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.

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.