Community Film Room, Episode 2

After each rankings update, we still have scores of players we’ve yet to evaluate. Considering South Carolina has just shy of 10,000 prep football players between the SCHSL and SCISA ranks, it’s an inevitable part of the process. But even now, with nearly three months before our next release, we’re constantly looking for talent. We want you to see what we’re looking at. In a new series dubbed the Community Film Room, we’re going to break down players each week who have yet to find their way into the rankings. Maybe they’re young, haven’t had a chance to get their film out or - yes, it’s entirely possible - we just missed them the last time around. In Episode 2, we’re breaking down a dual-threat quarterback with an athletic upside, two running backs with a strong base, a big offensive tackle who keeps getting better and a linebacker who loves to mess up the opposing backfield. <strong>Terrence Smith</strong>, QB, South Aiken South Aiken knew exactly what it had with Smith, and the Thoroughbreds showed every bit of it in a first-round playoff win over Wilson. In that game, Smith tucked it and ran it 16 times, carries that resulted in 206 yards and three scores. Smith then had 136 yards and a rushing score in the narrow second-round loss to West Florence, a game in which he also threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns. The CSRA has known about Smith for months. But that playoff showing was his introduction to the rest of Class 4A football. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14819682/61820397b535e00ef81b25a0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Thomas Edmonson</strong>, LB, Greenville It’s not often you see a 5-foot-11, 190-pounder consistently stand up opposing offensive tackles and then navigate their way to the backfield. But in Edmonson, that’s exactly the type of defensive weapon Greenville had at its disposal last year. Edmonson (56 solo tackles, 18 assists, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks) and teammate [player_tooltip player_id="89334" first="Luke" last="Schuller"] form of the best 1-2 tandems in the state at the position. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15304790/617830a390ef610ccc5b794d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Kenneth Jefferson</strong>, RB, Spring Valley Jefferson was among the surprises for a Spring Valley team that did so as a team last fall. His 658 rushing (5.8 ypc) and 231 receiving yards came despite the Vikings wrapping nearly everything around [player_tooltip player_id="59480" first="DeQuandre" last="Smith"] and while sharing the workload with fellow tailback and classmate [player_tooltip player_id="146359" first="Evan" last="Javis"]. Jefferson packs a heck of a speed burst and once he reaches open field his stride opens significantly, allowing him to separate in a hurry. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13332777/6198ff9664e99905bc343233" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Arian Mozone</strong>, OL, Midland Valley The Mustangs were a bit of a mess in 2021, but we saw development shoot through the roof on both sides of the ball. One of the biggest strides we noticed was that of right tackle Arian Mozone (pictured). The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder had the size right away, but he also looked like he was in need of some polishing. By the end of the year, his form was better. We shouldn’t have been surprised. This is a player who is constantly moving and not giving up on plays. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14694487/61995a755b3e8509b4d04a49" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Jamarion Fling</strong>, RB, Dillon Dillon hasn’t had to think twice about the running back position the last few years, as [player_tooltip player_id="59479" first="Nemo" last="Squire"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91211" first="Nigel" last="George"] (before he was lost for his senior season) held down the fort. Now, it appears Fling will get his chance to shine. After spending 2021 at the junior varsity level, Fling is ready to move up and will have every opportunity to earn the starting spot. And with a stable of massive offensive linemen to run behind, he could produce in a hurry. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16821698/61491c7ebee0f511e86fd6bb" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>