Class 2A’s Best Two-Way Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Specialization isn't for everyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And it's not always a possibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along every edge of South Carolina and all spots in between are schools who either have the types of athletes who are talented enough to play offense and defense or simply need the two-way guys to increase the team's chances of success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Or a combination of the two.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next stop in this five-part series is a look at the Class 2A standouts who are not only asked but expected to stay on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394996' first='Damias' last='Seegars']</strong> RB/DB, Andrew Jackson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='317140' first='Trey' last='Thompson'] had such a dynamic career with the Volunteers that a lot of other players weren't being noticed. One of those was Seegars, who last year finished second to Thompson in rushing yards (472) and touchdowns (seven). On top of his expected role on offense, he's also one of the team's top returning tacklers. From his spot in the defensive backfield, he he had 36 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass break ups. He's set up nicely for a strong junior season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254044' first='Kolten' last='Kellerman']</strong> WR/DB, Philip Simmons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a large hole in the Iron Horses' offense after the squad lost two backs who rushed for a combined 3,200 yards and most of the top receivers are done, too. Meanwhile, Kellerman returns. Last fall, he caught seven passes for 97 yards and three scores. Not eye-popping numbers, obviously, but this was a team that only threw it 109 times all of last year. Kellerman and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='502413' first='Tavien' last='Orellana'] mesh well, adding to what Kellerman does on defense (48 tackles, four pass break ups).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464893' first='Treshon' last='Burgess']</strong> RB/WR/DB, Lake City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with this: With 13 combined punt/kickoff returns, Burgess (pictured) averaged 36 yards per and took three of them all the way back for six. As a tailback, he was second on the team with 570 yards and five touchdowns on 90 carries. From his safety position, he patrolled the defensive backfield and finished the year with 33 tackles, six pass break ups and a pick. Burgess is probably still a little under the radar in recruiting terms, but he's no stranger to big plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249778' first='Jordan' last='Joe']</strong> WR/DB, North Central </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall, Joe led or co-led the Knights in both receptions (17) and yards (265). He was also sixth on the squad in total tackles (51) while picking off seven passes - exactly half the team's total as a whole. In short, Joe's height and length give him an advantage over almost every player on either side of the ball on this level. The more rising junior Kade Bailey progresses as a passer, Joe's offensive numbers improve, too.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036772' first='Rahiem' last='Saunders']</strong> OL/DL, Whale Branch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we could have chosen a number of players on the Warriors' roster, we went with Saunders because he held down the fort as a defensive tackle and offensive guard as a freshman. He's 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, which obviously helps his endeavors. But he's also got excellent skill using his arms and not just relying upon his size. He blocks extremely well and at the same time put up 30 tackles, and a bunch of stops behind the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165125' first='Gabe' last='Hackett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267223' first='Carver' last='Davis']</strong> ATHs, Ninety Six</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two form quite the duo all over the field. Last year, Hackett had 62 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and two picks as a linebacker and rushed for 402 yards and four touchdowns on 55 carries. Davis, meanwhile was 4-1 as the team's starting quarterback last year while filling in for the injured starter. He also starts at free safety and if there was another quarterback on the roster who could beat him out of that job, he'd be starting at slot receiver.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes']</strong> DB/WR, Kingstree</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dukes has a pretty special sophomore year for the Blazers, pumping out 66 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass break ups. On the flip side, he led the team in receptions (22) and receiving yards (340) while getting into the end zone twice. The icing on the cake is that Dukes played a bunch of special teams, where he returned some kickoffs and blocked three punts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->