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Aynor鈥檚 defense has a pro-wrestling style championship belt they use to celebrate big football plays.

It was lifted several times on Thursday, May 29, during the team's blue/white spring game to finish up spring ball in Aynor.

鈥淲hen you play in the spring, your defense is going to have the advantage,鈥� said Aynor head coach Jason Allen. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to do some things a little different. It鈥檚 going to take timing and reps, getting better at what we do. We saw some glimpses and I think we鈥檙e going to be fine.鈥�

Wesley Stevens and Eli Knowlin grabbed interceptions while Andrew Squires recovered a fumble. Stathan Skipper had a sack and safety Grier Kirby was in the middle of a lot of plays.

When it was over, defensive coordinator Billy Jones presented Kirby the belt and said he could keep it all summer.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor,鈥� Kirby said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege. We all work hard all year. And I鈥檓 just finally glad to put all that hard work on the field with my brothers.鈥�

Allen made it clear he agreed with the decision about Kirby, a rising junior who is making the switch from linebacker.

鈥淕rier is Aynor football, man,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淲e have a lot of kids that are hard-working and earn everything they鈥檝e got. That鈥檚 Grier up and down. I鈥檓 really proud of him.鈥�

The offense had its moments.

Luke McCracken, a tailback who was the starting quarterback last season, had the game鈥檚 only touchdown, a 65-yard scamper on a perfectly-executed trap play. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising senior showed off his speed by outrunning the secondary.

鈥淭hat was one of our plays where we鈥檙e not required to read things,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of those things we could have run over and over and over. We鈥檙e going to get better on our offense. That鈥檚 what I saw on that last drive, so I鈥檓 proud of them.鈥�

Aynor, at its heart, will always be a single-wing type of team where running is king and depends on deception. Getting defenses to overpursue is what makes it effective. The Blue Jackets did spring some surprises through the air last season when defenses put 11 players in the box. The threat of a passing game could even open the running game.

Quarterback Alex Lewis also had some nice runs.

鈥淗e鈥檚 fighting with Trey Lee at quarterback,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e trying to battle it out. I saw some good things from both of them. We need to work on being able to protect the quarterback.鈥�

Aynor is seeking to build on the success of last year when the Blue Jackets posted a 6-5 record and qualified for the Class 3A state playoffs. They are having to do so without several top players, including Lenoir-Rhyne signee Austin Tanyika, who are graduating. Tanyika was a major two-way threat at fullback and defensive tackle.

鈥淲e had a lot of good kids who left us, Austin Tanyika and all those guys,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a good core group, a lot of leaders. Had a couple of guys out who could have helped us today. Hopefully, we can get them back. We鈥檒l be OK.鈥�

Aynor will participate in summer 7-on-7 scrimmages and the Kickoff Classic before opening the 2025 season on Aug. 22 at home against Aiken.