2023 Preview: Beaufort Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce Lybrand knows all about the respect that comes with winning a high school football state championship. But he also understands the challenges that come next. With several of last year's standouts leaving Lady's Island, Lybrand will look to an exciting young batch of talent and a strong group of experienced veterans to try to run it back and keep the SCHSL 3A title in the Lowcountry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Just excited for the challenge, something different,” Lybrand said. “New group of kids, a lot going on, so I'm interested to see how they'll respond. We'll evolve as the season goes along just like last year, and our guys have done a really good job of adapting to some new things.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 RECAP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13-1, 4-0 region</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Round:&nbsp; 52-0 W vs. Orangeburg-Wilkinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2nd Round: 45-42 W vs. Crestwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3rd Round: 31-21 W vs. Gilbert&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower State Championship: 30-21 W at Dillon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A State Championship: 41-31 W vs. Powdersville (at Benedict College)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds'], QB, 2025 </strong>- With his quick legs and strong instincts on the field, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds'] </strong>served as not just a game manager for the Eagles last year, but also a young star who could make plays on his own. With both of Beaufort's extraordinary running backs gone from last year, Bonds will have to create more plays of his own and make strong and smart decisions. He's shown he's certainly capable of taking on a large role and he has big-play potential any time he finds open space with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589010' first='Adrian' last='Lamb'], OL, 2024 </strong>- The heartbeat of Lybrand's offensive line, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589010' first='Adrian' last='Lamb']</strong> proved his weight in gold numerous times in the postseason to provide the catalyst to Beaufort's unstoppable ground attack. His tireless work on and off the field sets a tremendous example for the rest of his group to follow. Lamb's textbook footwork and unrelenting strength will be critical for the offense to stay rolling in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809756' first='Will' last='Codding'], LB, 2025 </strong>- An explosive beam of energy that continued to come up big down the stretch last year, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809756' first='Will' last='Codding']</strong> could be even better this coming year. With the quickness and strength to diagnose plays and surge to the football, Codding made several monstrous stops behind the line of scrimmage and on third downs. We should hear his name called a lot more on Friday nights in Lady's Island this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quion Rivers, LB 2024 </strong>- Like several others on this list, <strong>Quion Rivers</strong> was a big-play machine who really found his groove as the season went on. He saved his best stuff for when it mattered the most, including a game-changing pick at Dillon to send his Eagles to the state title game. Rivers has built a tremendous brand of hustle and physicality along with an excellent skill set in pass coverage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997373' first='Dom' last='Camacho'], DB 2024</strong> - A lethal blend of speed and relentless effort out on the field, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997373' first='Dom' last='Camacho']</strong> has developed all the tools to be a standout corner at the SCHSL 3A level.  He can fly to the ball-carrier with crisp and quick routes while using textbook technique to finish tackles and providing some physicality as well. He's been even more effective in pass coverage, showing the hops and the athleticism to jump in front of routes and make the big interceptions, including taking one to the house against Battery Creek. Camacho will be ready for a starring role in the secondary with a little more responsibility in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16259456/638b944ad225ce017c2133f4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64cd558d15415"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16259456/63435dcdbd74cb01d8e79009' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64cd558d1543f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colton Phares, ATH 2023</strong> - From dominating in the secondary, to starring in the backfield, to making video-game moves on kickoff and punt returns, Phares did it all and put the Eagles over the top in 2022. He's one of those special talents you won't find a way to replace.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kacy Fields, RB, 2023 - </strong>He didn't even start the year at running back, but at season's end he ran for over 2,000 yards and away from the rest of the SCHSL 3A competition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816748' first='Isaac' last='Smalls'], DB, 2026</strong>- This quick and agile corner gave the Eagles a strong preview of what's to come in the future: a versatile defender with great instincts and reaction to break up passes. Expect to see lots more of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816748' first='Isaac' last='Smalls'] </strong>on the field this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'], OL, 2026</strong>-<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] </strong>has a strong frame at 6-4 and 289 pounds and should slot right into an offensive line with high expectations this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036774' first='Amare' last='Patterson'], WR, 2027</strong>- The ultimate wild card of this group, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036774' first='Amare' last='Patterson']</strong> could be an under-the-radar sparkplug this year with his lethal quickness from the track-and-field circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->