2023 Preview: Greenville Red Raiders
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What happens when you make your deepest playoff run since the early 1900s and you have a massive amount of talent coming back? Sky-high expectations. That’s where Greenville High finds itself this season. The Red Raiders are absolutely loaded, and…
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Continue ReadingWhat happens when you make your deepest playoff run since the early 1900s and you have a massive amount of talent coming back?
Sky-high expectations.
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.
“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.”
A lot of that potential surrounds that group of returners, the strength of which is along the offensive line, where all five starters return. Blake Franks Blake Franks 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Greenville | 2024 State SC is an absolute beast, and everybody knows what he brings to the table. But Julius Tate Julius Tate 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL Greenville Senior Highschool | 2024 SC is a D1 prospect beside him, Hunter Taylor is 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds and has collected a D1 offer, Zane Spence plays center and might be the Red Raiders’ most consistent guy, and right tackle Mason Owens has what Porter calls “a nasty side”, ideal for an offensive lineman.
Greenville’s in great shape up front on the defensive side, too, with Jayden Wilson-Abrams Jayden Wilson-Abrams 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC (pictured) and Bruce Knauber Bruce Knauber 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC terrorizing offenses.
So, it’s settled up front. Here’s a look at some other guys who will help get Greenville where they want to be.
STARS SET TO SHINE
Ramani Bruton Ramani Bruton 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC 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.
Raymone Whitner 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.
Andy Young 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.
FILM REVIEW
Mazeo Bennett Mazeo Bennett 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Greenville | 2024 State SC 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.”
There’s not a whole lot more you can say. So just take a look:
BIGGEST LOSSES
Tyler Brown 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.
Luke Krall 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.”
Cameron Perfator 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.”
UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL
Daylon Johnson 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”.
Christian Henderson Christian Henderson 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC 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.