WHAT WE SAW: Conway 33, Myrtle Beach 28
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The Victory Bell trophy has “Hurricane Florence” written in the spot for 2018, and “COVID” written in for 2020 and 2021. The 2022 slot will be filled with “Conway 33-28”. The Tigers won their biggest non-region rivalry game for just…
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Continue ReadingThe Victory Bell trophy has “Hurricane Florence” written in the spot for 2018, and “COVID” written in for 2020 and 2021.
The 2022 slot will be filled with “Conway 33-28”.
The Tigers won their biggest non-region rivalry game for just the second time in the last 15 years on Saturday, getting huge performance from tailback Rodney Huggins, quarterback Devin Grainger Devin Grainger 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Conway | 2024 State SC and two-way standout Cameron Alston. This was a much-needed victory for a Conway program that has plenty of the types of players you like to see getting off the bus but has failed to string much together of late.
The Tigers, instead, propelled themselves into a portion of the schedule that could have them looking at a highly favorable several few weeks. Maybe none of them will touch the Victory Bell win, but it was a fine start to what could be.
FIVE PLAYERS WHO STOOD OUT
Cameron Alston, DB/WR, Conway
Alston is one of those players who has ever tool in the arsenal. He’s tall, has a long reach and is much faster than he initially looks – thanks to a long stride. In his first action of the year after tearing his right ACL during last basketball season, Alston was emphatic on defense, recording several key tackles and recording an interception. He also caught five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Aiden Brantley, WR/DB, Conway
Like Alston, Brantley is a two-way contributor. He also picked off a pass (coincidentally, after Myrtle Beach had reached the red zone), and was huge in the receiving game. On Saturday, Brantley had six receptions for 76 yards.
Devin Grainger Devin Grainger 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Conway | 2024 State SC , QB, Conway
If you remember from the beginning of last season, Grainger almost wasn’t the Tigers’ starting quarterback as a sophomore. Carlton Terry II initiated the move by switching to receiver, and Grainger got some much needed trial-by-fire time behind center. He was smooth as smooth gets against the Seahawks, completed 18-of-22 passes for for 177 yards and that touchdown pass to Alston, running eight times for another 90 yards. Best yet? Grainger is only scratching the surface of what he can do.
Rodney Huggins, RB, Conway
Huggins was another starter who sat out last week’s blowout loss to Hartsville while he nursed a sore hamstring. Clearly, he wasn’t at 100 percent against Myrtle Beach, as some of his runs made him look like he was galloping rhythmically. But he was productive nonetheless. The big tailback is a legit 6-foot and 200 pounds, and he bullied Myrtle Beach defenders for three touchdowns and 75 yards on 16 carries.
Kenny Brown, WR, Myrtle Beach
Over the summer, the Seahawks staff decided that Brown was going to make the move to defensive back out of a need for more athleticism there. Brown decided he was going to do both. He caught three passes for 76 yards. Brown has the ability on deep routes, at the sideline and underneath.
THREE NAMES TO BOOKMARK
Jay Woodard, DB/ST, Conway
Woodard could be one of those X-factor players to watch all season for the Tigers. He showed his wheels in the return game. Woodard took the game’s opening kickoff back 55 yards to the Myrtle Bech 40. He’s also one of the team’s starting corners.
J’Kwon Brantley, RB, Conway
Huggins is leading the position now. Brantley is a likely candidate to be the Tigers’ running back of the future. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound tailback found a crease late in the first half and then carried a defender into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown. He’s built similarly to Huggins, so chances are Conway will be just fine with giving him some carries.
Trey Dunn Trey Dunn 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Myrtle Beach | 2023 State SC , QB, Myrtle Beach
His first exposure to the playbook in a Seahawk uniform was clearly kept vanilla some. And while he threw a pair of first-half interceptions, it was also apparent that Dunn isn’t some inexperienced first-time starter (he moved from West Virginia, where he was ranked high by our scouts there). Dunn threw for 165 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 71 yards and another score.
UP NEXT
Conway at Ashley Ridge (Sept. 2)
Myrtle Beach vs. St. James (Sept. 2)