Summerville Green Wave: What’s Next?
Former Hanahan QB Jaden Cummings is transferring to Summerville for 2023
David Shelton
In this article:
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<p>In his third season at the helm of the Summerville High football program, former all-state lineman and Summerville grad Ian Rafferty guided the Green Wave to an 11-3 record in 2022.</p>
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<p>Summerville totaled eight wins in Rafferty's first two seasons, both shortened to nine games due to Covid-19, but the coach saw it all come together for his program this fall.</p>
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<p>Two of the three losses came to rival Fort Dorchester, the last coming in the Class 5A Lower State championship game. The other came to 5A powerhouse Sumter during the regular season, a loss the Green Wave later avenged in the playoffs.</p>
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<p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p>
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<p>Two key losses in personnel come in the offensive backfield. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262638' first='Campbell' last='McCurry']</strong>, a two-year starter, accounted for more than 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns while going 15-4 as the starting signal-caller.</p>
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<p>Running back <strong>Marquez Spells </strong>racked up 2,011 all-purpose yards, including 1,366 rushing yards.</p>
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<p>Two key offensive linemen,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='263161' first='Reginald' last='Pinckney']</strong> and <strong>Drew Inabinett</strong>, are graduating as well.</p>
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<p>Several key defenders will need to be replaced. Along the front, end <strong>Josh Matusik</strong> racked up 112 tackles, including 27 for loss, while earning Class 5A Lower State lineman of the year honors by the SC football coaches association.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262615' first='Steve' last='Simpkins']</strong> at linebacker and defensive backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262617' first='Michael' last='Jenkins']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89335' first='Keith' last='Elmore']</strong> also are key losses. Jenkins and Elmore were three-year starters and Jenkins played in the Shrine Bowl all-star game.</p>
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<p><strong>NEXT UP</strong></p>
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<p>The cupboard at Summerville is far from bare. Offensively, perhaps the best tandem of wide receivers in the Lower State will be back for their senior season. <strong>Yannick Smith</strong> (6-3) will be one of the top pass-catchers in the state in 2023. Smith caught 50 passes in 2022 and tallied more than 1,400 all-purpose yards.</p>
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<p><strong>Quintrell Pettiford</strong> was a key receiver in 2022, finishing with nearly 600 yards.</p>
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<p>Junior running back<strong> Trae Green </strong>rushed for 844 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 and will step into a lead role next fall. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267460' first='Jaderrio' last='Lott']</strong> will return as the top offensive lineman.</p>
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<p>Looking to fill the void at quarterback is 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings']</strong>, a transfer from Hanahan. Cummings was a two-year starter at Hanahan and has quality passing skills.</p>
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<p>Returning leaders defensively will be 2023 linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227804' first='Jaidyn' last='Penix']</strong> and 2024 linebacker <strong>Ike Rutherford</strong>. Rutherford led the Green Wave in tackles (118) despite not becoming a starter until mid-season.</p>
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<p>2023 cornerback <strong>Ryland Mitchell</strong> also returns after totaling 116 tackles last fall.</p>
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In his third season at the helm of the Summerville High football program, former all-state lineman and Summerville grad Ian Rafferty guided the Green Wave to an 11-3 record in 2022.
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