Week 3 Game Balls: GSPD

We try to provide video with our Game Balls if for no other reason that you might not believe the production some of the state's players are putting out there each Friday.   Week 3 was no different.   From a quarterback ripping off a game-clinching run to more insane numbers from some tailback to some defensive players you need to get to know, Friday's game on the Grand Strand and Pee Dee were full of big plays and stellar stats.   [player_tooltip player_id='91513' first='Connor' last='Schwalm'] QB, St. James   The loss of Ja'Saan Faulkner changes a few things about this offense, but not what the Sharks can do with their best player. Against Lake City, the senior quarterback (pictured) was having a relatively quiet night by his standards when he took a designed run off the left side of the line and went untouched for an 84-yard score to seal the victory. He finished with 145 yards rushing, that touchdown and a two-point conversion, as well as 91 yards and another touchdown passing.     [player_tooltip player_id='1395098' first='AJ' last='Lee'] RB, Andrews   Add Lee's name to a list of ridiculous tailback performances that is growing by the week. With starter [player_tooltip player_id='448998' first='Lavon' last='White'] still hampered by an ankle injury, two offensive linemen out and the staff not wanting to throw much with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1013054' first='Brandon' last='Cumbee'] dealing with a minor should issue, Lee rose to the occasion. In the win over Hannah-Pamplico, he put up an eye-popping 292 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries.    Rodney Bryant LB/RB, Kingstree   Bryant not only matched the 11 carries he had in the Blazers' first three games against Green Sea Floyds alone. He was highly effective with them. The senior two-way player ended with 111 yards and three touchdowns, both of which were career highs. We could give him another Game Ball for his defensive stat line, too: Five solo tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and a sack.    [player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes'] LB, Kingstree   Brian Smith has known about Dukes for some time, and now everyone else should start paying attention to the 6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman. Against Green Sea Floyds, Dukes had his breakout game, finishing with six solo tackles, two assisted stops, six tackles for loss, four sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries.     [player_tooltip player_id='1012592' first='Hakeem' last='Watters'] RB, Hartsville   Watters was expected to be a big producer this year, but even performances like <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/09/what-we-saw-hartsville-tops-dillon-behind-strong-run-game/">Friday's win at Dillon</a> has to be considered exceeding those expectations. Watters rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns in the come-from-behind victory. He also had another long touchdown run negated due to a penalty. Watters' cutting ability in this offense should make him downright dangerous throughout the season.    Xavier Robinson LB, Hartsville   After the Red Foxes' defense was gashed early by Dillon's running game, Robinson helped lead a second-half comeback. He finished the game with nine total tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The outside backer wasn't able to come off the edge as much as he might against more pass-heavy opponents, and his adjustment proved pivotal.     Kamarion Singletary RB, Dillon   Singletary entered Friday with exactly one carry for two years between the Wildcats' first two contests - wins over Lamar and Wilson. He smashed both categories in the loss to Hartsville, piling up 228 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries. The staff's confidence in him, especially early, was evident. On four separate occasions, his number was called on three consecutive plays, including a late second-quarter drive in which he had six straight carries during a drive that he eventually ended with an eight-yard touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='1013062' first='Keshawn' last='Johnson'] WR, West Florence   While the Knights are still tinkering with offensive personnel, they're finding some big-play potential where they didn't expect it. The next example is Johnson, who started the year at quarterback before giving way to senior [player_tooltip player_id='443495' first='Franklin' last='Emerson']. Against Dreher, Johnson caught five passes (all of Emerson's completions) for 110 yards and two touchdowns. With Emerson also rushing for four scores and 112 yards, the offense showed even more positive momentum.

We try to provide video with our Game Balls if for no other reason that you might not believe the production some of the state's players are putting out there each Friday.