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West Columbia (SC) The game of football has morphed into an aerial assault and the passing game has become the feature of almost all offenses from professional football all the way down to little league. Today, we take a look at the Midlands Top Air Attacks in this ELITE UNIT PREVIEW.
1. DUTCH FORK SILVER FOXES – Until proven otherwise, Dutch Fork remains the model of the high scoring offense in the Midlands. The strength of the ground game certainly helps the case and this season with two of the top wide
receivers in the Midlands, it’s difficult to argue them at the top. Junior wide receiver Jacob Hamilton (5’9,200) will more than likely get the bulk of the targets. A speedster who is fearless going for the ball, this guy reminds me of Wes Welker – just a blue collar, sacrifice the body type of player. Isaiah Jones (6’3,210) may be the most physical wide receiver in the Midlands. He will go up for a ball anywhere on the field and is difficult to bring down. Prince Ross (6’0,220) at tight end gives the Foxes another set of hands to get the ball downfield and RB Jarvis Green (5’11,210) caught 29 balls last season. The only question mark is who will be throwing the ball. Right now, senior Aliam Appler (6’3,205) is battling with junior transfer Jon Hunt (6’1,215) and both are capable of executing teh air game.
2. RIDGE VIEW BLAZERS – Last season the Blazers put up more than 2,300 yards through the air and I expect that again in 2022. They have lethal wide receivers with Chris Lawson (6’1,185) who had 40 catches last season, Zion Agnew (5’11,170) who caught 65 last season and the two combined for 17 toucheowns. This year, they add to the mix Adonis McDaniel (5’10,160), who transferred from AC Flora and is another speedster. They also have the Midlands’ top Tight End in Tracy Stephens (6’4,230). they will be breaking in a new quarterback this season with transfer Donald Tomlin (6’2,200), who came from Heathwood Hall.
3. BROOKLAND-CAYCE BEARCATS – The Bearcats lost two key players on the perimeter to graduation but they do return QB Tanner Staton, who is the Midlands top 2023 signal caller. Their strong ground game will lend support to open up some passing lanes and the targets will be Naazheikiel Mays (5’9,180) who plays more of a slot back for the Bearcats and hauled in 29 receptions last season. Senior Jadyn Johnson (6’0,185) along with junior Will Young (5’10,160), who had 14 catches last season. RB De’Shawn Washington has hands and some wheels, as well, though he will be getting the ball handed to hiim more than thrown to. Last season he had 7 receptiosn before taking over the starting RB role. This team went for close to 3000 yards passing last season and I expect much the same in 2022.
4. GRAY COLLEGIATE WAR EAGLES – The War Eagles return quarterback Riley Staton (6’3,200) to the line up; Staton threw for close to 1000 yards in just half season starting. He returns WR Devin Johnson (5’9,170) who had 42 receptions last season, along with WR Savion Smith (5’9,170). Other targers are Zai Offord (5’10,170) and Jamarious Lockett (5’11,180) transferred from Ridge Springs-Monetta, where he had 35 catches for 575 yards and 7 scores last season.
5. FAIRFIELD CENTRAL GRIFFINS – I realize this is a team that has some rebuilding going on in the trenches but their skills are solid. Offensively, they will take the field with a freshman quarterback, Cameron McMIllon (5’11,170), who has looked good this Summer. He has several targets to go to this season, including senior Jai Boyd (5’10,165) and senior Donovan Watkins (5’10,170), who starts both ways and is a standout defensive back. Sophomore Tydarion Grier (5’9,170) is a 4.5 speedster who caught 4 touchdown passes a a freshman last season.
6. SPRING VALLEY VIKINGS – The Vikings lost the key element with quarterback DQ Smith graduating and heading off th join the Gamecocks. But senior Keshaun Osby (5’10,170), who played some WR last season, has done a good job this Summer of making good decisions with the footall. The wide receiver coprs is solid. Seniors Zion Fuller (6’2,175) and Nigel Ancrum (5’8,165) are both back. Ancrum just won the 100m at the National Championships with a 10.1 so this cat can fly. This year, they add a basketball star, Kendall Williams (6’5,220), who will play both wide and some tight end for the Vikings. He has looked impressive in off-season, as well.
7. LEXINGTON WILDCATS – The Wildcats are going to be a very dynamic offense this season. Quarterback Taiden Mines (5’11,180) is back and he had a lot of success as a sophomore. He has senior wide receivers Kamadi Maxwell (5’11,175), Jerrod Mewborn (5’11,170), and Tyler Ford (5’9,180), along with junior TE Cam Sutton (6’3,230). Look for sophomore Brayden Woolbright (6’0,160) to spend time at wide receiver, as well. This team
8. RIVER BLUFF GATORS – I have the Gators on this list for two main reasons; one, I believe they have a risijg star at quatterback in sophomore Parker Murray (6’1,170) and they have who may be the most dynamic athlete in the MIdlands in sophomore Stephen Collier (6’3, 200). Granted, Collier projects as a safety/outside linebacker at the next level but this kid can go get a football and if he was full time offense, would be their top target. But the Gators also return Alajandro Ambriz (5’8,160) and Aaron Griffin (5’11,165).
9. RICHLAND NORTHEAST CAVALIERS – It’s been a long time since the Cavs have been on one of these lists but their sophomore quarterback Will Wilson (6’1,205) is special and he has some athletes to distribute the ball to. Last season, Wilson passed for close to 1000 yards in just seven game so I’m thinking he’s good to get 1200 to 1400 this season. He has senior wide receivers Zachary Watkins (6’1,185), Avonte Grant (5’10,175) and TE Everet Joyner (6’4,230) to distribute the ball to.
10. AIRPORT EAGLES – This is a sleeper pick. This team is coming off a dismal season, they are under a new coaching staff but I believe Coach Andre Cook has them turned in the right direction. They will be breaking in a new quarterback in senior Kyle Chavis (6’6’1,185), who was the back up last season. Chavis has some targets to throw to. The Midlands’ top WR Apollos Cook (6’2,200) transferred from River Bluff to play with his father’s new team. The Duke Commitment is one of the top prospects in the 2023 class. Also in the line up is senior Logan Crawford (5’10,160) and senior Kendell Strohman (6’2,160), who is one of the most under rated players in the Midlands.
OTHER ELITE PASSING ATTACKS:
Lower Richland Diamond Hornets – Nate Branch (5’9,175) and Meki Campfield (6’3,205)
HAMMOND SKYHAWKS – Omari Bennett (6’1,170) and Thomas Epps (5’10,175). sophomore Mike Tyler (6’3,210),senor TE Campbell Wall (6’2,215)
