Realignment Breakdown: Who’s New In Region II-4A

Photo: Prep Redzone

Jed Blackwell March 25, 2022 @ 09:36 AM

Realignment will affect nearly every region in the Upstate with teams moving into and out of classifications and regions. Here’s our second in a series of looks at some of the top players moving into new regions, focusing on Region II-4A. Region II-4A has a new look with a couple of teams moving in. Laurens remains in the region, and longtime region mates Greer and Eastside are back as well. The two new teams in the region are intriguing, with Riverside and Wade Hampton both moving down from Region II-5A. Both bring some legit weapons to their new home. Riverside had the best start in school history last season, beginning the season 6-0 and securing a playoff berth. Many of the weapons from that team are back, starting with QB [player_tooltip player_id="202732" first="Robinson" last="Sanders"]. Sanders threw for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, rushing form nearly 400 more and six additional scores despite missing some time with an injury a year ago. He’s got a top target back in [player_tooltip player_id="209172" first="Cayden" last="Cosby"], who provided 34 receptions, 572 yards, and four touchdowns last year. Alijah Jones is back as well, coming off a season with 390 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Wade Hampton struggled in Class 5A, with the Generals’ numbers a much better fit for 4A. They’re looking forward to making some noise in their new classification, with QB [player_tooltip player_id="262692" first="Cooper" last="Tankersley"] expected to lead the way. Tankersley threw for right at 2,000 yards in just nine games last season, against a schedule that included a 5A murderer’s row and Greenville, among others. He did that behind an offensive line that started two freshmen and two sophomores. Tankersley should continue to improve, as should the guys up front. One of those is Sam Guthrie, a big, athletic lineman who wrestles in the winter to improve his agility. Coach Travis Miller expects good things from Guthrie as the season progresses. The Generals will also lean on WR Thomas Combs, an athletic standout who’s shown a ton of toughness and a great ability to catch passes in traffic.