Never mind that Oceanside Collegiate Academy quarterback Aiden Manavian is still only a sophomore or that he had the pressure of starting suddenly thrust on him at the end of his freshman year. Sports Illustrated recently named Manavian the 2024 South Carolina Player of the Year.
“Aiden is a tremendous leader on and off the field – always one of the first to volunteer to help, last one to leave the practice field, never complains,” said interim head coach John Patterson. “He is always encouraging his teammates and I am so glad he’s going to be with us another two years, as he is mature beyond his years.”
Patterson indicated that the SI honor had less to do with Manavian’s game numbers and stats, and more to do with his leadership. For example, just over a year ago, Manavian was pressed into the starting role during the 2023 AA playoffs after an injury sidelined Edward Reidenbach. Manavian led the Landsharks to consecutive comeback wins against Hampton County and Gray Collegiate Academy to secure the school’s first-ever state football championship.
But bigger and more unexpected tests were to come. OCA was reclassified to AAA Region 6 for 2024, which is like starting over with new competition. Immediately following an opening season loss, head coach Chad Wilkes suddenly resigned, an outcome that almost always adversely impacts a team’s optimism and outlook.
Standing at 2-3 midseason – which included a 51-0 drubbing on the road at the hands of perennial state power and two-time defending 5A state champion Dutch Fork – OCA hardly looked like contenders, at least on paper.
Yet Patterson said that behind the scenes the reverse was happening, as all the losses were to top-caliber 5A schools that finished with a combined record of 64-9 in 2024. “We looked at those games like preseason, and Aiden helped the team stay positive with his great attitude,” he said. “I never felt that anyone was down on our chances. And we knew that if we survived the first five games and had any success at all, we would have an opportunity to compete for a state title in 3A.”
OCA took it from there, outscoring opponents 382-78 and recording two shutouts of their own.
On the season, Manavian completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 3,507 yards, 42 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2024 championship game against Belton Honea-Path he was even better, with 21-of-26 passing, four touchdowns and only one interception, earning him game MVP honors. “Aiden always plays his best in the biggest games,” Patterson said. “He is a winner.”
And with the state’s best player, the Landsharks are already bracing for what could be a historic run: three straight titles – a feat that so far has been accomplished in the Lowcountry only once before – by AAAA Summerville from 1982-84.
“I’m incredibly honored to win the South Carolina Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, especially as a sophomore,” Manavian said. “This recognition motivates me to keep pushing myself and to strive for even greater accomplishments in the future.”
For the upcoming 2025 season, OCA defensive coordinator Brent LaPrad has been promoted to head coach. LaPrad served on the coaching staff the last two seasons, helping the Landsharks secure back-to-back state titles.
By L. C. Leach III
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