Xavier Wright throws for 317 yards as the War Eagles overcome a strong performance from Blythewood quarterback James Veasey in front of a packed home crowd.
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (Oct. 16, 2026) — Before the first snap, Friday night belonged to the seniors.
The stands were packed at Gray Collegiate Academy, where families, friends and supporters gathered for Senior Night. Before kickoff, the War Eagles recognized their senior football players, calling their names one by one in front of the home crowd.
Standing on the sidelines with my camera, I could see that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary Friday night for Gray Collegiate.
Then the football started, and there was plenty to keep my camera busy.
Gray Collegiate sophomore quarterback Xavier Wright threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns, while Blythewood senior quarterback James Veasey put together an impressive performance of his own, rushing for 151 yards.
When the night was over, Gray Collegiate had a 37-15 victory, but both teams had players worth talking about.
Wright Gets the Offense Moving
Gray Collegiate quarterback Xavier Wright put together the kind of numbers that get your attention.
The sophomore completed 19 of 28 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns, helping the War Eagles finish with 441 yards of total offense.
Senior Corey Gleaton was Wright’s leading receiver, hauling in six passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.
Also, sophomore David Quattlebaum added five receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, along with another score on the ground.
Meanwhile, senior Trevon Williamson handled much of the rushing production, finishing with 98 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
As a result, Gray Collegiate had plenty of offensive weapons, and the statistics showed just how productive the War Eagles were through the air.
Veasey Deserves His Flowers Too
Now, I don’t want to overlook what Blythewood quarterback James Veasey brought to this game.
Clearly, the senior was dangerous with the football in his hands.
Veasey rushed for 151 yards on just 14 carries, including a 54-yard run, and scored a touchdown. He also threw for 96 yards, giving him 247 combined rushing and passing yards.
Overall, that’s a lot of production from one player.
Additionally, junior running back Landyn Strong added 97 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Tay’Shawn Johnson contributed 57 receiving yards and another 28 on the ground.
Blythewood finished with 393 yards of total offense. So even though the Bengals lost by 22 points, their ability to move the football deserves recognition.
OK3Sports Players of the Game
Player of the Game — Xavier Wright, Gray Collegiate
317 passing yards and two touchdowns. Wright’s performance helped lead the War Eagles to a 37-15 victory.
Offensive Standout — Corey Gleaton, Gray Collegiate
Six receptions, 138 yards and a touchdown. The senior delivered one of the night’s strongest offensive performances.
Defensive Standout — Zayvion Roary, Blythewood
Nine tackles. Roary led Blythewood’s recorded defensive statistics and earned recognition despite the loss.
More Than the Final Score
One thing I appreciate about covering high school football is that the scoreboard doesn’t always tell the complete story.
In the end, Gray Collegiate deserved its victory. The War Eagles produced 441 yards of offense and made their scoring opportunities count.
But Blythewood had athletes making plays, too. Veasey’s 151 rushing yards and Strong’s 97 are worth recognizing, even in defeat.
In short, that’s part of what I want OK3Sports to capture. The final score matters, but so do the individual performances and the stories unfolding on both sidelines.
Gray Collegiate improved to 4-5, while Blythewood fell to 3-5.
FINAL: Gray Collegiate 37, Blythewood 15
Story and Photography by Olen Kelley III | OK3Sports