2023 Preview: Greenville Red Raiders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What happens when you make your deepest playoff run since the early 1900s and you have a massive amount of talent coming back?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sky-high expectations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's where Greenville High finds itself this season. The Red Raiders are absolutely loaded, and everybody knows it. That's got the team, and coach Greg Porter, examining just what will translate as success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I expect every year that we play for the state title," Porter said. "We know a lot of things have to go the right way for that to happen, but that's how we're currently coaching. We know what this team has the potential to do."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of that potential surrounds that group of returners, the strength of which is along the offensive line, where all five starters return. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448975' first='Blake' last='Franks']</strong> is an absolute beast, and everybody knows what he brings to the table. But <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274871' first='Julius' last='Tate']</strong> is a D1 prospect beside him, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359112' first='Hunter' last='Taylor']</strong> is 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds and has collected a D1 offer, <strong>Zane Spence</strong> plays center and might be the Red Raiders' most consistent guy, and right tackle <strong>Mason Owens</strong> has what Porter calls "a nasty side", ideal for an offensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville's in great shape up front on the defensive side, too, with [player_tooltip player_id='209617' first='Jayden' last='Wilson-Abrams'] (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='242787' first='Bruce' last='Knauber'] terrorizing offenses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, it's settled up front. Here's a look at some other guys who will help get Greenville where they want to be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton']</strong> DB - Bruton was an All-Region player as a sophomore, and was probably the Red Raiders' best cover guy. He led the team in interceptions with six, and knocked down an additional seven passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raymone Whitner</strong> S - A massive free safety, the 6-foot-3, 200 pound Whitner is a big hitter and looks to be a disruptive force for Greenville's defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andy Young</strong> LS - Why is a long-snapper in this spot? Because, as Porter explains, he takes it seriously. Young, the grandson of legendary coach Andy Young, is a four-year starter, and a huge reason why the Red Raiders' special teams are so consistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163871' first='Mazeo' last='Bennett Jr'] </strong>ATH - "I could go on for days, but in a nutshell, he's our catalyst," Porter said of Bennett. "He's an inspiration. He's a role model. We want to protect him and allow him to have a great senior season."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not a whole lot more you can say. So just take a look:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14664038/63715f9fc1250a07c0f226e7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d4fc7e7667f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Brown</strong> WR - Greenville's game-breaking receiver is now down the road at Clemson, and the Red Raiders will have to find a way to replace a huge part of their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Krall</strong> WR - "He was overlooked a little bit, but he played a major part in our offense," Porter said. "We've got to find a guy who can do the things he did."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameron Perfator</strong> TE - "We'll miss him," Porter said. "He was a major asset in our running game, our protection schemes, and our offense. We'll probably have to use a committee of guys to duplicate his type of production."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daylon Johnson</strong> LB - The Red Raiders lost all their starting LBs from last year. Enter Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound transfer from Atlanta. Porter calls him "something special".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson']</strong> DB - Henderson isn't a secret. He's not an under-the-radar guy. He's ranked and highly-regarded. The Red Raiders also played almost the entire season without him, as he was lost early to a broken arm. He's back, and will make the secondary even better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->