Aiken area high school football fans are watching as senior Jacoby Kelly has taken over as the starting quarterback for Mountain View Prep, a development that occurred in July when the previous starter transferred. Kelly, who previously played quarterback for the junior varsity team for two seasons, made his debut in the season opener on August 27, completing 14 of 17 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown.
Mountain View Prep (0-1) faced a 21-14 loss to Ambassador Christian in their first game. Coach Greg Ramsey expressed confidence in Kelly, noting his competitive spirit and dedication. Ramsey stated that Kelly reminds him of himself from his own playing days, highlighting Kelly’s ability to perform well under pressure on Friday nights.
The team’s former quarterback, Mak Anderson, had a strong junior year, completing 168 of 227 passes for 3,015 yards and 35 touchdowns, before his unexpected transfer to Christ School in North Carolina. Kelly, a 5-foot-9 senior, acknowledged feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement about stepping into the role but emphasized his readiness for the challenge.
Kelly’s mother, Jennifer Kelly, shared her initial apprehension but expressed immense excitement and pride in her son’s growth and potential. She credited the coaches and teammates for their supportive, family-like environment.
Mountain View Prep is a relatively new program, now in its third year, with a 22-3 record over its first two seasons. Kelly is focused on making his mark in his final year, aiming to help the team win a state championship and break program records.
The team is scheduled to return to action against May River at 7:30 p.m. on August 27.
