What We Saw: CNB Kickoff Classic
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With jamborees dropping around the state, the CNB Kickoff Classic had enough attrition to pull off Friday’s six-team event at Coastal Carolina’s Brooks Stadium. The night featured three 24-minute games between Myrtle Beach-Socastee, Carolina Forest-Loris and Aynor-Conway. Regular participants St.…
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Continue ReadingWith jamborees dropping around the state, the CNB Kickoff Classic had enough attrition to pull off Friday’s six-team event at Coastal Carolina’s Brooks Stadium.
The night featured three 24-minute games between Myrtle Beach-Socastee, Carolina Forest-Loris and Aynor-Conway.
Regular participants St. James, North Myrtle Beach, Green Sea Floyds and Waccamaw all withdrew to the event after being placed in quarantine over the course of the last 10 days.
Here are some of the play and players who stood out one week before the real games begin next week.
MYRTLE BEACH 17, SOCASTEE 0
Everyone knows the Seahawks are going to be led by quarterback Ryan Burger Ryan Burger 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Myrtle Beach | 2022 State SC and receiver Adam Randall Adam Randall 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Myrtle Beach | 2022 State SC this fall. It wasn’t a shock, then, when the two linked up on a 48-yard touchdown connection on Myrtle Beach’s first offensive play from scrimmage.
Burger then hit 6-foot-4 freshman Jon Simmons for a 29-yard score late in the session. For Simmons, it was his second score in as many scrimmages, chasing one he had against Trinity Collegiate a week ago. Myrtle Beach coach Mickey Wilson said that Simmons may be one of his more developed receivers at that age, and that’ll be a big plus for the Seahawks this year as more defenses decide how many bodies they can afford to assign to Randall.
For Socastee, the offense was relatively stagnant (somewhat by design), but one player to keep an eye on is 6-foot-3, 340-pound right guard Ashlin McCulley. After not playing football at his old school as a junior, McCulley transferred to Socastee during the offseason and picked it back up.
CAROLINA FOREST 7, LORIS 0
Loris junior Randall Bellamy forced a pair of turnovers against the Panthers, and both of them showed why he may be one of the better athletes on the Grand Strand.
First, Bellamy picked off Scott Saylor on a deep pass attempt. Then, he stripped and recovered the ball on a Carolina Forest rushing play later on. Saylor and the Panthers, though, got the last laugh.
The first-year starting quarterback hit Tmars McCallum on a 14-yard touchdown pass with just 1:27 left. McCallum, who finished third in the 100-meter dash in the Class 5A state meet in May, is an absolute burner who is now able to contribute in the slot, too.
Other Carolina Forest players who had solid showings included two-way standout Luke Janack Luke Janack 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Carolina Forest | 2022 State SC (34 carries on six carries, three tackles and a pass break-up), and a developing defensive line. Peyton Bridges had a pair of sacks, while M.J. Charles and Noah Chudyk each picked up one of their own.
AYNOR 14, CONWAY 6
All eyes were on first-year starting Conway quarterback Devin Grainger. The left-handed sophomore had some nice throws, and he’s got some decent arm strength. Had it not been for a few drops, his numbers would have been a bit better. However, he still showed some chemistry with Carlton Terry II (the starting quarterback the last two seasons), and Cameron Alston, who he hit for a 40-yard passing play.
Aynor’s offense, though, looked like a well-oiled machine. With six different players getting carries out of its Hammer scheme, Ahmad Gerald punched in two 3-yard touchdowns and Garrison Gasque went over 70 yards rushing on just eight carries.
Gasque also sealed the win when he picked off Grainger on a last-ditch heave.