2023 Preview: Lower Richland Diamonds

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lower Richland is going to try and take an experienced offense and a youthful defense to improve on a 6-6 finish that included a second-round playoff exit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Diamonds started the season 1-6 (they received a forfeit at season's end to erase one of those losses) before they found their footing to win four in a row before suffering a heartbreaking 29-26 loss to Camden to end the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marlin Taylor has an offensive line that includes multiple-year starters in <strong>Braxton Richardson</strong>, <strong>Will Scott</strong> and <strong>Cam Scott</strong> among others. <strong>Marcus Smith</strong> returns at QB, but the receiving corps will be young and inexperienced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense will have an experienced secondary, but the defensive line and linebackers will be young.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That mix of talent has coach Marlin Taylor having high hopes from his group from Hopkins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We aren't the deepest team in (Class) 3A but sometimes that might help us,” Taylor said. "They understand the grind and that it never stops. We can't afford many injuries, but I like this group. We have some guys that's been through it before and a bunch of young guys that will have to grow up in a hurry.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Smith </strong>QB, 2024 – Smith continued to grow as the season progressed last season. He finished with 1,645 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with 664 rushing yards and eight scores. Smith will be missing his top two pass catchers from a year ago. He's gotten slightly bigger and stronger, and the hope is that translates to better numbers this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142834' first='Shemar' last='Glover']</strong> OL, 2024 – Glover will be a 3-year starter and he's progressed every season. He plays left guard and his ability to pull and lead the rushing attack is a key. Pass protection has gotten better and will lead to him playing at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771221' first='Lamarion' last='Pearson'] </strong>RB, 2024 – Pearson is only 5-foot-9, 160 pounds but he still doesn't mind running between the tackles. He ran for 1,124 yards and 17 touchdowns a season ago. He reads blocks well and sort of hides behind the big bodies until he can find a seam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ja'Mel Patterson</strong> DB, 2024 – One of two all-state guys in the secondary, Patterson finished the year with four interceptions to go along with 64 tackles. He can play on an island but also doesn't mind coming up in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771235' first='Joshua' last='Sims'] </strong>DB, 2024 – Sims was also all-state and finished with a team best five interceptions and 44 tackles. He can match up with bigger receivers in one-on-one matchups but also excels in a zone scheme. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771036' first='Dakarai' last='Sumter']</strong> OL, 2024 – The progress of Sumter has been something to watch. When he first started playing on the varsity, it was difficult for him to get in a 3-point stance. But since then, he's changed his body composition and he stands out with a 6-foot-8, 320-pound frame. Sumter is one of the top workers on the team. His understanding of the offense allows the Diamonds to do a lot of different things with him from the left tackle position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16044532/63d923444deb6f0594459b57' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64cb1b9f387ed"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deamonti Garrett </strong>DE –The Diamonds defensive end finished with a team-best 75 tackles and seven sacks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mekhi Campfield </strong>WR – Campfield combined with <strong>Nate Branch</strong> for a great 1-2 punch. Campfield was the leader with 57 receptions for 919 yards and seven touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267324' first='Ophir' last='Hill'] </strong>LB, 2026 – Hill will lead a youthful defense that must grow up in a hurry. Hill played as a freshman, but his role will increase this season. By the time region play begins, Taylor expects this group to be ready to jump into the fire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javon Young</strong> WR, 2026 – Young might end up reminding fans of the recently departed Nate Branch. He's shifty, can take it the distance if he gets a step on the defense and has big-play potential written all over him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Gee</strong> LB, 2026 – Another youngster that will have to grow up quickly. Gee saw action last season and he will be counted on this year to be a catalyst on the front of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Best </strong>DB,2026 – Best saw starting time last year as a freshman and he will fit right in this year as a full-time starter. He brings a toughness to the secondary that will help in both defending the run and the pass.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->