Ten Players We’re Stoked To See In The Touchstone Energy Bowl
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Wednesday’s release of the 2022 Touchstone Energy Bowl rosters already has us wondering what these two teams can do with a few days of practice. The talent level might not be quite what it was in 2021 – when the…
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Continue ReadingWednesday’s release of the 2022 Touchstone Energy Bowl rosters already has us wondering what these two teams can do with a few days of practice.
The talent level might not be quite what it was in 2021 – when the game was able to select the absolute best of the best from South Carolina – but it’s not far off. These 10 players who were picked this year bring all sorts of fire to the game.
NORTH
Eli Merck Eli Merck 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR DW Daniel | 2023 State SC WR, Daniel
In 33 games on the varsity, all Merck has done is catch 151 passes for 2,674 yards and 41 touchdowns. He’s caught 1,000 yards worth of passes in each of the last two seasons and (barring an unexpectedly early exit from the playoffs for Daniel) he’ll add a another 1,000-yard campaign to his tally. His ability to play every receiver spot makes him a dangerous weapon in a quick-fire all-star offense.
Kanaan Ligons Kanaan Ligons 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Ridge Spring-Monetta | 2023 State SC OL Ridge Spring-Monetta
The knock on Ligons? He plays Class 1A ball. The reality? His ability to muscle up double teams for the last three years is going to translate well to this game, when he’s surrounded by like-skilled linemen. Ligons is one of those players who already has a double-digit offer list. However, his chance to impress against this type of competition could given him even more to choose from.
Brody Tesimale Brody Tesimale 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Catawba Ridge | 2023 State SC LB, Catawba Ridge
We’ve raved about Tesimale’s ability to get to the ball for a couple years now. And at 6-foot and 230 pounds, he’s not going to have any problem holding his own. By the time the (so far undefeated) Copperheads reach the Class 4A playoffs here in a couple weeks, he’ll be north of 300 career tackles and should be considered one of the best defenders in the state.
Hunter Puckett Hunter Puckett 6'3" | 240 lbs | ATH Westside | 2023 State SC DL, Westside
The North coaching staff has already decided that Puckett is going to get some snaps at running back in December, too. That makes sense, as the Rams’ leading rusher has already put up 642 yards and eight touchdowns through the team’s first eight games. Getting the 6-foot-4, 235-pound edge rusher along that line, though, could be a difference maker. He’s relatively raw at defensive end, but the glimpses of something special are there.
Apollos Cook Apollos Cook 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Aiport | 2023 State SC TE/DB, Airport
When Cook’s father took the job at Airport and Apollos followed, everyone knew his production would probably dip some. And, yet, the Duke commitment has continued to do his thing. Cook’s 663 receiving yards through the first nine games of the year have accounted for roughly 40 percent of the team’s total offense. As a receiver. In Class 4A ball. What do you think he could do when he’s not being double teamed nearly every snap?
SOUTH
Zolten Osborne Zolten Osborne 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Fort Dorchester | 2023 State SC QB Fort Dorchester
An all-star nod has been building for Osborne (pictured) for some time. He’s been a starter since his sophomore year and has been putting up fantastic numbers throughout. His recruiting was slow at first but then came on strong, with some FBS teams finally pulling the trigger. There isn’t a throw Osborne can’t make, and he’s fantastic on the run. Those are two traits that serve all-star quarterbacks well.
Kacy Fields Kacy Fields 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Beaufort | 2023 State SC ATH, Beaufort
After Fields played mostly receiver during most of his time at Beaufort, the likely all-state selection moved to tailback this year and has been setting the Lowcountry on fire. At one point, he had a three-game stretch where he put up just shy of 900 yards and 11 touchdowns. What’s more, the Eagles haven’t lost since the season opener against Fort Dorchester. With the ball in his hands at either position, Fields is a problem.
Chandler Perry Chandler Perry 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Dutch Fork High | 2023 State SC LB, Dutch Fork
If Perry is 6-feet tall instead of 5-foot-9, we’re hearing his name week after week after week in the recruiting circles. As it stands, he’s proved himself invaluable to the Silver Foxes’ defense and will have every chance to impress in Myrtle Beach. As one of our scouts put it, he’s been the best player in the Midlands this year, and it may not even be that close. The only thing holding back his individual statistics are a bunch of blowouts.
Tyler J Smith Tyler J Smith 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Barnwell | 2023 State SC RB, Barnwell
Smith is closing in on 4,000 career rushing yards and 60 touchdowns, and he’s only played the position for 22 varsity games. Needless to say, he’s going to get his carries during the prep week leading up to the game. What’s more, he’s also likely going to see some snaps at linebacker, the position he’s played at Barnwell since he was a freshman. Smith is an electric player, and he should have some eyes on him in December.
Tim Castain Tim Castain 6'1" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2023 State SC DL, Oceanside Collegiate
Each year, coaches start flooding our inboxes with player notes about guys coming up and ranks and we need to evaluate. When it comes to Castain, all we can say is that he’s never stopped improving. The 6-foot, 275-pound interior lineman is strong as all get up and has made his footwork comparable to someone in college. Castain has a bunch of games left for Oceanside, and we don’t expect two years of his trend to cease before then.