Class of 2022 Rankings: Success Starts Up Front In The Upstate

Photo: Prep Redzone NM

Jed Blackwell October 28, 2021 @ 09:43 AM

There were 12 Upstate offensive linemen listed among the 50 statewide ranked by Prep Redzone for the 2022 class. One of them, Byrnes’ [player_tooltip player_id="89309" first="Dakota" last="Quinonez"], moved to the defensive side of the ball, where he’s become a key component for the Rebels. The rest - all 11 of them - have helped spark their teams to lofty region finishes. It all starts up front. Nowhere is that more evident than at Chapman. During the Panthers’ recent run of offensive excellence, the offensive line has been a lynchpin for success. This year is no different. [player_tooltip player_id="153251" first="Sam" last="Maloa"], [player_tooltip player_id="153250" first="Nick" last="Cox"], [player_tooltip player_id="153831" first="Dylan" last="Moody"], and [player_tooltip player_id="153252" first="Dylan" last="Fortner"] have all helped lead the way Chapman. The Panthers are averaging 40 points and more than 400 yards per game, and have racked up nearly 4,000 yards of offense on the season. Chapman’s line has paved the way to 4.4 yards per carry, and has protected QB [player_tooltip player_id="153248" first="Drew" last="Settle"] to the tune of 2,853 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. Chapman claimed the Region III-3A title with a week to play. Chapman’s four standouts aren’t alone. Here’s a look at the other seven ranked Upstate linemen (minus Quinonez): • Gaffney’s [player_tooltip player_id="89326" first="Sawyer" last="Whitman"] is the anchor of a line that’s helped the Indians to 208 rushing yards per game and the Region III-5A championship. He’s committed to The Citadel. • [player_tooltip player_id="91241" first="Tyler" last="Sonneborn"] and Southside Christian are ranked No. 1 in the state in 1A, averaging nearly 45 points a contest. The Sabres have repeated as Region I-1A champions, and are the hands-down favorite for the 1A state title. • [player_tooltip player_id="59465" first="Eli" last="Henderson"], an Arkansas commit, helped Byrnes to an average of almost 500 offensive yards per game, despite massive injuries that affected both the offensive line and the Rebels’ stable of running backs. With a win over Wade Hampton on Friday and some help from Dorman, Byrnes could finish as Region II-5A champions. • At Landrum, [player_tooltip player_id="91197" first="Ethan" last="Dugat"] and the Cardinals adjusted well from an RPO scheme to a more run-heavy Double Wing look. Dugat has 18 pancake blocks in seven games, and plays enough defense to average 1.4 tackles per contest. The Cardinals have a chance to force a tie for the Region II-2A title with a win over St. Joseph’s on Friday. • Belton-Honea Path’s [player_tooltip player_id="59481" first="Jackson" last="Hall"], a South Carolina commit, has been a force as the Bears have rallied from early-season struggles to contend for the Region I-3A title. A win on Friday against Daniel would give BHP a share of the region crown. • Greenville fell just short of a region crown, falling by a point to Greenwood. But the Raiders have an explosive offense led by a talented line. Clemson commit [player_tooltip player_id="59461" first="Collin" last="Sadler"] is the household name, and has lived up to the standard. But teammate [player_tooltip player_id="61069" first="Justin" last="Jackson"] has been equally outstanding, averaging 6.1 pancake blocks per game, along with 12 knockdowns.