Players To Watch At Aun And McKay Kickoff Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time in nine years, the Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic will take place off the Chapin campus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stadium renovations to Cecil Woolbright Field resulted in the preseason event moving to Winnsboro at Fairfield Central. The status of the Eagles' home opener against Irmo Aug. 19 remains in question as school officials await approval Friday from state inspectors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's also one less scrimmage this year at the Classic with only six teams participating in the 12-quarter scrimmages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lower numbers, however, does not mean a shortage of talent to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GAME ONE: Chapin vs. Gray Collegiate, 6:30 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles find themselves in the rare position as playing in the opening Classic matchup. They are coming off a 3-8 season and competing in an even more competitive Region IV-5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> will get tested against an experienced, physical War Eagles' defense. He will have a bevy of targets with <strong>Isaiah Green</strong>,<strong> Jonathan Sheppard</strong>, <strong>Khalen Bostick</strong>, <strong>Weldon Gunter</strong> and<strong> Jacob Nerone</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapin is also expected to have a more productive running game with sophomore <strong>John Rossi </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin'].</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense lost a couple of top tacklers to graduation but returned defensive linemen senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771240' first='Hayden' last='Burriss'] </strong>and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395031' first='Caden' last='Muskus']</strong>. The secondary underwent some scheme changes and look to play more aggressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Chapin seeks a rebound season, the War Eagles have higher aspirations in Class 2A. Two years removed from winning their first state title, the team returns 15 starters and added a couple of transfers expected to contribute immediately.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Headlining that list is sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong> at linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound son of the former NFL linebacker of the same name comes over from Spring Valley and joins a loaded defense with all-state talent both upfront and within the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line is led by Class 2A All-State senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor']</strong>, 6-foot-4, 265-pound senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1001124' first='JT' last='Sowell'], Carter Stephens,</strong> and Brookland-Cayce transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359229' first='Trequan' last='Singleton']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams']</strong> was the leading tackler for Gray Collegiate last season. He will face a challenge holding that title with Boulware, four-year letterman <strong>Blake Croft</strong> and <strong>Blaine Redmond.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Gray Collegiate's defensive back and wide receiver positions will have the same effective players. <strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett']</u> </strong>is one of the team's best blocking wide receivers and will be paired with [player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord'] - who verbally committed to South Carolina State on Thursday - and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997302' first='Justin' last='Pauling']. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] has stood out during 7-on-7 scrimmages this summer where he's taken more snaps. <strong>Dre'von Dopson</strong> was moved cornerback. Running backs <strong>BJ Montgomery</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford'] </strong>bring experience and the receiving corps is deep with <strong>Savion Smith</strong>, <strong>Connor Holmes</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job'] </strong>alongside Offord<strong>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GAME TWO: Irmo vs. Mid-Carolina, 7:30 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irmo quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] </strong>put on a show with his arm and legs in earning Offensive MVP honors at last year's Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets promised to be even more explosive on offense this year with the arrival of two key transfers. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> his bruising style to Irmo while wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] </strong>(pictured) moved in from Our Lady in Good Counsel in Olney, Md.. He is expected to further open the field with his speed and ability to get open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Center <strong>Bryant Hamm</strong> is a college prospect and leads the Irmo offensive line. The defense has several returning starters, including defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1146256' first='Xavier' last='Montgomery']</strong>, linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996940' first='Jylil' last='Favor']</strong>, free safety <strong>DeMarkio Campbell</strong> and cornerbacks <strong>Malachi Smith</strong> and<strong> Isaiah McCrary</strong>.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a tough task for a Rebels' program which has posted just one winning season in the past 10 years. Even more challenging is replacing Class A All-State running back <strong>Anthony Wicker </strong>and all-region selections in wide receiver <strong>AJ Jackson </strong>and defensive end <strong>Michael Lindler</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the returning Mid-Carolina players are running back<strong> Keshon Williams, </strong>linebacker <strong>Braeden Wessinger</strong> and defensive back <strong>Jaxson Moody</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GAME THREE: Fairfield Central vs. Spring Valley 8:30 p.m.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Classic finale could be nicknamed the “Buddy Bowl”.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both head coaches Demetrius Davis of Fairfield Central and Nygel Pearson of Spring Valley played and served as assistant coaches under South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis played quarterback at Fairfield Central under Pough, who later coached Pearson at offensive tackle for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The comparisons end there as Davis brings a seasoned Griffins team to Winnsboro, while Pearson is entering his inaugural season with the Vikings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect the ball in the air constantly during this scrimmage. Fairfield Central quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']</strong> is already a strong college prospect as a sophomore after having posting some of the state's best numbers as a freshman quarterback last season (3,319 yards, 13 TDs).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide receivers <strong>Jai Boyd</strong> and <strong>TyDarian Grier</strong> are among McMillon's favorite targets. On defense, linebacker <strong>Myles Robertson</strong> is a disrupter and defensive back <strong>Christopher Pearson</strong> has the build, speed and technique to become one of the better cover men in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearson promised a spread offense for the Vikings. Quarterback <strong>Aden Jones</strong> will look to lead the new offense with four returning offensive linemen in <strong>Sir Stokes</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404456' first='Alan' last='Hartwell'] </strong>, <strong>Robert McGriff</strong> and <strong>Joel Amos</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the transfer of Boulware, the Vikings are still experienced on the defensive line with <strong>Jonas Wilson, KJ Griffin</strong>, <strong>Khalil Allen</strong>, and <strong>David Alford</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->