Touchstone Energy Bowl Breakdown: Midlands Offensive Selections

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midlands will have 20 players representing it in this year's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on Dec. 9 at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both the North and South rosters will have several players committed to schools or currently leading their respective teams into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with the 10 offensive players from the area selected for both teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IN THE TRENCHES </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1001124' first='JT' last='Sowell']</strong> OL, Gray Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A staple on the War Eagles' offensive line, the Class 2A All-State selection overwhelms opposing linemen with his strength and technique. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Sowell has enabled the War Eagles' ground game to produce the previous two seasons the Palmetto State's first-ever 3,000-yard rusher in <strong>KZ Adams</strong> and a 1,000-yard rusher in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery']</strong>. Sowell, an Appalachian State commit, has averaged a 90-percent grade in games the last two seasons and has 14 knockdown blocks and eight pancake blocks this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16398958/64f73a5cda5bbb09c829d8c3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65309e6e22a3b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771066' first='Dylan' last='Barbrey'] </strong>OL, Airport (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Appalachiate State commit from the Midlands, the 6-foot-5, 281-pound senior is the second tallest player on the North roster. At tackle, he's has averaged an 89-percent grade and has not allowed a sack through nine games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“He has been an awesome leader for our team by leading through example with his effort off the field,” Airport head coach Shane Fidler said. “Dylan has also been unselfish and has contributed to our team on defense and special teams as well when we've needed it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14699211/63dd9b232aa6330c944311c0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65309e6e22a68"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771089' first='Kamden' last='Sox']</strong> OL, Brookland-Cayce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior is part of a large group of linemen on the Bearcats. He can play every position on the offensive and defensive lines as well as serve as a long snapper. His strength in the weight room (bench presses 285 pounds and squats 420 pounds) carries over to the field where he exhibits an explosive push off the snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15110569/652d6de56e8294078c2db919' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65315bd125547"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997162' first='Carter' last='Rimpf']</strong> OL, Camden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether at tackle or center, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior is an imposing figure when blocking upfield. The son of head coach Brian Rimpf keeps quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White'] upright to either run or pass and is seemingly always moving forward during a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11863634/6512440be984d100d84055d5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65315bd125564"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771236' first='Mark'Quelle' last='Moser']</strong> OL, Richland Northeast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a 6-foot-5, 365-pound behemoth at left guard explains why Richland Northeast's offense have had little difficulty moving the football. The young man named “Big Country” overwhelms defensive linemen with his size, strength and long arms. He's also very mindful of protecting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15092558/652c2cd06e8294078c2c2b00' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65315bd125580"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE SKILL POSITIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock']</strong> QB, Gilbert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-year starter is the latest Indian quarterback to be selected to the Touchstone Energy Bowl under head coach Chad Leaphart. His strength continues to be the long ball, although he's developed a short passing game capitalizing on the versatile young running backs like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson']</strong>. He's compiled a 14-1 record as a starter and has thrown for 1,847 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11599809/6520f70a1762281320dd1664' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65315d1e65d17"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> RB, Irmo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Argubly one of the transfers who's had the biggest impact at his new school. The former Gilbert standout has provided a bruising, physical game-breaking running back who makes it difficult for just one or even two defenders to bring down. It's another dimension to go with the dual threat of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] that has put the Yellow Jackets' offense at another level. He's currently rushed for 1,385 yards and 12 touchdowns and has two receiving touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant']</strong> WR, Camden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot, 175-pound senior is a potential touchdown waiting to happen. Elusive in the open field, Mayrant is closing in on 1,000 receiving yards to go with five receiving touchdowns. He's also been used out of the backfield where he's scored twice this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11699402/652462f9d225bf16fc6cbcdd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65315d1e65d3b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham']</strong> WR, White Knoll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The past three seasons has seen the wideout develop a prolific bond with junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']. After missing five games following a leg injury in the season-opener, he has not missed a beat with three touchdowns in two games. His route running and sure hands will prove valuable to the South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11620127/65304c6702b216080c68f3df' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65315d1e65d58"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142771' first='Kenmane' last='Brunson']</strong> RB, Saluda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Considered the heart and soul of the Tigers, the 5-foot-7, 175-pound Brunson is one of just three running backs on the North roster. He leads Saluda with 630 rushing yards on 84 carries with eight total touchdowns. Brunson also sees significant time at linebacker where he's led the team in tackles the past two seasons at inside and outside. He should have running lines available with offensive linemen averaging about 6-feet-4 and 273 pounds on the North roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"iframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15166438/6515296642103808f434bf7d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu0026gt;u003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65309e6e22a85"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->