20 Players Who Popped Off During SCISA Championship Weekend

The 2023 SCISA football season is officially in the books.   And it ended with four phenomenal state championship games in Charleston.   The top talent across the league showed out at Buccaneer Field, and these 20 young men shined the brightest. Let's go through the biggest standouts of a memorable championship weekend.   Hugh Fairey, QB/DB, Patrick Henry Academy   In the biggest football game he's ever played, quarterback Hugh Fairey showed the poise and determination that it takes to lead his team from behind. He was sensational in the second half to engineer Patrick Henry's comeback from a 14-0 deficit, accounting for all five of the Patriots touchdowns. Fairey bounced back from two early interceptions to complete 18-of-32 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns while adding 39 rushing yards and a score to cap off a senior season to remember.   Forest Fairey, WR/DB. Patrick Henry Academy   It's hard to stop a sibling connection in any sport, and the Hugh-to-Forest Fairey connection came up big time for the Patriots. Forest's reliable hands helped turn the tide Saturday night, hauling in a dazzling game-tying 73-yard touchdown pass from his brother in the fourth quarter. He then punctuated the game and the season on the defensive side, securing the game-clinching interception on a perfectly read pass near the sideline. He's been a proven gamer on the field who always found a way to produce when his number was called this year.   Nathan Corley, DL, Patrick Henry Academy   Nathan Corley wasn't on the field for the better part of the 2023 season due to injury, but he made his presence known for the Patriots in the title game. His relentlessness up front was overwhelming for the Lee Academy offensive line, coming up with key quarterback pressures and sacks to help push Patrick Henry over the top late. He led the charge for a dialed-in Patriot defense that found a second wind to help finish the job.   William West, RB, Lee Academy   The driving force of a potent Lee Academy offense this season, William West was crucial to helping the Cavaliers move the sticks all night against a tough Patrick Henry front. West's initial burst and elusiveness allowed him to make lightning-quick cuts to churn upfield for big gains, especially on some key third downs. He finished his night with 122 yards and two important touchdowns on 23 carries to close out a strong campaign.   Deshon Hadden, RB/LB, Lee Academy   Producing on both sides of the ball for Lee Academy, Deshon Hadden showcased his athletic play to spark the Cavaliers early. He opened the scoring in the first quarter, reading Fairey from his spot at linebacker and snatching a wayward pass for a 27-yard interception return. He also provided a consistent spark on offense with powerful runs and several broken tackles, adding 73 rushing yards on just 12 attempts.   [player_tooltip player_id='322302' first='Teague' last='Ward'] ATH, Williamsburg Academy   Ward does just about everything for the Stallions, but his biggest impact might be on the defensive side of things. He plays middle linebacker and has a quick first step to either meet the ball carrier in the hole, rush the passer, or drop back in coverage if needed. He also played running back and receiver on offense and was a huge part of what Williamsburg Academy did successfully in the 18-17 loss to Bethesda Academy.    Conrad Balder QB/DB, Williamsburg Academy   Balder is a throwback to when it was common to see guys playing both ways. He makes good decisions at quarterback, but he should have an opportunity to play safety on the next level. He sits in the middle and reacts quickly to either a run or pass. He has good hips and is able to turn and run with receivers if necessary.   Michael Henley OL/DL, Bethesda Academy   The Blazers were blessed to have three players at 300 pounds or better on their offensive and defense fronts. Henley moved the best of the three and was adept at either right tackle or any spot along the defense line. He also played with a little bit of a mean streak, which all in all, isn't a bad thing.   Triston Randall QB/LB, Bethesda Academy   Randall almost never left the field. Not only did he direct two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to give Bethesda the Class 2A title in a come-from-behind 18-17 win, but he also played middle linebacker and was a huge key in keeping the Williamsburg Academy offense from putting the game away early.    Thomas Peters WR/DB, Bethesda Academy   Peters turned out to be a big-time receiver when needed for the Blazers. He had five catches for 58 yards and touchdown catches of two and 22 yards. The second one was the game-winner with 52 seconds remaining where he used his body control to shield the defender to make the catch from 22 yards out.     Dylan Clark QB/DB, Hilton Head Christian   Dylan Clark remembered the pain he felt when he came up short against Wilson Hall back in Week 2. But he rewrote a different script this time when the moment was at its greatest to surge Hilton Head Christian to a state title. Clark's elusive rushing ability and efficient work through the air sparked the Eagles' offense, going for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He even added an interception near the goal line on defense to complete a magnificent final performance at Hilton Head Christian.    Bradlee Anderson DL/LB, Hilton Head Christian   Hilton Head Christian Academy has had its fair share of tremendous offensive performances in state championships past, but it was the defense that really carried the day to the 28-6 win. Bradlee Anderson came up huge for the Eagles, showing his physicality on a tackle that knocked the ball loose for a momentum-shifting fumble recovery. Anderson's presence and pursuit have raised to another bar during the playoffs, and he showed every bit of that quickness and intensity to capture the crown.   Zane Wilson RB/LB, Hilton Head Christian   A do-it-all playmaker for the Hilton Head Christian Academy Eagles in his senior season, Zane Wilson put it all together on Saturday. The middle linebacker was relentless to the football and showed off his terrific instincts and lateral movement to make plays and clog up running lanes. He became a hard-nosed runner on offense in addition to his invaluable leadership and talent on the field for his defensive unit. It was one of the most complete performances yet in his final game as an Eagle.   Blake Van Patten WR/CB, Wilson Hall   A ball hawk on both sides, Blake Van Patten showcased his excellent athleticism on a busy afternoon for Wilson Hall. Van Patten broke away from the Hilton Head Christian Academy secondary for his team's only touchdown of the contest, showing off his swift route running and stellar reach to haul in tough catches. He was also active defensively, denying several key passing opportunities for the Eagles early in the ballgame.   Miles Van Patten RB/LB, Wilson Hall   Delivering an extraordinary versatile effort for Wilson Hall, Miles Van Patten was an efficient running back and helped strengthen his team's front seven on defense. His motor and toughness early on helped him surge into the backfield and force some tackles behind the line and errant throws from Clark. He was a sparkplug early for a Wilson Hall defensive unit that gave a heck of a fight against a loaded Eagle spread attack.   [player_tooltip player_id='1575317' first='Immanuel' last='Johnson'] RB, Hammond   Johnson was the workhouse for Hammond in their quest to win a seventh consecutive title. The junior running back carried the rock 25 times for 202 yards with scoring runs of 19 and 74 yards. He got better as the game progressed and that helped set the stage for the late-winning touchdown by the Skyhawks in the 28-21 win over Laurence Manning.    [player_tooltip player_id='1157738' first='Mike' last='Tyler'] WR/TE, Hammond   The is no question Tyler looks the part when he steps on the football field. He hauled in the game-winning 32-yard pass by outmuscling a defender in the end zone. He's 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, and has already garnered offers from Georgia Tech, NC State, West Virginia, and Cincinnati among others.   Jack Miller DE, Hammond   The Skyhawks defense knew they had to slow Laurence Manning QB Tyler June in the Class 4A SCISA title game. Miller was a huge factor in making that happen and chased June for much of the evening. His sack on the next to last offensive play by the Swampcats set them up having to go for it on fourth-and-24.   Josiah Burson WR/DB, Laurence Manning   Burson might actually play bigger than his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame. He is very versatile on offense and uses his body to help him make plays. He finished with 13 receiving touchdowns. Then he flips and plays safety on defense and doesn't mind playing in coverage or coming up to offer run support.    Bryson Hodge TE/DL, Laurence Manning   Hodge was another player for Laurence Manning who rarely left the field. He didn't factor in much in the passing game, but he definitely looks like a huge target. Then on defense, he played along the defensive front and was able to bring pressure several times.

The 2023 SCISA football season is officially in the books.