2024 Preview: Lamar Silver Foxes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 starters are back for the Lamar Silver Foxes, who finished the 2023 campaign with a 9-4 record falling to Class 1A runner up Johnsonville in the third round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of the core nucleus of talent returns for the Silver Foxes' offense, starting up front with <strong>Tahj Johnson </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1267226' first='Devaughn' last='Locust'] </strong>on the offensive line. Switching ends to the defensive side of the ball, <strong>Kamron Miller </strong>returns at free safety while <strong>Vernon Ervin </strong>returns<strong> </strong>at linebacker. <strong>Frankie McCullough </strong>will be back on the defensive line as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the kickoff of the 2024 season nearly two weeks away at home against Darlington on August 23, second year head coach Stephen Burris wants to see relentless effort in everything the Silver Foxes do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Whatever 11 guys we have on the field, I want to see them go out and try to absolutely dominate everything that we do. From tying their shoes, to putting their mouthpieces in, strapping the helmets up to snapping the ball and executing on offense, defense and special teams. We want to compete at all levels at all times. We want to drink the best water in the state. If we do that from August 2 through the first week of December, I think we'll be happy with the result,” Burris said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762756' first='Kendall' last='Walton']</strong> OL, 2025 – Walton will be one of the leaders up front for the Silver Foxes. Standing at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, the All-State selection can move people off the ball well. We saw a couple of times on his film where he pancaked the opposing linemen showing how valuable of an asset in helping keep the quarterback up right. The rising senior currently has offers from Wofford and UNC Pembroke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2024: “I've been working on my footwork and playing more aggressively.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce']</strong> QB, 2026 – Pierce (pictured above) could be on the verge of a special season, coming off of a knee injury as a sophomore where he was voted All-State. He threw for 1447 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 355 yards and six touchdowns in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2024: “I've been working on my pocket presence and being able to stay in the pocket when pressure is coming.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Burris on Pierce: “Having him back gives us a lot more explosiveness offensively, whether it's in the pass game or the run game. He can always throw the ball to ([player_tooltip player_id='1253894' first='Zoom' last='Jackson']) out here who (has) opened some eyes in the spring and he's got 4.4 speed and he's protected up front by [player_tooltip player_id='762756' first='Kendall' last='Walton'] and the rest of his crew.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253894' first='Zoom' last='Jackson']</strong> WR, 2025 – Jackson recorded 20 receptions for 448 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 as a sophomore. The All-State selection also played quarterback when Pierce was injured last year and was a viable resource for the Silver Foxes, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2024: “I've been working on routes and running crisper routes so I can get open.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nyshaun Quillen </strong>TE/LB, 2025 – Quillen has a huge frame at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds and he uses it to his advantage at his linebacker spot. He can diagnose plays well and get into the backfield quickly and aggressively. On the offensive side of the ball, he's tough for opposing defensive backs to guard as he can find the green grass and get open. He can also open up holes in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17792281/6564db0332dc7307d47d922d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b25bd255903"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422623' first='DQ' last='Green'] </strong>RB/LB, 2027 – Burris says he has done a really good job over the spring and the summer. He says he is a vocal leader as a sophomore. He ran for 29 yards on 7 carries on offense, while registering 26 tackles on defense in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julian Morris </strong>WR, 2026 – Morris had a solid sophomore year in a reserve role, rushing for 91 yards. It figures that he will get more carries in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alvion Ward","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lamar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b25bd2570bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward is a returning starter for the Silver Foxes on defense and will be a force to be reckoned with. He had 53 tackles with 4 tackles for a loss. He stays stride for stride with receivers and has great eye discipline. He also saw time offensively at running back. Once he gets out into the open field, it could be a house call – he has great speed and vision. He had 297 yards on 13 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17942926/65366a58dfd98f0f60287b64' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b25bd2570ed"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->