Community Film Room, Episode 60

Our Winter rankings update pinpointed even more players from the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes who have stood out in their respective positions. For a variety of reasons, our team decided that each of those new additions were worthy of a coveted spot in our rankings.   But we'd be naive to think we've evaluated everyone or didn't miss a few along the way.    The changing of the guard happens year after year, and, as such, PRZ South Carolina is constantly looking at as many of the 10,000-plus prep football players in the SCHSL and SCISA ranks as possible.   Now, the Community Film Room is back.   In each edition, we'll break down five unranked players from across the state to let you see what we're seeing. The series will lead right into the the start of the spring rankings cycle, the ever-growing importance of the summer program schedules and then the 2024 season.   In Episode 60, we're going straight defense, with a look at an edge, a tackle, two linebackers and a defensive back - all of whom are capable of flipping a game with a single play and consistently producing from start to finish.    Few would have expected Patton to have the type of year he did. After registering 29 tackles while playing spot duty as a sophomore, he showed he could be a dominating force when given a full run of playing time. He finished his junior year with 129 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, six quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.    His game-changing ability lies in Patton getting downhill in a hurry. After momentum is going in his favor, he's then a ferocious hitter who doesn't miss tackles. Just as importantly, it leaves him not just racking up numbers, but forcing opposing offenses into even more problems, be it playing behind the sticks on the next play or getting forced to punt it away.      Darlington football might not be competing for region or state titles yet, but the progress of this team very much is happening alongside the progress of individuals like Small. The 2026 safety finished his junior season with 65 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four pass break-ups, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.   He plays both the run and the pass exceptionally well, and his skill as an elite tackler allows the defensive staff to be very liberal with where he's lining up. Biggest thing we noticed from his film? His eyes are seemingly always in the right spot. Because as athletic as some guys are, you can't luck into Small's production value.      The Red Foxes' defense is predicated on allowing all its speed to get where it needs to be. We've seen a number of linebackers and safeties there having nice careers because of it. But it looks even better when Jeff Calabrese has some interior linemen to clog up the bigger bodies and let those backside defenders run free.   Let us introduce you to Price, who as a junior had countless plays that never showed up for him in the stat packs but ultimately allowed Hartsville to look much better on defense. While playing through some torn cartilage in his leg, he used his frame to move to the edge when necessary (he does occasionally slide out some), but his wing span and upper body as a whole give him more than enough to hand fight multiple offensive linemen at once.      Newton's debut included him showing everyone that he could be the next production monster along the middle of the Mustangs' defense. He finished the season with 122 total tackles, something that will be vital to Midland Valley with the ensuing departure of [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] and his insane tackles figures the last three years.    Where Newton can take the next step, though, is by doing what he does even closer to the line of scrimmage. He's clearly not afraid of the contact and already has a nose for slowing down offenses, especially in the run game. A full complement of opposing rushing attacks should feed directly into his upside.      Scott is a big ol' name to know for the 2025 season. The defensive end put up seven sacks last fall while adding seven tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 39 tackles. Best yet, he got more effective after the team's three-week layoff due to storm damage, helping the Eagles' run to the third round of the state playoffs.    As an edge rusher, Scott shows signs of everything he needs to do well. He can hit the gas and blow by tackles, cut inside and rely on his power to bull through guards and he can use some patience and then track down ball carriers, even from the back side. Knowing when to create momentum has been key, and it's no issue for Scott.

Our Winter rankings update pinpointed even more players from the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes who have stood out in their respective positions. For a variety of reasons, our team decided that each of those new additions were worthy of a coveted spot in our rankings.