- [Narrator] Lakeview is a small town with a
big heart that loves football.
It's what keeps the town together.
Come with me on this blast to the past
about our history of football.
It all began back in the 1930s
when Lakeview won their first state championship in 1938.
They won all of their games,
which classified them as undefeated.
Knowing the heart of any Gator,
they day they don't give up, so in 1961,
your Wild Gators brought home another state championship
in which they were coached by Coach Potter.
In 1970, your Gators were ready to rumble,
which is nothing new.
They tackled down Graniteville with a score of 16 to 12,
bringing home the AA state championship.
The next year, your Gators brought home
another state championship.
It took some time, but in 1989,
your Wild Gators brought home another state championship.
In less than three years,
we brought home another one.
The next state championship was won in the year 1997.
This was a special year because not only did they win state,
but they defeated Dillon by one point.
These Gators have never given up.
It's the year 2006,
and we received another state championship
coached by the amazing Coach McLaurin.
Some might say it took us a while,
but the time was just right.
In 2016, your Gators worked extremely hard,
closing the season with a 14 to 0 record, as undefeated.
They played their hearts out against Lamar
as they picked up a 31-14 win
coached by Coach Daryl King.
- It is a very successful tradition,
with team and state championships,
numerous lower state championships,
a lot of region championships.
Many players have gone on to play at the next level.
Several players who have gone on to be
impact players in the NFL.
So for a small town like Lakeview
to have this many state championships,
and being as successful as we've been,
it's a testament to the people here.
The hardworking people,
and the way their kids were raised,
and how they go out and perform on Friday nights.
- In addition to Coach Daryl King,
who played football at North Greenville University,
assistant football Coach Larry Inman
played football for Western Carolina University,
and also, Coach Andy Ford played football
for Presbyterian College.
Another player that went on to continue
their love for football
is Travis Ford, son of coach Andy Ford,
who attended the University of South Carolina.
Also, another phenomenal player,
Quanny Christian, who attended Clemson University.
Just recently we had a few of our
Lakeview High School alumni choose
the same route at the high school.
Dwayne Nichols, who is currently #10
for South Carolina State.
Also, Xaiver Johnson, who is signed
to South Carolina State and is
currently #55 for the Bulldogs as well.
Xavier, as well, Datron Jones signed
to commit to play at Newberry College.
Coach Timmy Renfrow is a great example
of a Wild Gator.
He played football at Wofford University,
and is currently now an Athletic Director.
His son, Hunter Renfrow, followed in his steps
playing college football at Clemson University.
You would never believe someone from little, old
Lakeview, South Carolina would make
it to the NFL, but anything is possible.
With the heart of a Wild Gator,
Anthony Waters was a phenomenal player
for Lakeview High School that's on
with Clemson University, who was later drafted
to the NFL by the Chargers.
He later played for the Saints,
in which they won a Super Bowl ring
back in 2009.
You know, they always say,
"watch what you do, because you never know who's watching",
well, Anthony Waters has a younger brother
by the name of Darius Leonard.
He puts in phenomenal work on and off the field.
He had decided that he wanted to be a little like
his big brother. He wanted to play college football
for Clemson, but they turned him down,
so, he decided to sign with South Carolina State.
What is destined to happen would come on it's own.
Darius Leonard completed his years of college
putting in as much work as possible
to get him to the next level.
He worked hard to the point where he
received a phone call during the draft
stating that he was a new member
of the Indianapolis Colts.
He didn't stop there, he worked
every bone in his body the entire season
and even made it to the playoffs.
As we all know, the saying hard work pays off.
He was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year
making history right here in this little, old town
of Lakeview, South Carolina.
(high energy music)