Top Storylines Entering 2023 Season In The Midlands
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As teams acclimate to the torrid temperatures, high school football season is officially here. SCISA schools opened practice Thursday while the S.C. High School League followed on Friday. While most schools held their workouts in the early morning, others like…
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Continue ReadingAs teams acclimate to the torrid temperatures, high school football season is officially here.
SCISA schools opened practice Thursday while the S.C. High School League followed on Friday. While most schools held their workouts in the early morning, others like Airport opted for midnight action under the lights in West Columbia.
With the regular season three weeks away, here’s a look at seven storylines going into the 2023 season in the Midlands:
1. Can Dutch Fork extend its championship run?
The Silver Foxes returned to the top of Class 5A last season. It was their seventh state title in 10 years under head coach Tom Knotts.
His inaugural 2010 season marked the only time the program has found itself in rebuilding mode. Since then, Dutch Fork has found a way to reload even after graduating some of the top players in the state.
This past year was no exception. Running back and Mr. Football finalist Jarvis Green is at Clemson. Quarterback Aliam Appler, safeties Landon Danley and J’von Mack, linebacker Chandler Perry and defensive linemen Jaylon Hinton and John Buetow were among the talented seniors who graduated in the spring.
Looking to replace those starters are defensive back Elgin Sessions Elgin Sessions 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2025 State SC and outside linebacker Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC (pictured, right), both of whom have excelled at off-season camps. and Josh Smith return on the defensive line and Terrence Wells (pictured, left) is among the athletic standouts who can play at edge and linebacker.
On offense, Connor McGee is back at center and Jonathan Hunt and Ethan Offing are competing at starting quarterback.
In short, it’s business as usual at Dutch Fork.
2. Who can dethrone Dutch Fork in Region 4-5A?
The Silver Foxes have won nine straight region titles and currently own a 28-game winning streak in region play. Making last season’s Region 4-5A title even more impressive was the fact that every team at one point was ranked in the Top 10 of Class 5A.
Lexington appears poised to make a run at the top spot. It returns experience at key positions such as quarterback Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC , tight end Cam Sutton and linebacker Christian Sexton Christian Sexton 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC .
River Bluff is coming off a rebound season, although it will need a replacement for leading rusher Cooper Johns. Quarterback Parker Murray Parker Murray 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB River Bluff | 2025 State SC looks to improve in his second year as a starter.
White Knoll is coming off its first winning season since 2019. Many of its juniors and seniors are now three-year starters under head coach Nick Pelham such as quarterback Landon Sharpe Landon Sharpe 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB White Knoll | 2025 State SC , wide receiver Hasan Lee and linebacker Jaiden Kimble Jaiden Kimble 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC .
Chapin looks to become the rebound program in the region after finishing 3-8. Quarterback Brady Albro Brady Albro 5'10" | 190 lbs | QB Chapin | 2025 State SC will have young weapons at his disposal and the Eagles will have a different look on defense.
3. Which high-profile transfer will have the most success at their new school?
Among the two most high-profile transfers in the Midlands involve running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC from Gilbert to Irmo and linebacker Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC from Spring Valley to Gray Collegiate Academy.
Hendrix provides a physical presence out of the backfield and paired with quarterback AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC could make life difficult for defenders. Boulware joins an already formidable defense with linemen Zeb Taylor, Carter Stephens and Brookland-Cayce transfer Trequan Singleton, linebackers Kaine Williams Kaine Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Blake Croft and defensive backs Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , and Justin Pauling Justin Pauling 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC . In the SCISA ranks, former Camden running back Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC brings his 1,263 total yards and 17 touchdowns from Camden to Cardinal Newman. He and quarterback Duncan Skehan Duncan Skehan 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC should put up big numbers for the Cardinals.
4. Who’s the favorite to win Region 5-4A?
A.C. Flora finished undefeated in region play last season. While remaining solid on defense led by linebacker Albert Perkins Albert Perkins 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB AC Flora | 2024 State SC , the Falcons lost their “Big Three” on offense with Quarterback Carew Bates, running back Markel Townsend and receiver Chris Lofton.
If not forced to forfeit victories last season, Ridge View would have finished second in the region. A very hungry and motivated Blazers’ squad returns a bevy of wide receivers led by Jordon Gidron Jordon Gidron 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2026 State SC and versatile offensive lineman Joshua Ladd.
This could be the year Irmo emerges as the region champion. With quarterback AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC , running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC and an experienced defense, the Yellow Jackets will look to play with the consistency needed to get through region play.
Westwood, Richland Northeast and Lugoff-Elgin alll finished with losing records last season. The Redhawks have settled into second-year head coach Robert O’Connell’s system and currently have sophomores Carrington Carter and Nate Caldwell battling for the starting job.
Will Wilson Will Wilson 6'1" | 220 lbs | QB Richland Northeast | 2025 State SC is entrenched as the Cavaliers’ starter. He’s supported upfront by size on the offensive line with Mark’Quelle Moser Mark’Quelle Moser 6'4" | 365 lbs | OL Richland Northeast | 2024 State SC and Rashard Pickett and will have state championship offensive coordinator Gregory Ruff in his ear this season.
5. Which team can contend for the Class 3A title?
Camden, Brookland-Cayce and Gilbert have made strong playoff runs in recent years. Now add an improved Lower Richland into the mix and there’s four Midlands’ teams with a shot at coming out of the Lower State in Class 3A.
An injury suffered by quarterback Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC kept the Bulldogs from a third straight title game appearance. White is back and while the defense lost Mr. Football Xzavier McLeod to graduation, Camden still has leading tackler linebacker Wilson Nash Wilson Nash 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Camden | 2024 State SC to lead the younger players.
Both the Wildcats and Indians have battled back and forth for the Region 5-3A title the past six years. Each suffered significant losses on offense due to graduation and transfers, but still have enough talent to compete for the region title.
Will Young Will Young 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Brookland-Cayce | 2024 State SC replaces Tanner Staton at quarterback and will have an imposing offensive line with three seniors in three seniors in Kamden Sox Kamden Sox 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Brookland-Cayce | 2024 State SC , Jacory Jones and Jared Holmes and two juniors An’tohn Ford and O’Bryan Leaphart who both check in at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds.
Gilbert lost its entire backfield which accounted for the bulk of its offense. Quarterback Drake Braddock Drake Braddock 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2024 State SC went 7-1 after becoming the starter a month into the season. He will work with promising running backs Jalen Jay and Krew Morris Krew Morris 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Gilbert | 2025 State SC and an experienced defense.
Lower Richland lost to both Brookland-Cayce and Gilbert last season. It was the Diamond-Hornets’ first season in the region and head coach Marlin Taylor believes his team is ready to contend.
For openers, Lower Richland returns nine starters. Quarterback Marcus Smith finished with 1,645 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 664 yards and eight scores. He’ll be protected by an offensive line which returns six starters, including tackle Keyondre Richardson, wide receiver Jemarious Reaves and 1,000-plus yard running back Lamarion Pearson Lamarion Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Lower Richland | 2024 State SC . The defense returns defensive backs Ja’Mel Patterson Ja’Mel Patterson 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Lower Richland | 2024 State SC and Joshua Sims Joshua Sims 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Lower Richland | 2024 State SC , who combined for nine of the team’s 12 interceptions.
6. Which teams with new head coaches will have success this season?
Lexington head coach Dustin Curtis returned to his alma mater at a perfect time. The Wildcats have experience and depth to compete immediately, and the players are very much on the same page with Curtis.
Airport has hired its third coach in three years in Shane Fidler. He has a new starting quarterback in Jesse Hoover who has size and arm strength and Appalachian State commit Dylan Barbrey Dylan Barbrey 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Airport | 2024 State SC to anchor the offensive line. The Eagles are seeking their first winning season since 2019.
Spring Valley’s new head coach Nygel Pearson will bring in a spread offense. He has a veteran quarterback in Aden Jones and returning offensive linemen in Sirsaleem Stokes, Alan Hartwell Alan Hartwell 6'1" | 285 lbs | OL Spring Valley | 2024 SC and Joel Amos. The Vikings may have to rely early on their defense with KJ Griffin, Khalil Allen, and David Alford upfront and Will Smith and Devan Crumpton Devan Crumpton 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Spring Valley | 2024 State SC in the secondary.
In the same region, Blythewood had one of the biggest turnarounds last season. After going 3-6 and winless in Region 3-5A in 2021, the Bengals posted a 10-2 overall record and won the region with a perfect record. There is new leadership with James Martin moving up from defensive coordinator to head coach. Quarterback Harrison Collins Harrison Collins 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Blythewood | 2024 State SC had a solid junior season and has performed well during 7-on-7 scrimmages.
Heathwood Hall’s new head coach Rick Reetz inherited a starting quarterback in Patrick Belk Patrick Belk 5'11" | 200 lbs | QB Heathwood Hall | 2026 State SC . He threw for 1,497 yards as a freshman, 909 of which was caught by Thompson Dubose. The Highlanders return experience both on offense and defense.
7. Who are Midlands teams who could contend this season?
SCISA is where the other football dynasty in Richland County resides. Hammond won its sixth state title last year and first in the newly created Class 4A. The Skyhawks are projected favorites again, although Cardinal Newman has made player additions like running back Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC to contend.
Fairfield Central may get overlooked as it competes in the same Class 2A region as Gray Collegiate. The Griffins are loaded with talent, led by quarterback Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2026 State SC who head coach Demetrius Davis has declared the “best quarterback in South Carolina regardless of classification. Because of his size and downfield accuracy, McMillon has drawn comparisons with former Gaffney Mr. Football and South Carolina State quarterback Malcolm Long. Fairfield Central also has talent on defense with safety Christopher Pearson.
Crestwood is in a comparable situation competing in Region 6-3A with Camden. It does have one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Palmetto State in Javion Martin Javion Martin 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Crestwood | 2024 State SC . The Knights will bring in a bevy of young wide receivers in Jahiem Jones Jahiem Jones 6'1" | 180 lbs | TE Crestwood | 2025 State SC , Jeremie Richardson Jeremie Richardson 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Crestwood | 2025 State SC and Da’Shan Scrivens. The Oct. 20 matchup at Camden could determine whether Crestwood gets a favorable playoff seeding.
Meanwhile, county rival Sumter is coming off an 11-2 season in which it reached the third round of the Class 5A playoffs, The Gamecocks lost 22 seniors, including Class 5A All-State safety/running back Zyeir Gamble and linemen Mason Gregg and Alijah Brown, linebackers Jamal Taylor and William Dinkins,, safety Marquis Lane and placekicker Judah Keaton. They do bring back quarterback Pate Merchant Pate Merchant 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Sumter | 2024 State SC , running back John Peeples, defensive lineman Anthony Addison Anthony Addison 6'3" | 210 lbs | DL Sumter | 2025 State SC and athlete Camorrie Wells.