Don’t ask Rick Sanford or Robbie Caldwell how to fix what ails South Carolina and Clemson Football. They’re not in that business anymore. They have ideas, as fans, that they keep to themselves.
Both think the respective programs have good people, but they are not venturing ideas about why this season has gone sideways - or remedies for the future.
They just wanted to bring some perspective, because they were asked to, to Thursday’s Rivalry Week meeting of the Laurens County Touchdown Club. And, it was kind of a profitable visit — both speakers won door prizes.
Rick Sanford was the first Gamecock to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. He says South Carolina’s season is “very much unexpected.”
An offensive line guru everywhere he has been, Robby Caldwell says Clemson’s season is “not what we’re used to, but I haven’t been on the field (coaching) for 4 years.”
Some of that disappointment could go out the window when the Clemson-Carolina rivalry is renewed on Nov. 29, noon at Williams-Brice Stadium, and one team emerges as the winner - and the holder of SC Football bragging rights for another year.
Sanford says Carolina likely will need to get offensive line help from the transfer portal; and if QB LaNorris Sellars stays, instead of entering the draft, the Gamecocks will need to find a way to get him out of pocket - and on the run where he is most dangerous.
“It’s been a tough season. It hasn’t been the season that the fans expected. Last year, they were 9-3, but they won close games. This year, it went the other way.”
It was pointed out to the Touchdown Club audience that when Caldwell was handling the line at Clemson, they won 10 games every season - the season he left is when they didn’t win 10 games.
“I want to congratulate the high school players here for their recognition but also for playing this game,” Caldwell said. “This game is hard.” He advises young people to “learn a trade - if you learn a trade, you will never not have a job … we don’t have a lot of that any more.” And, he said, get off those phones - “you better get to know folks” because those personal connections are important throughout life.
Don’t get too caught up in playing for “that one” school, he said.
“We have 16 colleges playing football in South Carolina. If you play well, a pro team will find you. Go where you are wanted.”
Caldwell told the players, “Life is great but it ain’t a cruise ship. Life is a battleship. Nothing is a mistake unless you don’t learn from it.”
This was the final Touchdown Club meeting of 2025, and 3 Players of the Week were recognized by Farm Bureau Insurance - Nehemias Fernandez, Laurens, for Oct. 31; Javen Cook, Clinton, for Nov. 7; and Ethan Collins, Laurens Academy, for Nov. 14.
The season wraps for the Laurens County Touchdown Club on Jan. 7, 2026, with the All-County Team, and Player and Coach of the Year recognition dinner, featuring South Carolina State legend Buddy Pough.
South Carolina, 4-7, snapped a 6-game losing streak, 51-7 over Coastal.
Clemson, 6-5, extended its 3-game win streak, 45-10 over Furman.
Hello Everyone,
The Laurens County Touchdown Club is proud to announce that for games played on Friday, November 21st, the Player of the week is Laurens Academy quarterback Ethan Collins.
Collins is a junior quarterback that led the Crusaders in the State Championship game versus King Academy for the SCISA 8-man football state championship. King Academy won by a score of 50 – 36 as the Crusaders finished the season as State runner-up and a 9 – 3 record.
Ethan Collins had 198 yards rushing on 23 carries and 2 touchdowns. Collins scored 2 2-Pt. conversions as well. Collins also passed for 128 yards and one touchdown and 1 point after conversion passing.
Head Coach Jolly Doolittle stated, “Ethan played his very best football down the stretch. He gave us an opportunity to win the State Championship. As I have said before, he is everything you want in a QB. Every intangible he has becomes tangible for our team. His faith, his focus, and his fearlessness is admired by the whole team.”
The Laurens County Touchdown Club will honor Collins on January 7th at the Touchdown Club Annual Banquet. The Awards Banquet will be at 6 pm at The Ridge in Laurens. Player of the Week awards is presented by Farm Bureau Insurance of Laurens County in 2025.
The featured speaker for the January 7th Annual Awards Banquet will be former Head Football Coach Buddy Pough of South Carolina State. Pough is one of the newest members inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame for the 2024 class. The TD Club will recognize its All-County team selection as well as Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and the Lakeland’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Character award winners from each High School as well as Presbyterian College.
The Laurens County Touchdown Club met every other Thursday throughout the football season at The Ridge located in Laurens at 301 Exchange Road and will conclude its season with its Annual Awards Banquet at The Ridge on January 7th at 6 pm with Lee’s BBQ catering the banquet meal. Tickets can be purchased at the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce in advance for $20 for the Banquet.
On behalf of the Touchdown Club Committee Members, I would like to thank each of you for your support. Congratulations to Player of the Week Ethan Collins of Laurens Academy for games played on Friday, November 21st.
Thanks and Best of Luck to all of our county teams this week.
Gene Simmons, President
Laurens County Touchdown Club
