TEC Bowl Preview: 10 Offensive Stars Who Could Go Off
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The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl has big name tailbacks, some receivers who flirted with records, quarterbacks who can light up a scoreboard in more ways than one and huge linemen who will be playing on Saturdays next year. Stacked offenses?…
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Continue ReadingThe Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl has big name tailbacks, some receivers who flirted with records, quarterbacks who can light up a scoreboard in more ways than one and huge linemen who will be playing on Saturdays next year.
Stacked offenses?
That seems like underselling it.
Here are 10 players – five from each team – who are well positioned to help put up some numbers during the 76th edition of this all-star event.
NORTH TEAM
Elijah Coleman Elijah Coleman 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Clover | 2024 State SC RB, Chester – Coleman was a high-volume back all season for Chester, using 280 carries to pile up 1,916 yards and 23 touchdowns. What we’re really excited about is what he can do after a couple weeks off. After his only bye week of the regular season, a fresh Coleman rushed for 314 yards against Powdersville to open the playoffs.
Jack Stevens Jack Stevens 5'11" | 145 lbs | K North Augusta | 2024 State SC K, North Augusta – The South Dakota State verbal commitment has a huge leg and plenty of internal pressure to rise up in Myrtle Beach. His older brother, Drew, was named a captain for the South squad in 2021 and put up eight points, including the game-winning field goal with under 2 minutes to play. Jack is equally dangerous and will be expected to contribute.
Steven O’Dell Steven O’Dell 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Broome | 2024 State SC OL, Broome – O’Dell was about the easiest pick for Region III-3A lineman of the year. The Furman commit paved the way for Broome’s nearly 3,000 rushing yards and more than 4,000 yards of total offense. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle may shift around some, but no matter where he ends up playing, he’s going to get his chances to pummel someone.
Dion Brown Dion Brown 6'0" | 150 lbs | WR Lewisville | 2024 State SC WR, Lewisville – It’s entirely possible this is the last time Brown puts on pads, as the Clemson baseball signee will focus on the diamond moving forward. Still, we can’t ignore this legacy all-star pick’s last ride. He put up 32 catches for 739 yards and seven touchdowns this season for Lewisville after moving over from Clover in the offseason.
Malachi Marshall Malachi Marshall 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2024 State SC QB, South Pointe – While Marshall doesn’t have huge stats, what he does have is a super-quick release and an ability to change arm angles. Why is that important? Because history tells us the ability to ad-lib on offense is a powerful all-star tool. Don’t be surprised if Marshall adds a couple highlights to his reel in this game.
SOUTH TEAM
Derrick Salley Derrick Salley 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Ashley Ridge | 2024 State SC WR, Ashley Ridge – The only thing preventing Salley (pictured) from finishing at the top of the national receiving rankings was Ashley Ridge’s quick playoff exit. Still, his 2,027 yards and 20 touchdowns (plus six more on the ground in short-yardage situations) in just 11 games should let you know exactly how potent he can be. After all, he was some 400 yards north of the next closest receiver in South Carolina.
Trey Thompson Trey Thompson 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Andrew Jackson | 2024 State SC RB, Andrew Jackson – Everyone knew that Thompson was Andrew Jackson’s primary offensive weapon in each of the last two seasons. Yet, you know how many of the Volunteers’ 29 opponents held Thompson under 100 yards? A big, fat, whopping zero. The talented tailback is steadily solid and raring to go and will have a dynamic line in front of him.
Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC WR/RB, Hampton County – Dobson is going to get snaps both at receiver and tailback, the latter of which the Mr. Football finalist used to establish himself as one of the best players in the state. He finished this season with just shy of 2,600 yards and 40 touchdowns not he ground. For his career? He had 4,014 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns.
Drake Braddock Drake Braddock 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2024 State SC QB, Gilbert – Braddock will have more targets than he could ever have hoped for. And after throwing for 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns against just six picks while completing 61 percent of his passes this season, there’s no reason a wide-open system that matches his high school scheme won’t be something he can immediately use to his advantage.
Mark’Quelle Moser Mark’Quelle Moser 6'4" | 365 lbs | OL Richland Northeast | 2024 State SC OL, Richland Northeast – While tackles tend to get a bit more love, Moser has made the guard position look pretty slick. The 6-foot-4, 365-pound interior lineman simply doesn’t get beat up the middle on the blitz and has no issue using his size to push people around in run formations. He’s going to stand out, even among the large teammates on either side of him.