Class 5A Contenders? We’ve Got Some Ideas

Ian Guerin February 26, 2022 @ 03:23 PM

Around this time each year, with offseason conditioning in full swing and spring practices on deck, we can start looking at which teams should be contenders come fall. It’s a team sport, of course, as Gaffney proved last season. And while Duke commit and rising senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="89340" first="Grayson" last="Loftis"] keeps the Indians as a team to watch, the talent pool at several other programs gives us every reason to believe they’ll be around late in the Class 5A playoffs, too. DUTCH FORK (Last year: 12-1) We’re getting the obvious one out of the way first. Obviously, tailback [player_tooltip player_id="91136" first="Jarvis" last="Green"] (pictured), safety [player_tooltip player_id="262550" first="Landon" last="Danley"] and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="132398" first="Chandler" last="Perry"] and [player_tooltip player_id="262678" first="Jaylen" last="Hinton"] give the Silver Foxes a great leg up in returning to their former championship ways. Add in presumed starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="44974" first="Aliam" last="Appler"] - who has had a year in the system - and Dutch Fork hoisting yet another Class 5A title would surprise next to no one. In fact, most would probably named the Silver Foxes the leader in the clubhouse to start the season. LEXINGTON (9-3) The Wildcats made it to the third round of the Lower State playoffs a year ago on the strength of a punishing defense that peaked at exactly the right time. Some of that unit is gone, sure, but the return of safety Chris Frye, corner Kam Coulter will give Lexington a leg up on that side fo the ball. Add in the return of running back Jonah Norris (who missed most of the season) and junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="208887" first="Taiden" last="Mines"] - who last year amassed nearly 1,500 total yards as a sophomore - and the Wildcats could easily make a sizable leap. They may be considered a dark horse by most standards in this class, but the development is clearly there. BYRNES (Last year: 6-6) The Rebels landed themselves a pair of top-flight transfers when defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="272705" first="Armoni" last="Weaver"] and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="272708" first="Chamarryus" last="Bomar"] came in from nearby Dorman. Considering they both started at their previous school as freshmen, and the boost for Byrnes was considerable. After all, this is a team that already has a trio of high-end rising juniors in [player_tooltip player_id="267452" first="Kade" last="Caton"], [player_tooltip player_id="267454" first="Chris" last="Foster"] and [player_tooltip player_id="267455" first="Knai" last="Cook"] and soon-to-be seniors [player_tooltip player_id="204428" first="Miquel" last="Dingle"], [player_tooltip player_id="262636" first="Kyai" last="Cook"], [player_tooltip player_id="262702" first="Elijah" last="Barnes"] and [player_tooltip player_id="262613" first="Mack" last="Long"], a tailback who everyone will know again soon after missing last year with an injury. FORT DORCHESTER (Last year: 12-1) A seven-point loss to Dutch Fork in the Lower State finals was the only knock on the Patriots’ record all season. And while there will be some losses that will be felt, the cupboard is anything but bare as the perennial powerhouse. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="89345" first="Zolten" last="Osborne"] had a dynamic junior season that made his standout sophomore campaign seem light. Receiver Tre Ryan will take on a larger role and could be in the mix for some all-star consideration. And tailback Michael Smalls could have a breakout season. With the Class 5A playoffs taking a slightly different look in 2022, expect the Patriots to stick around for at least a little while.