GSPD's Best: Five Biggest Unsung Players

There is star power galore in the Grand Strand & Pee Dee, but those headline-grabbing players only scratch the surface of the wealth of difference-makers in the area.    Perhaps even more critical to programs are the unsung heroes, players who may not be the most talented but are vital to their team's success.    Narrowing down the potential candidates for this category down to just five was a challenge, but here is the list we settled on.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824350' first='Keith' last='Bridgett Jr'] WR, Mullins   Bridgett doesn't make heads turn when he steps onto the field, but you can not deny the impact he is set to have for the Auctioneers this year. He accounted for 445 total yards last season, the most of any player returning for Mullins. He's also the only returner on the team who scored multiple touchdowns during the 2025 campaign.    Bridgett will likely be the favorite target for new quarterback Dakarai Worley and should be the tone-setter for Mullins' offense. The Auctioneers are slated to have seniors staring at every skill position on offense, but only three returning starters in that group and Bridgett was far and away the most productive of the trio. If he performs at a high level this season, Mullins could find itself back in contention for the playoffs.   Mullins coach Marc Lowery: “I told Keith, ‘you're not eye candy.' When he walks in the door, he's not the guy that's going to wow everybody, but he'll be one of the top receivers in the state this year. I truly believe that. He runs such good roues. At the high school level, if you can run good routes, you're going to get yourself open.”   Gunnar Brigman TE, McBee   Brigman doesn't have a ton of varsity football experience under his belt, but his role with the Panthers this season is going to be crucial. A big target who doubles as a standout basketball player, Brigman could be a valuable security blanket in the passing game as [player_tooltip player_id='1821498' first='Lucas' last='King'] transitions from running back to quarterback this fall. McBee loves to run the ball, and a road-grating tight end would do wonders for the ground game.   The Panthers averaged 16.5 points per game last season, so any offensive spark McBee can find will be a breath of fresh air. If Brigman, who served as a backup tight end last season, can become a useful weapon while helping provide balance to the offensive attack, McBee's offense will be much harder to predict and stop. Adding one piece to the puzzle, like Brigman, could be the difference between the Panthers returning to the playoffs and sitting on the couch in November for a second straight season.   McBee coach Andy Karcher: “He played last year as a junior, he hadn't played varsity football. He's 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and this year he's out there putting in work. I think he's going to be a great tight end, I think people are going to have to find ways to stop him from catching the football. He's also going to flip and play some defensive end for us and I think he's going to be a force on the edge.”   Jermi Brice LB/RB, Marion   When you're coming off a winless season, you need players who can do a variety of things well. That's what head coach Aundres Perkins believes he's found in Brice, a rising sophomore who played junior varsity ball last season. While [player_tooltip player_id='1818266' first='Jaydin' last='Reed'] will likely get the majority of the carries for the Swamp Foxes, Brice can be a change-of-pace back for Marion's ground game.   He biggest contributions will likely come on the defensive side of the ball. Currently tabbed as a starter, Brice should be able to soak up plenty of knowledge from standout linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1824195' first='Kameryn' last='Davis']. A Swamp Fox defense that allowed nearly 40 points per game last season will need all the help it can get and if Brice can adapt to the speed and physicality of the varsity game, he should give Marion a much-needed boost.   Marion coach Aundres Perkins: “He's a Swiss Army knife. He and our underclassmen our stepping up and doing very well. He doesn't say much, which is our identity. Wherever we put him, he's going to give it his best. He's a great guy, a coachable guy, a loveable guy, and a great teammate.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816380' first='Aaron' last='Fowler'] QB, Green Sea Floyds   The Trojans need a spark and Fowler (pictured) may be just what the doctor ordered for a program that's lost 37 of its last 41 games. Green Sea Floyds will lean on its run game this year and Fowler has the attributes to be a big part of that with his size and strength, not to mention his physical running style. Just a rising sophomore, Fowler has impressed the new coaching staff with his dedication and work ethic.   With weapons like [player_tooltip player_id='1823132' first='London' last='Mcclellan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821843' first='Judah' last='Lee'] around him, Fowler should have options to spread the ball around. If Green Sea Floyds can keep him healthy and upright, Trojan fans might have a lot more to cheer about over the next few seasons.   Green Sea Floyds coach Ty Sutherland: “Aaron has the chance to be the dude. Rising sophomores usually don't look like that. He broad jumped 9-foot-8, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1819758' first='Gavin' last='White'] QB, East Clarendon   White was forced into action last season as a sophomore when starting quarterback Takoda Cornelius was lost for the season during the first game of the year. Despite taking over in less-than-ideal circumstances, White helped guide the Wolverines to a nine-win season, their best record since 1998.   Entering his junior campaign, White has a talented offensive line in front of him, a proven young running back in [player_tooltip player_id='2106756' first='Skyler' last='Cornelius'] and full control of an offense that averaged 27.5 points per game last year. The Wolverines look to be a team on the rise in Class 2A and White could be a key reason they reach even higher heights in 2026.   East Clarendon coach Larry Cornelius: “He's awesome. I almost started him as a freshman, I wanted to, I just didn't think he was quite ready yet. Gavin has a high football IQ. He makes the right reads. He didn't throw an interception until game four last year. That's awesome as a sophomore. Now, he's weathered  and he understands our offense.”

There is star power galore in the Grand Strand & Pee Dee, but those headline-grabbing players only scratch the surface of the wealth of difference-makers in the area.