20 Midlands Players To Watch in Week 0
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The high school football season begins this week in the Midlands. 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…
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Continue ReadingThe high school football season begins this week in the Midlands.
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.
Here’s a list of 20 Midlands players to watch in the season-opener:
Hasan Lee TE/WR, White Knoll
With leading wide receiver Austin Cunningham Austin Cunningham 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH White Knoll | 2024 State SC 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.
Stephen Collier Stephen Collier 6'3" | 210 lbs | WR River Bluff | 2025 State SC WR, River Bluff
He and quarterback Parker Murphy 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.
Drake Braddock Drake Braddock 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2024 State SC QB, Gilbert
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.
Lamarion Pearson Lamarion Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Lower Richland | 2024 State SC RB, Lower Richland
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.
Joshua Benson OL, Dutch Fork
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.
Caleb Pearson Caleb Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH CA Johnson | 2024 State SC QB, CA Johnson
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.
Aiden Mosely RB, AC Flora
With the graduation of Mr. Richland County Football Markel Townsend, 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.
Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC RB, Cardinal Newman
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 Duncan Skehan Duncan Skehan 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC .
Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC LB, Gray Collegiate
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.
KJ Golden KJ Golden 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Fairfield Central | 2024 State SC WR, Fairfield Central
The Lugoff-Elgin transfer provides another target for prolific sophomore quarterback Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'3" | 230 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2026 State SC . Opponents will not be able to just double-team leading receiver Tydarion Grier with Golden on the opposite side.
Will McQueen Will McQueen 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Hammond | 2024 State SC LB, Hammond
The Skyhawks’ leading tackler last season will have to assert his leadership skills to an inexperienced defense.
David Matthews David Matthews 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Ridge View | 2024 State SC LB, Ridge View
The senior tallied 88 tackles and three sacks last season and has stepped up his play during summer scrimmages.
David Alford DL, Spring Valley
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.
JT Lott DL, Saluda
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.
Donovan Murph Donovan Murph 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Irmo | 2026 State SC WR, Irmo
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 AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC and will open the offense in ways not seen since DeAree Rogers.
Azarian Yates Azarian Yates 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Crestwood | 2024 State SC RB, Crestwood
The All-Region VI-3A senior is as important to the Knights’ offense as All-State quarterback Javion Martin Javion Martin 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Crestwood | 2024 State SC . His success running the football will bring in more defenders at the line of scrimmage, opening passing opportunities.
Cam Sutton TE, Lexington
The Shrine Bowl prospect has reliable hands and is another key blocker upfront for the Wildcats. He will help open the field for quarterback Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC and the running game.
Mark’Quelle Moser Mark’Quelle Moser 6'4" | 365 lbs | OL Richland Northeast | 2024 State SC OL, Richland Northeast
“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 Will Wilson Will Wilson 6'1" | 220 lbs | QB Richland Northeast | 2025 State SC .
Hayden Burriss Hayden Burriss 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Chapin | 2024 State SC OL, Chapin
One of the strongest players on the Eagles who’s also capable of pass-catching from the tight end position.
Edward Robinson Edward Robinson 6'0" | 230 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2024 State SC DL, Blythewood
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.