Most Intriguing GSPD Week 0 Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 season is here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After months of prep work and weeks of talking season, teams will don the pads for real this week and start their respective paths. All of them have dreams of postseason success, and while nothing will be set in stone after this week, the powerhouses right on down to last fall's doormats are all 0-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along the Grand Strand and Pee Dee, five games in particular stand out, with nine of the 10 schools from those matchups coming from this zone. We've got interesting rematches from last fall where standouts came out of their shells and others who are set to do the same this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kingstree at Manning</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manning won this game 28-16 a year ago, and the score could be even closer this time around based upon how physical both teams are in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manning offensive linemen <strong>Jamon Brock</strong> and <strong>Javon Murray</strong> and tight end <strong>Jaylen Hammett</strong> were a big reason for the Monarch's 9-3 record last year behind a strong rushing attack. While that line will be a big aide for new quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360053' first='JaRae' last='Mitchell']</strong>, everything should be able to stay in place with that running game. Likewise, the defensive line has some length and should be a massive strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What happens along the lines will also dictate everything for Kingstree this fall. While two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='340390' first='James' last='Brockington'] might be the headliner of the bunch, <strong>Jafari Slay</strong> will be just as vital along the interior of both, as will offensive tackle/defensive tackle <strong>Malcolm Salters</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aynor at Wilson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ground-and-pound vs. pass-happy. These two styles offensive styles probably couldn't look much different. Now, factor in that last year Wilson won this season opener 27-26 and fans of both might just be in for another treat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Jackets are going to try to reduce possessions and keep the ball mostly on the ground. While they probably won't spread the carries as much as they did in the CNB Kickoff Classic last week (when 11 players recorded a carry in just 20 minutes of game action, expect plenty of touches from quarterback <strong>Rivers Johnson</strong> and tailbacks <strong>Cole Johnson</strong> and <strong>Alex Page</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Wilson, East Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='139297' first='Jyron' last='Waiters'] (pictured) will have a proverbial blanket tossed over him - on paper at least. That's not to say he won't get his touches, but there's a reason he only had seven yards against Aynor last season. Wilson will need to get fellow receivers up to speed quickly so that sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734485' first='Tristen' last='Howard']</strong> (5-foot-10, 155 pounds) can succeed in taking over for <strong>Tremel Echols</strong>, the one-year Wilson standout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Camden at Myrtle Beach</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myrtle Beach isn't looking for revenge as much as it is hoping it can show that this wasn't the same team as last year, when the Bulldogs systematically dismantled the Seahawks from start to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camden's 42-13 win was a product of a massive night from [player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White'] and his 344 total yards (200 passing, 144 rushing) and five touchdowns. Senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant'] (1,002 yards, seven touchdowns) is back in uniform, as his top tailback <strong>Averee Hickman</strong> and receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142669' first='Aidan' last='Heriot']</strong> (555 yards, five touchdowns).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those players will put Myrtle Beach's re-built defense on alert. The Seahawks will counter with a front seven that has no choice but to be productive. Linemen <strong>Sincere Bellam</strong>y, <strong>Trace Bower</strong> and <strong>Patrick St. John</strong> are all back, as are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267229' first='Antonio' last='Brown']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='267459' first='Ricky' last='Escobar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='395980' first='Ashton' last='Keith'] at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This looks to be another highly physical game, and those components will drive the bus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Myrtle Beach at Socastee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ask the rest of the coaches in Region VI-4A, and they'll tell you North Myrtle Beach is a potential sleeping giant again. Ask the rest of the coaches in Region V-5A, and they'll let you know that a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='139313' first='Rocco' last='Wojcik'] makes Socastee very dangerous again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Braves showed again last week during the CNB that the top priority is getting the ball from Wojcik to receivers [player_tooltip player_id='413888' first='Josh' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='771237' first='Quadir' last='Scott'] up the field. Both have home-run potential on every play and can make up for a lot of other ills, including the Braves' watered-down run game. Tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340389' first='Caden' last='O'Keefe']</strong> is still out for another few weeks, meaning any of the three aforementioned Socastee weapons probably also get some runs thrown their way, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chiefs are still developing the offense behind new starting quarterback <strong>Landon Cloninger</strong>, but receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='929482' first='Kaden' last='Gore']</strong> and tailback <strong>Nasir Turner</strong> (6-foot, 220 pounds) have the experience and look of boosting that progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two squads are fairly evenly matched in terms of the offensive and defensive lines, so the skill guys are going to be the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conway at Hartsville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are two teams both rowing in the same direction, even if one is moving much faster than the other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conway, under first-year coach Josh Pierce, is working to find ways to improve upon a defense that allowed 28 points per game. They got some help in transfer <strong>Lou Auguste</strong> along the defensive line and first-year starters <strong>Jkwon Brantley</strong> at defensive back and linebacker <strong>Makye Vereen</strong>. They'll be a nice addition to the likes of linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448994' first='Moses' last='Freshley']</strong> and returning <strong>Justin Hill</strong> in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The on-the-job training won't get much more difficult than the Week 0 matchup against a Hartsville offense that may be as ready to go as any team in all of Class 4A on that side of the ball. Tailbacks [player_tooltip player_id='208339' first='Carmello' last='McDaniel'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012592' first='Hakeem' last='Watters']</strong> are big threats, as is quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208342' first='McKendrie' last='Douglas'] and a slew of receivers ready to pounce while everyone is paying attention to the Red Foxes' split-T rushing attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->