What We Saw: CNB Kickoff Classic
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CONWAY | The 31st annual CNB Kickoff Classic against featured the nine programs from Horry County and nearby Waccamaw, again matching up in five 20-minute scrimmages at Coastal Carolina’s Brooks Stadium. The event, often considered the unofficial start to each…
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Continue ReadingCONWAY | The 31st annual CNB Kickoff Classic against featured the nine programs from Horry County and nearby Waccamaw, again matching up in five 20-minute scrimmages at Coastal Carolina’s Brooks Stadium.
The event, often considered the unofficial start to each team’s football season, allowed the 10 programs one more tune-up prior to the regular-season openers next Friday. Here are the run-down from each of the 10 games.
Game 1: Myrtle Beach 27, Green Sea Floyds 0
Myrtle Beach needed little time to establish its dominance over the Class A Trojans. A blocked punt less than 6 minutes into the contest was recovered by Seahawk junior linebacker Ashton Keith Ashton Keith 5'10" | 215 lbs | LB Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC in the end zone to open the scoring.
Before long, it was a blowout.
Chasing a Green Sea Floyds’ fumble on the ensuing possession, first-year starting Myrtle Beach quarterback Gibson Goodroe Gibson Goodroe 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC (pictured) hit receiver John Simmons John Simmons 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC for a 30-yard touchdown. Two drives later, tailback Malachi Washington Malachi Washington 6'2" | 185 lbs | DL SC (seven carries, 71 yards) added a 33-yard touchdown run, weaving through a little bit of traffic in the process.
Reserve Michael Cohen, a 5-foot-7, 160-pound running back, finished it off with a 12-yard touchdown run with less than five minutes to go.
It was Myrtle Beach’s last gimme, as the Seahawks will play host to Class 3A powerhouse Camden to open the 2023 season next Friday.
Game 2: Socastee 7, Aynor 0
Aynor’s patented Hammer offense moved the ball, but none of its 11 ball carriers could do what Socastee quarterback Rocco Wojcik Rocco Wojcik 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Socastee | 2024 State SC did with just 43 seconds remaining.
The senior and fourth-year starter busted a run up the gut for an 11-yard touchdown in what amounted to the only score of the game. It capped a successful drive in which the Braves utilized each of their big three in the two-minute offense. Earlier in the series, Wojcik hit senior receiver Quadir Scott Quadir Scott 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Socastee | 2024 State SC for a 22-yard reception. On the next play, it was Wojcik to Josh Brown Josh Brown 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Socastee | 2025 State SC for 23.
Wojcik add a nine-yard pass to JC Beacham before ripping off back-to-back 11-yard runs, including the game winner with less than a minute to go.
Aynor’s aforementioned running acumen went for 81 yards on 23 carries, the bulk of which came on an 18-play, 56-yard drive that spanned 10:57. Socastee ended it when the Blue Jackets turned it over on downs.
Aynor was led in rushing by Rivers Johnson (six carries, 20 yards), Alex Page (three carries, 16 yards), and Cole Johnson (four carries, 12 yards).
Game 3: Conway 20, Waccamaw 3
Like any other time Conway takes the field, all eyes were on Tigers quarterback Devin Grainger Devin Grainger 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Conway | 2024 State SC .
And the Tigers senior didn’t disappoint.
Grainger completed six-of-nine passes for 134 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 25 yards and a score in the 20-minute session against Waccamaw. The performance included a 58-yard home run ball to receiver Chris quick with just 13 seconds remaining, capping a two-play, 70-yard drive.
Conway tailback Trevon Washington Trevon Washington 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Conway | 2024 SC scored the Tigers’ other points on an 18-yard run. Washington ended with three carries for 44 yards and that score.
Warriors kicker Jake DiMaria scored his team’s only points on a 31-yard uncontested field goal with 30 seconds left.
Waccamaw utilized Andre Grate Andre Grate 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Waccamaw | 2026 State SC and Colin Behney at quarterback following the graduation of Jaret Yonker and an injury to AJ Grate, who is injured and out for what looks like at least a 6-8 more weeks, according to head coach Amondre Johnson.
Waccamw’s other best chance to score was ended when linebacker Na’Jere Green stopped Waccamaw’s LJ Edwards one yard short at the 17-yard line on a fourth and three
Game 4: Carolina Forest 21, Loris 0
Carolina Forest brought the defense.
First, Panthers defensive back Jamauri Davis Jamauri Davis 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB Carolina Forest | 2024 State SC was his normal self, making big tackles and (while he was eventually flagged for a pass interference) making a beautiful one-handed interception.
Junior corner Zayveon Winns picked off a deflected Jackson Huff Jackson Huff 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Loris | 2025 State SC pass and took it back 82 yards for a touchdowns a little over 3 minutes into the session.
And linebacker Brayln Fernandes picked up a fumble by Loris backup quarterback Moon Gerald Moon Gerald 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Loris | 2026 State SC and took it back 12 yards for a second defensive score.
Those two defensive touchdowns sandwiched one from Panthers’ running back Kalil Johnson Kalil Johnson 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Carolina Forest | 2024 State SC with 6:38 to go. Johnson started off what ended up being a 98-yard scoring series by breaking off a 57 yarder from Carolina Forest’s own 2-yard line. In that series alone, he had five carries for 72 yards.
First-year starting quarterback Ethan Hamilton Ethan Hamilton 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Carolina Forest | 2024 State SC also looked the part, completed his one pass attempt near the sideline and picking up a 17-yard run on a fourth-and-one that set up Johnson’s touchdown.
Loris’ offense is clearly built around quick throws from Huff. He brought Quantez Dyson, Zhimire Herring and Damarius Campbell to the forefront of a rebuilt receiving corps.
Game 5: St. James 21, North Myrtle Beach 6
Cooper Kelly caught four passes and added a 12-yard run in his limited time on the St. James varsity last year. Against North Myrtle Beach in the final scrimmage of the night, he certainly looked like another weapon we’ll be hearing about plenty this year.
Kelly, a 5-foot-7, 140-pound receiver, scored a 27-yard touchdown on one option pitch and took another that put the Sharks inside the red zone. The speedster added a great component to a rushing attack that too often has been all about quarterback Connor Schwalm Connor Schwalm 5'11" | 205 lbs | QB St. James | 2024 State SC .
For what it’s worth, Schwalm is still there. He broke off a 50-yard score of his own (on an option keeper) that put St. James up 14-0 early.
After a botched punt snap gave the Sharks the ball on 5-yard line on their first possession, St. James handed the ball off to tailback Kiondre Haynes three times, the last of which was good for the 1-yard score.
After Schwalm’s touchdown, Chiefs’ running back Nasir Turner had a four-yard touchdown run with 12:38 to go.
That’s where the score stayed until Kelly’s run, thanks to a Syncere Jefferson‘s field goal block with 10 minutes to play.