CCC West Florence: Breaking Down the Underclassmen QBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027s and 2028s invited to West Florence for the Carolinas Coaches Combines on March 30 include some big names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AC Flora offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153356' first='Ashton' last='Thompson']</strong> is shooting up multiple recruiting boards (not to mention ours) and already has a Kentucky offer in his back pocket. Ridge View receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson']</strong> is a Top 10 overall player in the class and is looking like a sure-fire P4 recruit. And 2028 linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615015' first='Warnell' last='Prew']</strong> from South Florence is our top-ranked linebacker in the Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the flip side, there are also some players we're looking forward to seeing in person. Carolina Forest end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1581470' first='George' last='Handley']</strong> is a weight room monster about to step into a more pivotal role for the Panthers' defense. And 5-foot-10 Lamar receiver <strong>Jaylen Morris</strong> looks to be the next standout pass catcher for the Silver Foxes for next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest theme we're seeing on paper, though, might be the quarterbacks who were nominated and selected for the event. The storylines here can be divvied up into four distinct categories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Leaders in the Clubhouse</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard']</strong> already has his first NCAA Division-I offer, and Southern Miss won't be his last. While he's not tall, he's got every passing tool in his arsenal. He excels in games, sure, but he's also well-versed in combine demands and what he needs to do. His decision making during the competition portion of the afternoon should elevate him above everyone else, or at least near the very top.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dwyane Louallen</strong> of Central is a name that hasn't garnered a ton of attention. Yet. We're not the only ones who are interested to see his verified measurements; he's listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. He is a strong runner, and as last fall went on, he got even more potent as a thrower. He went for 190 yards in three of his last five games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not far off is <strong>Grayson Rimpf</strong> from Camden. The coach's son split reps at the position last year and threw for 853 yards and six touchdowns. He's also listed at 6-foot-2, and given how the Bulldogs have used their quarterbacks of late, he's in line for a big junior season. His appearance at West Florence should expedite that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Ready For Next Step</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waccamaw's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473025' first='Andre' last='Grate']</strong> has been the Warriors' starter for two seasons. And while he's valuable to his team in so many ways in its run-based offense, we've yet to see him cut loose as a passer. Last season, for instance, he attempted about 50 passes. Still, we don't bet against his athleticism.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of, Marlboro County's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='776240' first='Tre' last='Blakeney']</strong> is the new starter there. In his limited time as the team's back-up last year, he was used primarily as a runner. We're anticipating his throws while knowing full well how his could pop some serious times in the Catapult vest during some of the Combine portions of the day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And as far as new regular starters go, few in the state can touch what <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615056' first='Ford' last='Wallace']</strong> did in his opening number in the playoffs in November. In the first-round win over Beaufort, he was 11-of-13 for 234 yards and four touchdowns. Wallace is going to be the tallest quarterback on the field, and his arm should only aid in the perception everyone there will have of him afterward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Wait and See</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a point last offseason where it appeared <strong>De'Eric Davis </strong>would be the next starter at South Florence. However, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson']</strong> went off, grabbed the QB1 spot and then threw for 2,080 yards en route to a state championship. Davis will again be the backup, barring something crazy happening but he's got a huge arm that should shine in the combine setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lower Richland's <strong>Gerald Gibson</strong> took advantage of his limited snaps as a sophomore last fall, completing 61 percent (11-of-18) of his passes for 167 yards and a pair of touchdowns. At 6-feet and 150 pounds, he looks primed for the top job.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery Durham</strong> completed half of his 34 pass attempts last fall for Andrews, mostly in mop-up duty. And while the Yellow Jackets have been a run-heavy offense for some time, he might have the highest ceiling of the recent quarterbacks in terms of throwing the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>TBD, Combine Style</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three teams each have two quarterbacks participating in the underclassmen session at West Florence, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this will be very much part of their one-on-one competitions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683096' first='Brennan' last='Moore']</strong> and <strong>Billy Bain</strong> will be representing second-year program Atlantic Collegiate. <strong>Aiden Fitzgerald</strong> was the starter last year at Lugoff-Elgin, but teammate <strong>Zach Williams</strong> is charging fast for the Demons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And Green Sea Floyds will be sending <strong>Thomas Gunnells </strong>and <strong>Jack Shelley</strong> - either of whom could end up being the starter for the Trojans next fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->