Touchstone Energy Bowl: What To Watch

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl is shaping up to be the most loaded in the event’s history. The game, which will be played Saturday at Myrtle Beach’s Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, took what it was given and the its coaching staffs ran with it. Thanks to the cancellation of the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, more of the state’s top players will be in Myrtle Beach, instead of cropped between the two all-star games. And since we have a massive body of work from this fall (and before), we already know some of the major storylines before practices begin on Wednesday. <b>LIMITED PRACTICES, INCREASED CONCENTRATION</b> Due to COVID-19 protocols and travel restrictions, practices for this year’s game were cut down to five.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> There will be two Wednesday, two Thursday and one more full session Friday morning prior to a walk-through that afternoon. That means less time to prepare. And more time to cut down to the nitty gritty. The trenches will be highly involved in determining which of these two spread offenses can make a dent. For the North, we’ll be keeping a close eye on linemen [player_tooltip player_id="153246" first="Tray" last="Franklin"] (a late addition to the game), 6-foot-7 <strong>Houston Curry</strong> of Hillcrest and Gaffney’s [player_tooltip player_id="89326" first="Sawyer" last="Whitman"], among others. The South offensive line will be bolstered by Goose Creek’s [player_tooltip player_id="59477" first="Jayden" last="Johnson"], Green Sea Floyds’ [player_tooltip player_id="91194" first="Jesus" last="Gutierrez"] and Chapin’s [player_tooltip player_id="89304" first="Chase" last="Sweigart"]. None of them will have an easy go of it, with the likes of defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id="200665" first="Alvin" last="Wilson"] (Beaufort), the Fort Dorchester duo of [player_tooltip player_id="89318" first="Demetrius" last="Watson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="89313" first="Devin" last="Geddis"] and Camden’s [player_tooltip player_id="91233" first="Jonathan" last="Chavis"] (another late add) suiting up for the South or the North’s contingent of [player_tooltip player_id="91186" first="Michael" last="Kennedy"] (Southside Christian), Emerald’s [player_tooltip player_id="59478" first="Robby" last="Harrison"] and Daniel’s [player_tooltip player_id="89302" first="Jahiem" last="Lawson"], among others. <b>GETTING INVOLVED</b> The collection of talent is one thing. Making it work together is another. The game itself has a tendency to lead to high turnover rates and frequent sloppy play. Since 2000, at least one team (if not both) has been held to two touchdowns or fewer in 14 games. But if these four players can get involved on the offensive end early, it could boost the production. [player_tooltip player_id="91171" first="Joshua" last="Sapp"], TE, Greenville - The 6-foot-4, 230-pound H-Back is still probably more blocker than receiver. But his skills in space are undeniable. He could be a key target for North quarterbacks [player_tooltip player_id="89316" first="Will" last="Mattison"] and [player_tooltip player_id="153264" first="Trent" last="Pearman"]. [player_tooltip player_id="59469" first="Zan" last="Dunham"], ATH, Chester - We’re pretty sure if Chester told Dunham to play left tackle during his high school days, he would have done it well. Dunham will likely line up on both sides of the ball in this one, and his athleticism is off the charts. He is an X-factor for the North. [player_tooltip player_id="200731" first="Carlton" last="Terry"] II, WR, Conway - Only in a game like this would a player of Terry’s ability be an afterthought. He’s part of an absolutely loaded receiving corps for the South team ([player_tooltip player_id="59464" first="Adam" last="Randall"], [player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Antonio" last="Williams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="59482" first="Zavier" last="Short"] will get top billing). Terry, though, may flourish outside the No. 1 role he played for the Tigers this season. [player_tooltip player_id="61071" first="Demetri" last="Simmons"], RB, Goose Creek - The top-shelf tailback will see his opportunities rise with so much concentration on the receivers. Simmons is the type of back who can take it to the house on any carry, though. If he breaks a long one or two early, watch out. <b>MR. FOOTBALL CEREMONY</b> As far as individual honors go, South Carolina has none higher than its Mr. Football Award. The trophy will be presented at halftime of Saturday’s game. The finalists for this year are: [player_tooltip player_id="89314" first="Kazarius" last="Adams"], RB, Gray Collegiate (Georgia State) [player_tooltip player_id="89316" first="Will" last="Mattison"], QB, Northwestern (Gardner-Webb) [player_tooltip player_id="153264" first="Trent" last="Pearman"], QB, Daniel (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id="59464" first="Adam" last="Randall"], WR, Myrtle Beach (Clemson) [player_tooltip player_id="59462" first="Jaylen" last="Sneed"], LB, Hilton Head (Notre Dame) Among that group, only Sneed will not be playing in the game. He is still recovering from a shoulder injury and is limiting contact prior to the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida next month and then his expected January enrollment at Notre Dame. The other four will likely be featured prominently in the game itself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>