HOPKINS – Westwood and Blythewood competed in Lower Richland’s second annual Diamond Hornet 7-on-7 Shootout on Thursday, June 30. Westwood is set to open their 2022 football season at Spring Valley on August 19. Blythewood will play at Ridge View on Aug. 19.
BLYTHEWOOD – Westwood High School announced on Wednesday that Robert O’Connell will be the Redhawks’ new head football coach, effective July 1, 2022.
O’Connell succeeds three-year coach Matt Quinn, who accepted the head football position at North Augusta High School.
“I could not be more excited to join a school and community with the commitment to excellence, rich traditions, and unrivaled pride and passion of Westwood High School,” O’Connell said in a press release on Wednesday.
“I am fully committed to teaching, developing and graduating elite student-athletes, winning championships and working together with our administration, parents, and community to make Westwood the premier location for high school football in the country. Our potential is unlimited, and I cannot wait to get started,” he stated.
“Coach O’Connell is a winner, in every sense of the word,” Principal Robert Jackson said in the press release. “He is known for his character, humility, work ethic, skill set and passion for education… it’s easy to see why he’s right sized for Westwood High School.”
O’Connell currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Ridge View High School.
Previously, O’Connell served as head coach at Richard Winn Academy in Winnsboro where his 2016 team ended the season just two wins short of a state title. Following his stint at with the Eagles, O’Connell served as Offensive Coordinator at Irmo High School, Defensive Coordinator at Wilson High School and a defensive assistant at Wofford College.
O’Connell holds a bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Charter Oak State College and holds a South Carolina teaching certificate for Social Studies (grades 9-12). He is married to India O’Connell and they have one son, RJ.
BLYTHEWOOD – Playing at home for the first time in a year, Westwood led York 8-6 at halftime, but the Cougars rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter for a 19-8 victory over the Redhawks in a non-region game at Westwood.
Julian Milligan put the Redhawks on the scoreboard with a 6-yard touchdown run, and Camren Brown passed to Jordan Jenkins to add the 2-point conversion that gave the Redhawks an 8-6 lead midway through the second quarter.
Frank Thompson scored from six yards out to put the Cougars up 12-6 with five minutes left in the game. York then recovered a Westwood fumble and converted it to another Thompson touchdown, from three yards out, with three minutes to play.
Milligan had 87 yards on 23 carries and a score to lead the Redhawks.
Westwood (1-3) opens Region 4-4A play at A.C. Flora Friday. York (3-1)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Westwood standout defensive back and University of South Carolina commit Cam Smith now has another accolade he can pin to his already impressive resume. Smith, the third-ranked prospect in the state according to Rivals.com, has been selected to participate in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
The All-American Bowl will be televised on NBC on Jan. 5, and its 4.4 million viewer average makes it the most-watch high school sporting event in the nation. Prominent names such as Andrew Luck, Odell Beckham Jr., Tim Tebow and Jalen Ramsey have participated in the All-American Bowl in past years.
Smith received a bevy of offers from power-five schools, but officially made his decision to join the Gamecocks after Westwood’s season opener against Lugoff-Elgin. Rivals also has Smith listed as the 37th best cornerback in the class of 2019, and is listed as a four-star prospect.
HOUSTON, TX – Vyncint Smith, a former Westwood High School and Limestone College offensive threat, signed with Houston Texans in April as an undrafted free agent, and impressed team officials enough to earn his spot on the official 53-man roster.
The German-born Smith had quite the preseason. He has racked up four reception for 94 yards and his 41-yard touchdown against the 49ers was a game-winner. He ended his Limestone career with 153 receptions, 2,371 yards and 11 touchdowns.
HOUSTON – Former Westwood and Limestone College big-play receiver Vyncint Smith signed a free agent deal Saturday with the Houston Texans. Smith, who was born in Germany, played varsity for the Blythewood Bengals during his sophomore season and then played two seasons with the Redhawks.
Smith earned an All-Region honor during his senior campaign at Westwood with 31 receptions for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He continued his momentum by finishing second on the team in receiving yards as a true freshman at Limestone.
Smith posted career highs in catches and receiving yards in his senior season and was an All-South Atlantic Conference choice.
Smith finished his stellar career at Limestone as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards and second in total receptions. He also became the first player in program history to sign a professional contract.