GSPD’s Best: 15 Biggest Player Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe"><em>Simply head to our subscription page</em></a><em>&nbsp;and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we conclude our in-depth look at the Grand Strand &amp; Pee Dee heading into 2026, it's time to zero in on storylines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area is rife with fascinating plots to follow this fall, but we're going to focus on ones that involve the players on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you haven't already checked out our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/gspds-best-zones-top-10-players-2/">preseason top 10 players in the area</a> or our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/five-biggest-unsung-players-in-the-gspd-2/">unsung heroes to keep an eye on</a>, please do so. Now, let's dive into the storylines everyone will want to keep an eye on in the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615056' first='Ford' last='Wallace']&nbsp;</strong>QB, Hartsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wallace accounted for nearly 2,000 total yards and 22 touchdowns during his sophomore season. As a junior, it will be fascinating to see how much the Red Foxes utilize him to balance out an offense predicated on running the football. Hartsville boasts a premier tailback with [player_tooltip player_id='1672833' first='Trace' last='Hillian'] pairing with Wallace in the backfield, so the junior quarterback likely won't be airing the ball out constantly in his second season as a starter. However, any gunslinger with a four-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio, which Wallace boasted last season, is going to be called upon to take shots through the air. How many shots is yet to be seen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821585' first='Semaj' last='Wilson']&nbsp;</strong>RB/LB, Atlantic Collegiate &amp;&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822707' first='Zaghe' last='Davis']&nbsp;</strong>RB, Johnsonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson and Davis are two standouts who will be asked to shoulder heavy burdens for their respective teams this season. A rising senior, Wilson was the Aramada's second-leading tackler and second-leading rusher last fall. An immensely versatile athlete, Wilson can also play safety and quarterback. Likewise, fellow rising senior Davis was a do-it-all threat lat season for Johnsonville. He touched the ball over 100 times offensively for the Flashes while also returning kicks. Atlantic Collegiate and Johnsonville have other talented playmakers, but Wilson and Davis should expect to have plenty of their plates in their final years of high school football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683177' first='Jaquan' last='Hannah']&nbsp;</strong>DL/TE, Carvers Bay &amp;&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816981' first='Jacob' last='Johnson']&nbsp;</strong>RB, Conway</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hannah missed the majority of his junior season with a sprained knee, while Johnson saw a promising freshman campaign derailed by a season-ending injury midway through the year. Whether or not each player can get back to the level of performance they were at before their respective injuries will go a long way in determining Carvers Bay and Conway's success this season. Hannah was a monster in the playoffs after finally getting back on the field following his seven-week hiatus and Johnson was averaging over 10 touches per game before his year ended prematurely. Both players will be eager to get back on track this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes']&nbsp;</strong>LB, Kingstree &amp;&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816941' first='Robert' last='Wynns']&nbsp;</strong>LB, Marion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dukes and Wynns are two defensive forces whose impact could be monumental for their squads. Dukes tallied 11 sacks as a hard-hitting junior on the Kingstree defense, while also dabbling at H-back and tight end. However, his presence is felt most on defense and the Blazers need him to be at his disruptive best this fall. Although Wynns is only a rising sophomore, but his physicality stands out and a new-look Marion squad will be glad to have him as a young leader on defense. Although he's not nearly as seasoned as Dukes, Wynns could help lead a resurgence for the Swamp Foxes if he develops quickly alongside Marion's other promising young linebackers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821498' first='Lucas' last='King']&nbsp;</strong>QB, McBee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, King was a junior running back trying to carve out a lane in McBee's run-heavy offense. This season, he'll be under center running the show as the Panthers' new starting quarterback. While the rising senior won't be asked to throw 30 times a game, a transition to any new position can be daunting. Make that position the most prominent on the field and things get even more complicated. King has been around the program and knows the offense, but his ability to take to the new role will have a massive impact on McBee's offensive success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1506630' first='DP' last='Jordan']&nbsp;</strong>OL, Myrtle Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If your offense has to break in a new starting quarterback, as Myrtle Beach does this fall, it doesn't hurt to have one of the state's best linemen blocking for him. Jordan is a big and physical presence for the Seahawks and his ability to provide pass protection and establish running lanes will be even more important during his upcoming junior campaign. Myrtle Beach has playmakers at the skill positions and a pass-happy vision for its offense, but those guys can't flash without a capable offensive line up front. Jordan will the main man counted on to make sure the Seahawks have just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820895' first='CJ' last='Robinson'] </strong>ATH, Manning &amp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821843' first='Judah' last='Lee'] </strong>ATH, Green Sea Floyds (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there were two footballs on the field at once, Manning and Green Sea Floyds would probably try to find a way to get both of them to their stud athletes. Robinson racked up 1,183 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a junior. If Manning is throwing the ball to the end zone, odds are it's going to Robinson. Lee should benefit greatly from a new offense at Green Sea Floyds that's designed to put the ball in the hands of its playmakers in space. That should mean loads of opportunities for Lee to unleash his devastating speed on unsuspecting defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827399' first='Avery' last='Durham']&nbsp;</strong>QB, Andrews</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's ample pressure on starting quarterbacks to flawlessly executive the offensive system. There's even more when the system belongs to your dad. Scott Durham's son fared well during his first season as a starter, throwing for 1,145 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior year. He has the pieces around his to have a memorable senior campaign as the Yellow Jackets boast a sizeable offensive line and an experienced corps of wide receivers. If Durham can distribute the ball effectively, there should be plenty of smiles of his father's face and plenty of points on the scoreboard for Andrews this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809951' first='Ethan' last='Lowder']&nbsp;</strong>LS/LB, Manning &amp;&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817711' first='Nico' last='Miller']&nbsp;</strong>K/P, North Myrtle Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's easy for special teams get taken for granted at the high school level, but they can be either an ace in the hole or a live hand grenade. Fortunately for Manning and North Myrtle Beach, two of the area's top special teams' weapons are on their rosters. Lowder is a talented linebacker who has made himself into one of the most reliable long snappers around. Miller didn't miss an attempt during his sophomore season, giving the Chiefs one of the state's most consistent kickers. If both do their jobs in 2026, life will be much easier for their respective coaching staffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1640595' first='Da'von' last='Bowman']&nbsp;</strong>ATH, Wilson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After earning significant time as Sumter during his first two season, the then-junior safety/wide receiver helped lead his new program to its first winning record since 2019. Now, Bowman will be expected to headline a team that is considered a dark horse in the Class 4A race. Bowman has been a consistent contributor throughout his career, notching 60 tackles, five interceptions, and over 300 yards receiving last season, but he's leading a team with expectations for the first time since he set foot on campus. Can he raise his game another notch and help Wilson continue its ascension? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->