2023 Preview: Socastee Braves

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben Hampton doesn't want to look back, but in order to move forward, the Socastee coach knew he'd better learn from 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Case in point, a monster-sized monkey wrench was thrown into the Braves' plans when quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='139313' first='Rocco' last='Wojcik'] was knocked out for the season after just two games, something that gave Hampton no choice but to move receiver and former quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='771237' first='Quadir' last='Scott'] behind center. The dominoes continued to fall, as no one could take Scott's place on the outside, and the plans to have him also play on the defensive ball were nixed because of the risk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering the 2023 season, then, Hampton has devised a scheme to keep Wojcik on the field, and it's all about pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've got to protect him,” Hampton said. “We've got Quadir, and he's going to be playing some quarterback for us, but Rocco's that guy. He's the guy that knows our entire offense. You have to run [fast]. You have to practice that way. We can always slow it down. That's not something you can hop in last minute.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reasons behind it aren't just about what happened last season, but also what Hampton has at his disposal this fall. Four starting offensive linemen graduated after last season. The fourth-year coach has faith in newcomers <strong>Emari Nicholson</strong>, <strong>Devan Zanca</strong>, <strong>Nolan Sellers</strong> and <strong>Josiah Caldwell</strong>, the first-year starters joining returning left tackle Will Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But they're keeping Hampton on his toes, just the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hope, of course, is that by August 18 - when North Myrtle Beach comes in to open the season - and beyond that they've gelled enough to let receiver [player_tooltip player_id='413888' first='Josh' last='Brown'], Wojcik and Scott (pictured above) the time they need to keep the quick pass-and-run game moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If it does, and everyone stays where they're supposed to be, it dramatically increases the Braves' chances of putting last year's 2-8 record fully behind them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139313' first='Rocco' last='Wojcik']</strong> QB, 2024 - Fully healed from last year's season-ending collarbone injury in the team's second game, Wojcik is one of the area's truest dual-threat quarterbacks. He has his sights set on a 2,000-yard campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771237' first='Quadir' last='Scott']</strong> WR, 2024 - Without a doubt Socastee's most diverse player, Scott is going to start in the slot while also taking pistol snaps and more traditional quarterback reps while also playing some defensive back. He's capable of handling it all in stride.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='413888' first='Josh' last='Brown']</strong> WR, 2025 -&nbsp; Brown is no longer the raw sophomore who burst onto the scene during a jamboree a year ago. He's a developing route runner who can take the top off on every single down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Hall </strong>OL, 2024 - The Braves' 6-foot-2, 250-pound left tackle is the lone returning starter on the line, but he's got all the skills necessary to pad some of the blow from the other departures.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340389' first='Caden' last='O'Keefe']</strong> RB, 2024 - While O'Keefe is still recovering from an offseason injury, he's already a big part of the Braves' plans on offense this season. The 5-foot-6 tailback rushed for 356 tough yards last season while being used primarily between the tackles. However, he can catch the ball out of the backfield some and is also often used as an extra blocker when needed, something everyone expects to happen plenty this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14375385/634ac2b1b3c8d10b981c0063' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b85b2d21c27"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arber Lekani</strong> LB - The middle linebacker was the heart and soul of the Braves' defense a year ago, leading the team with 55.5 tackles, three tackles for loss and a pair of forced fumbles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brett Smith</strong> LB - The team's second-leading tackler was the Braves' biggest backfield disruptor, putting up nine tackles for loss to go along with 46.5 stops.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dean Garner</strong> DL, 2024 - Like Wojcik, Garner's 2022 season was cut short by a collarbone injury. Had that not happened, the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder would be a full two-year starter at tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayes Hardwick</strong> WR, 2026 - The 5-foot-8, 150-pounder was initially supposed to be in the slot before he forced his way outside. Still, he can play any of the team's four receiver positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Bollinger</strong> DB, 2025 - The 5-11, 180 pounder was called up from JV after having a great offseason in the weight room, earning the nickname “Navy Seal” from his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->