2024 Preview: Kingstree Blazers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The old adage about what your record says may not necessarily apply to Kingstree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Blazers finished 5-7 last season, one of the victories a Class 2A first-round upset of Timberland. It was the program's first post-season victory since 2013, prior to the merger with CE Murray. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having tasted playoff success, players like wide receiver<strong> Khaled Riggins </strong>(pictured) are now focused on achieving a rare winning season at Kingstree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've got a good chance of winning this year,” he said. “Our team is really coming together now. We've got a real good brotherhood. I feel like we'll be one of the top teams in our region.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In two seasons, head coach Brian Smith has built up such confidence among the players. Despite moving from five-team Region VIII to seven-team Region VII, he sees the Blazers remaining competitive for first place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The past couple of years, we've been close to winning our region,” Smith said. “Finishing in the middle of the pack both years. So this year, we're looking to climb to the top.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingstree will utilize several players on both sides of the football. Junior <strong>Malcolm Salters</strong>, <strong>Heavis Morris </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158005' first='Mycheal' last='Wallace']</strong> will be two-way lineman, wide receivers Riggins, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013079' first='Xavier' last='Dukes']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes']</strong>, and<strong> Bryson Epps</strong> and running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes']</strong>, <strong>Ramello McFadden</strong> and <strong>Javian McCrea</strong> will all see time at various defensive positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes'] and <strong>Mark Pickard</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592634' first='BJ' last='Washington'] </strong>and are among the returning linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The quarterback position should work itself out during the preseason between <strong>Makhi Shaw</strong> and sophomore <strong>Randy McFadden</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith said the key to making a “long run” will be having the young players follow the leadership of the veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malcolm Salters </strong>DL 2025 – The four-year starter has grown two inches and added 15 pounds of muscle during the off-season. He's received looks from colleges at both guard and defensive tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158005' first='Mycheal' last='Wallace']</strong> OL 2025 – The 6-foot-1, 320-pound center had 12 pancake blocks at center and 30 tackles at defensive tackle last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592634' first='BJ' last='Washington']</strong> LB 2026 – The 6-foot, 192-pound junior possesses an 81-inch wingspan and had a strong showing during the Carolinas Coaches Combine at South Florence last March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes'] </strong>RB 2026 – His athleticism and versatility makes him a valuable weapon on offense. This season, he's moving from wide receiver to running back, while continuing to be utilized on defense and special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18050363/654fd6870660b50598ab967d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b2dc687eb31"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS (es)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Brockington </strong>OL – The two-way lineman graded at 93 percent at guard and had 57 tackles and three sacks at tackle. He was also selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rodney Bryant </strong>RB – An All-Region selection who had a team-high 762 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ja'Shaun Dorsey </strong>QB – An All-Region two-way player who amassed 1,481 total yards and 12 touchdowns on offense and tallied 25 tackles at defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrance Scott </strong>DB – The All-Region free safety and two-sport athlete and amassed a team-high 147 tackles to go with six sacks the past two season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryson Epps </strong>DB 2027 –. His 4.42 speed has proven valuable as a free safety where he reacts quickly to disrupt an offensive scheme. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ramello McFadden </strong>RB 2027 – Coach Smith has praised his work ethic and desire to improve during the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1036769"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b2dc68803d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-2, 190-pound outside linebacker made an impact as a freshman. He led the team with seven sacks, using his foot speed and tenacity to rush past guards into the backfield to harass opposing quarterbacks. Dukes also plays third base for the baseball team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19975987/65a8002fb3c8361334aab924' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b2dc6880402"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->