2025 Preview: Cane Bay Cobras

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 season was an oddity for Cane Bay and even though they had late success, the Cobras would rather not repeat history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They began the season with seven straight losses that included losing the first two Region VII-5A games by a total of 15 points. But the Cobras rallied to defeat Stratford, Goose Creek and Berkeley, the other three teams to finish with 3-2 records in the region. That gave Cane Bay the region championship by virtue of the tiebreakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View eliminated Cane Bay in the first round of the Class 5A, Division I playoffs to finish with a 3-8 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“First of all, that speaks to coach (Russell) Zehr and his philosophy and vision. We never got down and we just showed up to do our jobs. The kids didn't give either,” offensive coordinator Austin Smith said. “After starting 0-7, a lot of people could have said they were done. The kids did a really good job of taking that effort, working every day and they saw a couple of good things happen and we ended up winning a region championship.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cane Bay is one of the few teams in Class 5A that still employ the triple option. B-Back&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732605' first='Tyler' last='Meyers']</strong>&nbsp;is a huge part of that success. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound bruiser helps lead that attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers is one that would like to see the Cobras come out of the gate a little quicker this season. The senior sees no reason they can't build on how they finished last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We had the mentality to finish the season,” Myers said. “It wasn't the way we wanted to start but we had the mentality to finish it off and end on a good note. This season, we want to make sure we start quicker and carry that over the course of the entire season.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Troy Stevens&nbsp;</strong>OL, 2026 – Stephens has shown his versatility during his career, starting at both guard and tackle along the offensive line. He's been a workout warrior in the weight room and that should translate onto the field. He's a punishing run blocker and that fits well into the Cobras scheme.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732589' first='Jamari' last='Blandin']</strong>&nbsp;DB, 2027 – Blandin loves the spotlight and that was highlighted when his interception in the end zone helped preserve the 28-23 win over Berkeley that clinched the region title. He gained more confidence as the season progressed and that should carry over into 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Ledford</strong>&nbsp;OL, 2026 – Ledford might be undersized on a lot of offensive lines, but he fits in well with the Cobras triple option attack from his center position. He's smart, helps make adjustments upfront as needed, and handles larger defensive linemen with great technique and leverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738833' first='Brody' last='Thacker']</strong>&nbsp;LB, 2026 – Every defense needs a quarterback, and Thacker could play that role in 2025. He knows the scheme and where everyone should be and doesn't mind putting guys in the right position. He plays fast and physical and that will pay off in a region that is loaded with talented skill position players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colby LaRocca</strong>&nbsp;QB, 2026 – Larocca isn't called on to throw often but showcases a strong arm and accuracy when needed. The better part of his game is he makes great decisions running the offense. He grew and matured into the role as the season progressed and having that season under his belt should help tremendously as the Cobras try to avoid a slow start in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18098187/67409b8ca403a896489a2ae2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685b08190be55"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonas McKeen&nbsp;</strong>DB – McKeen has been a starter for most of the past three seasons and his presence in the secondary will be greatly missed. He was a good cover corner and supported well in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Seabrook</strong>&nbsp;RB/DB – Seabrook started last season as an offensive player but by the end of the season, he was contributing on both sides of the ball. He continued to be a key in the running game and then stepped in at defensive back late in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devin Cobbs</strong>&nbsp;DE, 2027 – Cobbs is an off the edge pass rusher and could develop into one of best in the lowcountry this season. He's powerful and doesn't mind fighting through blocks to be involved in the play. He's only going to get better with more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunter Lawhon</strong>&nbsp;DL, 2027 – The Cobras are the biggest on the defensive front, but Lawhorn plays bigger than his size might indicate. He's 5-foot-11, 225 pounds but is strong and uses his leverage well. He got his feet wet last season on the varsity level but should be a mainstay this season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664566"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685b08190d5bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houpe is going to focus mainly on running back this season, but he did fill the role of backup quarterback last season while starting in the backfield. He saw action under center and turned out to be a valuable option but is going to have a larger impact from the running back spot in the triple option attack. He's a big play threat anytime he touches the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->