Community Film Room, Episode 18
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After each rankings update, we still have scores of players we’ve yet to evaluate. Considering South Carolina has just shy of 10,000 prep football players between the SCHSL and SCISA ranks, it’s an inevitable part of the process. But even…
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Continue ReadingAfter each rankings update, we still have scores of players we’ve yet to evaluate.
Considering South Carolina has just shy of 10,000 prep football players between the SCHSL and SCISA ranks, it’s an inevitable part of the process. But even now, immediately following our latest ranking update, we’re constantly looking for talent.
We want you to see what we’re looking at.
In our weekly series dubbed the Community Film Room, we break down players who have yet to find their way into the rankings. Maybe they’re young, haven’t had a chance to get their film out or – yes, it’s entirely possible – we just missed them the last time around.
In Episode 18, we’re tracking two interior offensive linemen, a pair of defensive standouts on the cusp of a big bump and a receiver at one of the state’s powerhouses primed for a big 2022.
Matthew Gongora Matthew Gongora 5'11" | 260 lbs | OL Hillcrest | 2023 State SC , OL, Hillcrest
There’s no surprise that the Hillcrest offense is among the best in the entire state. The Rams averaged 43 points per game last season and could improve on that this year. Gongora (pictured) is a huge cog in that system, as the 5-foot-10, 260-pound right guard is a excellent pulling and/or stand-up blocker with a serious mean streak. He is extremely active with his entire body early in the snap, and it appears as if he’s cranking up the engine, getting ready to put another defender on his back.
Seneca Moore Seneca Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Crestwood | 2024 State SC , LB, Lakewood
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker has an ability to crash the backfield and is sound in pursuit, even when it seems like he’s simply running with a head of steam. But at around the 2-minute mark, we also see something else; Moore stays perfectly in position on a screen pass, fights off a would-be blocker, remains on his read and then makes a perfect form tackle to stop the play dead in its tracks. Otherwise, it’s an easy 20-yard play and a first down.
Jacob Hamilton Jacob Hamilton 5'9" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC , WR, Dutch Fork
By the end of the 2021 season, Hamilton had established himself as a regular part of the Silver Foxes’ offense. His routes and speed on the outside allowed him to mesh with both of the teams’ quarterbacks, and he ended the year with 15 catches for 294 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Given some receiver graduations and his familiarity with starting QB Aliam Appler Aliam Appler 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC , the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Hamilton will have every opportunity to put up big numbers this fall.
Gemoi Brown Gemoi Brown 5'9" | 175 lbs | DB James Island | 2023 State SC , DB, James Island
James Island’s defense gave up fewer than 17 points per game a year ago, and moving Brown into the mix had a large influence on that. The nickel safety does a fine job of playing that rover position for Jamar McKoy’s defense, as he piled up 63 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a pair of sacks in 2021. Brown is 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, and his range against just about every offensive set makes him a dangerous and versatile defender.
Nate McGee Nate McGee 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL South Florence | 2023 State SC , OL, South Florence
South Florence’s next progression is happening on the offensive line, and it’ll be revolving around McGee. The 6-foot-2, 285-pound linemen will be moving to center (from left guard), and as we see in his clips, he is great on the move. That’s important for South Florence, which has a tendency to move the pocked some to allow quarterback LaNorris Sellers LaNorris Sellers 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB South Florence | 2023 State SC an opportunity to show off his big arm and/or get the Bruins into their as-yet lightly used wildcat packages.