CSRA Players to Watch, Week 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new season and an opportunity for new and returning players to shine in the CSRA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season saw record-setting Midland Valley running back <strong>Traevon Dunbar</strong> as the highest-ranked member of the Class of 2024. This season finds a couple of senior standouts vying for the top spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an early glance of players to watch during Week 0 and perhaps beyond:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] </strong>RB, South Aiken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9, 195-pound All-State selection rewrote the South Aiken record books last season. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons with the Thoroughbreds and last season set a single-game school mark with 410 yards and six touchdowns against archrival Aiken. As he aims to obliterate the career school records for rushing and scores, Edwards will have the benefit of having his entire offensive line back. Guards <strong>Santos Whitt</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394751' first='Michael' last='Cohen']</strong>, tackles <strong>Sebastian Galo</strong> and <strong>Caden Eichelberger</strong> and center <strong>Elijah Phillips</strong> will look to once again make running and receiving lanes available for their standout running back. He will get tested in the season-opener against an experienced Silver Bluff defense led by middle linebacker <strong>Jordan Walker</strong>, fellow senior <strong>Trevion Harris</strong> and defensive lineman <strong>Keyaideen Williams</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605527' first='Jaquel' last='Holman']</strong> (pictured) RB, Blackville-Hilda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An argument can be made for calling the future University of South Carolina two-way signee as the best all-around player in Class A. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Holman led the Hawks in rushing (1,610 yards) and touchdowns (26) at running back and had a team-high 76 tackles as a junior. Holman won the Class A title in the 100 and 200 meters, further displaying his speed and versatility. The Hawks' season-opener against longtime rival Barnwell and All-State quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin']</strong> could produce another high-scoring affair like last year's 36-34 game won by the Warhorses. Both Holman and Austin each rushed for three touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin']</strong> QB, Barnwell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-sport athlete, he's already committed to the University of South Carolina in baseball. On the gridiron, he's as productive with his feet (911 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns) as he is with his arm (1,765 yards, 11 touchdowns). His fearlessness in throwing the football is evident with the 18 interceptions but demonstrated his consistency during the Carolinas Coaches Combines at Woodland High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had 219 total yards and four touchdowns last year against Blackville-Hilda and the Warhorses bring back senior wide receivers <strong>Logan Sturkle</strong> and <strong>Jordan Peeples</strong> and three starters on the offensive line with <strong>Kahzeer Wesley, Tony Cherry</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Lamar Buxton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']</strong> QB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a school known for producing college defensive linemen, the Red Raiders have developed a prolific passer in Crosby. The North Carolina Central commit has thrown for over 4,800 yards in three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was among the 10 quarterbacks in attendance for the Shrine Bowl Camp at Airport High School and even served as a long snapper. The arrival of Orangeburg-Wilkinson transfer wide receiver/defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw']</strong> and the return of starting offensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157986' first='Javaris' last='Logan']</strong>, <strong>Tristian Jenkins</strong> and <strong>Brennan Glover</strong> should help Crosby add to his offensive numbers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders look to continue their success against Edisto, a team it has defeated 18 straight times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16344401/66bd31c2db2087b73bf8ccfa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4f91b75f38"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair']</strong> RB, Midland Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graduating the second player in South Carolina history to rush for over 3,000 yards in a season would concern most teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the case of new Mustangs head coach Brent Dorn, such worry is alleviated by bringing back the team's second-leading rusher. After producing 1,170 yards and 16 touchdowns playing alongside Dunbar, McNair appears poised to accept the challenge of lead back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the Chapin Kickoff Classic last Friday, he rushed for two touchdowns in the 20-0 win over Spring Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Obviously, (Traevon's) a big-time player and all that, but&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair']&nbsp;is going to be a stud himself,” Dorn said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNair will have a chance to establish himself in the Week 0 season-opener against a JL Mann team who's young on the defensive line save for senior nose tackle <strong>Marquavis Thomas</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16288864/65775d10478d700570a6ea85' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4f91b75f65"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe']</strong> RB and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] </strong>QB, North Augusta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets have a potent 1-2 punch in their backfield at running back and quarterback. As a sophomore, Doe rushed for 1,102 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also provided his quarterback with another target as a slot receiver with four touchdown receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tillman played with the poise and calm of a veteran in his first year as a starter. He threw for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 778 yards and six scores in leading North Augusta to a second-place finish in Region IV-4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The realigned region now has eight teams, leaving the Yellow Jackets with only three non-region games. They open the season at Thomson (Ga.), followed by the home-opener against Lexington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272706' first='Garris' last='Chambers'] </strong>OL, Silver Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since his first career start in the 2021 Class 2A championship game against Gray Collegiate Academy, the 5-foot-11, 260-pound senior has been a mainstay on the offensive line. He graded out 91 percent and posted 18 knockdown blocks last season in earning Region III-2A honors. Chambers is now the main leader on a young offensive line which will compete in Class 3A this season. The Bulldogs will open the season against South Aiken.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249754' first='Josh' last='Merriweather']</strong> DL, Strom Thurmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-3, 245-pound senior defensive end was an important cog to a Rebels' defense which held opponents to 13.5 points per game last season. He finished with 61 tackles, seven sacks and six tackles for loss working from the edge. It's a tough matchup for season-opening opponent McCormick who return three starters - <strong>Tahahji Kinard, Kingston Kelly&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Makel Tillman.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->