2025 Preview: South Pointe Stallions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Pointe hasn't forgotten about the blowout 35-14 loss to the Westside Rams in the Upper State semifinal to end the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212416' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] </strong>and the Stallions are looking to begin the quest to make another run, and go deeper this time around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We know how that felt. We don't want to feel that anymore, especially with it being my last season so the work we put in, it's just to not feel that again so (the goal is) just to win the last game (in a) state championship (in) Orangeburg,” Currence said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currence is a part of a loaded Stallions' roster returning in 2025, beginning on the offensive line with University of South Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165103' first='Anthony' last='Baxter']</strong>, seniors <strong>Brandon Williams </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734465' first='Jaydon' last='Lee']</strong>. The receiving core will be talented with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='930586' first='Dailan' last='Duncan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1476906' first='Kadin' last='Vassel'] </strong>and<strong> </strong>Rock Hill transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins']</strong>, who is a speedster with the ball in his hands.  Keep an eye on <strong>Tacarean Douglas</strong>, who will be a part of a crowded backfield as well. On defense, the coaching staff is excited about the guys in the secondary with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267332' first='Cedric' last='Wherry'] </strong>and<strong> Darein Judge.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening slate for the Stallions is challenging, beginning with the season opener on August 22 in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte at 4pm against Hough out of Charlotte, before games against cross-town rival Rock Hill and West Charlotte. Stallions assistant head coach Calvin McCullough told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Westwood on July 11 that it is a one day focus for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The kids are working hard, preparing for this upcoming season. Everybody's goal is to be the state champion at the end of the year. That's our goal. That's our focus but we know we've got to take it one day at a time, one game at a time and try to get better every day,” McCullough said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212416' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence']</strong> ATH, 2026 – The University of South Carolina commit (pictured above) and the No. 1 player in the PRZ Class of 2026 rankings returns for his senior season with the Stallions, and will be arguably the most important piece in 2025. He can line up and play safety and impact the game that way, but last season he added the role of wide receiver to his toolbox. He'll be used all over the field in different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expectations heading into 2025: “(I'm) ready for August 22. Beat the 22, that's the new motto. We've been preparing since (the) spring since we learned we were playing in the game (against Hough in Charlotte). Other than that, (the goal) is to win the state championship and go 15-0 so we're preparing to do that. All of the guys have bought in.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On commitment to the University of South Carolina: “The program is built off love. It's a place you want to be around. All of the coaches and the players, the coaches, the people. In general, they always stay the same. You see what you get, you get what you see so it's a place I wanted to be at.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon'] </strong>QB, 2026 – McMillon will have the keys to the car of the Stallions' offense in 2025, and will have a plethora of receivers to throw it to as we mentioned above. He threw for 2580 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. He has a great arm to be able to launch it to his receivers. He can also make plays with his feet when plays break down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff'] </strong>WR, 2027 – Ratliff returns for his junior season for the Stallions and had a productive year as a sophomore. He can take a quick screen pass and get up field quickly, and with his speed, it is a threat to go to the house. He's tough to guard one-on-one because of that quickness and he can run right by defenders and get into the endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284136' first='Miles' last='Wilson'] </strong>DL, 2026 – Wilson will be one of the leaders of the interior of the defensive line. He is an effective run stopper and can clog up running lanes quickly to be able to limit the play for short gains. He has good size for the position and can engage the defensive lineman and has good hand usage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman']</strong> DE, 2027 – Tillman (pictured above) is another defender for the Stallions that can make an impact on the defensive line. He can move around and play as a standup defensive end and rush the passer with good rush integrity. He can also plug up run lanes and be able to defend against the inside run game or a running quarterback. He has a motor that is always running. He has numerous Power Four offers including Georgia, Clemson, Miami and Vanderbilt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>“My pass rushing ability. Using my speed and using the edge” – Tillman on a strength in his game that he wants to take to another level in 2025.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20545517/672fcbb2ee297d02d41b7238' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6875040f72f13"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Pickett Hicks</strong> RB – Pickett Hicks was a focal point for the Stallions offense in 2024, rushing for 2,665 yards and 30 touchdowns. He had breakaway speed and they gave it to him frequently as he had 207 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Barnette </strong>DB – Barnette was a leader in the secondary, as he was third on the team in tackles last year with 30 solo tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daquan Evans</strong> LB, 2026 – Evans returns for his senior season on the Stallions' defense and can attack the line of scrimmage. He can fill the alley on run plays well and read and react to plays and has great closing speed on the ball. He can also play well out in coverage in being able to come up and lay the lumber on the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyquan Brice </strong>RB, 2027 – Brice saw time on the varsity squad in 2024, and that will continue heading into 2025. He is a physical, downhill back who has great vision to be able to find a lane and then explode with speed and quickness. We were impressed with his ability to protect in pass protection and run blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1709274,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1636350' first='Izayah' last='Davis']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Pointe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6875040f74b54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis has a great burst of speed when he gets into the open field. He has good vision, understands the design of run plays like the inside zone, for example. He saw time on the JV squad, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if he finds some time on the varsity squad this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21898190/67326658346388faf47ffe2c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6875040f74b9c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->