Pee Dee’s Offseason Watch List
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The Pee Dee was all over the state playoffs in 2022. South Florence won the Class 4A state title, Johnsonville made the Class 1A finals, Dillon advanced to the Lower State finals, West Florence and Lamar made the third round…
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Continue ReadingThe Pee Dee was all over the state playoffs in 2022.
South Florence won the Class 4A state title, Johnsonville made the Class 1A finals, Dillon advanced to the Lower State finals, West Florence and Lamar made the third round and six others each made it at least into the second round of their respective postseasons. It’s safe to say that the zone is going to be losing a ton a talent.
But what it’s also doing is bringing back a lot of potential.
Starting with the open season in March and then spring football in May, plenty of returners can make major strides toward either stepping into more of a starring role or bolstering their already lofty positions. In no particular order, here are a few we’re keeping tabs on over the coming months for a variety of reasons.
Franklin Emerson Franklin Emerson 6'0" | 220 lbs | ATH West Florence | 2024 State SC LB, West Florence
When Emerson (pictured) tore his labrum early in the playoffs, it changed the dynamic of a Knights defense that had all the potential in the world to win at least another game before the year ended. Instead, West Florence was forced to adjust to adjust to the loss of a middle linebacker who put up 103 total tackles. How Emerson continues to rehab and get back into the swing will determine how West fills in a few gaps from graduation.
Josiah Thompson Josiah Thompson 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL Dillon | 2024 State SC OL, Dillon
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound tackle is the top uncommitted piece in our Class of 2024. He’s got more visits to SEC schools in the works and will be about as coveted as they come over the next few months. Everything we’ve seen from Thompson tells us that he won’t let his recruiting become a distraction; it’s one of the reasons we have him so high. That being the case, expect his transformation into superstar to continue.
Ja’Shaun Dorsey QB, Kingstree
As far as first seasons go, Dorsey’s was solid. In being asked to take over the offense of Kinstree’s inaugural campaign, the junior threw for 1,368 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for another 294 and two scores. The knock was that his completion percentage was below 50 and he also threw nine picks. If Brian Smith and the rest of the coaching staff can clean that up some with the added time this spring, watch out for what comes next.
Raleigh Jett RB, South Florence
Only in South Florence’s 2022 offense does rushing for 500 yards and five scores seem like a blip. With all the other fireworks going off, though, Jett’s production as a reserve during his sophomore season was a great start toward this offense padding the blow from losing the team’s biggest weapon and a few more who were instrumental in the state title run. Jett had decent size already, but another offseason isn’t going to hurt.
Da’Marion Coe Da’Marion Coe 5'9" | 175 lbs | DB Hartsville | 2025 State SC DB/RET, Hartsville
Coe is going to be doing most of his spring damage on the track. That doesn’t mean we won’t be following him just as much. This is why: As a freshman last spring, Coe finished seventh in the state in the 100 meter and was part of the Red Foxes’ state championship 4×100 squad. Yeah, Coe is a blazer who also led Hartsville in tackles and kickoff return yards last season. If he shows he can hit the next level on the track, we’re in for something special come fall.