Grand Strand Trio Put QB Situations On Display

Ian Guerin June 29, 2022 @ 10:10 AM

Tommy Norwood doesn’t have much doubt about who will be starting at quarterback for his St. James squad this year. It’s junior [player_tooltip player_id="91513" first="Connor" last="Schwalm"]’s “job to lose,” as the longtime coach said Wednesday morning. Like he did during the spring, Norwood sprinkled in some youth at the position during an abbreviated three-way scrimmage at North Myrtle Beach against the Chiefs and Socastee. But it has been clear since the end of last season that Schwalm will get most of the meaningful reps over the coming seven weeks of so prior to the season opener against Waccamaw. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound quarterback has no issue taking off and running with it - as he did frequently during the team’s spring finale in May. But this 7-on-7 - and the rest of the team’s summer workouts, for that matter - are about getting him in sync with his receivers. As for Socastee and North Myrtle Beach, the revolving door at the position is going to dictate so much of what these offenses can pull off prior to their August 19 opener against each other. Wednesday was a nice preview of the possible mix-and-match styles that could ensue. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH The Chiefs will be deciding between an experienced, if not part-time, returner against last year’s junior varsity quarterback in order to replace three-year starter Cameron Freeman, who is now moving on to the college baseball ranks. As for the young gun, that distinction falls to sophomore Landon Cloninger. Although he’s been banged up some this offseason, the 5-foot-11, 155-pound quarterback can move it around a little bit. He can throw off his back foot when necessary and can also step into his passes and put some zip on it. First-year North Myrtle Beach coach Greg Hill, the team’s defensive coordinator before his promotion in March, said Cloninger and senior Chance Hall are neck and neck. Hall got most of the reps Wednesday before lightning halted the scrimmage. However, he quickly showed he was ready to lead this offense. Hall has some touch on short passes that makes him stand out, especially given the Chiefs won’t be one of those teams who air it out non-stop. Hall is a touch bigger at 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, and any quarterback who has played in Little River over the past several years has had to have plenty of durability. SOCASTEE The Braves’ three-way battle at quarterback is a clear storyline to watch the rest of the summer. Socastee’s next on-field action will come July 13 at Conway. Between now and then, we expect very little to be determined. That’s because Quadir Scott (pictured) - the 6-foot-2, 170-pound lefty who attended the Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach the last two seasons - has returned to his home school for his junior season. Scott played half of his eighth grade year (at Forestbrook Middle) for the Braves’ varsity basketball team. So, clearly, he’s got some serious athleticism that will factor in somehow for Ben Hampton’s offense this year. Returning quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="139313" first="Rocco" last="Wojcik"] was the primary starter a year ago and threw for 700-plus yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for another 300 yards and three scores. There’s also rising sophomore Michael Goswick (6-foot-1, 165 pounds). Hampton said he’ll go into every week with all three getting reps either at quarterback, slot or defensive back, with two focusing on the first spot.