Class A outlook

It was a return to greatness last December for Abbeville, the football program winning its first state championship since 2002.
But one ring may just not be enough for the greedy Panthers, who return several key cogs in last season’s title-winning squad.
At the head of the list is running back Ashton Heard, who ran for over 1,200 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. Equally responsible for the team’s success last season was its tough defense, which held opponents to just under 11 points per game. Eight starters return from that unit, one which should be among the state’s best in 2011.
At the head of the list to dethrone Abbeville is Hemingway, who came just short of the Class A Division I title game, losing on a last second field goal to Bamberg-Ehrhardt. With 26 seniors laden with experience, the program is primed to make a run this upcoming season.
The Tigers boast one of the top talents in the state in dual threat Jabril Solomon, who caught 51 passes for 1,142 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also recorded 83 tackles and 10 interceptions.
Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Ridgeland also are expected to be contenders for the Class A Division I crown.
Christ Church begins the season as the favorite in the classification‘s lower tier, putting its hope in arguably Class A’s top signal caller Hunter Townes. Accounting for more than 60 touchdowns last year, fans are predicting big things for the Cavaliers.
Scott’s Branch and Williston-Elko also remain teams to beat, the two programs meeting in each of the past three Class A Division II title games, of which the Eagles have taken two close contests, including last season’s 34-32 triumph in Columbia.
Perennial powerhouses Great Falls and Blackville-Hilda may play a part in who wins the Class A Division II championship.

CLASS A DIVISION I
FAVORITE: Abbeville
CONTENDERS: Hemingway, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Ridgeland, Calhoun County, Lamar, Allendale-Fairfax
LOOK OUT FOR: Chesterfield - After winning three consecutive Class A Division I crowns, the Rams took a step back last season, bowing out in the second round of the state playoffs to Lamar. Though Chesterfield is breaking in a new quarterback, expect Steve Taneyhill’s squad to remain a major player in the classification and with a few breaks, who knows?

CLASS A DIVISION II
FAVORITE: Christ Church
CONTENDERS: Scott’s Branch, Williston-Elko, Great Falls, Blackville-Hilda
LOOK OUT FOR: Fox Creek- With 14 starters returning - eight of which are on defense - the Predators have potential to improve on last season’s 8-4 record, and potentially contend for Region IV-A.

S.C.'s Top Performers (Week 7) — Quarterbacks steal show

Photo by Larry Hilliard/ The Gaffney Ledger

Gaffney senior quarterback DeEdward Burris was virtually unstoppable in his team's contest against Clover, scoring five times in dropping the Eagles from the ranks of the unbeaten in the Indians' 41-27 win.

Mitch Campbell, Myrtle Beach: Stepping in for injured Seahawks' starting quarterback Everett Golson, the senior again made the most of his playing time in Myrtle Beach's 62-7 win over Socastee. Campbell was nearly perfect in the game, going 10-for-12 for 246 yards and five touchdowns for the Seahawks.
Daiquone Ford, Myrtle Beach: Not to be outdone, Ford also had a game to remember vs. Socastee, rushing for 163 years on four carries, including a 99-yard touchdown run in the 62-7 romp. He nearly reached the century mark for reception yards in the contest, catching three passes for 96 yards and a touchdown grab.
Robert Joseph, Northwestern: Joseph continues to be Trojans' quarterback Justin Worley's top target in the team's "Air Raid" offense, last week catching six balls for 122 yards in Northwestern's 35-12 win over region for Spartanburg. The scoring receptions were from 22, 86 and 20 yards.
Justin Worley, Northwestern: You can only describe the Tennessee commitment in one word: special. Worley, though not showing his typical pinpoint accuracy, went 19 for 34 for 321 yards in the Trojans' 35-12 win over Spartanburg last week.
In addition, the Northwestern senior signal caller set a new state record against the Vikings, eclipsing Byrnes standout quarterback Willy Korn's mark (123) by throwing his 124th touchdown pass in the contest.
Shamier Jeffery, Calhoun County: The beginning of a good weekend for Calhoun County kids with the last name of "Jeffery," Saints' quarterback Shamier Jeffery made his mark last Friday night in passing for 338 yards on 21 of 27 passing in the teams' 50-0 drubbing of Fox Creek. He also passed for five touchdowns in the game.
Cyril Davis, Orangeburg-Wilkinson: The Bruins' offense remained hot under the direction of Davis, who was 15 of 28 for 361 yards and four touchdowns in O-W's 36-21 victory over South Aiken.
DeEdward Burris, Gaffney: The dual threat under center for the Indians wreaked havoc all night on the Clover defense, scoring three times with his legs and twice with his arm to give the Eagles their first loss of the season, 41-27. Burris ran for 129 yards in the game, while throwing for 248 more.