Who To Watch In Friday's Upstate Jamborees

And you thought we had another Friday to go before things got exciting.   While it's true that Week Zero is still a ways off, this Friday in the Upstate is shaping up to give folks a ton of options to get a final look at some guys before the actual season begins.   In Spartanburg and Cherokee counties alone, three jamborees will host 13 matchups and a ton of interesting storylines featuring some of the best players in the state. Here's a look at what's in store.   DISTRICT TWO JAMBOREE AT BOILING SPRINGS   One of the most interesting matchups in the jamboree will be watching how Dorman's [player_tooltip player_id='340230' first='Meek' last='Slydell'] runs the Cavlaliers' offense against a Ridge View defense that includes blazing-fast, top-flight N.C. State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best'] at corner. But that's only one matchup that will feature the new-look Dorman offense under coordinator Jason Farmer. Slydell has a lot of talent at his disposal, with [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] returning in the backfield and [player_tooltip player_id='1706651' first='Corey' last='Cole'] back at WR. Dai'shion Watkins-Hines is expected to be a big contributor in the passing game for Dorman, and Kam Miller is stepping into a big role at TE for the Cavaliers. Then there's [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'], Dorman's do-everything LB/S hybrid, but the big thing to watch on that side of the ball is Dorman's wealth of other guys who are returning, including [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'] up front, [player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby'] at LB, and Donovan Anderson and [player_tooltip player_id='1708614' first='Jabez' last='Thomas'] in the defensive backfield.   The Blazers have a ton of talent back on defense alongside Best as well, as [player_tooltip player_id='1537475' first='D'Juan' last='Franklin'] is back at LB and Javon Holmes will look to make an impact up front on the DL. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1312432' first='Jace' last='Shropshire'] will contribute up front as well, and fellow sophomore Raymond Jones can line up any number of places for Ridge View. Offensively, Ridge View is stacked in the backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='1283827' first='Aidan' last='Keeffe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'], who bring a physical element to the RB position, and with talented junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'], who has a ton of experience under his belt. [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] and Omari Johnson will bring a ton of speed and ability outside.   OTHERS TO WATCH   Dreshawn Mills and [player_tooltip player_id='1592645' first='Jaylon' last='Davis'] DL, Union County   Mills is a burner, and while he'll likely split some carries for the Yellow Jackets, he'll have plenty of chances to shine after playing behind a senior last season. Davis, meanwhile, is an absolute beast in the middle of the field. He had 58 total tackles and 7.5 sacks last season, and he's got a blend of quickness and power that's tough to stop.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732649' first='Braylon' last='Blanton'] WR and Evan Lawter QB, Chesnee   Blanton and Lawter are a good QB/WR combo who seem to be on the same page and who are getting better. Blanton's a go-and-get-it guy, and Lawter throws a pretty ball and improves with every rep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1420582' first='McLeod' last='Darnell'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1271256' first='Major' last='Workman'] LB, J.L. Mann   Mann will look to the return of a pair of players who missed signinficant time last season and who are expected to lead. Darnell played just half a season a year ago, but still accounted for nearly 1,100 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and a 68 percent completion rate. He's got the tools to lead the Patriots. Workman injured his knee on the second kickoff of last season's opener. He's back, he's capable of playing OLB or walking up to the line at DE, and he can be a foundation for Mann's defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite'] DB and [player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn Jr'] DL, Boiling Springs   The Bulldogs have a ton of talent and are capable of being sneaky-good, but these two won't sneak up on anybody. Favorite is one of the most highly-regarded defensive backs in the state, excels in the return game, and is going to see some time on offense as well. Glenn is a monster up front, will demand double-teams, and is capable of making everyone around him better.   McDONALD'S KICKOFF CLASSIC - GAFFNEY   Well, a heavyweight fight is as good a way to start the season as any.   Gaffney and Dutch Fork are expected to be ranked near the top of the 5A polls. They're both loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. So what's going to make this one stand out?   For Gaffney, it just might be the return of [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell']. The Indians' feature back was injured for most of last year, and limited when he returned. Now, new head coach Donnie Littlejohn said McDowell is healthy as he's been in years and might be better than ever. He'll operate out of a backfield with Arkansas-bound [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'], and behind a line that includes some big-time guys in [player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover'] and [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks']. But if McDowell can bring the kind of performance he's capable of at full-go, the buzz around the Indians will be even louder than it is now.   For Dutch Fork, the defense is a given. [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] and company might be even better than last year's squad, and that's saying quite a bit. But again, offense will be the question with the departure of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] to the baseball diamond. Enter Jaxon Knotts, son of Silver Foxes head coach Tom Knotts. He's got a strong arm and has shown some good decision making in his limited experience so far, but the keys are his now. Playing behind a massive, talented OL including [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'] certainly won't hurt.   Others To Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='1603786' first='Trevon' last='Clark'] DE/QB and Ryley Burton LB, Blacksburg   Yep, you're reading Clark's positions correctly. Defensive end and quarterback.That's a decidedly rare combination, but Clark's the rare kind of guy who can pull it off, and his athleticism at QB gives the Wildcats their best shot. Burton is an athletic LB who has a chance to step up and be disruptive for Blacksburg.   Nemehias Fernandez RB, Laurens   Fernandez is the Raiders'main returning offensive weapon after rushing for 500 yards a year ago. This year, he'll likely see some time at LB as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] RB, Spartanburg   There will be a lot of eyes on Spartanburg QB [player_tooltip player_id='1592374' first='Trey' last='Burke'], and rightly so. But the Vikings' offense runs through [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'], and the rugged RB will show off what makes him so special against a good Mallard Creek team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592026' first='Tyqwon' last='Booker'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1676737' first='Asher' last='Littlejohn'] DB, Broome   Booker has a track record, leading Broome in rushing with his hard-nosed style. Littlejohn has track speed, turning in some eye-popping measurables to go with a growth spurt that has served him well at combines and camps.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592581' first='AJ' last='Lindsey'] LB/RB Landrum   The Cardinals' leading tackler is also an offensive weapon, and he'll be relied on even more heavily in his senior year. Lindsey does a ton of stuff well for the Panthers on both sides of the ball.   McDONALD'S KICKOFF CLASSIC - CHAPMAN   There are a couple of intriguing matchups in this one, and one at the top of the list is the opener between Christ Church and Woodruff. The Cavaliers come in with a huge weapon in WR [player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall'], who became a focal point out of necessity last season and who's blossomed in that role. There's also a ton of talent up front in guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1734501' first='George' last='Michael Stathakis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592657' first='Rody' last='Barnett'], while [player_tooltip player_id='1213961' first='Anthony' last='Atkins'] (pictured) is an absolute lock-down guy at corner. One of the biggest names to watch for Christ Church, though, is [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin']. He's the No. 1 RB in the current 2028 PRZ rankings, and his speed, power, and physical nature will quickly show you why.   Speaking of RBs who play that way, [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] is a beast across the field for Woodruff, with size, speed, and athleticism to burn. He's as adept at catching the ball out of the backfield as he is at punishing guys on carries. [player_tooltip player_id='1395078' first='Kam' last='Taylor'] gives the Wolverines a very scary wrinkle as a huge TE who does double duty as a posession guy and a field-stretcher. And [player_tooltip player_id='1592408' first='Shaun' last='Graybill'] is an absolute menace at LB, a guy who just seems to be in on almost every play.   Others To Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='663984' first='Carson' last='Bryant'] WR, Wren   Bryant was a combine and camp star in the offseason, improving nearly every time out. That's signinficant when you consider that he was already Wren's leading receiver, and will be looking to build on that success.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732638' first='Khamari' last='Turner'] DE/TE, Chapman   Turner will lead the hosts on defense, where he's a huge, disruptive force, especially off the edge. But he's also slated to play more of a role as a TE this season, and that kind of flexibility makes him even more of a weapon.   [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1025814' first='Jaiden' last='Taylor'] WR, Riverside   There's a certain comfort level when a quarterback can just sling it up and be pretty sure he'll have a guy capable of running under it. Merhib doesn't NEED that, he's a good passer who's accurate and makes great decisions. But make no mistake that Taylor is that guy. He's typically the smallest player on the field, and he's also usually the fastest by a wide margin. His presence demands attention, and he makes the Warriors' offense better just by playing to that strength. He's a heck of a receiver, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734552' first='Sammy' last='White'] LB, Greer   There's been a lot said (and written) about the Greer DL, and rightly so. And their talents allow White to run around like a maniac making plays all over the field. Last year that was to the tune of 78 tackles, `11 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. White's the kind of LB who thrives on the freedom to go make a play, and he'll have plenty of chances.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734605' first='Josh' last='Smith'] RB, Hillcrest   Smith is one of a few skill returners for the Rams, and one of those who contributed the most last season. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and five touchdowns, including three 100-yard performances. He's powerful enough to run through arm tackles, and those are a terrible idea to begin with. Because once Smith gets an alley, he's gone.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'] LB, Westside   As much as all eyes will be on Westside's offense to see how they'll replace a history-making group lost to graduation, what Wilson does might be just as important. He was all over the place as a defender last season, and they'll rely on him heavily again. He's quick, he gets to the ball in a hurry, and he has a tendency to make big plays when he gets there. There's certain to be a learning curve for the offense, and Wilson will lead the defensive unit, particularly early in the year.

And you thought we had another Friday to go before things got exciting.