Zone Watch: Preseason All-Upstate Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the anticipation builds toward the start of the 2022 season, we can clearly point to many of the names and faces adding to potential excitement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Upstate, these certainly aren't the only guys to watch, but they're a fantastic place to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We analyzed hundreds of players from the zone – looking at 2021 performances, offseason camp and 7-on-7 performances and each player's situation – and came up with the Prep Red Zone Preseason All-Upstate squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll start with offensive players today, and give you a look at the defense tomorrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>K: [player_tooltip player_id='263163' first='Constantine' last='Gandis'], Christ Church - Gandis is battle-tested, with a last-second game winner already in the bag. He was perfect with 26 PATs and 5 field goals last season, with a long of 42.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='91355' first='Markee' last='Anderson'], Dorman - Anderson's commitment to South Carolina is considered a huge get for the Gamecocks, and it's easy to see why. He's strong, quick, physical, and athletic, everything you'd look for in an interior lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='202774' first='DJ' last='Geth'], Dorman - One gap away from Anderson, Geth does all of the same things on the other side of the field. The North Carolina commit is equally adept in the passing game and the running game, where he seems to love pulling and finishing plays WAY downfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='89342' first='Cam' last='Johnson'], Seneca - Johnson creates old-fashioned laundry piles on film. Look for a defender who's been knocked off his feet and eliminated from a play, and there's a good chance that Johnson is either nearby or has moved on to inflict the same treatment on somebody else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='146355' first='Bryce' last='Smith'], Daniel - With good quickness and great feet, Smith has been a standout on an offensive line that's helped the Lions put up video game-type numbers on the way to two straight 3A state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='336115' first='Darrell' last='Brannon'], Spartanburg - Brannon is massive, and 6-5 and 300 pounds. He's also a strong, physical player who can squat more than 500 pounds and who locks on to defenders and doesn't let them go until the play's over. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='336117' first='Hunter' last='Puckett'], Westside - "Running the football is all he wants to do," Westside coach Scott Earley said of Puckett. The 6-3, 235 monster of a back seems primed for a breakout year behind an experienced offensive line and with a wealth of offensive talent all over the field for the Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='91152' first='Thomas' last='Williams'], Powdersville - All Williams since the season ended was win best DEFENSIVE skill honors at the Palmetto Combine's Upper State segment and make a commitment to Virginia Tech. Not a bad summer. ON the field, though, he's coming off a season with more than 1,400 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns, and is one of the best 2023 RBs in the Upstate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='91140' first='Eli' last='Merck'], Daniel - Merck is an absolute burner, and with the Lions' wealth of talent recently, he's been the "go get it" guy. He caught 74 balls for more than 1,000 yards and 15 TDs in Daniel's run to a second straight championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='91149' first='Tyler' last='Brown'], Greenville - Brown is another 1,000-yard receiver with plenty of speed. He scored 15 touchdowns for the Red Raiders a year ago, and averaged nearly 15 yards per reception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='267431' first='Avery' last='McFadden'], Hillcrest - McFadden had 1,025 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, and was absolutely electric in the return game for the Rams. He's a big reason why expectations for Hillcrest are sky-high headed into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='89339' first='Raheim' last='Jeter'], Spartanburg - Jeter's got a big arm and can make every throw, and he's a tough, hard-nosed runner who can move the pile and get out of trouble when he needs to. He bounced back from an early injury a year ago, and led the Vikings to a berth in the 5A Upper State title game. He's recently re-opened his recruiting, and will be looking to impress scouts even more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->