RNE’s Wilson Wins Lowcountry QB Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SUMMERVILLE | This time next year, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson']</strong> plans to be on campus at North Carolina State, spending what should have been the second semester of his senior season competing for early college playing time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, Wilson used a few hours reminding everyone he's got another season of high school ball ahead of him first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Richland Northeast quarterback (pictured, throwing) won MVP honors at the Lowcountry QB Showdown at Ashley Ridge, beating out some of the top talent in the class of 2025, 2026 and 2027 in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Every time I come around David Moore, he's always teaching me and making me better with my game,” Wilson said, referencing the quarterback trainer who organized the event. “It's been great being around all these coaches.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I'm a firm believer that you're going to get out of it what you put in. If you put in that work with your guys, you're going to have that chemistry. That's with anything.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson - who threw for 2,337 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,527 yards and another 25 scores during his junior season - has continued to impress this offseason. He won the coveted MVP award at the Joanne Langfitt Challenge in December in Myrtle Beach in advance of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl (where his father, Walt, was coincidentally the coach of the South squad).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's also been active with his 7-on-7 squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, he repeated by winning the Lowcountry QB Showdown for the second straight year. Wilson earned max points in multiple stations during the competition, most often linking up with regular teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591391' first='Blake' last='Betette']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589052' first='Derrick' last='Salley']</strong> from Ashley Ridge. Wilson had plenty of zip on his passes despite strong, swirling winds that led to some struggles for many of the other quarterbacks in attendance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson qualified for the final competition along with four others and then beat them out in what Moore referred to as the “Pressure Cooker,” a system of multiple throws on the run to various portions downfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After that, the staff awarded Wilson top honors again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And for the No. 5 player in the Prep RedZone South Carolina Class of 2025, he garnered a little more hardware and reminisced about where he's been and where he's going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's a blessing. A year ago from today, I had like two offers. Now, I'm committed,” Wilson said. “It's a true blessing to be in this position. I'm taking time, enjoying high school while I got it and getting my mind ready.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AROUND THE QB SHOWDOWN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final five also included <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617720' first='Max' last='Stafford']</strong> (Philip Simmons), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian']</strong> (Oceanside Collegiate), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']</strong> (Fairfield Central) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz']</strong> (Ashley Ridge).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the finals, the staff awarded McMillon with the Strongest Arm award and Manavian as the Most Accurate. While those two are a sophomore and freshman, respectively, they are already firmly planted on the state's landscape. McMillon threw for 2,395 yards and 22 touchdowns. Manavian made a huge splash, taking over the starting job at Oceanside after incumbent <strong>Edward Reidenbach</strong> went down with a season-ending injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns in the Class 2A Lower State championship victory over Hampton County and then topped himself with a 367-yard, two-touchdown performance against Gray in the state finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During their appearances Saturday, both showed signs they could again have huge 2024 seasons. Both took turns unleashing their big right arms, pushing Wilson consistently throughout the morning and into the afternoon.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other youngster who made waves against Saturday was eighth grader <strong>Cade Amell</strong> from Trinity Collegiate. While PRZ typically doesn't broach the topic of middle schoolers, Amell was named the starter for Trinity Collegiate's varsity squad last August and threw for 1,629 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games. Against like-aged competition, Amell showed how much more experience he has.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was a lock for top honors among the middle-school players.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->