Blythewood Wins Justin Bethel 7-On-7 Gridiron Classic

BLYTHEWOOD | From an outcome standpoint, Saturday's Justin Bethel “7-on-7” Gridiron Classic was a win for the host school.   Blythewood came away with the championship after defeating A.C. Flora 18-16 in the final. The Bengals went undefeated out of a tournament field that included 10 schools.   More than just the $4,000 top prize, the event allowed Blythewood head coach James Martin to field two teams.  In addition, it was an opportunity for both potential new starters on the first team and numerous junior varsity players on the second team to test themselves in a game-like setting.   This made the Classic a “double win” for the program, according to Martin.   “It's not always trying to hit the big touchdowns that a lot of people just love to see,” he said. “It's just working our gameplan, what we're going to do in the season and just work our way down the field.”   Quarterback Johnny Collins, the younger brother of last year's starter Harrison Collins, led the first-team offense. He played with increased confidence as the day developed and seemingly gained a quick rapport with returning wide receivers Chance Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id='1172370' first='Kanye' last='Reed'].   Ryan Hall and Mitchell Helpler also contributed on the offensive end. Defensively, the Bengals got key stops in their 26-9 semifinal win over Lower Richland and in the final against the Falcons.   As for the second team, Martin was hopeful the experience provided a “good, learning curve” as those younger players make the transition to the varsity ranks.   Blythewood was not the only program to use the Classic to answer questions:   A.C. Flora   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] had a fairly consistent day throwing the football. He was either making pinpoint passes in tight spaces to wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1271244' first='Josh' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd'] and Jeremiah Blake or hitting [player_tooltip player_id='1592609' first='Azel' last='Banag'] and Tripp Van Vlake in stride for long receptions.   “It's not real football, but it gives the quarterbacks a chance to get that chemistry with the receivers,” Falcons head coach Ken Floyd said. “It's good for conditioning. It's good to help cultivate that competitive drive that you're looking for in a program. We're competing at the end of the day and so, it's good stuff.”   Floyd also wanted to see plays made by the defense. In the 24-23 semifinal win over Midland Valley, rising junior linebacker Monte Laffitte caught a deflected pass for an interception for the critical go-ahead points.   Banag and Michael Quinn also showed the initiative and leadership on defense Floyd wants to see in the secondary.   Lower Richland   The Hornets quite possibly have an explosive offensive connection this season.   Spring Valley transfer quarterback Aden Jones and wide receiver Jamell Meyers were having a field day with long touchdown passes. The speedy Meyers seemingly found his way behind opposing secondaries with ease.   “Jamell Meyers is a dynamic football player,” Lower Richland head coach Marlin Taylor said. “Hard-working guy. I wish we had about 30 more guys like him with his heart and effort.”   With Antonio Adams on the other side and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1255330' first='Noah' last='Lucas'] in the middle, Jones was able to settle into a rhythm throwing both intermediate and long passes.   Lower Richland's offense bogged down against Blythewood and the defense was unable to make stops, Taylor for the second straight week.   “We continue to keep being the bridesmaid and not the bride,” he said. “This is the second tournament in a row where we get to the quarters, or the semis and we don't make a play here or there. That's what we're trying to teach these kids. You've got to make plays that come to you and get good teams off the field. You can't give them second chances to score.”   The Hornets are hoping the third time is the charm as they host their 7-on-7 tournament Thursday.   Midland Valley   The post-Traevon Dunbar era finds the Mustangs more focused on their passing offense.   Despite having historic rushing numbers from Butler (the second player in South Carolina high school football history to rush for over 3,000 yards in a season), head coach Earl Chaptman believes having a more effective aerial attack is necessary for the playoffs.   “When we get to the playoffs like we did last year, you start to play better passing teams which we ran into Westside last year,” he said. “This was in preparation for us as we get into the season and get into the playoffs to make sure that we're ready to compete with guys that can throw the ball really well.”   Midland Valley used a three-man rotation at quarterback with last year's starter Preston Butler, rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] and rising freshman Jack Coleman. Defensively, rising senior safeties Shawn Butler and Brycen Kemper are expected to fill the void in a secondary among the positions affected by graduation.   Fairfield Central   A year ago, the Griffins brought a high-powered passing offense to Blythewood with Class 2A All-State quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon'].   With McMillon now at South Pointe, head coach Demetrius Davis finds himself looking to revert back to the school's traditional run-first attack. He also used this year's Classic to see which potential new starter - Ford Davis, his son, or Kaden Diggs – has an early edge.   “We've got to figure out what we're going to do at the quarterback position,” Davis said. “On a 7-on-7, you've got to have good quarterback play. So, we've got a little time left in the summer to figure out what we've got going. We'll be fine.”   Despite the uncertainty, the Griffins' lone loss Saturday came at the hands of Lower Richland. They still have last year's leading receiver rising senior tight end Tydarion Grier and a secondary which returns intact led by safety [player_tooltip player_id='1012860' first='Chris' last='Pearson'].   Rising senior cornerback Chris Jackson was unavailable after getting injured in a 7-on-7 at the University of North Carolina.   North Augusta   The Yellow Jackets were another team breaking in a younger sibling at quarterback.   Rising junior Collin Tillman filled in for older brother and starter [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] Saturday. He got off to a promising start showing a strong arm and composure in a win over C.A. Johnson.   Helping his comfort level were wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1734538' first='Isaiah' last='Smith'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe'], who managed to avoid getting tagged three C.A. Johnson defenders following a short reception and turned it into a long touchdown.   LJ Tillman and [player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown'] continued to show improvement and head coach Reggie Bush has big expectations for the coming year. The same was true in the secondary with cornerbacks Jamie Jones and Ty Burke and safety Donte' Bell.   CA Johnson     As one of two Class A schools at the Classic, the Hornets struggled against the larger programs.   Despite competing with an offense with five rising freshman, head coach Scotty Dean welcomed the opportunity. This was especially true for his rising freshman quarterbacks Zion Thomas.   “This type of thing right here and I bring our kids to this with all the big schools…so that we can get some of that competition,” he said.   Rising senior free safety Tyshon Grimes had a couple of interceptions on defense and rising sophomore running back Terrell Gibson and wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1467850' first='Elijah' last='Harper'] were among the standouts Saturday.   Mauldin   As far as Mavericks' head coach Andre Cook was concerned, his team's performance was as good as a tournament title.   The two victories earned were double the amount won in 7-on-7 tournaments played over the past two seasons.   Mauldin also returns several rising junior starters who are now adapting to an offense run by Cook.   Rising junior quarterback Reddick Langston threw just one interception in the five games played by the Mavericks. He showed off his athleticism and toughness in matchups against   Tight end Tamari Shepphard was among Langston's top targets at the slot position. [player_tooltip player_id='1822852' first='Taurus' last='Thomason'], Devon Wilson, and Tristan Nash also showed their versatility in catching both short and long passes.   Former outside linebacker Blake Scott had an opportunity to work out at his new position of safety. The Mavericks bring back All-Region safety Shawn Harris add to at cornerback Riverside transfer De'shun Sherman and rising sophomore Zayden Addison.

BLYTHEWOOD | From an outcome standpoint, Saturday's Justin Bethel “7-on-7” Gridiron Classic was a win for the host school.