Week 0 Grand Strand and Pee Dee Games To Watch
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Friday night lights is almost here again. In the days leading up to the regular-season openers in South Carolina, a small number of games involving teams from the Grand Strand and Pee Dee have the potential to attract statewide attention.…
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Continue ReadingFriday night lights is almost here again.
In the days leading up to the regular-season openers in South Carolina, a small number of games involving teams from the Grand Strand and Pee Dee have the potential to attract statewide attention. At least of the teams in each of the following games is ranked, and all eight of the squads have some star power capable of drawing a crowd.
This four-pack of Week 0 games are tailor-made to kick off the 2022 season with a bang.
Wilson at No. 10 Aynor
From Zandae Butler Zandae Butler 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR Wilson | 2023 State SC to Donell Williamson to Jyron Waiters Jyron Waiters 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Wilson | 2024 State SC , the trio of Wilson receivers are likely to cause their share of fits in 2022. And if quarterback Bryan McCartt made the strides the staff believes he was capable of in the offseason, it could turn the Tigers into a potent offense after years of inefficiency.
Aynor, though, crafted its offense to eliminate opposing opportunities. The Blue Jackets and first-year starting quarterback Daniel Stanley flexed a little during the CNB Kickoff Classic last week, showing how moving a tight end off tackle some could spread things out some. Of course, Aynor wasn’t interested in showing its hand, either. There’s a lot of unknowns with exactly how it will mix in a number of the other ball carriers. If it’s what we expect, though, the Blue Jackets could put up some numbers again.
No. 8 Hartsville at Conway
A big trick in this game will be whether Conway safety/receiver Cameron Alston makes his way back to the field or if he’s held out for another week or two as a precaution. Alston is among the best defensive players on the Grand Strand. However, he’s still working his way back from a knee injury and everyone involved isn’t interested in rushing him back. If he plays, that takes some of the pressure off the rest of the Tigers’ defense.
Why? Hartsville is experienced and knows exactly who it is. Tailbacks Carmello McDaniel Carmello McDaniel 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Hartsville | 2024 State SC and J’Shawn Anderson J’Shawn Anderson 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Hartsville | 2023 State SC (a recent Georgia Southern verbal commitment) went for 2,552 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground last year.
No. 7 South Florence at Goose Creek
Yes, Goose Creek lost some of its biggest weapons from the 2021 season. But as long as quarterback and Mercer commit Drew Moore Drew Moore 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Goose Creek | 2023 State SC is there (spoiler, he is), the Gators have a dynamic quarterback who can carve up opposing defenses. Moore has a quick release that could negate some of South Florence’s speed on defense, meaning Goose Creek might still put up some points.
That’s what the Bruins are built for. Behind quarterback LaNorris Sellers LaNorris Sellers 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB South Florence | 2023 State SC , tailback Shikeem Shilow and receivers Jabray Johnson and Jaden Sellers, South Florence is all about the quick-strike offense. South will want to show off its quarterback’s huge arm, and all it takes is one of those receivers catching a defensive back flat-footed to make it a six-point play.
No. 9 Lexington at No. 5 West Florence
Last year when these teams linked up, we had no idea that it was going to be a 42-32 shootout or that both Lexington and West Florence would put together impressive playoff runs that put everyone on their schedules on high alert for 2022. Wildcats quarterback Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC (1,200 total yards, nine touchdowns last year), receiver Kamadi Maxwell (27 receptions, 387 yards, four touchdowns) and tailback Jonah Norris (460 yards, nine touchdowns) all come into this game after solid performances in the Lexington County Sportsarama jamboree last weekend. West will counter with a defense led by linebackers Frank Emerson and Kelvin Hunter Kelvin Hunter 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB West Florence | 2024 State SC and defensive backs Tyler Brantley (pictured) and Dashawn Gamble. Yes, this one could be spectacular again.