Coast’s Underclassmen Poised for Week 2 Success

As wild as the Week 1 slate was - or some of the results it produced - one of the biggest clues it gave us was that teams up and down the coast aren't afraid to rely on younger talent.    The GSPD and Lowcountry zones are primed to have the types of players who didn't wait until their were juniors to start producing. Already, we've seen big plays from underclassmen, not to mention some consistency that normally isn't as prevalent with freshmen and sophomores.    It's giving coaches reason to simultaneously be excited for the here and now and the future. And it's giving opposing coaches reason to dig a little deeper into their own film review in search of ways to slow the damage.    In Week 2, at least a handful of the players below should be able to start making a habit of frustrating opposing fans and pleasing their own.    Law is going to have plenty of company in the Class of 2029 in terms of receivers who have the potential for monster careers. In fact, we've got others in this list. But if the first game of his sophomore season was any indication, the Tigers have their go-to guy ready to go.   He and freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2341375' first='Na'Bryson' last='Elliot'] (another name to watch closely this week and beyond) have clicked. Against Hartsville over the weekend, the duo connected on an absolute bomb that went for 6. The Tigers didn't win, but they've effectively put everyone on notice that this offense could be something pretty special.    Law is a speedster, as many of the big-name Wilson receivers before him have been. He's also got excellent hands and gives the Tigers the ability to not run some of their seniors stars ragged before region play.      [player_tooltip player_id='1881788' first='Nibras' last='Harrison'] QB (2029) Dillon   The Wildcats ran into a brick wall (Camden) in their season opener, only putting up 13 points against a stingy Bulldogs' defense. In Dillon's Week 2 trip to Myrtle Beach, they'll be facing a larger school in Myrtle Beach, but one that showed in its own Week 1 struggles that it was susceptible to giving up some big production. The Wildcats are going to continue to be a run-first program. At the same time, they're going to need Harrison to be productive as the year progresses. We expect Harrison to be put into some comfortable situations that allow him to make safe throws and counter with his legs. His athleticism is undeniable, and its one of his biggest strengths.    TJ Hickson WR/DB (2029) Terrance Williams WR (2029) and [player_tooltip player_id='1824436' first='Jayce' last='Edwards'] QB (2029) Lake City   The Panthers are starting to look like a team that has a nucleus ready to go not just for this season, but for the next three. Hickson and Edwards both had strong showing in the opening win against Hannah-Pamplico, with Edwards putting up 126 and a touchdown passing and another 93 and a score on the ground. Hickson caught two of passes for 60 yards and Williams' lone reception was good for 63 yards and the receiving touchdown. Combined with [player_tooltip player_id='1825312' first='Ziyre' last='McFadden'] (who joined our rankings in the spring) and Lake City's trip to Timberland could easily produce similar results as last Friday.   Deon Stackhouse OL.(2029) Mullins   The Stackhouse name has been influential for the Aucs for years, and the next in line is fully prepped to join his big brother in this year's starting lineup. Deon is 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds and is going to play an influential roll in Mullins' offensive capabilities throughout the season. What makes him an interesting watch this week is the two-for-one games the Auctioneers have. They had their Week 1 game against Atlantic Collegiate moved to Monday and then head to Lee Central on Friday. How Stackhouse holds up this week could be a great sign moving forward.    [player_tooltip player_id='2253662' first='Jeremiah' last='Dunham'] DB/WR (2030) Hardeeville    A lot of the things Dunham did well in the Hurricanes' Week 1 win over Beaufort weren't sexy, nor did it all show up in the stat pack. But the big two-way player had a big role in the victory. On top of blocking a punt and a couple offensive touches, he showed he could make use of his frame with some downfield blocking that sprung some decent offensive movement for teammates. This week against Claxton, he'll be facing a team that doesn't have a ton of size. It could present for a matchup that allows him to start seeing the ball more, which is the plan for him long term anyway.     Taron Scott WR (2029) North Myrtle Beach   The Chiefs return to a more balanced offense paid some dividends in a Week 1 win over Socastee, and while it wasn't anything resembling an Air Raid, the 23 passes North Myrtle Beach attempted topped most of their games from last year under the old regime. The bulk of those yards came from Scott, who hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass en route to 64 yards. It wasn't going to turn heads state wide, but it was a clear start to something bigger. Scott and the Chiefs will head to Darlington on Friday, and now we get to see how he's developed week after week.   [player_tooltip player_id='2180510' first='Jamier' last='Stanley'] DB (2029) James Island   The Trojans' defense is good. Like, really good. Over the course of the season, opponents are going to be trying to get the ball out of their quarterbacks' hands quickly to avoid a potent pass rush. That means James Island's corners are going to be more contain. Enter Stanley, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound corner with a long reach and plenty of strength. He's still quite raw, but with so much senior talent around him, he's got room to grow. Against South Florence this week, we'll get to see how he matches up with plenty of speed.

As wild as the Week 1 slate was - or some of the results it produced - one of the biggest clues it gave us was that teams up and down the coast aren't afraid to rely on younger talent.