Touchstone Energy Bowl: Friday South Practice Notes

Ian Guerin December 10, 2021 @ 03:53 PM

Hanahan tailback Josh Shaw wasn’t necessarily one of the bigger names associated with the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl. But he’s going to have a chance to dispel any doubt. Shaw spent the bulk of Friday’s one full practice (each team conducted a brief walk-through in the afternoon) taking first-team reps with the South offense. The starter designation may or may not come to fruition, but it was clear that the staff’s comfort-level with him was pretty high. Shaw played his high school ball under Art Craig, who not so coincidentally is the South squad head coach this week. He is one of four full-time running backs on the South roster this week, joined by [player_tooltip player_id="89329" first="Luke" last="Janack"] (Carolina Forest), [player_tooltip player_id="91198" first="Terry" last="McKithen"] (West Florence) and [player_tooltip player_id="59479" first="Nemo" last="Squire"] (Dillon). And while Shaw may end up getting a load of the carries, this offensive sets point to all four getting their touches. Even with a stacked receiving corps, the South offense wants to control the clock and then take chances deep when it can. It’s exactly how the South won each of the last two games in this series. SPEAKING OF THOSE RECEIVERS As expected, Dutch Fork senior [player_tooltip player_id="200729" first="Nick" last="Sowell"] was used in a number of goal-line situations that would allow the 6-foot-5 receiver an opportunity to take advantage of his height advantage. Likewise, [player_tooltip player_id="59482" first="Zavier" last="Short"] of Chapin showed why he pulled in a recent offer from South Carolina. Short, a 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, was able to get both inside and out during the one live session. He’s bigger than most slots, but his cutting ability was on display early and often. Short is verbally committed to Appalachian State, but the Mountaineers appear interested in developing him into an H-Back in college. Conway’s [player_tooltip player_id="200731" first="Carlton" last="Terry"] II picked up an offer this week from Wofford after the Terrier coaching staff watched him in action. HEAVY HITTERS As much as been made about the South defensive line - and for good reason - what we’re seeing the last three days is an extension of all that productivity right on back to the linebackers. Specifically, the likes of West Ashley’s [player_tooltip player_id="59491" first="Caleb" last="Edwards"], Camden’s [player_tooltip player_id="61078" first="Tevin" last="Eley"] and Bamberg-Ehrhardt’s [player_tooltip player_id="91201" first="Quincy" last="Bias"] have been absolutely showing out. Strom Thurmon’s [player_tooltip player_id="91243" first="Devron" last="Williams"] and Brookland-Cayce’s [player_tooltip player_id="200697" first="Owen" last="Plane"] (a late addition to the game) have had their moments, too. The trick for that quintet will be to slow down North running back [player_tooltip player_id="89314" first="Kazarius" last="Adams"], a player who clearly is going to be a focal point for that side. A TOUCHSTONE FIRST In the first 72 games in this series, there was never a kicker to serve as a game captain. The tradition of players picking two of their own to represent themselves was typically reserved for higher-profile players. That tradition changed this week. The South elected [player_tooltip player_id="91237" first="Drew" last="Stevens"] of North Augusta to be one of the team’s two flag bearers during the coin toss. But why now? Stevens can thank South teammate and Mr. Football finalist [player_tooltip player_id="59464" first="Adam" last="Randall"] for that. During a team get-together, Randall (Myrtle Beach) stood up and told the team that each player should vote for Stevens.