2023 Fab 50: Running It Back Next Fall?

For the second year in a row, the Prep RedZone Fab 50 squad includes nine juniors.   Those nine all clearly demonstrated the type of impact that could change the trajectory of a game and in many ways, an entire season. But, can they do it again?    As we saw with this year's Fab 50, there's no guarantee of a repeat honor; only four of last year's nine chalked it up again this fall. However, there's reason to believe that each of these nine players can be right here at the end of the 2024 season.   KICKING FOR THE GOAT   If we know anything, it's that playing for Dutch Fork is going to give kicker [player_tooltip player_id='464892' first='Justin' last='Welch'] opportunities that most kickers in the state won't. And while this was one of the toughest decisions on the entire Fab 50 roster, Welch proved he belonged with another 87 kicking points (60 PATs, 27 FGs), pushing his career total to 240 points. We believe the Silver Foxes' early season struggles won't repeat themselves, and another expected playoff run should be in the works. Ergo, don't be shocked if Welch is back on the Fab 50.   DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS   We're going to start with linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] of Midland Valley.  Amid a defense that was jammed with seniors, it was Hawkins who led team team in tackles (119) and tackles for loss (18). He forced opponents' hands over and over and made sure his numbers were impressive. We're not sure what his number might look like in a year, when he's got even more responsibility, but the term “astronomical” keeps popping into our minds.   Likewise, three defensive backs who have dramatically different roles have shifted entire offensive schemes simply by being on the field.    Look at Greenville defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton'] and his interception-driving ways. After picking off six passes as a sophomore, most foes knew not to try him this season. Still, a few made that mistake, as he snagged five interceptions in the first month of the season, including three against Mauldin alone. Those first four games, though, only one team even though to throw his direction.   When Hartsville linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1012620' first='Web' last='Barnes'] was lost for the year with an injury, coach Jeff Calabrese called a bit of an audible with safety [player_tooltip player_id='272699' first='Da'Marion' last='Coe'] and lined up the rest of the defense around Coe's skill set. Playing a hybrid position where Coe did literally everything but line up against the center, he finished the year with 79 solo tackles, 98.5 total stops, six tackles for loss, two picks, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. He's been a starter for three years now, and there's no signs of him slowing down.   Clearly, [player_tooltip player_id='346193' first='Zeke' last='Marshall'] isn't exhibiting those, either. The 6-foot-5 safety turned playing center field into an art form, adding nine interceptions to his career ledger while piling up 58.5 tackles. While Marshall will be no longer be joined in the defensive backfield by two-way threats [player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'] (they're both graduating), the fast and rangy safety can't really be game-planned against. He needs eight picks to get to 20 for his career, and odds tell us he can do it.   OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUTS   Christ Church receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp'] had himself one heck of a playoff run en route to another state championship. During the postseason alone, he had 10 touchdowns and 539 receiving yards. Had a couple of those games been closer, he could have easily done more. Just the same, Repp will be back in 2024, right along with the quarterback who loves to call his number.   Belton-Honea Path tailback [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] (pictured) decided he wanted to stay close to home when he verbally committed to Clemson. Tiger fans can wait a little bit while knowing that Henderson is re-writing the Bears' record books. This year, he averaged 11.3 yards per carry en route to 2,336 yards and 37 rushing touchdowns.    If those numbers haven't got your attention, let us roll out the two junior quarterbacks adoring the Fab 50.    Irmo's [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] elevated Irmo to new heights, helping the Yellow Jackets to a Class 4A Lower State championship game while throwing for 2,932 yards and 45 touchdowns (against only two interceptions) and rushing for another 1,113 yards and 17 touchdowns. Brand has Power 5 offers and while he's losing some of the other star power at Irmo, there are plenty of pieces back and a staff that knows what it has in QB1.    No one is going to deny what [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] meant to Westside, either. In his third season as the team's starter, all Woods did was throw for 3,915 yards and 42 touchdowns, including two in the Class 4A state championship. His last one of the season came with 15 seconds left in that victory, a highlight Rams fans will remember forever. Like Brand, Woods has some huge offers already in his back pocket, with more likely to follow in the coming months.

For the second year in a row, the Prep RedZone Fab 50 squad includes nine juniors.