Class 2A’s Biggest Offseason Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the next six months, Class 2A's programs will have a monumental collective task.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Re-setting a really chalky table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 season resulted in many of the teams we already knew were good doing what good teams do. Win. They did it in the regular season, and then so much in the playoffs that we failed to see a single seedings upset (save for two like-seeded road teams winning in the opening round).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was about as straight-line of a postseason bracket as this state has seen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flash forward to now, and the success rate rolls right into attrition and finding new stars. We'll start to see those this offseason. These storylines are at the front of that discussion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Can Clinton Stay Atop The Mountain?&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For as much as the Red Devils lost - namely quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012830' first='Tushawan' last='Richardson']</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150043' first='Brett' last='Young']</strong> - Clinton isn't entering the offseason devoid of talent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook']</strong> (1,824 yards, 21 touchdowns on the ground) is an even bigger part of the offense, and fellow backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603772' first='Rhett' last='Gilliam']</strong> and 635 yards, 10 touchdowns) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603990' first='Angelo' last='Cromer']</strong> (311 yards, three touchdowns) should keep the offense more than steady while expected starting quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='630150' first='Owen' last='Glenn']</strong> gets his feet under him after attempting only four passes last fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Considering <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165753' first='Tre' last='Aiken']</strong> has one more year at left tackle and the offense may have a few road bumps to navigate, but it's nothing this group can't handle.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did we mention most of the defense is back, too?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592507' first='Luke' last='Young']</strong> topped 100 tackles last fall. Defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165512' first='Chris' last='Boyd']</strong> had 86 (and 700-plus yards on offense and special teams). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639788' first='Jaydon' last='Glenn']</strong> had 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. And <strong>Maison Tinsley</strong> picked off three passes to go along with 50 tackles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bunch of blowouts during the regular season helped coach Corey Fountain empty his bench so that inexperienced players could get on the field. And the five-game playoff run not only added to that trend, it ended with a title. It's hard to find another Class 2A team that looks this good on paper as we approach March.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Region VI-2A Trench Development</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We watched Region VI-2A turn into a mauling dog fight week after week in most of the important games. For the most part, each of those games came down to who played better up front.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next few months, then, will go a long way toward how the 2025 season plays out, because the top four squads - Philip Simmons, Timberland, Woodland and Andrews - all have guys who can flat out take over a game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start on offense, and that means the top-ranked overall lineman in 2026, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green']</strong> of Timberland. His recruitment (by basically everyone) tells us what his market value is. In terms of the Wolves, he's the player most responsible for paving the way in the run game, not to mention stopping would-be edge rushers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After that, Philip Simmons' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473030' first='Quamaine' last='Vaughn']</strong> (No. 22 overall, 2026) has slimmed down slightly to 275 and could become even more effective as not only a straight-ahead blocker but in possibly pulling situations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those two experienced tackles have had the edge, but getting ready for what appears to be even more of an onslaught looks to be the driving force for this region moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teammates <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473028' first='Donovan' last='Miles']</strong> (No. 71 overall, 2026) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592194' first='Jaemin' last='Pinckney']</strong> Woodland (No. 77 overall, 2026) could be on the verge of major uphill movement in the rankings after a great first full season together. Miles finished with 87 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, while Pinckney had 77 tackles, seven tackles for loss and seven sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They aren't the only talented duo on one defensive line. Despite missing three games, Philips Simmons' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271262' first='Alex' last='Tchoryk']</strong> (No. 82 overall, 2027) had 8.5 sacks to go along with seven tackles for loss and 49 total stops. Interior tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639793' first='Jayquan' last='Shephard']</strong> locked down his starting spot and finished with 46 tackles and five tackles for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up at Andrews, defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025808' first='Chris' last='Stewart']</strong> (No. 122 overall, 2026) is coming off a year in which he led the Yellow Jackets in tackles (93), tackles for loss (31.5) and sacks (13.5). Meanwhile, tackle <strong>Da'Viyon McNair</strong> got his feet wet as a two-way starter while pitching in 25 tackles and 4.5 for loss. Both of those numbers could double (or more) next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The knowledge of the upcoming year and what they'll also be asked to do will likely start paying dividends well before August.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defining Nondescript Roles</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small-class football typically means fewer numbers, and that equates to players seeing time not only in multiple phases of the game, but often on short notice or with very little prep. Yet, Class 2A is jammed with players who have the offseason to earn further responsibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Kingtree's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes'] </strong>had fallen forward one more time when being tackled last fall, he likely would have hit 1,800 yards rushing. To put that into perspective, he had one carry for six yards as a sophomore. No, tailback wasn't his primary spot. He's a college defensive back who enters his senior year with 138 career tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three picks. There's some uncertainty going on in Williamsburg right now, but Dukes has the faith of the current staff and we could see an offseason of responsibilities at tailback leading him to some rarified offensive numbers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton County has three such players. Rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422535' first='Jayvin' last='Risher']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain']</strong> clearly have big expectations and have already played multiple positions. More importantly, they're both getting a first-hand look from 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary']</strong> on how to make all their combined athletic talent work best. The plan this spring is to maximize that as much as humanly possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tailback, slot, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, safety, kickoff return. Yep, that's everything Ninety Six's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165125' first='Gabe' last='Hackett']</strong> is capable of handling, often from one snap to the next. And since the Wildcats are still building, Hackett's final offseason and his first as the undisputed leader means he's going be put in several positions to do just that.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Manning, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty']</strong> is set to take on even more of the job that he helped <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574049' first='Jeffery' last='Ceasar']</strong> accomplish last fall. With Ceasar graduating, Canty enters the spring having already rushed for 769 yards offensively and 97 tackles on defense. He knows he has to be the guy, and we can't wait to see him during the combines and then padded practices to see how it progresses.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1516248' first='Marvin' last='Randolph']</strong> from Buford, there's no telling how many spots he'll line up at over the course of March and May sessions. Last fall, he returned nine kickoffs on defense; had 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three recovered fumbles on defense; and recorded 297 yards and three touchdowns offensively.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639749' first='Sean' last='Davis']</strong> is a defensive back first. But it's not as if the Eagles have hidden their desires to have him be a bigger part of the other side of the ball. He's thrown passes, had carried and caught passes. Central's gonna need another playmaker on offense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254093' first='Tray' last='Wilson']</strong> moving on. Davis looks like a natural fit. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Likewise, Fairfield Central's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker']</strong> - already ranked as a defensive back - got a small taste at receiver (seven receptions, 90 yards) last fall. However, with a need there chasing some graduations, we expect to see him working in on offense more in spring ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Motivation All Over Region IV-2A</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By now, most people have seen the on-field call that didn't do Cheraw any favors in the Lower State semifinal. But before the Braves got to that point, the table that was set via the Region IV-2A slate added enough fuel for Cheraw, Central and Andrew Jackson this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consider this: The region champion Braves beat Central 30-13 and Andrew Jackson 21-20.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central defeated Andrew Jackson 20-0. Change any of those relatively close contests and the playoff seedings and matchups (those three won five postseason games anyway) could have looked much differently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And here's why all that matters.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of the major pieces from all three teams in this hybrid region are back.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Jackson returns 1,000-yard rusher <strong>Damias Segars</strong> at tailback and 1,000-yard passer <strong>Logan Neal</strong> to an offense that had to call some audibles throughout 2024. Top tacklers <strong>Jace Fair</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395000' first='Kamron' last='McGill']</strong> not only return, but they get their favorite linebacker mate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395019' first='Tyre' last='Gaddy']</strong> back, too, after injuries sidelined him for most of last fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over at Central, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen']</strong> has a super-high ceiling after taking over the job, and both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson']</strong> (858 yards, seven touchdowns) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short'] </strong>(723 yards, eight touchdowns) are back for one more season out of the backfield. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639763' first='Marques' last='Allen']</strong> was already effective, but we're expecting a massive jump from his individually.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cheraw is probably losing the most production of the three squads, but the Braves are simultaneously bringing back a ton. From 2026 defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422635' first='Anthony' last='Strong']</strong> (65 tackles, nine tackles for loss) and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172365' first='Crawford' last='Poole']</strong> (47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss) on defense to quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781859' first='Kadin' last='Thomas']</strong> (1,300 yards, 17 touchdowns) and tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321038' first='Justyn' last='Joint']</strong> (618 yards, nine touchdowns, pictured) on offense, there's no question the next evolution of Braves is already here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->