At Eastside, it means something to wear the No. 1 jersey at Eastside.
It’s a jersey — an honor, rather — that’s earned, not given.
“The special thing about wearing No. 1 on this team is that it’s not a decision that I make alone,” said Eastside head coach Andre Woolcock. “The previous player to wear No. 1 also has to approve it.”
So, when Woolcock approached the previous owner of the number, former quarterback Peyton Schrader, there was no doubt in either’s mind of who deserved to don the jersey next.
Rising senior Christian McDowell.
McDowell, who will suit up at both wide receiver and cornerback for the Eagles this season, has earned the respect of coaches and teammates alike.
“You can ask any one of our seniors who graduated last year, you can ask any of our current guys,” said Woolcock. “They’ll all tell you the same thing: Christian McDowell is, pound for pound, the hardest worker on this team.”
“My work ethic has always been my strong point,” said McDowell. “I’ve pretty much been a smaller guy at my position my whole life, and so I’ve always been the underdog. I’ve always had to work for everything I’ve been given. My dad and his side of the family have molded me to always work harder. They’ve built me into this.”
McDowell, who stands at just 5-foot-9, has never been one to let his size slow him down. He led the team in interceptions in 2025 as a junior and quickly established himself as the Eagles’ top corner. This offseason, McDowell’s work ethic in the weight room continues to bubble to the surface, as he’s added about 10-15 strong pounds to fill out his frame.
The rising senior McDowell now heads into his final season at Eastside with several goals, including finishing as an all-region and all-state selection.
He also wants to help Eastside win its first playoff game in his career and compete for the 5-A Region 1 title.
If those things are going to happen, Woolcock says, it will be with McDowell’s direction.
“He’s our leader,” said Woolcock. “We had a big senior class last year with a lot of guys who commanded respect and could’ve worn that No. 1 jersey. But Christian, he’s earned it this year.”
He’s earned it, in part, thanks to his measured, often lighter-spoken leadership. But he’s also earned it for his loyalty to the program.
In an era of high school football where seeing teammates jump between schools and into the portal is common, McDowell has stuck with the Eagles through thick and thin.
He wouldn’t have it any other way, he says.
“It’s difficult to [stay] at a school in this day and age,” said McDowell. “I see people flipping and transferring all the time. But this coaching staff and this team has always had my back and put a lot of trust in me. There’s always going to be the temptation to go try something new or go somewhere else.
"But at the end of the day, the real love is here at Eastside. And it always has been.”
McDowell and Eastside football kick off the season on August 21 with a trip to Chapman. McDowell is GreerNews.com player profile No. 1 of 10 leading up to the first week of high school football.
