Touchstone Energy Bowl Breakdown: GSPD Selections

Eleven players from the Grand Strand and Pee Dee were selected for the 76th annual Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, to be played December 9 at Myrtle Beach's Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.   While three of the picks will be defensive-first contributors, the zone's reach in the all-star game was clearly offensive first.   From two leading members of one of the state's best offenses to four who will be expected to lead in the trenches, the GSPD is ready to play a big role for this year's South squad.   DEFENSIVE SELECTIONS   Oddly enough, one of the players from this zone picked for the game has spent the majority of the year playing quarterback for his team. West Florence senior [player_tooltip player_id='443495' first='Franklin' last='Emerson'] was tapped to lead the Knights' offense early in the season after serving as the team's primary backup at the position. Still, Emerson is a linebacker first and foremost. He had 10.5 tackles and three tackles for loss in the season opener against Lexington and is undoubtedly one of the state's top linebackers when he suiting up on defense.    Joining him on that side of the ball are Latta safety/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='448981' first='Kartrell' last='Townsend'] - who has already notched 40 tackles, five tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions this year - and Carvers Bay's Jasaia Young, who, like Emerson, has also played extensively on offense this year but is being called up first for his prowess at corner. Don't be surprised if he's in on all three phases of the game, as he often is for the Bears.    IN THE TRENCHES   The GSPD's biggest influence on this game is clearly the home site. For 2023, the next one will be along the offensive line.   Carolina Forest left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='997135' first='Phillip' last='McLean'] has played a monster role for the Panthers and what now appears to be a presumed region title after last week's huge win over normal Region V-5A front runner Sumter. Carolina Forest is averaging 310 yards per game on the ground this year.   Dillon isn't far behind (250 rushing yards per game), thanks in large part to right tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1142578' first='Jayden' last='Benjamin'] (pictured). Playing opposite Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='139295' first='Josiah' last='Thompson'] gives the Wildcats arguably the most impressive bookends in the entire state, and those two are among the reasons Dillon is included in a small list of leaders in the Class 3A state title conversation.   The other two players on this portion of the list are no strangers to that talk.   South Florence block-first tight end [player_tooltip player_id='393028' first='Rodney' last='Lesane'] is going to be expected to shore up the edge of the line for the South team come December much like he has most of the last two seasons for a Bruins team that hasn't lost a game since 2021.   His regular teammate - Bruins left guard [player_tooltip player_id='589058' first='Justin' last='Joe'] - has established himself as one of the most consistent interior linemen in South Carolina. Because of multiple season-ending injuries on the offensive side of the ball, Joe has been needed to help solidify South Florence's best chance to continue to win games, running the ball.     SKILL POSITION PICKS   If the South squad gets into the end zone on December 9, there's a solid chance it will be one of the GSPD's four skill-position selections who crosses that line.    Andrews fullback [player_tooltip player_id='448998' first='Lavon' last='White'] was the only true fullback picked for the game. However, the Yellow Jackets' system is one that features the position and White will have no issue transitioning to a more traditional sets. He's got 13 rushing touchdowns in seven games this season (he missed two due to injury) and is a load between the tackles.   The same can be said for Hartsville tailback [player_tooltip player_id='208339' first='Carmello' last='McDaniel'] and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208342' first='McKendrie' last='Douglas'] - undoubtedly the most consistent faces on the Red Foxes' offense the last three seasons. Douglas currently sits at 4,661 career passing/rushing yards, while McDaniel surpassed 4,000 career rushing yards in his last game.    Wilson receiver [player_tooltip player_id='139297' first='Jyron' last='Waiters'] verbally committed to East Carolina in June, ending a recruiting burst that really started during his breakout junior season. The playoff-bound Tigers have had to get creative in using him, using Waiters at receiver, tailback and quarterback. It led to the team's lone region victory so far and will keep Wilson playing in November. Come December, he's going to be back in his natural position one more time for a high school game.

Eleven players from the Grand Strand and Pee Dee were selected for the 76th annual Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, to be played December 9 at Myrtle Beach's Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.