WHAT WE SAW: Summerville Stars Shine In Big Win

David Shelton

September 3, 2022 @ 12:31 AM

MONCKS CORNER | In one of the state's oldest football rivalries, the Summerville Green Wave dismantled Berkeley, 38-6, to improve to 2-0 on the young 2022 season.   Summerville now leads the all-time series with Berkeley, 61-23-3. The two schools first played in 1925.   The win was certainly not an upset as Summerville came into the game ranked 10th in Class 5A and looked impressive in their season-opening win over Carolina Forest in week one.   On this night, Summerville's star senior performers brought their "A" game and did most of the heavy lifting. On the game's opening kickoff, senior Marquez Spells (5-10, 185) grabbed the short kick at the 30-yard line and seven seconds later was in the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead.   "It's always huge when you can score on a kickoff return but I had a lot of help," Spells said. "I was surprised they kicked it to me so when they did, I made the most of it."   Spells is Summerville's most dynamic player with the ball in his hands. He is used effectively by the coaching staff in the run game as well as in the passing game. On this night, Spells had about 75 total yards via the run and receiving game by halftime and sat out the second half. Not a bad half with nearly 150 all-purpose yards.   Spells earned a summer offer from Charleston Southern and is recruited as both a running back and slot receiver, not to mention a special team threat as well.   "Not sure why anyone would kick to him and I'm sure after tonight nobody will," Summerville head coach Ian Rafferty said. "He's a game-changer with the ball in his hands. I'm glad he's on our side."   Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='262638' first='Campbell' last='McCurry'] is somewhat unknown as a football player but is one of the state's top catching prospects in baseball. McCurry, who played only four games in 2021 due to injury, was a key factor in Summerville's 31-point first half. The 5-10, 205-pounder had 113 passing yards and 90 rushing yards in the first two quarters. He tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the half.   One of those passing scores went to 6-3 junior receiver Yannick Smith, who is not only a rising prospect in football but also a D1 prospect on the hardwood as well,   Senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='262617' first='Michael' last='Jenkins'], who has picked up three offers to date, was again a factor. Jenkins blocked a punt in the third quarter that resulted in a scoop and score for Malachi Fowler.   Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='262614' first='Drew' last='Inabinet'] (6-6, 300) and safety [player_tooltip player_id='89335' first='Keith' last='Elmore'] (6-1, 185) are two more senior prospects on the Green Wave roster.   Junior outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='227804' first='Jaidyn' last='Penix'] tallied 10 tackles in the win, Penix (6-0, 205) is a rising prospect as well and is starting to get some college interest.   Berkeley's top prospect is junior athlete Jovan Wigfall. The 6-3, 220-pound Wigfall is playing fullback in Berkeley's double-wing offense but is likely a better prospect as a defensive end or outside linebacker. WIgfall is strong and physical as a runner and manages tough yards despite being the focal point of every defense.

MONCKS CORNER | In one of the state's oldest football rivalries, the Summerville Green Wave dismantled Berkeley, 38-6, to improve to 2-0 on the young 2022 season.