Region VI-4A Offseason Breakdown

As we inch closer to spring practices, we’re obviously going to be keeping a close eye on Region VI-4A. Typically considered the toughest region in the classification, it actually got a bit more respected thanks to realignment and Darlington’s successful appeal to move down to Class 3A. It leaves the six squads coming back after all having made the playoffs in 2021. Oh, and did we mention they went a combined 8-6 once they got there? (Three different programs were eventually ousted by Lower State champ Beaufort.) And consider this: In the last 15 years, one of the six teams that currently comprise this region have qualified for a state championship game an eye-popping 12 times. Yes, playing here comes with some expectations. And, yes, there are some players carrying plenty of them into the spring and beyond. <strong>Hartsville (Last season: 6-6)</strong> The Red Foxes had some early struggles while they got their feet under them. And, by that, we mean that once tailbacks [player_tooltip player_id="208339" first="Carmello" last="McDaniel"] and [player_tooltip player_id="202738" first="J’Shawn" last="Anderson"] got going, most teams didn’t know what hit them. Hartsville’s dynamic duo will return, and they should be considered among the top running back tandem in the state - if not the best one-two punch. Along with QB [player_tooltip player_id="208342" first="McKendrie" last="Douglas"] and rising super-sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="272699" first="Da’Marion" last="Coe"] (pictured), this team will leave plenty of opponents in their wake. <strong>Myrtle Beach (Last season: 9-2)</strong> The Seahawks’ two losses last year (against Fort Dorchester and Beaufort) came by a combined five points. And while [player_tooltip player_id="59494" first="Ryan" last="Burger"] and [player_tooltip player_id="59464" first="Adam" last="Randall"] are gone, this team returns a solid nucleus of players. Wyatt Cannon will take over at quarterback, surrounded by an experienced bunch of offensive lineman, most notably [player_tooltip player_id="146376" first="Wade" last="White"]. There’s also returning linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="146360" first="Cam" last="Ward"] and running back [player_tooltip player_id="208336" first="Malachi" last="Washington"]. <strong>North Myrtle Beach (Last season: 5-5)</strong> The Chiefs will have a new head coach in Greg Hill and will be replacing some of the top players from the last three years. North Myrtle Beach expects there to be some growing pains, but the Chiefs’ cupboard isn’t bare. DB [player_tooltip player_id="202742" first="Avery" last="Duncan"] will move into a more featured role in what is essentially a 4-2-5 defense. Linebacker <strong>Jyreon Dewitt</strong> will also be back and expected to improve upon his 45 total tackles in eight games a year ago. The spring will be most crucial in determining where North Myrtle Beach goes with its QB spot after [player_tooltip player_id="91207" first="Cameron" last="Freeman"]’s graduation. <strong>South Florence (Last season: 7-4)</strong> The Bruins fizzled some down the stretch, losing its last three games of the year. It wasn’t a surprise, given who they were playing and the loss of standout QB [player_tooltip player_id="146356" first="LaNorris" last="Sellers"]. The big signal caller will be back, and this spring will be all about getting him re-acclimated to game speed. There are loads of talent around the Syracuse commit, including receiver Evin Singletary, linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="263156" first="Trokel" last="Prew"] and [player_tooltip player_id="263155" first="Jaylin" last="Davis"], safety [player_tooltip player_id="208353" first="Quincy" last="Rhodes"] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="208354" first="Chantwan" last="Harkless"].<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <strong>West Florence (Last season: 10-3)</strong> The Lower State runners up return one of the most effective quarterbacks in the region in Deuce Hudson, a future NCAA Division-I defensive back in [player_tooltip player_id="208334" first="Kelvin" last="Hunter"], a tested running back in <strong>Darren Lloyd</strong> likely to take over the top spot there and a standout kicker in [player_tooltip player_id="91360" first="Sam" last="Spence"]. Putting all those pieces together shouldn’t be much of an issue, as the Knights have proved to know exactly how to replace some of its biggest contributors year after year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <strong>Wilson (Last season: 1-8)</strong> If 2021 was a bit of a working model for how Wilson could get things rolling again, this spring will be an extension of that. The Tigers played so many bodies last year in an effort to find playmakers. They found a bunch of them. Receivers <strong>Zandae Butler</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id="139297" first="Jyron" last="Waiters"] and<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>[player_tooltip player_id="146368" first="Donnell" last="Williamson"] are a trio of speedsters. Rising junior running back <strong>Rondell Law</strong> and <strong>Ajhon McCullum</strong> will also be back. So, too will top tacklers <strong>Zavian Scipio</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91156" first="Joshua" last="McPherson"]</strong>. This team has an uphill climb, but another playoff berth isn’t just possible; it’s expected.