While the Coastal Homeschool Hurricanes may not be exactly like most other programs, you would never be able to tell.
“We have everything that a school has besides brick and mortar,” said Hurricanes’ coach Chris Wood. “You come out to our games, we have a great set of cheerleaders, we got music, atmosphere, a student section, a fan base, it goes crazy.”
The Hurricanes play eight-man football in the Southern Independent Football Association (SIFA), an independent conference of six teams mostly from South Carolina that was started three years ago. The Hurricanes qualified for the postseason during the league’s first two years, losing in the final game in 2022 and losing in the first round in 2023.
The Hurricanes, 2-0 in 2024 after a 46-0 win over Cambridge Academy from Greenwood, S.C., and play next at Cathedral Academy in Charleston, S.C., on August 30.
The program has come a long way since the program started in 2010. A big reason for that is Wood, who took over five years ago.
Since Wood has been in charge, they’ve been able to grow grass on the second half of their practice field on Chatham Parkway, which previously was just sand. He also led a five-year fundraising campaign to install lights at the practice field, when darkness previously signaled the end practices during the playoffs and winter months.
The program, which plays home games at Devaul Henderson Park in Richmond Hill, Ga., has also made significant strides in building their roster. Previously, they had just 18 players for their team, but the 2024 team has a full roster of 32 players
“These are the best of the best from the homeschool program in the area,” Wood said about his program, “It’s all coming together now, and we aren’t playing for second.”
The Coastal Homeschool started the season off with a bang, winning the season opener 52-0. The team is led by senior quarterback Colin Wood, who is 1,300 yards away from becoming the program’s all-time leading passer.
“I’m definitely trying to break that, which will hopefully be the standout thing for coaches,’’ Colin Wood said. “My dream is to play in college. I’m working every day, talking to coaches every day, sending film out and emailing coaches.”
After last week’s performance, where he completed 85% of his passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns, Colin Wood is ready to lead his team to big things.
Chris Wood and the Hurricanes want to change how people think about kids in homeschool.
“(Homeschool football) has a stigma like, ‘oh, you can’t do it because kids in homeschool aren’t social enough, can’t do it cause kids in homeschool aren’t athletic enough,’” Chris Wood said. “We are trying to fight past that and show the world that just because a kid’s homeschooled doesn’t mean that those things are true.”
After the success the Hurricanes have had over the past few years, it’s not just the players and coaches who realize the Hurricanes’ potential. College coaches are starting to take notice.
The team has had several college coaches come down to check out the team, and last year had their first player sign to play at the next level. Jacob Crosby, a 6-6 tight end who amassed more than 500 receiving yards as a senior, is now playing for Point University in West Point, Ga.
“(The college coaches) see the talent as opposed to just putting a label on them,” Chris Wood said.
The connection this team has is undeniable, and connection doesn’t stop with just the players.
“They’re friends and brothers at the same time,” said offensive coordinator Richard Moore. “It’s a total family. On the field and for life.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Team Picture - Patti Todd Photography
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