Byrnes begins season No. 1 in SC, top 25 nationally

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Byrnes begins another season at the top of the heap in South Carolina, and joins elite company as one of the nation's top 25 teams, according to the RivalsHigh 100 preseason poll.

Again … it’s Byrnes.

Earning the respect of pundits nationwide by way of its dominance of the Palmetto State over the past decade, the Rebels will begin the season in a familiar spot — No. 1, in South Carolina at least.

Byrnes was featured Thursday in the RivalsHigh 100 countdown, a preseason poll listing the nation’s top 100 high school football programs coming into the 2011 campaign. The Rebels begin this season at No. 25 on the list.

Following an unexpected Class 4A Big 16 title run last year, Byrnes finished No. 40 in the RivalsHigh 100. It returns many cogs from that championship team, including running back Shakeem Wharton and wide receiver Akia Booker.

While the Rebels have become known for its endless cupboard of talent on offense, this year’s team may find its strength on the defensive side of the ball, according to RivalsHigh senior analyst Dallas Jackson.

“The defensive line — Doc Dillard, Von Ownes and Jamaa Johnson— is very good and the linebacker group — Melvin Armstrong, Marcus Mohrman and Travis Thomas— may be the most physical collection in a decade,” Jackson said. “This year’s team may not have as many Division I athletes, but definitely has a high number of very good high school football players.”

Though the squad begins on top, it also has its share of questions, beginning at the most important position — quarterback. Shuler Bentley will likely take the reins of Byrnes’ historically prolific offense, expected to follow the path of past Rebel signal callers in delivering a state title back to Duncan.

Joining the Rebels on the list are the likes of Goose Creek and Greenwood, ranked at No. 45 and No. 74, respectively.

To see RivalsHigh's full analysis of Byrnes, click here.

Goose Creek tabbed as No. 45 in Rivals High 100 poll

Arguably the best team the Palmetto State has to offer this year, Goose Creek earned national distinction by being ranked No. 45 among the RivalsHigh 100 preseason poll, a list of the nation’s top 100 high school football programs.
Ranked nationally for much of the 2010 season, the Gators won their first 13 games before falling to eventual state champion Northwestern in the Class AAAA Division II semifinal. It earned the squad a No. 36 ranking to end the campaign, but this season it hopes to finish the deal with a state championship.
Most impressive to RivalsHigh senior analyst Dallas Jackson and other scouts is the Goose Creek power game, which rung up nearly 600 points last season. However, in contests against top tier opponents the defensive unit gave up 154 points, including 41 to the Trojans in its state semifinal loss.
“It is pretty obvious that the offensive line and the running attack is what helps make this team go. The stats speak to both - with over 600 carries last season, the team still averaged nearly seven yards per carry and 335 yards per game. With the ability to break big runs and keep the clock moving in its direction, it is no small wonder why the team has elevated from a solid South Carolina team to a nationally-recognized group,” Jackson said. “…Goose Creek should be better defensively this season - and it may need to be. … The team was able to dominate inferior competition but gave up a lot of points against quality squads.”
With talented athletes like Clemson commitment T.J. Burrell at linebacker and bruising fullback Virgil Smalls returning for one last run at the gold, Goose Creek may have the ingredients to finally seal the deal.
Click here to see what RivalsHigh said about Goose Creek.

Greenwood receives preseason national ranking

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Fullback Kevon Harrison and his teammates at Greenwood High were tabbed at No. 74 in the RivalsHigh 100 preseason poll. The teams is the first in the Palmetto State this season to be featured in the annual countdown.

Greenwood became the first Palmetto State program to be featured in this year’s RivalsHigh100 preseason poll Wednesday, debuting at No. 74.
The rankings, compiled by RivalsHigh senior analyst Dallas Jackson and a host of other experts in the realm of high school football, began Monday. Listing the top 100 teams with high expectations coming into the 2011
The Eagles, last year’s Class AAAA- Division II runner-up, finished last season ranked No. 57 in the poll after a 13-2 season in which the team held nine opponents under 10 points or less. According to Jackson, more of the same could be expected of Greenwood in 2011, returning a speedy, yet physical roster of athletes.
“Physicality is something that is being coached out of football. As more teams go to the spread on offense, and subsequently the opposition putting more defensive backs and undersized linebackers on the field, it is becoming a point of pride to have a strong and physical team,” Jackson said. “Greenwood likes to hit - and it isn't just on defense, as the running backs look for contact and the receivers block. Some teams just are not ready for that.”
Greenwood will have to validate its lofty ranking early on in the 2011 campaign, however, heading to The Reservation to play Gaffney Sept. 2. The Eagles will then host Dorman before traveling to Spartanburg, the Eagles’ last game before entering region play.
Click here to see what RivalsHigh had to say about Greenwood.