2024 Preview: Loris Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The word “potential” is a popular word around Loris football these days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After back-to-back winning seasons and a second-place finish in Region V-3A, the Lions look to take that next step towards becoming a championship-level team in their classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have some potential,” Defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Blase Zambrano said. “Potential has its shelf life, though, as well. Hopefully, we can put it together and make the season interesting.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is now at quarterback for Loris. Two-year starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327302' first='Jackson' last='Huff']</strong> has decided to focus on baseball, where he was a S.C. Baseball Coaches Association's Class 3A All-State pitcher last season. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald']</strong> provided a glimpse of his capabilities during spot appearances last season and now gets his turn to run the offense full-time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He'll have a bevy of talented wide receivers to target in <strong>Zhimir Herring</strong>, <strong>DJ Gibbs</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592447' first='Jacobien' last='Lewis']</strong> and <strong>Quantez Dyson</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We have to play together for the whole game and don't look at the scoreboard," Dyson said. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have a young backfield this season in sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821017' first='RoderickPurcha' last='Purcha']</strong>. They will run behind an offensive line with three returning starters in tackle <strong>Mark Miller</strong>, guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797156' first='Logan' last='Coleman']</strong> and center <strong>Jamirous Wilson</strong> who've all gotten stronger in the off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not surprisingly, Zambrano has high expectations for the position he overseas directly. Defensive ends <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464883' first='Javon' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']</strong> (pictured) were among the leading tacklers the past two seasons and tackle <strong>Damarea Thurmond</strong> helps secure defending the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zambrano believes the linebacking corps with [player_tooltip player_id='464897' first='Avery' last='Todd'] and <strong>Patrick Bellamy</strong> has a chance to be “special.” Dyson and Lewis, who will also return kicks, are also two-way player with high potential, according to Zambrano, in a secondary with returning junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656668' first='Khalid' last='Sherman']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Special teams suffered no overhaul with the return of punter <strong>Aiden Suggs</strong>, placekicker <strong>William Suggs</strong> and long snappers Todd and Conner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loris moves into Region VII-3A with familiar rivals Dillon, Aynor, Georgetown and Waccamaw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"You've got to bring your A game every single Friday night and, hopefully, we can," Zambrano said. "The kids know and they've been working really hard." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner'] </strong>LB 2026– He and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464897' first='Avery' last='Todd'] </strong>have caused havoc at linebacker the past two seasons. He was second in tackles (99) last season and will look to have a similar impact at defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quantez Dyson</strong> WR 2025 – The 5-foot 11, 160-pound senior is a versatile weapon on offense at wide receiver and running back and blankets the field at free safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464883' first='Javon' last='Johnson'] </strong>DL 2025 – A four-year letterman who has put up impressive numbers both at defensive tackle and middle linebacker. The 241 total tackles he's posted in three seasons are a testament to the intensity and perseverance he displays in stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16819811/6390d3e2a0183504bc8c8551' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b046499bbd9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS (es)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327302' first='Jackson' last='Huff']</strong> QB – A Class 3A All-State pitcher, he led the Lions to back-to-back winning seasons. He's thrown for 2,044 yards and 25 touchdowns the past two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La'ontray Knox </strong>RB – The three-year starter amassed close to 2,600 career total yards and 31 touchdowns. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Vancise </strong>LB – A consistent performer at middle linebacker with 148 total tackles in three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jarius Dewitt </strong>DB – He made a quantum leap in production from a junior to a senior. He finished with 57 tackles, 10 pass deflections and two sacks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens'] </strong>RB 2027 –. He's expected to play a higher role in the running game with the graduation of Knox.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821017' first='RoderickPurcha' last='Purcha'] </strong>RB 2027 – He's shown the ability to play as many as four positions for the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["797160"],"_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-66b046499d23d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">– With [player_tooltip player_id='327302' first='Jackson' last='Huff'] turning his full attention to baseball, he's now the starter for the Lions. A dual threat quarterback, he has a quick release throwing the football. When Gerald has to leave the pocket, he's an elusive runner who's a threat to reach the endzone in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17788874/6520e89ca681b1080c6661a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b046499d266"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->