Midseason Report: Lowcountry

We're just past the halfway point of the season and the month of October is going to be a look of fun with the SCHSL regular season ending on Halloween Night.   But what have we learned up until this point?   Who are the surprise teams in the Lowcountry? Or is it more of the same teams with high expectations?   It's been the year of the quarterback so far in the Lowcountry, but will that trend continue in this final month?   So many questions but also so many answers by what we've learned so far. We're going to break down the players and teams that made a mark in the first half of the season and what you can expect the rest of the way.   BIGGEST SURPRISES   Is James Island the team to beat in Region VIII-5A? The Trojans are undefeated with their smallest margin of victory being 16 points in the season opener against a really good Gray Collegiate team. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler'] was named to the Touchstone Energy North-South Game and is already near 1,400 yards passing on the season. Receiver Raphael Puiu is well on his way to a 1,000-yard season with [player_tooltip player_id='1895719' first='Jordan' last='Kendrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664605' first='Sam' last='Crumpton'] being solid second and third options. [player_tooltip player_id='402500' first='Malachi' last='Washington'] is more than holding his own in the running game. The defense has allowed a total of 37 points with linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1274260' first='Bryson' last='Bowers'], defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1896110' first='Rob' last='Grant'] and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1894002' first='Zamarius' last='Gladden'] leading the way.   Bishop England might be the best in Class 4A – Joining Dantzler as a quarterback on the Touchstone Energy North-South Game is [player_tooltip player_id='1592310' first='Quinn' last='Mahoney']. But the Bishops have weapons galore with five receivers having 100 yards or more in receiving. [player_tooltip player_id='1822196' first='Zachary' last='Balog'], [player_tooltip player_id='1819312' first='Ben' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1819650' first='Sammy' last='Garton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1664589' first='William' last='Donato'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592547' first='Brody' last='Tonon'] (leading rusher as well) are all options to make a big play. Speaking of Tonon, his brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1674089' first='Chase' last='Tonon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1582108' first='Trevor' last='Tonon'] are just sophomores but the two leading tacklers on defense. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1172361' first='Matthew' last='Ponkow'] already has 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. [player_tooltip player_id='1819657' first='Jacob' last='Mahoney'] plays well in the secondary.   Oceanside Collegiate has the signature win – The Landsharks have played arguably the toughest schedule in the state, but they also might have the biggest win so far. The two-time defending state champions in Class 3A knocked off three-time Class 5A defending state champion Dutch Fork 24-20 in mid-September. The defense is battle-tested with linebackers Rhys Meterdith and Tyler Stafford, defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1821531' first='Joey' last='Harriott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1025774' first='Sawyer' last='Arnold'] and Michael Jones along with defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='1824235' first='Michael' last='Strickler'], Cole Gaspar and [player_tooltip player_id='1155334' first='Damonte' last='Green'] all making statements at one point of the season. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] has been as good as advertised with over 1,700 yards passing already with his top three targets being [player_tooltip player_id='1592182' first='Terence' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824234' first='Tyler' last='Garner']. Add in the running of [player_tooltip player_id='1821532' first='Zakhi' last='Muncey'], the blocking of [player_tooltip player_id='1320686' first='Lamareon' last='Thompson'] and Oceanside Collegiate might be right back in Orangeburg the first week of December.   ZONE'S BEST   [player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn'] DL, West Ashley   Biegenzahan has been effective enough to earn an invitation to participate in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star game. He plays both ways for the Wildcats, but his position in college is going to be defensive end/tackle. He's got the size and strength to add weight and be a great down lineman. He can get after the passer and he's athletic enough to set the perimeter on sweep plays.      [player_tooltip player_id='473024' first='Ryan' last='Campbell'] RB, Ashely Ridge   We wondered how Campbell would fit in after transferring from Fort Dorchester but let's just say it's been a seamless transition. Campbell (pictured) is on pace for over 1,600 rushing yards and he doesn't mind doing it running on the inside or the outside. He has the toughness to put his head down and get a yard to two when needed but he also has the breakaway speed to take it the distance from 50 yards or longer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] QB, Stratford   Davis was named as one of the two quarterbacks selected to the Shrine Bowl. He has 10 touchdown passes to just one interception and his best and biggest football is ahead of him. He also ran for 379 yards and seven scores. With the addition of Maliq McGowan in the backfield, defenses can't cheat and focus all their attention on Davis. His second half should be fun to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green'] OL, Timberland   The Florida commitment has played up to the preseason hype. The Wolves are 4-1 at the midway point and have done it with a stellar rushing attack. Green has been a dominating force and that could bode well for Timberland in a muddled Class 2A Lower State that seems to be wide open.   [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] ATH, Cross   Ramsey committed to South Carolina earlier in the season and he rarely, if ever, comes off the field for the Trojans. He's been elected to the Shrine Bowl and within striking distance of setting the state interception record for a career. He also plays wide receiver but with his 6-foot-5 frame is going to make a great tight end at the next level. Ramsey feels he has some unfinished business after coming up short in the Class A title game last season so the next two months should be fun watching one of the best two-way players the state's seen in some time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] ATH, Hampton County   Singletary is another two-way player that has 559 yards rushing, 11 rushing touchdowns, one reception for 86 yards that resulted in a TD, 22 tackles, an interception, a caused fumble and a blocked field goal. He's also a terror on special teams. The Hurricanes are sitting at 3-3 but very easily get hot in the second half of the season in region play and carry that momentum into the playoffs.    SECOND HALF PREDICTIONS   [player_tooltip player_id='1639678' first='Gehad' last='Sneed'] LB, Berkeley   The Stags have pitched back-to-back shutouts, and Sneed has been right in the middle of that mix. The Shrine Bowl selection is a terror coming off the edge and can do a lot of things well. Add [player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1357963' first='Landon' last='Jackson'] to the mix and Berkeley might very well become a contender in Class 5A, Division II Lower State bracket. They feel like the offense can score with most teams but how the defense plays might be the key for region play and postseason success.     [player_tooltip player_id='1394988' first='Aedan' last='McCarthy'] QB, Bluffton, [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] QB, Oceanside Collegiate, [player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler'] QB, James Island, [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] QB, Berkeley, [player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson'] QB, Northwood   That's a lot of names but all these players have the ability to put a team on their back and carry them to victory. These are not just some of the top quarterbacks in the Lower State, but these are among the top signal-callers in the state. We've seen each of them throw or run enough to win games and they could be huge factors as each of those teams have region titles and more to play for over the next two months.     [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] WR and [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] RB, Summerville   The Green Wave made the Class 5A, Division I championship game last season and came up short against Dutch Fork. But Kelly-Murray and Williams could very easily have Summerville playing in the first weekend of December once again. Both are big-time playmakers that can take over games in a variety of ways. It's likely their roles have been limited early in the season but now that we're ready to flip the calendar to October, Kelly-Murray and Williams are likely to see expanded roles.    [player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] OL, Beaufort   The Eagles haven't had the season they expected sitting at 2-3 but with the likes of Speaks upfront, they possibly could turn it around. It's one of the stronger regions in Class 4A but Speaks is a wild card that could give the running game a boost going up against the likes of Bishop England, Bluffton and Hilton Head in the region. Speaks was picked for the Touchstone Energy North-South Game and is a physical presence that brings a lot of experience to the table.   [player_tooltip player_id='1395023' first='I'veon' last='Watson'] DL, Whale Branch gets 20 sacks   The Warriors have lost three in a row, but Watson is on pace to record 20 sacks this season. He has 11 sacks in the first four games (we don't have stats from the last two games) and he makes a habit of being disruptive in the passing game. He's quick, can chase down quarterbacks and is a sure tackler when he gets in the backfield.    UNDERCLASSMEN TO THE FRONT   TJ Aiken LB, Ashley Ridge 2028   Aiken has gotten better as the season has gone along as evidenced by his 10-tackle performance the last time out. He has 37 tackles on the season with a tackle for loss and an interception. He can play the run well or drop in coverage against slot guys and running backs. He reads and reacts quickly and will be a cornerstone of the Swamp Foxes defense for the next two-plus seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818609' first='Carmelo' last='Williams'] OL/DL, Bluffton 2028   Willias is going to be a two-way standout at the line of scrimmage. He's recorded 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery so far this season. He can also play offensive line, and his explosive play is a key there as well. He gets off the ball quickly and can bring pressure from the middle but is also quick enough to get outside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1646866' first='Isaiah' last='Brock'] LB, Wando, 2028   Brock has taken a starting spot with the Warriors, and his best football is ahead of him. But he's not bad in his first five games this season – He has 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a sack. He's 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, moves well and can make plays sideline-to-sideline. He's only going to get better with experience, but he's been pretty good so far.

We're just past the halfway point of the season and the month of October is going to be a look of fun with the SCHSL regular season ending on Halloween Night.