Class 1A Contenders? Start With These Front-Runners
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Class 1A football has felt like playing for second place that last two year, as Southside Christian has dominated the rest of the division (and everyone else, for that matter) en route to back-to-back state championships.
In 2022, the door should open up some for some more late-season possibilities.
From the coast to the Upstate, there are a number of teams we’ll be keeping a close eye on early in the season. For now, our list of expected contenders starts with this group.
<strong>RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA (Last year: 9-3)</strong>
The Trojans will be replacing a quarterback in Remedee Leaphart who went for just shy of 3,000 total yards last year. But returning are tailback [player_tooltip player_id="91147" first="Nehemiah" last="Brooks"] (458 yards/TDs), receiver <strong>Ty Adams</strong> (25/473/5) and two-way stars [player_tooltip player_id="91139" first="Kanaan" last="Ligons"] (45.5 total tackles, 23 TFL, 4 sacks in addition to his OL duties)) and [player_tooltip player_id="91353" first="Jamarious" last="Lockett"] (31.5 tackles, three INT, 870 total offensive yards, 11 TDs).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
<strong>BAPTIST HILL (Last year: 8-3)</strong>
The Bobcats are from a flashy-sounding town that is anything but. On the flip side, this squad is one that is exactly that. The defense is full of young ballhawks who force turnovers and pressure opposing squads into mistakes. The offense, led by quarterback <strong>Harold Gathers</strong>, receivers <strong>Kaleb Brown</strong>, <strong>Kevin Townsend</strong> and <strong>Ja’Quan Hamilton</strong> are downright electric and helped this squad put up 41 points per game last fall.
<strong>BAMBERG-EHRHARDT (Last year: 13-1)</strong>
The Red Raiders lost their starting RB (<strong>Kenneth Grant</strong>) in a jamboree and their starting QB (<strong>Gage Boykin</strong>) in the regular season finale. And all they did was start the year winning 13 straight games and make the Class 1A championship game. Now, Grant (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) and Boykin (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) are healthy. <strong>Isaiah Johnson</strong> will shift back to receiver after picking up the QB slack in the playoffs. Along with LB <strong>Jamie Downing</strong> and CB <strong>Jaha’mari Harper</strong> and some other valuable pieces, and B-E may be the team to beat in 2022.
<strong>SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN (Last year: 13-0)</strong>
Of course, standing in the way of that is the two-time defending Class 1A champs - a squad that should be at it again. This is a team that has gone undefeated over the last two seasons and had just one contest even decided by single digits. Back in tow for round three is rising senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="89349" first="Ja’Corey" last="Martin"] (pictured, 2,457 yards, 22 TDs passing/926 and 7 rushing), tailback <strong>Jayvion Sherman</strong> (429/7) and receivers <strong>Tyler Harof</strong>, <strong>Collin Phillips</strong> and a slew of others ready to get their opportunity to shine.
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