Weekend Of Champions Provides Chance At Lasting Legacy

What does a football state championship mean to a senior player?   We've heard a couple of answers in the past week or so, mostly along the lines of "everything". Not to overstate it.   But what does it mean to the No. 1-ranked player in Prep Redzone's 2025 Class? [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] had an answer after Belton-Honea Path's 30-22 win over Mountain View Prep on Friday, a game in which Henderson scored four touchdowns in three different ways.   "We were a play away last year," he said. "It feels good to come in this year and take care of business. And to have a chance to play for a state championship with my team is all that I could ask for."   Henderson's been pretty much all the Bears could ask for during his career, and every bit of all opponents wanted. He's closing in on 6,500 rushing yards for his career, and 7,000 all-purpose yards. Anybody who saw Henderson against MVP saw how explosive he can be. Bottled up for a lot of the night, he still managed touchdowns of 32, 30, and 81 yards offensively, and a 22-yard fumble return TD. He's a hold-your-breath guy, and he knows it, as he had a simple answer to a postgame question: did he feel like he was a step away from breaking long plays a couple of times during the game?   "Yeah," he said with a sly smile. "But I feel like that every time I've got the ball in my hands."   A state title would cement Henderson's legacy as one of the best backs the state has seen, and give the Bears their first championship in 20 years.   On the other side of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='1253982' first='Justin' last='Lathon'] has had an inexplicably under-the-radar run for BHP. Other players have flashier numbers. Others are drawing more attention. It's arguable that nobody makes the Bears' defense go more than Lathon. He plays as an undersized DL, applying backfield pressure and chasing down plays all over the field. He's fast enough to play LB. Edge, hand in the dirt, standing up. There's not a lot he can't do. He plays power-back on offense for a change of pace. He set the school record for sacks in a game with five in the Bears' third-round win. Lathon's just a football player, and a 15th game with a bunch of eyes on him could help more folks realize that.    That's just some of what's at stake for two of the guys in one of the state title games. Here's a look at what a title win - and a good performance - could mean to some others.   Class A   It's odd to say that anybody from Abbeville needs another feather in his cap. That certainly holds true for [player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach']. The Panthers' standout athlete is headed to play at South Carolina, and he's had a storied high school career already, including a 2A state title in 2022. A Class A title would be a career-capper for a player who's done everything the Panthers have needed. In that same vein, DL Altavious Patterson is another guy who's filled a bunch of roles for Abbeville. He's a talented wrecking ball of a RB, but has played mostly defense because of team needs and because that's where coaches see him at the next level. In the Upper State final, though, he went right back to RB and caught a crucial TD pass out of the backfield. Showing his versatility will only help.   You'd also think the word's already out on Cross' [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey']. A guy with double-digit interceptions usually wouldn't be targeted, but the junior DB/WR found his way to three more on Friday night, totaling 111 return yards and adding a fumble recovery as well. His state-leading interception mark now stands at 13, and he's got nearly 700 receiving yards as well. The big stage is a perfect place for a big talent. It's the same for teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']. He leads the Trojans in all-purpose yards with more than 2,200, with more than 1,800 of that on the ground. He's got 37 total touchdowns, leads a stout defense with seven fumble recoveries and is second with 17 tackles for loss, and just generally creates havoc wherever he goes. A big championship game would be a great springboard into all-star week for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl player.    Class 2A   Clinton has been knocking on the door, waiting on this state title moment. A realignment shift down to 2A only heightened expectations for the Red Devils, and particularly for their defensive leader [player_tooltip player_id='150043' first='Brett' last='Young']. Young's been a force for the Red Devils for almost his entire career, and this year is no different. Young leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions, and fumble recoveries, and his leadership goes well past numbers. He's the heartbeat of Clinton's defense, and it shows as he chases plays all over the field. On the other side of the ball, for all the (well deserved) attention garnered by Clinton's run game, it's QB [player_tooltip player_id='1012830' first='Tushawan' last='Richardson'] who makes it go. He does plenty with his legs, but his arm is often the difference, because he does more than keep you honest. He makes you pay. Almost a fifth of his 61 completions have scored, with 12 TDs on the year. And he's thrown just two interceptions. Both Richardson and Young are seniors, and bringing another championship to Clinton would be particularly sweet.   Barnwell's used to the expectations that come with deep playoff runs as well. The Warhorses practice on Thanksgiving more often than not, and that's something that QB [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] knows the school and community expects. The Warhorses haven't won a state title since 1988, despite playing in either the semifinals or finals 12 times in that span. Austin hopes to make 13 lucky, and he's done plenty to get Barnwell there as one of the top dual-threat guys in the state with nearly 3,000 total offensive yards. While an outstanding championship game might be more of the same for those with an eye on Austin, a title game showcase might be just what's needed to get Damajahi Devoe on a lot more radars. Devoe, the Warhorses talented sophomore safety, has more than 70 tackles, four interceptions, and a defensive score. He'll be tested in both the run and pass game this week, and could see his stock skyrocket.   Class 3A   We've told you what's at stake for BHP above. In the Lower State, Oceanside Collegiate could be poised for a trip back to the top. The Landsharks played for a 2A title in 2022, won it last year, and have advanced back to the state final after moving up to 3A. There's a familiar cast, and they're battle tested. But they're led by a young QB who hasn't yet found a moment he can't embrace. [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] has some big starts under his belt, and the Landsharks' Lower State final win over Loris was no exception. His 314 yards put him over 3,000 for the year, his five TDs pushed him to 38, and he didn't throw an interception, with just five on the year. Since we're talking legacies, let's take a look at what Manavian has a chance to do as a starting QB. You can't win them all if you don't win the first one, which he did last year. Here's a chance to go 2-for-2.    Class 4A   What's at stake in the 4A title game? Only a chance for [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] to rewrite history for Westside. The senior QB already cemented his legend status in Anderson county by leading the Rams to last year's title, calmly delivering a last-second victory. Running it back would be huge for Westside, and the Rams clearly have the talent to do it, with Woods leading the way. He's thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and 36 TDs in a season in which the Rams have rarely been pushed. [player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar'] has had a breakout season, turning into Woods' favorite target by a wide margin. He's got more than 1,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, and has 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, and four pass deflections. he's also just re-opened his recruiting after a coaching change at Appalachian State, and this weekend could show coaches at the next level what he's made of.   The 4A game might have the most interesting storyline of the bunch, too. [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'] has already won a state title playing with his brother, LaNorris (you might have heard of him). He played for another last season, falling to Westside. If the Bruins win this rematch, it will have Sellers' fingerprints all over it. He's the team's leading receiver. He's rushed for nearly 500 yards. He takes direct snaps. He's played a little defense. South Florence is very, very talented, but they're Sellers' team to lead. One of the young guys he's leading is [player_tooltip player_id='1615015' first='Warnell' last='Prew']. On a stout, senior-heavy defense, Prew has more than made his mark. He's got more than 70 tackles and three tackles for loss, and he's got the opportunity to announce his presence to the rest of the state with a big game against Westside.    Class 5A Division II   Sometimes where to start is just obvious. So we'll tell you about what a win would mean to Irmo's [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']. Brand has already made a huge impact on the season, and it's not just what he does, it's how he does it. He's the truest sense of a dual-threat guy, throwing for more than 2,300 yards, rushing for more than 1,600, and accounting for 53 total touchdowns. He's also clearly got the clutch gene, making plays when the Yellow Jackets need it the most. The Virginia Tech signee could help bring Irmo's first title since 1980. And while Brand gets plenty of attention, so does sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant']. He's got 80 tackles, but where he really shines is in the opponent's backfield, with 22 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks on the year. As crazy as it sounds, Bryant has the upside to get even better, and this could be a signature game.   [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'], meanwhile, is the latest in a long line of gunslinging QBs from Northwestern. He's thrown for 3,000 yards and 42 touchdown, rushing for 14 more. He's got a big arm, he's insanely accurate, and he has a mastery of the Northwestern offense, realizing exactly what the Trojans want to do and how they want to do it. Polk has been a star since he was a sophomore, he's led the Trojans back to a state title game, and this weekend is his chance to etch his name into the lore of Football City, USA. [player_tooltip player_id='605531' first='Will' last='Massey'] has that same chance on defense. Massey flies all over the field for the Trojans, with 77 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He's exactly what you'd expect from a fantastic high school LB, and he'll have a say in what the final looks like.   Class 5A Division I   There's hype, and there's "this might be the best Dutch Fork team during their run" hype. But folks are saying it, and it just might be true. The Silver Foxes are stingy on defense and explosive on offense, and when you're throwing "best" around, it means something. [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] has a chance to make his mark as one of the best QBs from Dutch Fork's decade of dominance in the state's biggest class. He's also just a junior, having been forced into action last year as a sophomore and weathering a shaky Dutch Fork start. He's a year older, a year better ,and has a tremendous amount of experience. He's got plenty of talent, too, piling up 2,500 passing yards. There's no doubt he'll be one of the state's top senior signal-callers next year, and this week he can put an exclamation point on his junior season. [player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] doesn't have another high school season, and 5A is sure thankful for that. Sessions is not only a leader for the Silver Foxes on defense, he's an absolute terror. He's a ball-hawk, and a big hitter, and just makes everybody around him better. This Dutch Fork defense is special, having allowed just six points per game, and Sessions and company have a chance to go out as one of the stoutest to play in 5A.   Summerville's return to the state title game for the first time since 2007 has been keyed by a trio of offensive skill guys - a pair of seniors and one of the most intriguing sophomores in the state. Those seniors have steadily progressed for the Green Wave, and look like they're ready to cash in on their final ride. [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] has thrown for 2,300 yards and rushed for 500 more, accounting for 44 total touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] has more than 1,800 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns of his own. And [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] does a little of everything for the Wave, with 200 rushing yards and more than 1,000 receiving yards to his credit, with 15 touchdowns. For the seniors, it's a chance to stamp your name beside some all-time greats at Summerville. For Kelly-Murray, he can serve notice that he'll be a force for a couple more years. And at the end of the day when you're talking Summerville and state championships, for a team with one of the richest histories in the state, it would mean one more title.

What does a football state championship mean to a senior player?