Breaking Out: Unranked Players Shine In Title Games

Jed Blackwell December 4, 2022 @ 11:56 AM

It happens every year.   With all eyes on the state championship games, those who follow prep football statewide, as well as casual fans, get a little better focus on some teams they don't normally see. Inevitably, standout players provide eye-popping performances, and bring up an annual question: Who ARE these guys?   Here's a look at an unranked player from each team who made his mark on the Weekend of Champions.   Peyton Little, LB, Powdersville   With [player_tooltip player_id='89333' first='Jalen' last='Rambert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='267456' first='Harrison' last='Jeffries'] both ranked at LB, it's easy for Little to be a little bit overlooked as Powdersville's “other” linebacker. He shouldn't be. He had an outstanding championship game against Beaufort, with four solo tackles and nine assists.   Aaron Lamb, OL, Beaufort   Beaufort did not attempt a pass in a 41-31 win over Powdersville for the 3A state title, rushing for 474 yards on 67 carries. Lamb and his teammates up front were a big reason why. A two-way player on the line, Lamb consistently opened huge holes in the running game and pushed Powdersville defenders around.   Javario Tinch, WR/DB, Abbeville   Abbeville completed just two passes against Oceanside Collegiate in their 2A title win. One of those was a 31-yard TD to Tinch, who provided the Panthers a 21-0 lead with his score. He also had four total tackles on defense, and broke up two passes.   Edward Reidenbach, QB, Oceanside Collegiate   With the Landsharks needing to throw the ball in Friday's 2A championship game, Reidenbach was up to the task. The junior completed 22 of 37 passes for 322 yards, and tossed touchdown passes of 23, 6, and 66 yards.   Daquan Burroughs, RB, Johnsonville   Burroughs capped a stellar season with an incredible championship game. He rushed for 168 yards and three TDs on 27 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per carry for the Flashes.   [player_tooltip player_id='997188' first='Jake' last='Good'], LB, Christ Church   Good served notice that he might be the future of the Christ Church defense. He led the Cavaliers with 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a QB hurry on the night for the 1A champions.   Josh Smith, DE/LB, Dutch Fork   Smith, a sophomore, absolutely filled up the stat sheet for the Silver Foxes in a championship win over Fort Dorchester. He finished with five total tackles,  two tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble as the Foxes' defense dominated the Patriots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1142837' first='Mul-ty' last='Snider'], WR, Fort Dorchester   The junior WR showed that he can be a consistent big-play guy for the Patriots. He caught four balls for 99 yards on Saturday, leading Fort Dorchester in both catches and yards.   Shikeem Shilow, RB, South Florence   Shilow brought the hammer for the Bruins in their 4A title win over Northwestern. He matched the team-high for carries with 27, and ground out 131 yards. Shilow scored TDs of 26 and 6 yards, and averaged nearly 5 yards per carry.   Greer Hopkins, ATH, Northwestern   Listed as a QB for the Trojans, the junior did everything BUT that offensively in the 4A title game. He had two rushes for 36 yards, and added three catches for 33 yards. He also punted three times for a 44.7 yard average, killing one kick inside the 20, and boomed a pair of kickoffs.

It happens every year.