Top Two-Way Talent in Region IV-A

Though composed of the state's smallest schools, Class A is set to become the state's largest classification once the fall of 2026 brings in the next round of South Carolina High School League realignment.   Despite its small-school status, Class A football has always been loaded with some big-time playmakers. One region where that will continue to ring especially true is the new Region IV-A, which will feature Barnwell, Blackville-Hilda (with an assist from its neighbors at Williston-Elko), Calhoun County, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler and Wagener-Salley.   Those are programs that are no stranger to successful seasons, and they all bring back plenty of talent from last season - and, because this is Class A, that means those guys aren't specializing at one particular position.   Here's a look at 15 returning two-or-more-way stars who should help shape the region title picture, not to mention the state championship chase.   [player_tooltip player_id='1856574' first='Kaleb' last='Brooks'] Blackville-Hilda   Brooks stepped into the Blackville-Hilda lineup last season as one of the fastest young players in the state, so based on speed alone it seemed like a natural fit to put him at cornerback and stick him back deep to return kicks. It didn't take long for him to establish a reputation for himself as a lockdown corner and return ace as he helped the Fighting Hawks to a big turnaround in the second half of the season. Opponents who threw - or kicked - near him soon regretted it, and his speed gives Blackville-Hilda a potentially deadly weapon in the passing game, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811059' first='De'Nyrion' last='Cave'] Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   Cave manned the tackle spots for a Hunter-Kinard-Tyler team that bullied opponents up front on the way to a second consecutive Region III-A title, though the 6-foot-1, 250-pounder also proved he could be pretty effective when he slid over from defensive tackle to end. He finished the season with eight sacks, a number that could've been much higher had he not been sharing a line some pretty stout teammates and had he spent more time on the edge. On the other side, the line set the tone for an offense that proved it could score at a blistering pace.   Aden Coates Wagener-Salley   This one's a bit of a wildcard, as Coates is a bit of an unknown commodity in this region. He started his career in Aiken County at Silver Bluff, where he established himself as a burner at running back and defensive back who was also a deep threat coming out of the backfield as a receiver, then transferred to Jacksonville's First Coast High School following a family move. He rushed for 369 yards on 54 carries - an average of 6.8 yards per tote - last season for the Buccaneers, and now he's back in the CSRA to finish out his high school career. It shouldn't take long for the league to become very familiar with him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820214' first='Jaden' last='Collins'] Wagener-Salley   Collins, last year's Region III-A Specialist of the Year, is having a productive offseason filled with camp invites and opportunities to expand on the growth he made last year playing a variety of positions including tight end and outside linebacker, plus a four-game stint at running back during which he racked up 375 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries. A 6.8-yards-per-carry average could suggest more chances to run the football in the future, but regardless of where he lines up the War Eagles and first-year head coach E'Mond Brown know they have a productive playmaker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223929' first='Markest' last='Davenport'] Calhoun County   Davenport was a bright spot during a difficult season for Calhoun County, grading out at 89% on the offensive line while earning Co-Region III-A Lineman of the Year honors. At 6-4 and 315 pounds, he commands plenty of attention from his left tackle and defensive tackle positions, and his status in those spots shows the level of trust the coaching staff has in him to lead on both sides of the ball. He possesses a blend of raw power and technical ability, and he wasn't beaten very many times last season from either position. No surprises here that he's also a star in the classroom, further showing his commitment to the Saints.    [player_tooltip player_id='1856509' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'] Blackville-Hilda   Davis was one of a few players called upon last season to take on the tall task of filling the void left behind when Jaquel Holman signed with the University of South Carolina. The Fighting Hawks knew it was going to take more than just one running back to do the job, and they knew they had several good options with the ball in their hands. What they may not have immediately anticipated, though, is that in Davis they had a future Region Running Back of the Year and honorable mention All-State selection. He has the speed and shiftiness that also make him a threat returning kicks, and at defensive back he didn't shy away from cotact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603960' first='Damahjai' last='Devoe'] Barnwell   The possibilities were nearly endless for Devoe last season, and that shouldn't change too much as he suits up for team No, 108 at Barnwell. He was an All-Region V-2A selection at defensive back two seasons ago as the Warhorses won a Lower State championship, and following the graduation of Cameron Austin he found himself locked in a battle for the starting quarterback spot. He can play just about anywhere head coach Brian Smith needs him to, though he should once again primarily make headlines at cornerback. He has a knack for making big plays in key spots - and also for delivering big hits despite his 5-9, 145-pound frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822715' first='Wayne' last='Farmer, Jr'] Calhoun County   Farmer is an all-around athlete at Calhoun County, playing some wide receiver, some cornerback and some quarterback for the Saints on the football field while also playing practically every position on the baseball diamond. There's plenty of strength in his 5-8, 160-pound frame, he's got a quick burst and he's shown good vision in the angles that he pursues on both offense and defense. He earned All-Region III-A honors last season after having a big year in the defensive backfield, making 48 tackles with seven pass break-ups and three interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1856770' first='Travaris' last='Johnson'] Blackville-Hilda   Johnson wasted little time making an impact at Blackville-Hilda, earning All-Region II-A honors in his freshman season. The 205-pounder is a people-mover up front on the offensive line, and he took command of one of the Fighting Hawks' outside linebacker spots. He has a good feel for getting to the football in a hurry, and there was maybe no better example of that last season than when he recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass against C.A. Johnson in the second round of the playoffs. With a strong offseason under his belt, he could establish himself as one of the league's top young stars.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822717' first='Peyton' last='Kinley'] Calhoun County   Kinley had a big sophomore season for Calhoun County, giving the Saints another threat to run the football - needing only 15 carries to surpass 200 yards - while also turning in an All-Region season at linebacker. He finished the year with 86 total tackles with six for loss, three forced fumbles and a blocked punt for a touchdown. He has the speed and vision to find openings in opposing offenses, and he showed last season that he's a sure-handed tackler who didn't usually need any additional help bringing down ball carriers. The stage is set for him to make himself a household name as a junior.   [player_tooltip player_id='1519361' first='Kaleb' last='Landy'] Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   Landy had a mammoth season last year while helping H-K-T to a region title and a trip to the third round of the state playoffs. He was an All-State selection and also the Region III-A Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 104 tackles (75 of them solo) with 37 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries from his linebacker position, and he ran the ball often and effectively enough to have a separate highlight reel just for his offensive exploits. If H-K-T is going to three-peat as region champions, it will be because of two-way talent like Landy.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822357' first='Torye' last='Pickens'] Barnwell   Pickens was an All-Region V-2A selection last season while taking on an elevated role. He was a key piece on the Warhorses' Lower State championship team, then was counted on to lead the linebacker corps last year. He should once again be one of the leaders on defense, and he could see some additional carries at running back when Peeples needs a breather. A smart defender, Pickens is just as dangerous dropping back into coverage as he is coming up to stop the ball carrier, and the group around him being more experienced and healthy should only make him better.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'] Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   Summers was the Region III-A Offensive Player of the Year for a group that scored an average of 53 points per game in league play. In addition to playing strong safety, he was as good as gone if he got to the edge with any daylight at receiver or carrying the ball from the running back or quarterback positions. As a rusher and receiver, he racked up 1,023 yards and 23 touchdowns on only 138 touches, and he proved to be equally as dangerous as a kick returner. The defending region champs bring back plenty of talent, and Summers may be the most dangerous of them all.   Kaiden Washington Wagener-Salley   Washington took advantage of the opportunities presented to him in his sophomore season, turning heads while earning All-Region III-A honors. On offense he was primarily a running back who could also split out wide as a receiver, and on defense he settled into a linebacker spot for the War Eagles. Regardless of where he lines up, he hits the hole hard. The speed is there for him to break away from opposing defenses, but there's also plenty of strength and toughness in there to grind out some of the shorter carries - or, after breaking a tackle or two, to turn the short ones into long ones.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819832' first='Jayden' last='Peeples'], Barnwell (pictured)   Peeples' breakout sophomore season was slowed a bit midway through due to injury, which was an unfortunate theme for Barnwell's roster as a whole, but most importantly he finished the year much like he started it. He needed only 21 carries to rack up 281 yards and four touchdowns in the Warhorses' first two games, giving them plenty to look forward to as he ran over, around and through defenses that knew what was coming. He posted 293 yards and a couple more scores on 34 carries in their last two, showing signs of bigger things to come for the All-Region pick with [player_tooltip player_id='1817436' first='Nehemiah' last='Brown'] gone to graduation.

Though composed of the state's smallest schools, Class A is set to become the state's largest classification once the fall of 2026 brings in the next round of South Carolina High School League realignment.