Inside The 2024 Rankings: Impact Guys Can Spark A Run

You've heard it a hundred times.   "Team X will go as far as Player Y will take them".   We're not stepping out to make that particular announcement yet. But, there are a ton of guys in the 2024 rankings who CAN have that kind of an impact. Who needs to play well to keep his team in the running deep into November? Glad you asked. Here's a look at 10 (okay, 11) ranked seniors who can serve as barometers for their teams' title hopes. We'll give you one Upper State and one Lower State guy per classification. They're not the only factors for postseason longevity, but you can't say we didn't tell you how important they'll be.   [player_tooltip player_id='267454' first='Chris' last='Foster'] DL, Byrnes   Foster is the unquestioned leader of Byrnes' defensive front. He rushes the passer, he stops the run, he generally creates havoc wherever he goes. And, he's hungry, having missed last year's playoff run due to a car accident before the Rebels' first-round game. He's come back with a vengance, and has 39 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks this season as the Rebels give up just 10 points per game.     [player_tooltip player_id='997237' first='Pate' last='Merchant'] QB, Sumter   The Gamecocks have a pair of junior RBs who are drawing a lot of attention, but the secret to their long-term success will be the ability to be balanced offensively. That's where Merchant comes in. He's quietly thrown for 700 yards and five TDs midway through the season, and does more than make Sumter's opponents play honest - he's a threat to take over a game.     [player_tooltip player_id='139310' first='Dee' last='Robertson'] WR, Westside   All Robertson has done in his career is all that Westside has asked him to do. He's played running back, including this season. He's played enough defense as a senior to record a couple of tackles and a tackle for loss. And with standout receiver [player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'] limited to defense-only early in the year thanks to an injury and playing with a club on his hand? Robertson has stepped up to become the Rams second-leading receiver. When Boston gets back, Robertson will be yet another weapon, and a crucial one.     [player_tooltip player_id='208333' first='Slayton' last='Stokes'] C, Hartsville   Talk all you want about Hartsville's vaunted rushing attack, and you absolutely should. A bunch of talented backs chew up yardage and spit out defenders - and points. But it all starts up front with Stokes. He's the trigger for every play, and he's exactly what you're looking for in a center. He's smart, quick, physical, and quite possibly the best at his position in the state across all classes, a reputation backed up by his play and by his Shrine Bowl selection.     [player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray'] QB, Chapman   There are a half-dozen teams who are considered among the front-runners for the 3A Upper State title, all of them have standout QB play, but none of them are quite as intriguing as Gray. He often puts the Panthers on his back, and he brings a unique skillset. He throws like a QB, runs like a fullback with speed, and hits like a LB. Gray has thrown for more than 1,200 yards, rushed for almost 500 more, accounted for 18 TDs, and authored what might be this season's signature upset so far in Chapman's win over Byrnes.     [player_tooltip player_id='997204' first='Sharod' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='589051' first='KJ' last='Asbury'] RBs, Philip Simmons   The Iron Horses might be the sleeper team in all of 3A. They've put together a 6-0 start, and Williams and Asbury are most of the reason why offensively. They're running behind a massive, talented offensive line, and they've got plenty of talent themselves. Asbury has run for 1,062 and 15 TDs already this season, while Williams is at 847 yards and 14 scores. If they can continue to complement each other, the Iron Horses are in for a long season in the best way.     [player_tooltip player_id='996874' first='Jaevion' last='Harris'] DL, Abbeville   One of just 12 seniors for the Panthers, Harris is a force defensively. He announced his presence with a huge game in last year's 2A state title contest, and he's only getting better. He'll go a long way toward helping provide a strong senior influence if the young Panthers are going to make another championship run.   [player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] ATH, Hampton County   The Hurricanes are off to a blazing start in their first year of consolidation, and could be a big factor in the 2A Lower State playoffs. Dobson is a huge factor in Hampton County's success, having already rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He's also thrown passes and added a TD reception, and he's a part-time contributor on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'] RB, Christ Church   This one isn't much of a secret, and there's no sneaking up on anybody. Reeder was the offensive spark for the Cavaliers' run to the state championship a year ago, and he's been producing again this season. He's got 766 rushing yards and nine TDs through Christ Church's first six games, and he hasn't had a huge workload, by his standards, with 118 carries so far. If the Cavaliers can keep him even a little bit fresh come playoff time, they'll be in a great position.   [player_tooltip player_id='996926' first='Jamarion' last='Jones'] RB, Latta   The Vikings are off to a 6-0 start, and look like a major factor in the 1A Lower State race. Jones is their workhorse. He's got 1,235 yards and 19 TDs already on the season, and makes up the bulk of Latta's offense. Jones shows speed, elusiveness, balance, and an uncanny knack for bouncing off (or running through) contact for extra yards. He'll pace the Vikings as far as they can go.

You've heard it a hundred times.