What We Saw: QB’s Take Center Stage At Justin Bethel 7-on-7
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<p style="font-weight: 400;">Anytime you play in a 7-on-7 tournament, the spotlight is going to be mostly on the quarterback position. Let’s face it, they are sitting in a pocket with no rush or linemen in front of them. If they can’t make good decisions in those conditions, it’s unlikely they when the full pads come on.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">During the Justin Bethel 7-on-7 event Saturday in Blythewood, we saw some veterans that are ready to take the next step, newcomers who are still getting their footing under them and a couple of schools that are still trying to figure what the best option will come August.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">It was a 16-team event spread out over three different fields so we saw as many as we could. Among the veteran group that looked like they were ready to take the next step was Gray Collegiate junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119009" first="Riley" last="Staton"] </strong>and Richland Northeast sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="272698" first="Will" last="Wilson"]</strong>.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Staton split time last year but took over starting duties late in the season when the War Eagles made run to the Class 2A state championship. Staton has a great pocket presence and a cannon for an arm. He threaded the needle a couple of times and looked very comfortable throwing the deep ball.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Wilson, our No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2025, has grown into 6’2”, 195 pounds and could be one of the more exciting players in the state. He showed a strong arm and the ability to get rid of the ball quickly.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Colby Shaw</strong> led Byrnes to the championship and was steady throughout the process. The senior didn’t force balls into tight situations and gave what the defenses were allowing. He had limited reps last season but could be the signal-caller when the season starts.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Trooper Floyd</strong> played behind Zan Dunham last year for Chester but is ready to take the reigns in 2022 as a sophomore. He led the Cyclones to the No. 1 seed coming out of pool play and into the semifinals. The son of coach Victor Floyd, the showed the ability to throw to all areas of the field.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Lower Richland has some dynamic playmakers on offense but hope <strong>Marcus Smith</strong> can replace the departed Robert Adams under center.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">A few of schools are still trying to figure it out. Blythewood has junior <strong>Harrison Collins</strong> and senior <strong>David Herden </strong>vying for the top spot. They rotated series and both did good things but need to be more consistent to win the starting job.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Boiling Springs and Dorman have new coaching staffs and likely will go through the summer to figure out who the No. 1 guy will be when the season kicks off.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Boiling Springs first-year coach Matt Reel is watching the battle between <strong>Lincoln Huskey</strong> and <strong>Zy Landrum</strong> very closely. The Bulldogs went 1-10 a season ago so it’s up to Reel to make the correct decision between those two.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Dustin Curtis has moved from A.C. Flora to Dorman. He has <strong>Hudson Talley</strong> and <strong>David Sorenson</strong> taking the reps this summer to figure out his best option.</p>
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