Players Who Led Charge During Weekend of Champions

ORANGEBURG | The return of the “Weekend of Champions” to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium did not disappoint from an on-field perspective.   A five-loss team won a state title.   Four teams entered with an opportunity to finish with an undefeated season.   Three games were decided by seven or less points   Through it all, the Garden City provided a spotlight to some of the top current players, as well as future stars in the making:   [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] QB, Oceanside Collegiate   Just a couple of months ago, the first-year varsity quarterback was seeing action in junior varsity. An injury to starting quarterback Edward Reidenbach in the regular-season finale pushed him to center stage. Manavian rewarded head coach Chad Wilkes's faith in him by seamlessly leading the Landsharks to their first state title. Against Gray Collegiate, he overcame 10 sacks and an early interception to rally Oceanside from a 14-point deficit. He finished with 367 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-28 victory.    Gavin Gaspar WR, Oceanside Collegiate   The junior wide receiver was one of Manavian's top targets in the comeback win. His ability to make receptions in tight windows and his long runs after catches proved problematic for Gray Collegiate's secondary. He finished with eight receptions for 125 yards and caught both touchdown passes thrown by Manavian.    [player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams'] LB, Gray Collegiate   The War Eagles were a key man short with Class 2A All-State defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor'] out with a left foot injury. Williams helped provide quarterback pressure which led to 10 sacks for Gray Collegiate and run containment which held Oceanside Collegiate to 17 rushing yards. He finished with nine tackles.   Blaine Redmond ATH, Gray Collegiate   The War Eagles' all-purpose specialist made plays on offense, defense, and special teams. His 50-yard kickoff return set up a game-tying touchdown. He also had an 11-yard catch and finished with eight tackles at linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] QB, Christ Church   The junior managed to surpass last year's state final numbers posted by predecessor Judd Windham, who completed a touchdown in this year's game. On just nine completions, Hendrix threw for 242 yards and five touchdowns to five different receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp'] RB/WR, Christ Church   The tandem were primarily responsible for Hendrix's high numbers on few passes. The duo proved too quick and elusive for the Golden Flashes, seemingly breaking free for long runs or touchdowns whenever they had the football. A Shrine Bowl selection, Reeder rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown and had a 66-yard touchdown reception. As for Repp, he also scored at three positions. He had a 60-yard punt return, had five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown and rushed for an 11-yard score. Both also had the advantage of a senior-laden offensive line with center Martin Russo, Grant Strohmaier, Grayson Varnadoe and co-captains Lincoln Weldie and Patrick McMaster, who scored a rushing touchdown.     [player_tooltip player_id='997188' first='Jake' last='Good'] LB, Christ Church   The numbers show Johnsonville with 300 total yards, although all but 35 yards were produced by two players. Overall, the Cavaliers contained the Golden Flashes led by their senior middle linebacker, who had a team-high 10 tackles.    [player_tooltip player_id='997329' first='Neal' last='Martin'] RB, Johnsonville   One of the bright spots for the Golden Flashes was their senior running back. He accounted for 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns and had two catches for 28 yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='997148' first='Ja'kari' last='Bennett'] RB, Daniel   The senior tailback was actually limited by the Lions during the regular season as they rested him during several lopsided wins. He was primed for a big performance against Camden, rushing for 145 yards and three touchdowns in the 49-48 overtime win.   [player_tooltip player_id='1055627' first='Kolton' last='Chapman'] QB, Daniel   The senior was a true dual threat for the Lions. He was 13-of-18 for 130 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a season-high 117 yards and two scores in the overtime win.   [player_tooltip player_id='986041' first='Tremaine' last='Davis'] DB, Daniel   The 5-foot-9, 150-pound junior played big for the Lions. He accounted for two of his team's three interceptions, including one returned 51 yards for a touchdown to give Daniel a double-digit lead at one point. He finished the regular season with six picks.   [player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant'] WR, Camden   The latest recruiting updates show only cool interest in the 6-foot, 175-pound senior. After his memorable performance in defeat against Daniel, the offers should start flying in. Every time the ball was in Mayrant's hands, he was a threat to score. His final touchdown was symbolic as he carried several Lions into the endzone on a five-yard run in overtime. He finished with 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns and also scored on a 76-yard kickoff return.   [player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White'] QB, Camden   Equally heroic in defeat was the Bulldogs' senior quarterback. Throughout the post-season, he had willed his team to comeback wins to reach the state final. Like Mayrant, White rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw for 116 yards but had three interceptions. His last play as a Bulldog saw him just a yard short of becoming the school's winningest quarterback and a state champion.   [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] and SyRee Livingston RBs, South Florence   The Bruins' bruising backfield accounted for just under 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the Class 4A final. With Touchstone Energy Cooperatives offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='589058' first='Justin' last='Joe'] among the teammates leading the way, South Florence managed to take a double-digit lead. Gilbert had a game-high 207 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Livingston rushed for 82 yards and three scores.   [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] QB, Westside   Trailing 12 points in the second half to defending Class 4A champion South Florence did not deter the Rams. For a team used to scoring quickly and often (Westside averaged 58.2 points in its last five games), time was indeed on its side. Adding to that confidence was having a 3,000-plus yard passer in the junior Woods. He threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to [player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'] with 15 seconds left, and rushed for a score.   [player_tooltip player_id='346193' first='Zeke' last='Marshall'] DB, Westside   The 6-foot-6, 200-pound junior had a team-high 11 tackles in the comeback win over South Florence. He played a vital role in the defense shutting out the Bruins in the fourth quarter to enable the Rams to rally to victory.   Jonathan Hunt QB, Dutch Fork   The senior (number 19 in picture) exemplified the struggles of the Silver Foxes this season and how they overcame them to produce the “Greatest Story Ever.” He missed time after Week 0 with a collarbone injury, then was sidelined again with a hamstring. Pressed back into full-time duty after backup [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] was injured in the Upper State final, Hunt was pressed into action and helped deliver the comeback win over JL Mann. Against White Knoll, his legs proved as effective as his arm with two rushing touchdowns. His 135 passing yards also exceeded the Timberwolves' total offensive output (114).    [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] LB, Dutch Fork   The 5-foot-10, 183-pound sophomore exemplifies the Silver Foxes' developmental approach of “reloading, not rebuilding” with a new player ready to step in to replace an outgoing productive player. He was credited with eight tackles but was omnipresent on several plays in putting pressure on White Knoll quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'].    [player_tooltip player_id='1142785' first='Lincoln' last='Ilunga'] DL, White Knoll   The 5-foot-11, 172-pound senior was instrumental in the Timberwolves' first win over Dutch Fork. He quickly made an impact in the rematch, racing to chase down an errant snap and diving to recover it in the endzone for the game's first score. He also had a first-half interception to stop a potential Dutch Fork scoring drive in finishing with 11 tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1142518' first='Demenico' last='Banks'] LB, White Knoll   The team leader in tackles nearly tripled his output from the first meeting with Dutch Fork, finishing with 11 tackles this time around. The 5-foot-10, 225-pound senior was a challenge to contain upfront with his overall strength and quickness in pursuing tackles.

ORANGEBURG | The return of the “Weekend of Champions” to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium did not disappoint from an on-field perspective.