Class AAAA - Division II outlook

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Without 2010 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Justin Worley (left) at the controls of Northwestern's offensive arsenal, first year head coach Kyle Richardson knows his team will have a target on its back this season.

For Northwestern, the third time was truly the charm.
Two consecutive years of disappointment came to a head last December, the Trojans finally getting over the hump in resounding fashion by way of a 42-10 thumping of Greenwood. It was the first title for the program since 1993, and its first undefeated football season in school history.
The victory provided the perfect swan song for quarterback Justin Worley, who during his time at Northwestern claimed several state passing records.
In April, legendary head coach Jimmy "Moose" Wallace also decided to call it quits after 31 years roaming the sideline, 24 of those at Northwestern. Wallace finished with a 286-62 record and four state titles.
On their way to last year's Class AAAA - Division II championship, the Trojans' perfect campaign clashed with another in the Lowcountry — that of Goose Creek. The Gators ran out to a 20-7 first half lead, only to watch Northwestern's "Air Raid" assault fight back and eventually claim the game.
Goose Creek head coach Chuck Reedy and his players have yet to forget about that game.
Ahead of the curve last season, the Gators come into 2011 as the odds-on favorite to claim the "Little 32" state title. Arguably boasting the Palmetto State's best running game keyed by its big bruiser at fullback Virgil Smalls and an improved passing game, it'll be tough to figure who can put the clamps on this offensive juggernaut.
Defensively, look for the squad to be equally as stout, led by hard hitting linebacker and Clemson commitment T.J. Burrell. However, one must wonder whether Goose Creek can stop the big play, evident in last year's loss to Northwestern.
Do not be surprised if the road to Death Valley in the Class AAAA-Division II ranks passes through "The Swamp."
The Trojans may have a say in how things finish though, returning 12 starters from last season's championship winning squad. Guru of the program's renowned "Air Raid" attack Kyle Richardson has taken the headset once fitting the head of Wallace, but he definitely will not be the only one with big shoes to fill.
Among the gaping holes seeking plugging are those left by Gatorade Football Player of the Year Worley, now at Tennessee, and star defensive tackle Gerald Dixon, a South Carolina signee. Whoever is under center for the Trojans will have plenty of experience at wide receiver to count on though, among them B.J. Boyd and Rontavious McClure.
Also hungry to get the sour taste of defeat out of its mouth is Greenwood. Though Shrine Bowl linebacker Quinn Backus — a key piece of a defense which gave up under 15 points per game last season — is gone, coach Gene Cathcart's cupboard is far from bare, bringing back 11 players from a team which advanced to the state title game.
Speed will be the name of the game for Greenwood, this year expected to stretch teams out by way of weapons like all-purpose back D.J. Goodman, who can line up in the backfield and split out at wide receiver on any given play. The Eagles potentially could be even better than last year on defense, particularly at linebacker where Davon Durant and Marquavious Lewis will roam free.
Easley, North Augusta and Beaufort could also make things interesting this season, each trying to make that next step toward a title.

FAVORITE: Goose Creek
CONTENDERS: Greenwood, Northwestern, Easley, North Augusta, Beaufort, Wren
LOOK OUT FOR: Conway — After three consecutive close calls in the state title game, the Tigers fell on hard times — particularly the last seasons in which head coach Chuck Jordan's teams could not get past the five win plateau, bowing out in the first round of the playoffs each time. This year's team has the talent to break the trend, led by the versatile Mychal Moody. Look for Conway to reassert its dominance in Region VI-AAAA.

S.C. Prep Football — Classes 3A & 4A Week 10 Stock Watch

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

South Pointe defenders deliver some punishment to a Fairfield Central runner during the teams' recent contest in Winnsboro. Both squads are among the favorites to bring home the Class 3A title in a few weeks.

Should I buy or sell? Or maybe just keep an eye on the stock?
For nine (or in Williston-Elko's case, 10) weeks we have kept a close eye on teams around the Palmetto State, particularly wondering how each would figure into their respective classification's playoff picture. With things beginning to clear up as the regular season draws to a close for classes 1A-3A, here's a look at the squads whose stock you should buy, sell, and a couple to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks.
Today I will begin with South Carolina's largest two classifications before taking a look at classes A & 2A later this week.

Class 4A— Of course, it is easy to look at the classification's three unbeaten squads— Dorman, Northwestern and Goose Creek — and believe they are just a notch ahead of their competition around the state. However, there are several squads who can deny each of the powerhouses of the championship they have so longed for.

STOCKS UP:
— Greenwood (8-1): Blessed with a stout defense (giving up only 12 points per game) and an effective running game, the Eagles have earned much respect in the Palmetto State in addition to attention from analysts nationwide. In all honesty, you remember few names outside of linebacker Quinton Backus and there's nothing too "sexy" or flashy about this squad— but they darn sure know how to win ball games.
Greenwood's only defeat being a 35-28 loss to defending Class 4A champion Dorman, the program is trying to add another title to its already extensive collection.
— Gaffney (7-2): Snake-bitten by turnovers in early season losses to Dorman and Greenwood, the Indians have won six straight going into this weekend's clash with region for Northwestern. Gaffney seems to have caught its stride on offense as quarterback DeEdward Burris seems to have formed quite a bond with receivers Quinshad Davis and Khris Brown. The team's defense has also improved as the season has went along, displaying such flashes of brilliance in a 31-0 shutout of Lancaster in which it gave up a total of 45 yards on the night.
— Summerville (8-1): Every year around this time, the chant begins down in the state's Lowcountry ... "Win one for Coach McKissick!" For the nation's all-time leader in wins for a high school football coach, this may be his best chance in a number of years.
Led by running back DeAngelo Henderson, the Green Wave have one of the more explosive offenses in the state. The question remains whether Summerville's defense can hold down some of the state's better offensive squads, many of whom also reside in the Big 16 with the Green Wave.

STOCKS DOWN:
— Wren (6-3): It would take quite a collapse in the Golden Hurricanes' final two contests for this team not to make the playoffs. While blessed with an explosive offense, do not expect this team to go far in the postseason if its defensive woes continue.
Wren has given up more than 30 points four times this season. In three out of those four contests, the Golden Hurricanes have walked away with a loss.
— Orangeburg-Wilkinson (7-2): Following a close loss to Class A power Bamberg-Ehrhardt to begin the year, the Bruins led by quarteback Cyril Davis were able to rattle off seven consecutive wins, a stretch in which the team did not score less than 36 points. Since jumping back into region play, however, O-W's defense has shown it cannot stand up to capable offensive schemes, the weakness particularly coming to fruition last Friday in a 65-42 loss to White Knoll in which the Bruins found themselves down 43 points at halftime.
They say defense wins championships; if so, it will take quite the four game stretch by Davis and his mates on offense to pull out a state title because right now they are the best defense O-W currently has.
— South Florence (7-2): It has been quite a breakthrough season for the Bruins, the team finding itself a mere victory away from earning the Region VI-4A title. While earning a conference title is admirable, doing so in one of the state's weakest regions likely will not equate to much postseason success for South Florence, only defeating four opponents with winning records, the most impressive of those last week's 41-31 win over Conway, a team only a game above .500.
I'm not saying this squad cannot make a run, you just won't see me placing much stock in the Bruins doing so.

WATCH OUT FOR:
— Irmo (8-1): Led by one of the state's best running games, the Yellow Jackets have won seven in a row after a week one defeat to nationally ranked Goose Creek. While defense is somewhat an issue, if Irmo is allowed to dictate the clock by continuing to feed the ball to Dawan Scott and others in the Yellow Jackets' stable of running backs, this team could surprise some people en route to a December date down the road at Williams-Brice Stadium.
— Clover (7-2): Do not sleep on the Eagles. Though falling in defeat to state powerhouses and region foes Gaffney and Northwestern, Clover did do its part to give each of the teams' defenses fits using its brand of the Wing-T offense. The difficult part of the schedule is seemingly in the Eagles' rear-view mirror, as it will take a team with offensive might similar to that of the Trojans or Indians to knock this squad out of the playoffs.

Class 3A— In my opinion, the best of the state's classifications from top to bottom. At least eight teams believe they have the ingredients to hoist the championship trophy at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia on the first Saturday night in December. Here are a few of those.

STOCKS UP:
— South Pointe (8-1): The Stallions, aside from a mistake-prone third quarter against rival Northwestern in the season's opening week, has been dominant — particularly on the defensive side of the ball. South Pointe showcased how important that side of the ball is in its success over then-No. 3 Fairfield Central, holding one of the classification's more prolific offenses to under 200 yards of total offense and only seven points.
It does help to have the nation's top prospect on your defensive line as well, Jadeveon Clowney.
— Myrtle Beach (8-1): Like their contemporaries South Pointe in the Upper State, the Seahawks find themselves minutes from being undefeated as well. Playing most of the season without starting quarterback Everett Golson, backup signal caller Mitchell Campbell has been effective in his stead, throwing for 2,067 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Myrtle Beach's defense has also been a forced to be reckoned with, particularly of late, holding region opponents to a total of 21 points in four games.
— Fairfield Central (8-1): While the Griffins were on the wrong end of a 17-7 defeat at the hands of South Pointe, few can argue the team gave their rivals from Rock Hill all they could handle. Fairfield Central should be equally as potent when the playoffs roll around... that is unless its old nemesis Clinton winds up in the same bracket; then things could become quite interesting.

STOCKS DOWN:
— Chester (6-3): The Cyclones feasted upon mediocre competition early on the 2010 season, jumping out to a 3-0 mark before meeting with Class 2A's Central—Pageland, a contest in which they gave up a fourth quarter lead and eventually lost, 36-28. Since then, things have not quite been the same for Chester, losing the following week to nationally ranked Mallard Creek (N.C.), followed by sub par efforts against Nation Ford ( a win nevertheless) and a 55-17drubbing at the hands of South Pointe.
Beating quality teams is what champions are made of. I see little of that in the Cyclones' resume.
— Clinton (6-3): You hate to put the defending state champions in a category like this, but losing two consecutive region games to the likes of Greer and Union County is cause for concern for the Red Devils. However, last season following a mediocre region slate in which Clinton finished fourth in its conference, the team found a way to win five straight games and the Class 3A championship.
Can it happen again? Of course. But if that's the case, the Red Devils sure like to take the long road instead of the easy one.
—Marlboro County (6-3): There are few teams more of a mystery in the Palmetto State than the Bulldogs. Blessed with an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball, it seems this team has simply not been able to put it together, the low points coming in consecutive weeks in losses to Conway and Dillon.
Last week's 24-14 defeat at the hands of Hartsville put a conference title in doubt, and with a road test at Camden this Friday, Marlboro County could be looking at several road games en route to a trip to Columbia and the Class 3A title game.

WATCH OUT FOR:
—Union County (6-3): No squad circles the wagons late in the season like the Yellow Jackets, who again after a rough start have fought their way to a region championship. Since beginning the season 0-3, Union Co. has rattled off six straight wins, averaging 33 points a game during that stretch. Getting the Clinton bug off their backs also was big for the Yellow Jackets, losing two close contests last season to the Red Devils, including a 17-14 loss in the state playoffs.
— Greenville (8-1): Few squads in Class 3A can light up the scoreboard in the fashion the Red Raiders can, averaging 33 points per game this season. But the biggest contributor the Greenville's success this year has to be its defense, only allowing more than 10 points once this year — that being a 33-31 setback at Gaffney in September.

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