Run It Back? Daniel’s Chances Of Repeating In 2021

Daniel’s Class 3A state title run included a 52-31 victory over Camden. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="102975" first="Trent" last="Pearman"]</strong> capped off his ridiculous junior season with a six-touchdown performance in that game. And while the Class of 2022 rising star was the talking point for much of the way, coach Jeff Fruster’s team is ultra-experienced heading into the fall. It’s difficult to say that the Lions have the best chance of repeating among the state’s defending five champions (Dutch Fork probably gets that nod since they’ve won every Class 5A title since South Carolina went to five divisions). But we wouldn’t advise betting against Daniel. <strong>OFFENSE</strong> Pearman didn’t put up all those points by himself in 2020, nor will he be expected to do next season. Keep in mind that he’ll still have his favorite target, [player_tooltip player_id="91140" first="Eli" last="Merck"], in uniform. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver was among the most prolific pass-catchers in the state, hauling in 43 receptions for 1,082 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games. With the next three best receivers graduating, it will also open up a ton of targets for rising senior <strong>Cameron Spadafina</strong>, who had 24 catches for 350 yards and three touchdowns last year. The Lions will also be leaning heavily on 6-foot-3, 260-pound (as of now) lineman <strong>Bryce Smith</strong>. He started at left guard last year, but Fruster said he believes Smith will transition to tackle as a junior.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <strong>DEFENSE</strong> L-O-A-D-E-D. That’s exactly what the Lions defense is going to be. Up front, linemen [player_tooltip player_id="89302" first="Jahiem" last="Lawson"] (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="91238" first="Griffin" last="Batt"] (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) combined for 28 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="91228" first="Logan" last="Lasher"] (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) had a team-high 65.5 tackles. And Gabriel “Gabe” Smith (6-foot-3, 180 pounds), [player_tooltip player_id="91231" first="Boston" last="Miller"] (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="91144" first="Misun" last="Kelley"] (5-foot-10, 170) may form one of the best defensive backfields in the entire state. They combined for 10 interceptions in 2020, with Kelly bringing in six of those. More than likely opposing offenses are going to be forced into situations where they have to throw again, meaning that talented trio will have more opportunities to flex. <strong>INTANGIBLES</strong> If you’re looking for numbers, <strong>Shane Forrester</strong> has got plenty of them. Over the last two seasons, the 5-foot-10, 140-pound kicker has piled up 157 points, connecting on 11 of his 16 field goal attempts and converting 124 PATs. He’s also put up more than 2.6 miles worth of kickoffs (4,611 yards, if you’re not feeling like doing some math). That sort of reliability at the high school level is hard to come by, and Fruster won’t have to think twice about it.