Class AA outlook

Little did we know that last December’s state title tilt between Central and Dillon could be the end of one of the more scintillating, highly contested rivalries in recent memory.
Avenging two years of falling a point short to their rivals from the Pee Dee, the Eagles rallied from a 10 point fourth quarter deficit to win their first Class AA championship since 2003 with a heart-stopping 21-17 win.
Unfortunately, with the decision to split the classification into separate divisions, another part will not be added to this saga in 2011, with Central headed for Division II and the Wildcats to compete in the Division I tournament.
But just as they have in previous years, the rival programs are again expected to journey deep into November, and quite possibly find themselves playing Dec. 2 at Charles W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia.
Dillon in particular has high hopes for the year, coming up just short last season with a lineup laden with youth. Sixteen starters return from last season’s Lower State championship squad.
At the head of the Wildcats’ youth movement is running back Jabo Lee, the rising junior racking up 2,325 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns last season.
Equally as dangerous this season will be Dillon’s passing game, which will be anchored by wide receiver Kwinton Smith, a South Carolina commitment. He caught 42 passes for 809 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010.
If there is a question for the Wildcats left to answer, it is who will be at the controls of one of the state’s more prolific offenses? Thomas Grossetti and Malique Gregory will compete for the job, the winner finding themselves surrounded by a talented cast.
Central, however, will begin camp with plenty of holes to fill. Keyed to a state title last year on its strong one-two punch of Mardu Smith and Radford Robinson in the backfield, some new faces will have to pick up the slack if the team has any aspirations of making a return trip to Columbia.
“We’re not going to replace those two guys with just two guys but we feel we have six, seven or even eight players that can fill the void for us,” said Central head coach Joey Mangum to the S.C. High School Sports Report. “… We’ll be young but we have some ability.”
Nevertheless, the Eagles will remain quite nasty on defense, returning able starters such up front like Dedrick Shine, Kendrick Baker and Mark Hatten, and linebackers Tevis Funderburke and Renard Price.
Woodruff came within minutes of ending Central’s pursuit of a state title last year, its comeback bid halted in the final minutes of the 2010 Upper State championship game. The Wolverines renowned high octane offense has residents of the Upstate community excited for the upcoming campaign, which some believe can restore the program back to the glory days of famed coach W.L. Varner, who won 10 titles at the school.
Similar to Dillon, Woodruff will be able to dictate to its opponent how the game will be played, equally comfortable running or passing the pigskin. Clemson commit Javarius Leamon will anchor an offensive line whose duty is to protect quarterback Ryan Tribble and open running lanes for running backs Shun Tribble and Hermundre Rutledge.
The Wolverines are expected to pose the biggest threat to Dillon’s path to a state title in Division I, though talent laden squads such as Timberland, Strom Thurmond and Manning have the potential to give the Wildcats a run for their money. In Division II, Columbia, Silver Bluff and Indian Land will aim to shoot down the defending Class AA champs.

CLASS AA DIVISION I
FAVORITE: Dillon
CONTENDERS: Woodruff, Timberland, Strom Thurmond, Manning
LOOK OUT FOR: Cheraw -- A perennial power in Class AA, the Braves have recently fallen on hard times. Finally re-stocking the cupboard to levels reminiscent of past glory, it will be interesting to see of Cheraw can return to the top of Class AA.

CLASS AA DIVISION II
FAVORITE: Central
CONTENDERS: Silver Bluff, Columbia, Indian Land
LOOK OUT FOR: Hanahan -- The Hawks boast one of the state’s best athletes in wide receiver Chris Brown -- a true game breaker. Already receiving a number of offers from upper tier schools, Brown may be able to help Hanahan improve on its 8-4 record in 2010 and make it a legitimate player in Class AA Division II.

It will be here before you know it...

Byrnes' running back Shakeem Wharton, a key cog in the Rebels' state championship run a year ago, leads a talented attack that has aspirations of a repeat.

It’s almost as if you can sniff it in the air… football days are near.
As the NFL and NBA divvy through paperwork in an effort to avoid work stoppages, the Friday night lights are guaranteed to shine in 2011.
Few states shone more brightly than the Palmetto State last year, sporting the nation’s top prospect in South Carolina signee defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney (South Pointe) and the Gatorade National Player of the Year in Northwestern quarterback Justin Worley, bound for Tennessee.
Bricks are being laid for the upcoming season, seen through various offseason camps and drills at the crack of dawn. Camps open at the end of the month, and with every passing day a new beginning draws closer.
Several teams will begin their respective campaigns in familiar territory; Byrnes, after dispatching rival Dorman in the state title game, again is considered an odd’s on favorite in Class 4A’s Big 16 ranks. Scott’s Branch enters a new season winners of two consecutive Class A- Division II titles, while Abbeville won its first state title since 1996.
Deep in talent, Class 2A king Central (Pageland) despite losing quite a number of players key in its title run to graduation, believe it has more than enough left in the cupboard to defend its crown in 2011.
Two other state titlists open summer camp with questions.
Gone for Northwestern, the Class 4A-Division II champion which finished ranked No. 4 nationally in the RivalsHigh 100 poll, is not only Worley --but also legendary head coach Jimmy “Moose” Wallace. Taking his headset is Kyle Richardson, whose play calling has helped turn the Trojans’ “Air Raid” attack, which in recent years has set the bar in terms of offensive production.
Two of the past three Class 3A championship trophies reside in Myrtle Beach, both having much to do with the heroics of its quarterback. A new era begins under center for the Seahawks, with inexperienced C.J. Cooper and Carolina Forest transfer Tyler Keane to vie for the job.
For the rest, hope springs anew; last year’s inadequacies meaning nothing, potential is all that matters.
The heart of the summer may be just over the horizon, but in that same location is football.

Fab Five Games in the Palmetto State — Week 5

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Greenwood hopes to spring to an early lead in Region I-4A all while exacting a measure of revenge tonight in its contest vs. Wren.

1. Wren (3-1) at Greenwood (3-1): Wren ambushed the region rival Greenwood last season in Piedmont, scoring 28 unanswered points en route to a win and eventually a region crown. The Eagles are seeking revenge for that matchup, welcoming the Golden Hurricanes in for an early Region I —4A contest.
Wren's offense has put up big numbers in 2010, not being held under 20 points once thus far. However, Greenwood's defense is not to shabby it's self, allowing only defending Class 4A champion Dorman into double digits.
PREDICTION: Greenwood 28, Wren 21

2. Greenville (4-0) at Gaffney (3-2): It seemed Gaffney received quite the shot in the arm last week with a win over rival Byrnes, erasing three years of bad memories in the process. But there is no rest for the weary, as the undefeated Red Raiders visit The Reservation looking to continue its winning ways.
The past several games in this series have been quite thrilling, particularly last season's contest in which the Indians pulled out a 39-35 victory in the game's final moments. With both teams averaging more than 20 points per game, points could come in bunches as a result of these two potent offenses.
PREDICTION: Gaffney 35, Greenville 24

3. Irmo (3-1) at Aiken (3-1): No matter how balanced offensively head coach Bob Hanna wants his band of Yellow Jackets to be, the running game remains the team's bread and butter. Irmo running back Dawan Scott looks to be a shoe-in to pass the 1,000 yard plateau against the Green Hornets, with his Yellow Jackets having yet to be held under 28 points this year.
Aiken's first test against a quality opponent did not go well last week, being held to 14 points by a stingy Richland Northeast defense. It will have to tighten up soon if it wants any chance of winning against its region rival.
PREDICTION: Irmo 31, Aiken 14

4. Dillon (4-0) at Marlboro County (3-1): Dillon has been dominant this season, outscoring opponents 148-14 up to this point in 2010. It will attempt to keep the streak going all while trying to end another Friday night, taking on Marlboro County, winners of two of the last three games in the series.
The Bulldogs found themselves in the proverbial trap last week, receiving a thorough beating at the hands of Conway, 28-7. They will do their best to atone for the loss against the Wildcats, the defending Class 2A champions.
PREDICTION: Marlboro County 21, Dillon 18

5. Chesterfield (2-2) at Central (4-0): If one were to select a pound-for-pound best team in South Carolina, it would be hard to choose a team other than Central. The undefeated Eagles, in some polls regarded as the top team in Class 2A, already has an impressive win to its credit, defeating Class 3A power Chester 36-28.
Rival Chesterfield this week makes the trip to Pageland, losers of two straight yet winners of three of the past four games in the series. The game should definitely be a contrast in styles, with former University of South Carolina quarterback and current Golden Rams head coach Steve Taneyhill liking to move the ball through the air, while Central prefers to grinding yards out on the ground.
PREDICTION: Central 27, Chesterfield 10