Touchstone Energy Bowl Breakdown: Upstate Offensive Selections
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More than half the North All-Star roster – 25 guys – for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl hail from the Upstate. There are difference-makers on both sides of the ball, and the Upstate will be well-represented in 76th annual game,…
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Continue ReadingMore than half the North All-Star roster – 25 guys – for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl hail from the Upstate. There are difference-makers on both sides of the ball, and the Upstate will be well-represented in 76th annual game, to be played December 9 at Myrtle Beach’s Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.
Here’s a look at the 11 offense-first Upstate players who were chosen.
Offensive Backs
There are two offensive backs from the Upstate on the North squad, and they’ve got a running style in common. Chapman QB Coleman Gray Coleman Gray 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Chapman | 2024 State SC brings a fullback’s mentality when he takes off with the ball. He’s quick and agile enough to spring away from defenders, but he’s also physical enough to run right through you (and sometimes it seems like he’d rather). He leads the Panthers in rushing with 592 yards and nine touchdowns despite splitting carries with two other talented backs. Oh, and he’s got nearly 1,500 passing yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 60 percent of his passes.
Belton-Honea Path is another team with an embarrassment of riches at running back, and Shaheem Robbs Shaheem Robbs 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2024 State SC is a vital piece of the puzzle. He’s the change-of-pace guy, and head coach Russell Blackston calls him “a rolling bundle of butcher knives”. Robbs lives up to that description, with 924 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a per-carry average of nearly seven yards.
Wide Receivers
Want to talk about some big-play guys? There are six from the Upstate on the North team, and every one of them is electric.
Chapman’s Rashawn Cunningham Rashawn Cunningham 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Chapman | 2024 State SC has 50 catches for more than 700 yards, and has caught six touchdowns. he’s done a lot of it in limited time, as the Panthers have been rolling over Region III-3A opponents. Another 3A guy making his mark is Kadon Crawford Kadon Crawford 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Clinton | 2024 SC . Listed as a TE, he’s shifted into a true receiver role for the Red Devils as the offense has been re-tooled due to injuries. All he’s done is set the Clinton single-game receptions mark and turned into a true vertical threat for the Devils.
A couple of 4A guys will look to shine at WR as well. Greer’s Chase Byrd Chase Byrd 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Greer | 2024 State SC has 442 yards and three TDs in just seven games, and he seems to make a big play whenever the Jackets need it, including a game-decider over Eastside in region play. Josh Williams Josh Williams 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC , meanwhile, does a bunch of things for Westside, including kick returns and time at corner. His main job is as Cutter Woods Cutter Woods 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Westside | 2025 State SC ‘ favorite target and as a game-breaking receiver, where he’s got 41 catches for 798 yards and nine scores – an average of 19.5 yards per catch.
Two 5A receivers from the area also made the North squad, with Gaffney’s Emazon Littlejohn Emazon Littlejohn 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Gaffney | 2024 SC coming in as one of the top guys. He’s got 646 yards and nine TDs on the season for the Indians, and is a dangerous kick returner as well. J.L. Mann’s Mikel McClellan Mikel McClellan 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR JL Mann | 2024 State SC helped pace the Patriots to one of the best starts in school history. He’s fast, he runs great routes, and he’s a threat to get it to the house every time he touches it.
Offensive Linemen
Up front, the upstate contingent is led by T.L. Hanna’s Chase Gregorek Chase Gregorek 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL TL Hanna | 2024 State SC . The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Furman commit is a monster, and he looks especially suited to the Yellow Jackets’ run-heavy offense. Gregorek has helped pace an offense that’s chewed up yards and clock, and that seems to take delight into grinding opposing defenses down. Greenwood’s AJ Ross is a key member of a line that’s got the Eagles back on track and in line for a playoff spot. And Broome’s Steven O’Dell is a tackle who runs like a tight end, blocks sideline-to-sideline as well as he does upfield, and who helps open holes for one of the Upstate’s most dynamic backfields. He’ll soon join Gregorek at Furman, which is not something the Paladins’ opponents should be looking forward to.