Philip Simmons High’s Iron Horses Aim for Continued Football Dominance

Over the past four seasons, the Philip Simmons High School football program has established itself as a powerhouse, achieving double-digit wins three times, securing two region championships, and coming within striking distance of two Lower State championship games. As the new season approaches, the Iron Horses are determined to maintain their winning legacy.

“I always want the expectations to be high,” expressed Philip Simmons coach Eric Bendig. Under his leadership, the team achieved a 10-3 overall record and an undefeated 5-0 in region play during the 2024 campaign. “I want people to be upset if we lose a game we should win. I always tell them I want championship football. In the state of South Carolina, there’s three championships you can win. You can win your region. You can win Lower State. You can win state. I want to be in competition for all of it. We have the resources. We have the county. We have the administration. We’ve just got to take the next step as a staff and kick in the door to Lower State, then try to win a state championship game.”

Building on a Strong Foundation

The Iron Horses captured the region championship last fall and advanced to the third round of the Class 2A playoffs. Despite having a younger team this year, Bendig remains optimistic. “We’ve got a younger group than we’ve had in the past,” he noted, “but a lot of these guys have been playing with us on some B-Team. There is a lot of talent in that rising junior and senior classes. Those guys have played a lot of football. This group has come together. I still feel good about competing and trying to be one of the best teams in the Lowcountry and winning our region again.”

Defensively, the team is poised with experience, returning four of the top five tacklers. Key players like senior linebacker Brody Tonon, senior outside linebacker Ethan Chisum, sophomore linebacker Trevor Tonon, and junior defensive end Alex Tchoryk, who led the team in sacks as a sophomore, are expected to lead the charge.

“Defensively, I’m excited,” Bendig said. “Of course, we lost some great players, but we’ve got some guys who have really developed. I love the aggressiveness, the speed, the confidence. Just their ability to shut down opponents has been proven. That’s going to continue to be the standard.”

Offensive Challenges and Opportunities

While the defense remains robust, the offense faces more questions. The departure of three-year starter Tavien Orellana at quarterback, along with leading rushers Travaris Walker and Darriell Porcher and top pass catchers Kolten Kellermann and Nicholas Tribolet, leaves gaps to fill. This fall will see only the third different quarterback in eight seasons for the Iron Horses.

“We’ve got a nice little battle going on at quarterback between junior Hayes Goddard and sophomore Rico Curry,” Bendig explained. “It’s been going on since January. Both of them are making each other better, so I love that.”

Goddard, as a sophomore, completed 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 78 yards. Curry, who also plays slot wide receiver and defensive back, helped guide the JV Iron Horses to an 8-1 record as a freshman. Junior Ashton Kellerman returns to lead the wide receiver room after making 17 grabs for 247 yards and four scores.

“I think we’re going to have a little bit more success and a little bit more of a mindset to throw the football,” Bendig said. “We’ve got college-level prospects at tight end and our wide receiver room is deep. We’re younger than we’ve been in the past, but we’ve got some of the best route runners I’ve been around.”

High Expectations and Future Prospects

As for expectations, Bendig believes they should remain high. “People expect us to win and that’s great,” he said. “That’s what you want. I have high expectations for the program and I want other people to have high expectations. A lot of our kids not only expect to win; they’ve learned how to win. They’ve seen it. That’s one of the good things about getting to build the program from the ground up. You get to instill the values you want from day one.”

With a record of 38-11 over the past four seasons, the Iron Horses are poised to continue their tradition of excellence. As the new season unfolds, the team will look to leverage its strengths and address its challenges, aiming to not only defend their region title but also to advance further in the state championships.

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