Upstate Storylines To Watch In Spring Ball This May
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Defending champions, new faces, and high expectations. Everywhere you look in the Upstate, there’s a story to be uncovered for the 2023 football season. Here’s a look at some of the best. Can the champions defend? The state’s lower classifications…
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Continue ReadingDefending champions, new faces, and high expectations. Everywhere you look in the Upstate, there’s a story to be uncovered for the 2023 football season. Here’s a look at some of the best.
Can the champions defend?
The state’s lower classifications ran through the Upstate last season, as Christ Church, Abbeville, and Powdersville winning 1A through 3A, respectively. They’re all dealing with graduation losses, but they’ve all got plenty back in the tank, too. The Cavaliers’ Dashun Reeder Dashun Reeder 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Christ Church | 2024 State SC has turned in some eye-popping performances at off-season camp. Abbeville looks to be reloading, as Abbeville often does. And for the Upper State champions Harrison Jeffries Harrison Jeffries 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2024 State SC returns to patrol the middle of the defense and Eli Hudgins Eli Hudgins 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Powdersville | 2024 State SC is an absolute gunslinger at QB. If each team can get some complementary pieces in place, all could make deep runs.
Can a group of outstanding RBs do it again?
Reeder was fantastic as a junior, rushing for more than 2,000 yards. A bunch of other backs made their marks as well, and will look to turn up their performances even more. Belton-Honea Path’s Marquise Henderson Marquise Henderson 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC is a monster, rushing for more than 1,200 yards in his sophomore season. LaDannian Martin will be expected to help lead Greer, and Broome’s Jaylen McGill Jaylen McGill 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Broome | 2026 State SC and Gaffney’s Jaiden McDowell Jaiden McDowell 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2026 State SC had huge impacts as freshmen that they’ll be looking to improve upon.
What will coaching changes bring to the area?
There was a ton of turnover in the off-season, as coaching changes took place across the area. In Spartanburg County alone, a third of the County’s schools will have new head coaches as Brett Sloan takes over at Woodruff, Brent Bridges moves to Landrum, and Jake Morris takes over at Dorman. Add in other big time moves like Hillcrest’s Anthony Frate to Wren and Clinton OC Mat Bennett’s move to Ninety Six, among others, and you have the recipe for a lot of new-look Friday nights.
Is Greenville as loaded as they look?
On paper, the Red Raiders’ talent pool looks unstoppable.
Mazeo Bennett Mazeo Bennett 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Greenville | 2024 State SC , Blake Franks Blake Franks 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Greenville | 2024 State SC , and Jayden Wilson-Abrams Jayden Wilson-Abrams 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC give Greenville three of the most highly-ranked players in the 2024 class. Add in DL Bruce Knauber Bruce Knauber 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC , K Thomas Guererro Thomas Guererro 5'9" | 140 lbs | P Greenville | 2024 State SC , and youngsters in the defensive backfield in Christian Henderson Christian Henderson 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC and Ramani Bruton Ramani Bruton 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC , and the Raiders could make some noise in the 4A race.