Players to Watch at Justin Bethel 7-on-7 Gridiron Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COLUMBIA |</strong> Saturday marks the return of the Justin Bethel 7-on-7 Gridiron Classic at Blythewood High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one-day event allows teams to get in summer work against other talent from around the state. There's also a $4,000 first-place prize and $1,000 to second place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals look to retain the title they won last year. Other teams back are Lower Richland, Mauldin, Bethune-Bowman, Westwood, Fairfield Central and newcomers Wade Hampton, Wilson and Goose Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tournament begins at 9 a.m. at the stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blythewood Bengals</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's tournament provided a glimpse of what was ahead for new starting quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1418100' first='Johnny' last='Collins']</strong>. Despite a tired shoulder from also playing baseball, Collins had a strong connection with his wide receivers the entire day. Rising senior <strong>CJ Johnson</strong> is also back this year along with leading wide receivers from last season <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612853' first='Benjamin' last='Norman Hendrix']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473013' first='Carter' last='Coleman']</strong> - a recent Richmond commitment. On the defensive side, this is an opportunity for defensive backs <strong>Daquan Davis</strong>, <strong>Marion Glover</strong> and <strong>Dillon Hutcherson</strong> to get experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19559131/675b1ae080108a0274cbc601' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f744ab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17786336/670488448f35e991e155bf70' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f744e7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lower Richland Diamond Hornets</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for the Diamond Hornets to play with motivation. Head coach Marlin Taylor has talked about his team's “bridesmaid” status at such events. Quarterbacks <strong>Gerald Gipson</strong> and <strong>Jordan Hargrave</strong> are expected to share snaps as they compete for the starting nod. AC Flora transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356028' first='Solomon' last='Kelson']</strong> looks to continue to blend in with returning wide receivers <strong>Daquan Middleton</strong>, <strong>Zayair Yates</strong> and <strong>Seth Hudson</strong>. Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267324' first='Ophir' last='Hill']</strong> and <strong>Daniel Gee</strong> are leaders on defense. They will work with senior cornerback <strong>Eric Kirkland</strong> and newcomer <strong>Logan Styles</strong> in passing coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19576775/67439b813e65b7f75946efa1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f74517"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17806224/6747b1dcce73d8d9eca0482c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f74541"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Goose Creek</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a similar situation with the Gators at quarterback. <strong>Gabriel Christopher</strong> and <strong>Corey Rouse</strong> will have an experienced target with Jordan Kendrick and running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1065949' first='Sincere' last='Lewis'] </strong>capable pass catchers. Safety <strong>Joshua Bing</strong> will be a defensive player to watch. He's shown an ability to cover the speedy players and force quarterbacks into turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15159526/67886a0841688c0b280a57d4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f74574"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/24043244/66f106cd4417989e45229e87' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f7459d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Fairfield Central</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580947' first='Jayden' last='Boyd']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker'] </strong>are two of the Griffins' most dynamic players. Both players have demonstrated themselves to be impactful on both sides of the football. When utilized on offense, Boyd is one of the fastest players on the field. When not making highlight hits, Walker led the Griffins in interceptions last season. <strong>Kaden Diggs</strong> has the most experience at quarterback returning this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17967751/67585f3bda2d1bdbc77697c5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f745c7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18374215/67599e7f6048d2c3095f0f95' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f745ef"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Westwood Redhawks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New head coach Stephen Burris will look toward quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter']</strong>. The three-year starter nearly tripled his passing yard totals from the previous two seasons. He's expected to have a senior-laden receiving corps, but Burris has highlighted junior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1700055' first='Uriah' last='Lofton']</strong> as a player to watch Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17658194/66cb2ca6dd65ca16dca66dc3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f74621"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23507905/6817f3be7c7249042993f81e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68488b4f7464a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mauldin Mavericks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks made the playoffs after a winless 2023 season. Head coach Andre Cook looks to develop confidence in new starting quarterback <strong>Reddick Langston.</strong> Senior wideouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1303951' first='Tamari' last='Shepherd'] </strong>and <strong>Tristan Nash</strong> have had a productive spring. Sophomore tight end<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1648324' first='Landon' last='Cash'] </strong>makes plays like an elusive wide receiver. Senior<strong> Devon Wilson</strong> leads a secondary with juniors <strong>JaQuan Delbridge</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335895' first='Zaiden' last='Addison']</strong> and sophomore <strong>Tyson Smith</strong> at defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16984322/67409a771f08c0145fbcec32' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6849c9c27a1d8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20172319/6738dd4db978c2e407e04d2a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6849c9c27a204"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->