B.C. Rain head coach Lawrence Yelding knows exactly what he has in senior defensive back Braylon Fogg — a lockdown cornerback who makes life difficult for opposing receivers. But according to Yelding, that’s not even the most important thing Fogg brings to the program.
“Deep down you know that he’s one that wants to be with you,” Yelding said. “I wish I had 22 of him because he has that mindset that, you know, I’m B.C. Rain High School, this is where I go to school, this is my community, this is where I want to play. And no matter what happens around us, (he’s) going to show up every day and (he’s) going to work. And as kids come and kids go, he’s the next-guy-up type mentality. And that’s probably the biggest thing that he brings to the table.”
A Program Looking to Turn the Corner
Helping the Red Raiders flip their fortunes tops Fogg’s to-do list this fall. B.C. Rain went 4-6 last season, following a 3-7 mark in 2024. The Red Raiders were 8-4 in 2023 and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, but that has been the program’s only winning season during Yelding’s seven years as head coach — and the only winning season for B.C. Rain since a 7-5 finish in 2005. The Red Raiders have made just two playoff appearances over the past 11 seasons.
This year B.C. Rain competes in Class 4A, Region 1 alongside Williamson, Vigor, LeFlore, Orange Beach, Satsuma and Citronelle, following the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s reclassification separating public and private schools for state championship play.
“B.C. Rain has had its ups and downs a little bit,” Fogg said. “Just being able to witness that, playing on that team (2023) that had the playoff run, playing on that team that went 3-7, went 4-6, we’re just trying to reestablish the standard, to rebuild it back up to where I know it can be. This summer we were just trying to get guys ready to re-hold that standard because I know we’re capable of it.”
Making the Most of a Final Season
Even with the team’s goals in mind, Fogg said he also wants to make sure he savors every moment of his last high school season.
“It’s kind of like, dang, I was just a freshman on the varsity, and now it’s really senior night now,” he said. “So it’s kind of a lot to take in. But I’m proud of the journey and being able to take that next step to go play somewhere else, on the next level, so just more work. … But to just be a leader in general for this team is important because I wouldn’t say the program has been horrible, but we’ve had a struggle with leaders the last couple of years. So to be a leader from the time I’ve been a freshman to now means something.”
The ‘Quarterback of the Defense’
That leadership shows up most in the Red Raiders’ secondary, where Yelding describes Fogg as the quarterback of the defense. His primary position is cornerback, but coaches also move him to safety and the nickel spot to take full advantage of his talent, experience and versatility.
“He’s a great young man,” Yelding said. “He’s been with me now for going on his fourth year into his senior year. He’s a kid that epitomizes what community is. He epitomizes what team is, and he’s just all about doing the right thing. His biggest thing is he wants to please. He’s a pleaser, so he’s always on the guys about doing the right thing, being in the meetings on time, listening and paying attention as far as instructions are concerned, and just learning the overall scheme of what it is that we’re trying to do.”
“We love to play him all over the field, but his natural primary position is corner. … He’s just a great student, comes from a great family. He’s a great kid to coach. … He kind of goes about his business. He’s not real flashy. He makes plays, he comes back to the huddle and gets ready to snap the ball again. … He’s a very personal kid, a kid just poised in what he does, just goes about his business doing the right thing.”
From Receiver to Cornerback
Fogg briefly played in the secondary during middle school before coaches, noticing his speed and quickness, moved him to wide receiver. He didn’t return to the secondary until his sophomore year, after an injury sidelined him for his entire freshman season.
“As long as I’m on the field making plays, it doesn’t matter (where I play in the secondary),” Fogg said.
Fogg has already drawn some interest from college recruiters and said he hopes more opportunities come his way as the season unfolds. For now, he’s focused on the season ahead and helping the Red Raiders pick up more wins and, potentially, a return trip to the postseason.
B.C. Rain opens its season on Friday, Aug. 21, at Baldwin County.
