20 Midlands Players To Watch in Week 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school football season begins this week in the Midlands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are plentiful stories among the 30-plus teams in the area. From transfer impacts to returning starters, Week 0 is an opportunity for players to further those storylines or create new ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a list of 20 Midlands players to watch in the season-opener:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hasan Lee</strong> TE/WR, White Knoll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With leading wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham']</strong> out for eight weeks with a left leg injury, look for the Timberwolves to lean on productive senior tight end. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Lee (pictured) had 30 receptions for 548 yards and eight touchdowns. This included three straight 100 receiving yard games. He's attracted interest from South Carolina, Tennessee Tech, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier']</strong> WR, River Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He and quarterback <strong>Parker Murphy</strong> were a potent combination for the Gators. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior had 32 receptions for 356 yards and five touchdowns last season. Fully recovered from offseason surgery to repair his left labrum, expect Collier to increase those numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock']</strong> QB, Gilbert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving up to starting quarterback in mid-season, he led the Indians to a 6-1 record, the Region V-3A title and two playoff victories. With the Indians' backfield now without its two 1,000-yard backs, Braddock will look to carry the offense as head coach Chad Leaphart looks to develop new running backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771221' first='Lamarion' last='Pearson']</strong> RB, Lower Richland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior is already on the list of Top 75 Mr. Football candidates. He rushed for 1,124 yards and 17 touchdowns last season and will run behind an offensive line which returns six starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joshua Benson</strong> OL, Dutch Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-7 junior guard caught the attention of scouts during the summer. He earned a “Golden Ticket” for the Joanne Langfitt Junior Showcase Dec. 8 at Doug Shaw Stadium. After playing mostly junior varsity last year, he will get an early test facing nationally ranked Colquitt County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142538' first='Caleb' last='Pearson']</strong> QB, CA Johnson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets' “Iron Man” was the Region III-A Player of the Year in 2022 after making the transition to quarterback. This season, he's expected to see time both on offense and defense at cornerback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiden Mosely </strong>RB, AC Flora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the graduation of Mr. Richland County Football <strong>Markel Townsend</strong>, the Falcons will turn to the 6-foot junior who rushed for 474 yards and nine touchdowns despite injuries. He's also a proven receiving threat out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane']</strong> RB, Cardinal Newman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Camden transfer provides another big weapon on offense for the Cardinals. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, he should be able to overpower defenders in SCISA and provide an offensive balance with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='589049' first='Duncan' last='Skehan'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong> LB, Gray Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to see a “Bear” smile? Check the expression on Gray Collegiate defensive coordinator Howard “The Bear” Bayer when he sees his talented, experienced defense which will now have the Spring Valley transfer for the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142804' first='KJ' last='Golden']</strong> WR, Fairfield Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lugoff-Elgin transfer provides another target for prolific sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']</strong>. Opponents will not be able to just double-team leading receiver <strong>Tydarion Grier</strong> with Golden on the opposite side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947684' first='Will' last='McQueen']</strong> LB, Hammond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Skyhawks' leading tackler last season will have to assert his leadership skills to an inexperienced defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728148' first='David' last='Matthews']</strong> LB, Ridge View</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior tallied 88 tackles and three sacks last season and has stepped up his play during summer scrimmages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Alford</strong> DL, Spring Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New head coach Nygel Pearson called the 5-foot-11, 190-pound defensive end one of his top leaders. A fierce pass rusher who's also solid stopping the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JT Lott</strong> DL, Saluda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big reason for the Tigers' success in two sports last season was the play of the sophomore defensive end. He led the team with 60 tackles and six sacks in football and helped the basketball team win its first region title in 20 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph']</strong> WR, Irmo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore transfer out of Maryland has already created a “buzz” for the Yellow Jackets. He's a deep threat on every play for quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] </strong>and will open the offense in ways not seen since <strong>DeAree Rogers</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997149' first='Azarian' last='Yates']</strong> RB, Crestwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The All-Region VI-3A senior is as important to the Knights' offense as All-State quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='589009' first='Javion' last='Martin']. His success running the football will bring in more defenders at the line of scrimmage, opening passing opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cam Sutton</strong> TE, Lexington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shrine Bowl prospect has reliable hands and is another key blocker upfront for the Wildcats. He will help open the field for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines'] and the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771236' first='Mark'Quelle' last='Moser']</strong> OL, Richland Northeast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Big Country” has proven to be a mainstay on the Cavaliers' offensive line. At 6-feet-4 and 250 pounds, he provides solid protection from the left guard position for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771240' first='Hayden' last='Burriss']</strong> OL, Chapin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the strongest players on the Eagles who's also capable of pass-catching from the tight end position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771091' first='Edward' last='Robinson']</strong> DL, Blythewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior made an immediate impact last season for the region champion Bengals. He tallied 115 tackles, 37 for loss, 25 sacks and nine forced fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->