Beaufort High School Football
Great To Greatness
story by KATE HAMILTON PARDEE photos by MARC REICHEL
Some events in a town unite the whole community, causing it to burst incredibly with hometown pride. When Beaufort High School won the 3A State Championship game Thursday, December 1, 41-31, over Powdersville in Columbia, SC, that precise celebratory moment is exactly what happened in Beaufort, making it overflow with pride. After a lot of focused hard work from the team players, the coaches, and the school administration, including unwavering community support, the Eagles landed a triumphant and significant victory. Winning the State Championship game was an incredible feat; it was the first title for Beaufort High School in 77 years. Still, even with a great athletic team, winning this first championship would not have been achieved without the focus and drive of Head Coach Bryce Lybrand and the leadership of Athletic Director Linc Lyles.
Five years ago, Bryce Lybrand came to Beaufort to become the Offensive Coordinator Coach for the Beaufort High School football team. He and Athletic Director Linc Lyles professional sports paths crossed. A mutually respectful relationship began at Beaufort High School and continues to this day.
Lybrand grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina, with two older brothers who played football. He followed in their footsteps and had the excellent opportunity to play for legendary coach Shell Dula. “It was a great high school experience, and I said to myself coaching is a career I might want to pursue.” Lybrand then continued at Clemson University and became an assistant student coach under Dabo Swinney as an undergrad. After he graduated, he attended Carson Newman University in Jefferson, Tennessee, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Education. Lybrand then moved to Charleston, coached football, and then continued to do so in Mt. Pleasant. After a stint in Providence, North Carolina, where he was an offensive coordinator, he learned of that same position becoming available at Beaufort High School. Lybrand loved that he could continue working and be so close to the coast, and decided to check it out. While there, Head Coach DeVonte Holloman left to coach at his alma mater, South Pointe. Lybrand then decided to apply for the Head Coach position at Beaufort High School and was selected at age 33.
His playing experience and so much he had learned working with his past coaches continued to motivate him, but his love of coaching kept him in his pursuit of the game. “It has many reasons, but one most important is I like working at a job I enjoy, and I enjoy coaching football.” He points out that it is not just about winning. He says, “It is about teaching young men how to be good people. In football, there are ups and downs, and achievements and losses, and this sport leads by example on how to deal with life. You can fail in football, but you can recover. These are important life lessons.” With pride, Lybrand wears a rubber bracelet with “Great To Greatness” printed on it. He adds, “That says it all.”
Lyles confirms this by saying, “Coach Lybrand is well ahead of his time in structure and organization in leading our young men and coaching staff with our football program. He started his Head Coaching career with a brutally challenging schedule at Beaufort High 0-5 and never flinched. To go from there to becoming State Champions in four years is almost unheard of.”
Lybrand has now been at Beaufort High for five years with four of those years as the Head Coach. Winning the State Championship this season was the most exciting, and it accomplished a milestone by being a first-time achievement for Beaufort High School. Lybrand feels he has an outstanding team of athletic players and says, “They are all low maintenance and really like being around each other. Also, 22 seniors lead by example. To name a few, “Hart Cushman was a leader on the offensive line, Jack Sumner was a leader on the defensive line, and Kacy Fields had over 2200 yards rushing and over 30 touchdowns. That’s a lot!”
The football team has 12 coaches who tirelessly assist Lybrand and contribute much. Both Lybrand and Lyles know the importance of the great coaches that help them at Beaufort High School on the football field and in other sports programs.
Lyles adds, “The out-of-season work our coaches put in, virtually 11 months a year, gives Beaufort High School the edge. During these hot summer months, when no one is looking, they are committed to football and all sports programs, and define what a TRUE CHAMPION is.”
Lyles and Lybrand are just two leaders in sports at Beaufort High School and are committed to their roles at the school. The Eagle’s Football team is just one example of what a sport can mean to them and the community, and as Head Coach and Athletic Director, what the opportunities can be for all — down the road. Lyles adds, “We try to create opportunities for our student-athletes to continue their journeys as they prepare for life after high school. It is truly a blessing to be a Beaufort High Eagle.”
Lybrand is also proud of the culture he has created in football over the past four years and has known many of his players since they were freshmen. “They understand the expectations. Some will play in college, and some even further professionally.” They all know when the recruiters visit that Lybrand has their back with good advice. He gives them a sounding board for the right place and is a voice of reason.
The winning of this year’s Championship game was an excellent achievement for all, but it also created a new memorable sports story. The team was losing at halftime, but Coach Lybrand kept them calm and focused while experiencing his own personal challenge. During a bathroom break, his zipper broke, forcing him to change into sweats. Although all couldn’t help but notice with a smile, it did lighten the pressure of the game, and Lybrand remained unflagging even amid “Zippergate.”
After trailing at halftime, the Eagles went on to win, and the stadium went absolutely crazy. Lyles said smiling, “I needed to ensure the student section did not rush the field while Lybrand was unsuspectingly being doused with the celebratory Gatorade.” Coach Lybrand did have a serious moment when asked what he said to the team after this championship win. Taking a pause, Coach Lybrand’s voice, slightly breaking, said, “I told them I didn’t want this to be the biggest moment in their lives. They must know they have a lot of living to do and become great husbands or fathers or be respected in their communities. That is what is most important to me.”
The honors and accolades of winning the State Championship keep coming in for the football team members of the Beaufort High Eagles. They were asked and featured as the number two group, walking and following behind the prestigious US Marine Corps Marching Band in the Beaufort Christmas Parade. Dr. Frank Rodriguez, the Beaufort County School District Superintendent, invited them to a meeting with the Beaufort County School Board.
They also have been asked by Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray to come before the Beaufort City Council to receive public recognition of their win. Although Lybrand continues to be very proud, he is hoping for some golf time, visits with his close family, and relaxing a bit, but not too much, in the beautiful Town of Port Royal where he lives.
Lybrand and Lyles have both experienced great moments in sports at Beaufort High School, whether coaching football or managing the many other programs that have such a positive effect on so many of the students. As the new year begins, there will also be many different Beaufort High School sports seasons starting and many opportunities for the community to cheer on their special teams. Thank you, Head Football Coach Bryce Lybrand and Athletic Director Linc Lyles. Go Eagles and Go Beaufort High!
