Richland Sportsarama Gives Players A Chance To Shine
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The Richland One Sportsarama is likely the oldest running preseason jamboree in the Midlands area. Eight schools – seven of them from Richland One – will play a half of football each under the lights Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium.…
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Continue ReadingThe Richland One Sportsarama is likely the oldest running preseason jamboree in the Midlands area. Eight schools – seven of them from Richland One – will play a half of football each under the lights Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium.
Here is a look at a few guys we think can have stellar seasons for their respective squads.
Game 1: Whitmire-Columbia
Whitmire is the only non-Richland One school playing here on Saturday. Quarterback Blake Stribble struggled through a 2-win year season last year, but he’s improved his pocket-presence in the offseason. This is an opportunity to see a live pass-rush and make sure the new mechanics are paying off.
Columbia has a quarterback battle and this will likely determine who gets the starting nod in the season-opener. Returner Jamel McDaniel and newcomer Arik Hicks are in a battle for the spot. Both players will have a lot on the line in a half scrimmage.
Game 2: Dreher-Lower Richland
First-year coach Corey Jenkins has an uphill battle to fight at his alma mater. The Blue Devils have been down in recent years and feature a young team this season. Senior linebacker Gavin Hucks must be a leader. He’s a tough, physical player that leads more by example than anything.
Lower Richland will be breaking in a new quarterback, but the spotlight has to be on wide receiver Nate Branch Nate Branch 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Lower Richland | 2023 State SC . The senior Coastal Carolina commit has already shown flashes in the previous two scrimmages. Branch had over 800 yards receiving a season ago and his route running has improved in the offseason.
Game 3: Keenan-A.C. Flora
Keenan must replace a 1,000-yard rusher from last year and three guys are in the running currently. Marquell Jackson, Quay Howard and Braylen Miller all have a chance to earn the top spot. Expect all three to get touches this weekend to sort out the pecking order before next week.
A.C. Flora will welcome new head coach Ken Floyd with a plethora of talent. The Falcons have maybe the best offensive line in the Midlands and two solid backs in Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC and Aiden Mosley Aiden Mosley 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2025 State SC . But let’s give the nod here to Carew Bates Carew Bates 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH AC Flora | 2023 State SC , a former receiver and defensive back. He’s going to the quarterback, and this will be his first action in a game-like atmosphere.
Game 4: Eau Claire-C.A. Johnson
Eau Claire was very active in the off-season and got players out to camps, combines, and 7-on-7 events. Saqohn Canzater is a raw, physical defensive end/linebacker that will lead a youthful defense. Canzater plays bigger than his 6′, 215-pound frame.
C.A. Johnson is coming off a winning season and has maybe one of the most underrated players in the Midlands. Dawan Rice rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. He’s a strong, physical runner that will just as likely try to run over a defender as side-step him.
Richland One Sportsarama
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: at Memorial Stadium
Tickets: $6
Whitmire vs. Columbia, 6:30 p.m.
Dreher vs. Lower Richland, 7:15 p.m.
Keenan vs. A.C. Flora, 7:50 p.m.
Eau Claire vs. C.A. Johnson, 8:45 p.m.