When the Midland Valley Mustangs kick off the 2024 football season in a little less than two weeks, they’ll have a new coach leading them out onto the field.
Brent Dorn has been named interim head coach, according to a press release from the Aiken County Public Schools communications department.
Who is Brent Dorn?
Dorn, a 2008 graduate of Midland Valley, takes the reins after the departure of Earl Chaptman who was at the helm over the last three seasons, including last year’s historic undefeated regular season campaign and first region crown since 2015.
The Mustangs bowed out in the quarterfinals of the SCHSL Class AAAA state playoffs, finishing with a 12-1 record.
Dorn will replace Chaptman almost exactly a month after the former coach was arrested and charged with domestic violence in July. After the arrest, Aiken County Schools placed Chaptman on administrative leave. Since then, the domestic violence charges against Chaptman have been dropped, and the coach is still expected to remain at Midland Valley as a classroom teacher.
No stranger to the area, Dorn spent a year teaching and coaching football and basketball at Aiken Middle and Paul Knox before moving on to Fox Creek High School where he served as junior varsity head coach and linebackers coach and offensive coordinator for the varsity squad from 2018-2021.
He was also head JV and assistant varsity basketball coach at Fox Creek during that time. Since 2021, he’s been back at Midland Valley as a math teacher and offensive coordinator for the Mustangs under Chaptman.
Last season for the Mustangs
Last year, the Mustangs boasted a potent offense that averaged 42.6 points per game and featured now-West Virginia freshman tailback Trevon Dunbar who rushed for 3,051 yards and 42 touchdowns while helping Valley to its deepest postseason run since 2015 Rick Knight-coached squad that lost to South Pointe in the Class AAA state championship game.
The familiarity should help smooth out the transition as Midland Valley will have to strive for an encore performance of last year’s success without 24 graduated seniors, 11 of whom now play college ball.
Returning players
The cupboard isn’t completely bare, however, as quarterback Preston Butler will return, along with three retuning starters on the offensive line and Andon Hawkins, considered of the of the best defenders in South Carolina.
Additionally, Preston McNair won’t be anybody’s slouch as he returns as the presumed starting running back. Despite Dunbar’s record-breaking senior season, McNair still managed to rush for 1,170 yards and 16 touchdowns himself while averaging almost seven yards per carry.
Hawkins led defensive efforts by tallying 187 total tackles, including 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage as a junior last year. Both stats led the Mustangs defensively in 2023.
“[Coach Dorn] is well-liked, but has also been a leader among coaches,” said Midland Valley principal Sheldon Higgenbottom. “The kids love him. We trust him and know that he has the confidence to do what’s right even when, especially when, it’s difficult.”
Region changes
Like many teams on either side of the CSRA border, Midland Valley will experience a few changes in its region, thanks to region realignment. In addition to schedule stalwarts like Aiken, Airport, South Aiken and North Augusta, South Carolina powerhouse Gray Collegiate Academy will join the region.
Gray Collegiate will also sport a new coach — former Silver Bluff program leader, Deangelo Bryant.
Upcoming season
Midland Valley’s first action of the season will happen Friday, Aug. 23 when it hosts J.L. Mann in non-region action.
The potential uptick in schedule rigor, along with the adversity that’s come with the coaching transition, has the Mustangs’ new coach amped for the possibilities.
“The recent challenges we have experienced have actually made us stronger,” said Dorn. “I’ve seen these boys play some of their best football this summer.”
