2026 Rankings: Lowcountry Zone Read Prime Time Playoff Performers
In this article:
To pick up wins in the playoffs, you need all hands on deck. And so many times, it’s the budding young stars who make all the distance. This past fall, we witnessed 18 Lowcountry sophomores who showed out late in…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTo pick up wins in the playoffs, you need all hands on deck. And so many times, it’s the budding young stars who make all the distance. This past fall, we witnessed 18 Lowcountry sophomores who showed out late in the year – and soared up our rankings as a result. Let’s take a look at some names you’ll want to keep an eye on for teams eyeing more postseason success in 2024.
A two-way budding superstar, Sawyer Arnold‘s electric play was critical to helping the Oceanside Collegiate Landsharks claim the 2A state title. The 6-foot-3 rising junior came up huge against Hampton County in the Lower State championship game, putting pressure on the Hurricanes all night to force key mistakes – including a key interception return touchdown in the first half. Arnold provides incredible energy and physicality to disrupt his opponents’ rhythm and should keep the beat rolling in his junior campaign.
After a dominant postseason to help capture the 2A crown for Oceanside Collegiate, the sky’s the limit for what Michael Jones can accomplish in 2024. The tenacious interior lineman showed out down the stretch this year, using his dominant 6-foot, 260-pound frame to wreak havoc down low and shut down the run game. His tremendous stamina allows him to play both ways and give his young quarterback time to make his reads. Jones was a warrior this season who should only become more refined in his next two years as a high school player.
Highlights
An emerging talent at linebacker for Berkeley’s Stags, Marcus Henderson logged 82 solo tackles in his sophomore season including a team-high 13 with two stops for loss in a first-round playoff win over Conway. He’s an explosive tackler with high-energy closing speed and excellent techniques to stop runners in their tracks.
Shining in the secondary with his excellent hands and quick first step, Elisha Smalls became a budding standout for the Stags in 2023. Primarily a defensive back, Smalls is lightning-quick to the football to make efficient stops and has tremendous ball-tracking and physicality to outduel receivers out wide, leading the Stags with two interceptions as a sophomore.
After a solid 2023 season under center, Jachin Davis has high potential to help take Stratford even further as an upperclassman. Davis has shown tremendous mobility and swift feet to accelerate into the open field, and he makes that speed even more lethal with the ability to make quick and accurate lobs in the pocket. He’s not afraid to take deep shots down the sidelines and connected on several to lead the Knights to four straight wins late in the year.
Helping lead the way for a strong Eagle run game, Kenshon Speaks‘ skillset was paramount for Bryce Lybrand’s squad in 2023. The first-team all-region honoree used his 289-pound frame and excellent lower-body strength to hold down the edge and ignite key running lanes on the outside. He was outstanding in the Eagles’ first-round victory over Loris, helping his squad accumulate 214 total rushing yards on the night.
Highlights
Another standout in the trenches for Bryce Lybrand’s Beaufort Eagles, Jayden Simmons delivered consistent success up front to clog up the run game. Simmon’s persistent strength and pursuit on the line helped him step up with a team-high 19 tackles for loss. He let his presence known all night in a first-round playoff win over Loris, showing his physicality and unending hustle with four solo stops and three behind the line.
A budding high-energy player on defense, Isaac Smalls is starting to carve out a key role in the Beaufort secondary. Smalls will never give up on a play and has terrific closing speed, helping knock the football loose to force a key turnover against Goose Creek and extend his arms to make a beautiful pick against May River.
Highlights
A tenacious weapon at defensive end for West Ashley this fall, Bristol Biegenzahn thrived in making key stops behind the line of scrimmage for the Wildcats. His excellent pursuit and relentless power allow him to read plays quickly and halt them before they develop. He raises his game in the clutch, forcing an incompletion to seal a playoff victory over Goose Creek.
Highlights
Heading into his junior year, D’Anthony Coleman is becoming a versatile factor for West Ashley with developed high-level quickness and agility. He’s recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and has worked to build the added muscle needed to bounce through tacklers or finish plays on defense. Look for Coleman to push for a breakthrough year in all phases in 2024.
After a tremendous sophomore campaign, Julius Hippenstiel has taken the reins as Hanahan’s proven starter under center. Hippenstiel was efficient and smart with the football in his hands, completing over 64% of his passes for 1,957 while maintaining a stellar 20:3 touchdown to interception ratio. He’s become a confident pocket passer and is an excellent competitor and learner who should shine this fall for the Hawks.
A 300-pound standout on the edge for the Iron Horses, Steven Pickard‘s tremendous play was instrumental in helping spark his squad’s dominant ground game. Pickard displayed a nonstop work ethic this year and excelled with his relentless strength to power Philip Simmons to a mind-boggling 317.3 rushing yards per contest this past fall.
Highlights
Another stellar piece of a dominant Simmons offensive line, Quamaine Vaughn showcased his blocking prowess all year long at guard. His outstanding instinctive play and amazing footwork helped Vaughn maintain extended blocks and give ample running room to his explosive backs on the outside. Vaughn and Pickard will provide consistent success to a high-powered offense in 2024.
Setting the tone on the line as a sophomore for the Iron Horses, Michael Garnett showed out at defensive tackle in 2023. His active hands and terrific intensity on every snap helped him make impacts in many ways this year, including hard-nosed tackles at the line of scrimmage or beautifully timed tipped passes at the line of scrimmage to force incompletions.
Highlights
Max Stafford didn’t see the lion’s share of action at quarterback in 2023, but it was a very encouraging sample size of what we could see in the future for the rising junior. Stafford proved his strong and accurate downfield deep ball and possesses excellent confidence in the pocket to step up and make throws on time. He finished with three touchdown passes without turning the ball over in his sophomore year and is more than capable of taking over the top role if he’s able to earn it.
Highlights
Another hidden gem for a standout Hampton County team, Jaylen Singletary became a reliable piece in the secondary in his sophomore year. The ball-hawking corner finished with an impressive six interceptions while showing off an impressive mix of speed and agility in the ground game. Expect to see Singletary take on a multitude of roles next year as the Hurricanes look to build off a run to the Class 2A lower state championship game.
A physical difference-maker on the line for Woodland this past fall, Donovan Miles is primed for a strong career ahead. With quick instincts and high-energy physical play off the snap, Miles is capable of charging in and shutting down plays at the line of scrimmage. He showed out against eventual state champion Oceanside with a tackle for loss, setting himself up for what could be a productive 2024 junior year in the trenches.