GSPD Ball Carriers Looking to Power Week 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By this point of the season, we already know who the biggest arms in the state are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same goes for the Grand Strand &amp; Pee Dee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players like [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald'] (Loris), [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] (South Florence) and [player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] (Lamar) have each fed off strong 2024 campaigns, and they are seemingly taking taking turns putting up some monster numbers in leading their respective squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But what we're seeing driving this zone of the state will be on full display in Week 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between region openers and a few more non-region games, what the ball carriers in the GSPD do on Friday will likely be a big talking point for next weekend. These players in particular have our full attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1148537' first='Jaryn' last='Fox']</strong> RB, Carolina Forest (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was this time a year ago when Fox started a tremendous run that carried both he and his Panthers' teammates throughout the rest of the season. Don't look now, but Fox has already checked the same box he did in 2024. Last year? He put up 193 yards against Ashley Ridge in Week 4. On Friday against Ashley Ridge again, he put up 209. The one difference between last year and this is Fox will be playing across the state at Southside Christian. Carolina Forest is going to want to make sure upwards of 10 hours on a bus aren't wasted, and the easiest way for it to accomplish that is to feed the star, let him do his thing and get ready for region play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823730' first='Michael' last='Cohen']</strong> RB, Myrtle Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seahawks may need another week before starting quarterback <strong>Tanner Gaddy</strong> (concussion) is back in the starting lineup. That's where Myrtle Beach's bruising tailback comes back into the equation. This week's non-region finale against Cane Bay will give Cohen another week to build upon his role. While his 183 total rushing yards won't blow anyone away, he's averaging north of five yards per carry. What he's also done is expand his pass-catching ability in what is essentially another way for the Seahawks to move the ball with little risk. Cohen is tied for the team lead in receptions (14) and he's used those to add another 154 yards to his senior resume.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820181' first='Kenard' last='Heyward']</strong> RB, Carvers Bay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bears have only attempted 17 passes during their 5-0 start. And five of those came in a close win at Andrews. Heyward is the reason. Look at his stat line: 157 carries, 1,349 yards (8.6 ypc), 10 touchdowns. So while Carvers Bay is only averaging about three pass attempts a game, Hayward is averaging 31 carries each week. Clearly, Carvers Bay has wrapped its offense around his ability to move the chains. That's not going to change against Green Sea Floyds in the team's second region contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592515' first='Ka'Nazzion' last='Bethea']</strong> QB, Mullins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're seeing a version of Bethea that we didn't see even during his successful junior season or his debut campaign in 2023. Now, Marion's likely to see it, too, in the two teams' rivalry game. Bethea has had bouts where interceptions have piled up on him. He has still be pretty effective with his arm - he's already thrown for 738 yards and 10 touchdowns in the Auctioneers' first four contests. However, he's also running more than ever before, too. Bethea's 497 yards this fall have already eclipsed the 491 he had as a junior. He's averaging 8.4 yards per carry and has gotten into the end zone twice (he didn't have a rushing touchdown last season). Mullins knows what its best chance to win inside the region lies.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Robert Mack</strong> RB, Trinity Collegiate&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mack got off to a slow start, putting up just 38 yards on 11 carries in a season-opening loss to Pee Dee Academy. He has continued to improve every week since, something he backed up with his first 100-yard rushing game of the season Friday against Dillon Christian. The Titans are still going to be a pass-first squad this week against Northside Christian, but putting more of the impetus on Mack to deliver yards and take the pressure off quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734471' first='Davidson' last='Lynch'] becomes more and more vital as the season progresses.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592473' first='Kylif' last='Miller']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672833' first='Trace' last='Hillian']</strong> Hartsville and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639822' first='MyQuan' last='McWhite']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1408715' first='Caleb' last='Collins']</strong> Wilson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While most folks already respect the Red Foxes' production coming out of the backfield, the matchup between Hartsville and Wilson could be an all-around big one from both sides. McWhite, who splits time between tailback and receiver (he leads the Tigers in every receiving category) leads the squad with 186 yards and a pair of scores. Collins is right behind him with 169 yards, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822811' first='Taumaury' last='Echols']</strong> should be included in the mix with 153 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Hillian has 389 yards and five scores and Miller counters with 369 and five of his own. The region opener between these two likely comes down to what those two backfields can do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes']</strong> RB, Kingstree&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dukes has yet to have a game that looks like some of his junior season totals that at times just felt ridiculous. But he also has shown time and again how valuable he is to Kingstree in his fourth season as a starter. So far this fall, he's got 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns while hauling in another seven passes for 68 yards and another score. Against Lake City on Friday, it makes even more sense to give him more touches. This will be one of those games that will ultimately play a huge role in determining the final region standings come the end of October. The fact that Dukes went for 193 and two touchdowns against Lake City a year ago isn't being taken lightly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->