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FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR THE 2018 FOOTBALL SEASON
1. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Five of the top ten players in the state in the 2019 Class are defensive players, including No. 1 Zach Pickens (defensive end) from T.L. Hanna and Cam Smith (Cornerback) from Westwood. Defense has caught up to the fast paced offenses that dominated the state in the early 2000’s and teams like Dutch Fork, Dillon, Lamar and South Pointe and even Hammond in the SCISA ranks have dominated their respective classifications with defense. This year will be more of the same with those same teams leading the way because of their defenses. Names you won’t read about in the papers because they are obscure behind the excitement of explosive offensive players who get the limelight are the ones who will help their teams claim the titles.
2. JUNIOR CLASS WILL STEAL THE LIMELIGHT
It is no secret that we have a solid 2019 Class led by five star defensive end Zach Pickens and several four star guys. (Keep in mind, I don’t give a big hairy rat’s behind about star rankings – see my article on that) But it is the 2020 Class that we need to be very mindful of if you are a recruiting nut. That class is LOADED and looks like a who’s who list of high school football for the national rankings. Defensive studs Demonte Capenhart (Hartsville, 6-5, 270), Jordan Burch (Hammond, 6-4, 250), Alex Huntley (Hammond 6-4, 295), Tonka Hemingway (Conway 6-2, 250) along with mammouth offensive linemen like Tyshawn Wannamaker (Calhoun County, 6-4, 320) and Nick Taiste (White Knoll, 6-3, 290) will anchor the trenches and all be major Division I talents. Guys who are not on the “experts” list on the networks but will be are linebackers Jamari Littlejohn (Gaffney 6-1, 215), Kevon Hagler (Hartsville 6-2, 215) and Deshawn Watson (Barnwell 6-1, 205). And the offensive skills players are just as loaded. Quarterback Luke Doty (6-2, 200) of Myrtle Beach and wide receivers Jalin Hyatt (Dutch Fork 6-2, 170) and Antonio Barber (Rock Hill 6-0, 190) are all three going to be in most of the services’ Top Ten.
3. WE KNOW THE FAVORITES BUT ARE THERE ANY SPOILERS
In the Class 5A I think most of the state believes everyone is playing for second to Dutch Fork. The Silver Foxes are loaded and this may be the best team Tom Knotts has had since he’s been there. Dorman is obviously a favorite in the upstate but they will have their work cut out for them in the state’s toughest region. In the Class 4A all fingers are pointing at South Pointe who is going for their fifth consecutive state title. In 3A there is little doubt that Dillon is the heavy favorite again. No one in 2A can compete with Abbeville and Lamar will be a favorite again in 1A.
But are there any teams who can be spoilers? In 5A I believe we have to look at the Spring Valley Vikings and region foe Sumter Gamecocks both as spoilers in the class. Spring Valley returns a roster loaded with talent on the defensive side of the football and if they can get their offense in sync could be very dangerous. Sumter returns 18 starters to their line up and will be strong, as well. In 4A I believe the Greer Yellow Jackets could possibly be a challenge for the Stallions this year. Greer has a strong roster and while most won’t pick them to win the upper state, they do have the capability of doing so.
4. MR. FOOTBALL RACE
I mentioned several guys I think will be in the running for this in the first note about defense. Hanna’s Zach Pickens and Dillon’s Shamar McCollom should be in the mix, along with receivers Jamario Holley of Northwestern and Jacoby Pinckney of Dorman. This year there is not a quarterback glaringly in the lead but Greenville’s Davis Bevelle will put up great numbers and fits the template for a candidate. I like linebacker Greg Williams from Swansea and running back Kam Robinson of Spartanburg, as well.
5. SOUTH CAROLINA, HOME OF THE DEFENSIVE BACKS
The state has always put out one or two strong DBs in each class but right now the 2019 Class is LOADED with Division I talent at the position. Westwood’s Cam Smith, already mentioned, leads the way as the state’s top DB prospect but he’s joined by a pretty impressive group. Fentrell Cypress (Northwestern), Storm Duck (Boiling Springs) Jalen Geiger (Spring Valley), Anthony Wilson (Spring Valley), Akeme Pauling (Spring Valley) and Raquan Hartley (Saluda) are all guys that have garnered Division One attention in the 2019 Class.
