By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Waccamaw High opens the 2012 football season Friday against North Myrtle Beach in Pawleys Island.

The Chiefs are in the midst of a 22-game losing streak. Their last win came on Oct. 23, 2009 against St. James.

The Warriors had a similar plight in the school's early days, losing 39 of 40 games during a four-year stretch.

Waccamaw has struggled the past couple of years, finishing 3-7 in 2010 and 2-9 in 2011.

While many high school programs have 80 or 90 kids playing varsity and junior varsity, Waccamaw has 63.

"Conditioning and depth is something we struggle with every year," said head coach Tyronne Davis, who is starting his third season with the team. "When you're playing schools with 70 or 80 kids it wears you down."

Youth is also an issue with Waccamaw. This year's squad has seven seniors, and only five are starters.

"We're starting six sophomores this year on both sides of the ball," Davis said.

Waccamaw's offense should get a boost from the return of junior running back Jalen Simmons, who tore his ACL in the second game last season.

Simmons will split time in the backfield with sophomore J.J. Sherman and senior Jeffron Smalls, a transfer from Carvers Bay High School.

Waccamaw's lack of depth is most prevalent on the defense. Davis said he'll have to dress some of the junior varsity players to ensure he has backups.

Davis has some new faces on his staff.

Dennis Lee, Waccamaw High's first athletic director and football coach, returns to lead the offense, and Jim Lane, who played for the Detroit Lions, is coaching the offensive line.

All of the coaches have been working hard to get the team ready since practice started three weeks ago.

"Overall it's been going well," Davis said. "It's stressful trying to make sure everything is covered."

Along with North Myrtle Beach, Waccamaw's non-region schedule includes three Class A teams - Green Sea-Floyds, Creek Bridge and Timmonsville - Warriors fans have not seen in awhile, or ever.

"It's an opportunity to grow and build the program," Davis said. "We want to put kids in a position to be successful."

The 2012 schedule is: Aug. 17, hosting North Myrtle Beach; Aug. 24, hosting Green Sea-Floyds; Aug. 31, at Creek Bridge; Sept. 7, bye; Sept. 14, at Hannah-Pamplico; Sept. 21, at Timmonsville; at Mullins; Oct. 5, hosting Loris; Oct. 12, hosting Aynor; Oct. 19, at Marion; Oct. 26, hosting Dillon.