Week 3 Game Balls: Lowcountry and Pee Dee

Photo: Jack Baldwin Jack Baldwin

Ian Guerin September 11, 2021 @ 03:52 PM

We’ve been wondering how outrageous some production numbers could get, with some teams getting on the field more than others. A few stars proved on Friday that they’re ready to rock and roll. Up and down the South Carolina coast, two tailbacks, a receiver and a defensive unit we already knew was pretty good each get a game ball for some sweet performances. [player_tooltip player_id="61071" first="Demetri" last="Simmons"], Goose Creek Two weeks back, the Gators found themselves trailing to West Ashley in the second half. Then Simmons got hot, Goose Creek came back and won and the senior tailback decided to just keep it going. Simmons followed up his two-touchdown performance in that one by going for 260 total yards and six touchdowns in a lopsided victory against Wilson. Even with fellow Class 5A teams on the schedule from here on, its seems that it’s only a matter of time until he puts up another 1,000-yard season. [player_tooltip player_id="59464" first="Adam" last="Randall"], Myrtle Beach Everyone and their mother knew Myrtle Beach was going to get the ball into the hands of their star player. Regardless, Oceanside Collegiate was not able to do anything about it. The Seahawks’ senior hauled in nine passes for 205 yard and three touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 80 yards, including a two-point conversion run, and showed that he could handle the team’s heavy offensive package. After one game, Randall is one-fifth of the way to his 2020 receiving yardage. [player_tooltip player_id="91208" first="Elijah" last="Vereen"], North Myrtle Beach Want to know the crazy part about Vereen? He’s not even considered the Chiefs’ starting tailback. Yet, here he was against Wallace-Rose Hill (N.C.) putting the offense on his back again. In the 49-35 victory, the hybrid defensive back/linebacker played a good bit at running back. All he did was rush for 207 yards and six touchdowns. Vereen (pictured above) is averaging better than 180 yards rushing early on in 2021, and he’s giving North Myrtle Beach plenty to think about how to utilize him the rest of the way. Defense, Beaufort Chop up the game ball, spread it around, whatever. But what Beaufort did to West Ashley on Friday night is worthy of some high praise. The Eagles stymied Donnie Kiefer’s offense in a 35-7 victory. James Dennison, Marcus Brown and Michael Morales all recorded interceptions, and Carter Bowersox forced a fumble. The Wildcats, led by star running back [player_tooltip player_id="89312" first="Jahleel" last="Porter"], were held to their second lowest point total since Kiefer took over prior to last season.