SCVARSITY PRESEASON TOP 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS
As we begin Spring Practice, it is time to start looking at how the teams stack up and here is our first look at the 2016 SCVarsity Preseason Top Twenty-Five. This is an all-class inclusive rankings.
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1. Fort Dorchester Patriots (15-0): Retuning the state’s top quarterback in Dakereon Joyner, along with lethal receivers this team is ready offensively; they lost some talent on defense but have several key guys back that will anchor and this team looks to be headed to another title.
2. Northwestern Trojans (14-1): Despite losing some talent on the roster the biggest loss will be losing the offensive mind of Kyle Richardson, who has moved on to Clemson. They return the top 2017 quarterback in Gage Maloney and one of the top running backs in the state in Jerry Howard. This team is loaded and defensively will be led by the state’s top 2017 prospect, Logan Rudolph.
3. T.L. Hanna Yellow Jackets (8-5): I like the way this team came on last season and with their starting rising sophomore quarterback returning and one of the upstate's top running backs, the Yellow Jackets enter 2016 as the favorite for the Region I.
4. Dorman Cavaliers (11-4): Yes, the Cavs lost their quarterback but they do return talent at running back, wide receiver, and four of their starting five offensive linemen. That, along with five starters back on defense make the Cavs a strong contender in 2016
5. Byrnes Rebels (12-2): return a wealth of talent. They will be strong both sides of the ball and with players like Hayden Mitchem back on defense
6. Boiling Springs Bulldogs (7-6): Returners in key spots make the Bulldogs an intriguing team; Quarterback Mason Streater (more than 2,700 passing yards and 31 scores) returns. there were times they played like pretenders but there were times they played like contenders in 2015. I like them enough to think they belong in the Top Ten in this first go around.
7. Sumter Gamecocks (10-3): Look for more improvement in Coach Barnes' second year with the Gamecocks. The physical brand of football will continue and while they have some holes to fill on offense, this team is going to be tough and very competitive.
8. Lexington Wildcats (13-2): Strength in the offensive and defensive lines is where this team will flex their muscles. They will break in a new quarterback in Chase Crouch, but return one of the more exciting two-way starters in DaQuan Wells and Eric Ricker, as well as several solid skills players on both sides of the football. Smart coaching makes this team a contender.
9. Dutch Fork Silver Foxes (9-4): The big question mark? Quarterback. All other components are there to make this a better than competitive team. Austin Conner returns at WR and he has lethal speed; he will be joined by 6-4 receiver Ward Hacklen, giving whomever gets the quarterback job solid targets. Look for the defense to be solid led by Malik Sumter up front in the trenches.
10. Westside Rams (11-2): Quarterback Jackson Williamson returns to lead this offense and they have one of the state’s top players in Lummie Young on defense, along with a strong linebacker group; if this team can cut out turnovers from last season, they can win big.
11. Spartanburg Vikings (12-2): Lets face it; this is a courtesy ranking at No. 11. Losing the state’s top senior quarterback AND top senior running back WILL have an impact on this team. They return good talent a wide receiver and should see senior William Yex take the reigns at quarterback.
12. South Pointe Stallions (14-1): This team lost a ton of talent but will see a solid replacement at quarterback in Deion Kendrick and return talent at running back. Youth in the trenches will be a challenge.
13. Blythewood Bengals (9-4): The Bengals lost a wealth of talent in terms of skills players but return Kyle Wright at running back and if Jordyn Adams plays at the quarterback spot, this team will be strong; defense returns several of the top players led by Micah Byrd at linebacker.
14. Hartsville Red Foxes (12-1): The Foxes have 12 back on offense and will see the introduction of 2018 AJ Joyner at quarterback and this guy is legit! This team will roll on offense again.
15. York Cougars (8-4): Wally Wilmore, regardless of where he lines up, is going to be a player that makes the Cougars tough on offense. They return starters at running back and on defense, will be young in positions but talented. Look for Wilmore to play every snap.
16. Conway Tigers (9-3): The Tigers lost key offensive talent at running back and wide receiver but return one of the top quarterbacks in the Class and will be making a run at their region title.
17. Myrtle Beach Seahawks (11-4): Mickey Wilson returns eight starters on defense and will be strong at the linebacker position. Offensively, the impact players are gone but the future looks bright at quarterback; two returning back-ups in the junior and senior class and the future of the program is with incoming freshman quarterback Luke Doty.
18. Gaffney Indians (6-6): Strong on defense but this team only returns six guys who started in 2015. They do have one of the top young players in the state returning and he may end up being the guy to take snaps for the Indians.
19. Dillon Wildcats (14-0): Ok; Dillon is way down at 19 because they just graduated a four-year starter at quarterback and don’t think his departure won’t effect this team; that said, they do have a strong defense led by Zareon Hayes at linebacker and the Wildcats should be the team to beat in the lower state 3A.
20. Goose Creek Gators (9-4): Look for this team to be powerful in the run game again led by fullback Leandre Legree; but finding a quarterback to run the RPO offense will be a challenge. Look for a slight drop off early but they will recover and be strong late.
21. Belton-Honea Path (8-3): The Bears return a very good quarterback in Kameron Burton. They’ve got some experience on the offensive front led by Zak McIntosh; look for rising sophomore wide receiver Xavier Nance to be an impact player and defensively they have several players who are accolade candidates in Corner Akyah Miranda and Austin Daniel at nose.
22. Fairfield Central Griffins (11-2): The Bulldogs, who are 46-8 the last four seasons, lost in the state semifinals last season. They return leading passer Stanley McManus and leading rushers Jerrell Suber-O’Neal and Tony Ruff, along with linebacker Darryl Camack.
23. Airport Eagles (10-2): Look for Airport to be strong again and with the return of quarterback Brett Burnett, they will be able to open their offense a little more. Kerryon Richardson and CJ Wright give them major weapons on offense to help Burnett and defensively Devin Miller will anchor the front. Team speed is their strength.
24. Woodruff Wolverines (10-2): 2019 quarterback Keegan Halloran threw for 2,262 yards as a and returns to lead a strong offense with four of his top five receivers back.
25. Marlboro County Bulldogs (6-5): 2017 Quarterback Jacob Evers is back after he threw for 2,002 yards and 15 touchdowns. He returns a couple of starters to help on offense but the real challenge is going to be in the trenches on both sides of the football. That said, this team has good prospects at challenging for the new region.
Just outside looking in: North Augusta Yellow Jackets; Greenwood Eagles; Mauldin Mavericks, Wilson Tigers.
