baptized by fire in the toughest division in South Carolina.
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Who is actually making plays right now?
Stats don't tell the whole story, but they definitely point the finger at who to watch. Shaun Carvalho (Junior, LB/TE) has been a literal vacuum on defense, averaging 8.5 tackles per game. If you're an opposing offensive coordinator, you have to know where he is on every snap or your run game is toast.
Then there’s AJ Bush. He’s a Junior WR/QB hybrid who basically does everything. He led the team in receiving yards (27.6 Y/G) and was even the second-highest rated passer. It’s that kind of versatility that keeps the Patriots dangerous even when the scoreboard isn't in their favor. On the ground, Buddy Griffin has been the workhorse, picking up about 40 yards a game.
The Stadium Logistics Nobody Mentions
If you're heading to a game, don't just put "JL Mann High School" into your GPS and expect to see a kickoff. The stadium is actually located about a mile away from the new school building, near the old campus site. It’s a bit of a quirk.
The atmosphere? It's intense. Despite a 1-10 season, the student section doesn't quit. There's a specific kind of "Greenville pride" that exists here. It’s less about being a "football factory" and more about the community showing up for a magnet school that happens to play high-level AAAAA ball.
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Mann has produced some serious talent over the years. We aren't just talking about local legends; we're talking NFL Sunday talent.
- Dextor Clinkscale: A DB who played for the Cowboys and Colts back in the 80s.
- J.T. Floyd: A name Michigan fans know well. He was a cornerstone corner for the Wolverines.
- George Georgopoulos: One of the best punters to come out of the area, moving on to UMass and eventually Mississippi State.
It’s a legacy that current players like Xak Petty and Major Workman are trying to live up to. Petty, a senior defensive end, led the team in fumble recoveries and was tied for the lead in sacks this past season. He’s the kind of player who keeps the "Patriot Way" alive during a rebuild.
Why the Rebuild Matters More Than the Record
High school football in South Carolina is a religion. When a team goes from 11 wins to 1 win, people start talking. But here’s the thing: JL Mann High School football isn't in a death spiral. They are in a reset.
Coach Smiley is implementing a system with players like Gage Watkins (Sophomore QB), who finished the season with a 66.7 QB rating. Is it perfect? No. But a sophomore taking every snap in AAAAA Region 1 is basically a masterclass in experience. By the time Watkins is a senior, the game will feel like it’s moving in slow motion for him.
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The defense also shows flashes of brilliance. Jordyn Turner-Butler and Xak Petty combined for 6 sacks this year. In a region where you’re facing massive offensive lines every week, those numbers are hard-earned.
Actionable Insights for the Next Season
If you're a fan, a parent, or a scout looking at the Patriots for the 2026-27 cycle, keep your eyes on these specific areas:
- The Junior Class Leap: Shaun Carvalho and AJ Bush will be seniors. This is their team now. Expect a massive jump in production as they enter their final year.
- The QB Development: Watch Gage Watkins' completion percentage. He sat at 51% this year. If that climbs to 58-60% in 2026, the Mann offense becomes a different animal.
- Off-Season Strength: The gap in the 2025 scores (like the 55-17 loss to T.L. Hanna) often came down to size and depth. The weight room this winter will determine the 2026 win column.
Don't sleep on the Patriots. The 1-10 record is a ghost of a young team finding its feet. When those sophomores become seniors, the rest of the region is going to have a very difficult Friday night.
What to do next: If you want to support the program, check out the Patriot Athletic Zone for the upcoming spring practice dates and the 2026 schedule release. You can also catch game replays on the NFHS Network to see the development of the younger roster firsthand.