Week 2 Players To Watch In The Upstate

It's only Week 2, and a BUNCH of players have already started to show themselves as guys to watch across the Upstate. Here's a look at some of the guys who have stood out already, and more who we expect to see a bunch from in Week 2.   We're going to be paying particularly close attention to the quarterbacks in one matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1403906' first='Banks' last='Bouton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] have each played for Gaffney so far this season, and with two games in the books their roles seem a little bit clearer. Gilmore threw every pass the Indians attempted in their Week 1 victory over JL Mann, including a 51-yard touchdown to Shunderius Rogers. While Bouton didn't get into the act throwing the ball, he led the Indians in rushing with eight carries for 91 yards and a score. It certainly seems like they'll split time in the foreseeable future.   Across the field for Greenville, the Red Raiders have a trio of sophomore signal-callers who head coach Scoot Watson said will all have a chance to win the job. [player_tooltip player_id='1823793' first='Trip' last='Bryant'] started but struggled against a good Dorman defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1050653' first='Kiishawn' last='Farrow'] got the start in Week 1 against Riverside, rushed for a pair of scores, and helped lead the Red Raiders to a 28-0 victory. That included a pair of completions to Bryant, who played some at receiver. [player_tooltip player_id='1817642' first='Holden' last='Powell'] played against Dorman, but didn't see action against Riverside, leaving him as a wild card.   Three guys who you believe give you a shot (or two in Gaffney's case) is a good problem to have. However, a matchup against a defense that gets after it might not be the best time to figure it out. [player_tooltip player_id='1790637' first='Jaleel' last='Tate'], [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyon' last='Ratchford'] have already put up monster defensive games for the Indians, while Greenville's [player_tooltip player_id='1821177' first='Julian' last='Renrick'] had four sacks, three tackles for loss, and six hurries against Riverside.   That's a ton of guys to watch, but that's just one game. Let's take a look at some others across the Upstate   The Big-Play Combos   A bunch of QB-WR combos are playing really well really early. Here's who we've got our eyes on after two weeks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1705519' first='Josiah' last='Coleman'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1327713' first='Matthew' last='Hillstock'] WR, Easley - Coleman and Hillstock are absolutely lighting it up. Coleman's thrown for more than 600 yards already and has accounted for 10 total touchdowns, with six of those through the air. Hillstock's been the main beneficiary. He's got 19 catches for 230 yards and three scores in two games, and is on pace for a monster season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165153' first='Gavin' last='Thoma'] QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1615026' first='Jeremiah' last='Hunter'] WR, and [player_tooltip player_id='1763456' first='Jack' last='Webb'] WR, Seneca - Seneca's in a good situation, with a senior QB in Thoma and a pair of sensational sophomore wideouts in Hunter and Webb. Thoma's got more than 550 passing yards in two games, tossing eight TDs and averaging more than 19 yards per completion. Hunter and Webb are a big part of the reason why. They've combined for 15 catches for 312 yards and have three TDs each. Add in seven catches for 176 yards and two scores from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1763355' first='Elias' last='McGee'], and it's easy to see why Seneca's lighting up the scoreboard.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823657' first='Connor' last='Davis'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] RB, Woodruff - Davis is taking over for a two-year starter at QB for the Wolverines, and he's got the luxury of having a weapon like Gibson at his disposal. Gibson is a star on the ground, make no mistake, but what he offers in the passing game pushes him to the next level. He's got 10 catches for 184 yards and two TDs, making him much more than a safety valve for his QB. He's added 197 and three more scores on the ground. Davis, meanwhile, has thrown for 301 yards and four touchdowns against just one interception.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1820613' first='JK' last='Stroud'] WR, Hillcrest - The Rams have hit on something with the Free-to-Stroud combo. Free's thrown for nearly 500 yards already, and Stroud has six catches for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Those scores are field-stretchers, coming from 80 and 87 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1149053' first='Luke' last='McCourry'] also has an 80-yard scoring grab, and nine Rams have caught passes so far.   Makorean Anderson QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] WR, Mountain View Prep - Anderson has been crazy efficient so far this season, going 26-for-30 for 478 yards and four touchdowns. Hainsworth has looked unstoppable, with 12 catches for 232 yards and three scores. And they've put up those big numbers in just about a game of action - MVP's first game was called after two and a half quarters due to weather, and the starters played just the first half in the second victory.   The Grinders   Guys who are going to be their team's go-to for tough yards have already identified themselves.   [player_tooltip player_id='1667450' first='Amari' last='Verner'] RB, Seneca - When you consider the Bobcats' wealth of talents in the passing game, it's important to remember that Verner is the guy who keeps defenses honest. He's got 41 carries for 386 yards this season, and has already piled up six touchdowns for Seneca.   [player_tooltip player_id='1790589' first='Muntu' last='Brown'] RB, Wren - Brown has been a workhorse for the Hurricanes so far, carrying the ball 35 times for 319 yards and five touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] RB, Dorman - Means has given the Cavaliers the power back that makes the offense go. He's got 27 carries for 282 yards and six touchdowns, and the Cavaliers have rolled to 2-0.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823372' first='Mack' last='Rambo'] RB, St. Joseph's - Ok, Rambo's got the coolest name for a power running back that we've seen in quite a while. Then he goes out and backs it up. He's got 49 carries, has rushed for 448 yards, and has seven touchdowns in two weeks. He's averaging more than 220 yards per game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] RB, Spartanburg - The Vikings' opening schedule has revealed something about Lynch: he's as good as advertised. He's rushed 36 times for 281 yards and three touchdowns. That's even more impressive when you remember he did that against the two top-ranked teams in 5A.   The Tackle Machines   On the defensive side of the ball, there are a ton of guys making plays all over the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823653' first='Jalen' last='Roberson'] LB, Woodruff - Roberson is part of a very good LB group for the Wolverines that includes [player_tooltip player_id='1592408' first='Shaun' last='Graybill'] and Zy Stewart. All three already have double-digit tackles for Woodruff, and the fast, active Roberson leads the way with 21.   Ty Dubose LB, Belton-Honea Path - The Bears defense is loaded. Dubose joins [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] and KJ Miles in double-digit tackles despite playing limited time in blowouts. He's also got a tackle for loss, a sack, a hurry, and a forced fumble to go with 15 stops.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819503' first='Nick' last='Morgan'] LB, Broome - Broome's yet another spot with an outstanding group of LBs. Morgan's got 14 tackles and a hurry, including a double-digit game against Chesnee. [player_tooltip player_id='1821989' first='Jaylan' last='Ramirez'] was also credited with double-digit stops against the Eagles, joining [player_tooltip player_id='1824643' first='Chimar' last='Hayes'] with 12 total tackles. That duo has also combined for seven tackles for loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824015' first='Cason' last='Brewington'] S and [player_tooltip player_id='1592570' first='Kobe' last='Preston'] LB, Easley - Brewington (pictured) and Preston have been lights-out so far for the Green Wave. Each have 19 tackles, and paired with 15 tackles from [player_tooltip player_id='1821326' first='Jakyric' last='Jamison'], Easley has a ton of defensive talent in the middle of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820859' first='Scotty' last='Kelly'] S, Daniel - The Lions have five players already in double-digits in tackles, led by Kelly's 15. He's got 10 solo stops and three tackles for loss, and has knocked down four passes in two games.

It's only Week 2, and a BUNCH of players have already started to show themselves as guys to watch across the Upstate. Here's a look at some of the guys who have stood out already, and more who we expect to see a bunch from in Week 2.