Cambridge Academy
LK: Maddox Lee – QB
Lee is an intriguing athlete to watch. Aside from his skills on the basketball court, Lee just seems to be the leader in whatever he is doing. Two 50+ yard touchdowns in his first ever start does not hurt either. Watch out for Maddox Lee as the season continues.
BK: Andrew Wiley – WR/LB
Here is another one of those Cambridge hoopers giving Lethco panic attacks now that he has decided to play football. Wiley brings athleticism and height to the outside and will be a high-volume target for Lee in the Cougars’ offense.
Laurens Academy
LK: Spires McCameron – RB/DB
Despite his size, Spires McCameron is one of the more exciting players to watch in all of SCISA 8-man football. McCameron flies around the field like Jalen Ramsey on defense and does not care at all how hard you hit when he is carrying the ball.
BK: Nathan Bell – LB/TE
With Garrett Murphy flying all over the place on defense, Nathan Bell often goes unnoticed. However, Bell is force to be reckoned with. He was a big piece for the Crusaders in 2023 and 2024 is off to a good start for him.
Greenwood Christian
LK: Cole Hamby – RB/DB
Cole Hamby is the exact type of athlete that you want on your team. Hamby is gritty, has a high motor and isn’t scared to get dirty. With Isaiah Scott-Palacios out and Hamp Davis’ health in question, Cole Hamby is going to have to step up big time for the Hawks, and I expect him to do just that.
BK: Brycen Moore – WR/DB
You’re probably used to seeing Brycen Moore behind the dish on the baseball diamond for the Hawks, but don’t be surprised when he becomes a key piece of the receiving corps for Greenwood Christian. In his first year of varsity football, Moore seems to have gotten the hang of it pretty well so far in 2024. With much of the focus being on Kade Heaton and Bryson Dixon, Moore will have an opportunity to fly under the radar for the Hawks this year.
Ware Shoals
LK: Elijah Brown – RB/LB
While he may be undersized, Elijah Brown will be a key contributor for the Hornets this season. Brown saw some action at linebacker and emergency running back last season. In 2024, Brown should have an even better year at linebacker and will be taking more carries in the backfield. If I was a betting man, I’d put my money on Elijah Brown to have a big year.
BK: Trent Dyal – OL/LB
With Isaiah Wardlaw gone to graduation, Dyal is going to have to step up big time on the offensive line for the Hornets. Dyal should be also be key piece on defense for the Hornets next to Elijah Brown at linebacker. The Hornets have subtly built one of the most underrated linebacker duos in the area.
Calhoun Falls
LK: Rickey Cleveland – DE/RB
Rickey Cleveland has one of the most interesting position combinations in the Lakelands area. The 14 year old will be lining up at defensive end and running back this season, and for good reason. When you look at Cleveland, you would not think he is 14 years old. Rickey Cleveland will be a name to remember for years to come.
BK: Braylon Patterson – RB/DB
Patterson is the younger brother of legendary Calhoun Falls hooper Da’Quean Lewis, and he shows his skills on the court as well. However, he’s looking to make an impact on the football field for the first time this season. He certainly passes the eye test and I wouldn’t be surprised if he made his way onto the Top 10 running backs list at some point this year.
Dixie
LK: Tae Donald – LB/FB
Tae Donald will make a big impact on both sides of the ball for Dixie. On top of being one of the best linebackers in the area (it must run in the bloodline), Donald will also be a key back in short yardage situations. Donald had a good 2023. Expect him to have a great 2024.
BK: Emmanuel Harris – OL
Harris looked amazing at the Abbeville Jamboree. He has sneaky agility for a lineman and will be a big reason that Dallas Dotson and Brandon Nance wreak havoc on the ground. Harris has great footwork and appears ready to lead this Hornets O line.
Abbeville
LK: Brody Graham (TE) and Jaylen Baylor (DB)
Brody Graham started the preseason with three catches for two touchdowns. Since then, he has only looked better. In the presumptive new Abbeville passing attack, Graham will be an essential target for Damarcus Leach and JD Baylor at quarterback.
Jaylen Baylor is one of the most underrated players in the Lakelands. He has placed receivers on “Baylor Island” all preseason and looked great in both the Abbeville Kick-Off Classic and the Greenwood Jamboree. Baylor will also be lining up at receiver, so hopefully we get to see the brother-to-brother connection between him and his brother, JD.
BK: Gage Evans – LB
Evans played a lot last season, but was mostly overshadowed by Mikhelyn Bowie and Gavin Calhoun at linebacker. This season is Evans’ opportunity to show what he’s really made of. I expect him to do just that and more for the Panthers in 2024.
Saluda
LK: Jah Foulks – WR
With much of the attention being on Vic Gaines, Jah Foulks is primed for a big season. The senior did not see much action last year, but with tons of position movement across the entirety of the Saluda roster, it’s Foulks’ time to shine. Foulks has a ton of quickness and runs very smooth routes. Look for him to put those skills to good use for the Tigers in 2024.
BK: Akiem Mills – LB
I pulled up at a Saluda practice for the first time in 2024 and the first thing that caught my eye was Akiem Mills. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior looks like he was born to play middle linebacker. This will be his first season playing inside and he can, at times, unmask that inexperience with a questionable first step, but that will likely be gone by Week 3. I expect Mills to look more like Hall-of-Famer Sam Mills by the time region play rolls around.
Ninety Six
LK: Joe Moore -RB/LB
When you take a look at Joe Moore, you would not think that he is a freshman. It was like taking candy from a baby last year in middle school for Moore, and I expect him to continue that dominance into high school. Especially with Zay King’s health in question, Moore will be an essential piece for the Wildcats.
BK: Carter Patterson – WR/DB
Patterson is a newcomer to the Wildcats, but he has a pretty good gene pool–his father is Jody Patterson, a legendary receiver at Ninety Six from the early 2000s. He will see snaps on both offense and defense and has shown himself to be an asset regardless of which side of the ball he is on. I expect to see his snap percentage creep up throughout the season.
Strom Thurmond
LK: Jalin Collins – DB/WR
Jalin Collins will be a sneaky piece in the secondary for the Rebels. While most teams will be focused on Kaleb Simpkins, Collins is just as capable of locking down any team’s top receiver. Collins has shown out in the preseason, and the Rebels should be set in the secondary for the foreseeable future.
BK: Crooze Watkins – WR/DB
With the departure of Braylon Staley (Tennessee) and Demarius Tolen (N.C. Central), it’s easy to talk about Jay Sewell, the electric senior who caught everything thrown his way last season. But if you grab a burger at the Edgefield Pool Room (Ah, the memories!), then the name you are likely to hear buzzing around the tables is Crooze Watkins. Watkins could be in 2024 what Sewell was in 2023, taking advantage of lots of single coverage with attention focused on Sewell and Simpkins.
Clinton:
LK: DJ Clark – RB
There is a heavy load of good running backs in the Lakelands this year and DJ Clark has quickly flown under the radar as one of the top backs in the area. Clark filled in for injuries last season and impressed many. With the starting running back spot belonging to him now, the sky is the limit for Clark.
BK: Luke Young (TE/DE) and Jaydon Glenn (RB/LB/QB)
THE BLOODLINE. Last season, LK wrote an exceptional piece on the Youngs and the Glenns and how their families are carrying on a rich tradition of athletic excellence for the Red Devils. Carson Glenn graduated this past spring and his younger brother Jaydon popped up in the exact same spot on the football field. Luke Young didn’t have the patience for older brother Brett, who finished as the runner-up for 2023 SK Media Defensive Player of the Year, to graduate. Luke will see time at tight end as well as linebacker and defensive end. The Bloodline continues.
Emerald
LK: Armahd Key – WR/DB
Armahd Key is one of most athletically gifted players that have come around the Lakelands in recent memory. If he can put it all together, Key is due for a big season. Despite taking a year off from football, Key has clearly knocked all the rust off and is ready for 2024.
BK: John Flemmings – LB
This is a player that far too many people aren’t paying attention to early in 2024. The senior has patiently paid his dues for this Vikings squad and will once again likely be overshadowed by D1 prospect Kam Langford at linebacker. But, make no mistake, Flemmings will be a critical cog in the Vikings’ defense in 2024.
Laurens
LK: Tyj Jones – DB
Jones is another player that has an incredible gift of athleticism. Mostly known for his efforts on the basketball court, Jones is no stranger to making something shake on the turf. If it was me personally, I wouldn’t want to be tackled by this guy.
BK: Mike Brown – DL
With no more Malik Jackson (Limestone) to captain the defensive line, Mike Brown is a due a big senior season. Brown is as terrifying as encountering a grizzly bear in the woods when you’re alone. Offensive linemen on Laurens’ schedule to need stay prayed up when facing Brown.
Greenwood
LK: Landen Still – WR
It doesn’t matter what sport it is, if you have the last name “Still,” you’re going to be good at whatever sport you play. Landen Still has more than proved that theory correct so far in his first year of varsity football and the future only looks brighter for 2024. Even in one of the most stacked receiving corps in the area, Still continues to find a way to stand out. FEED 88.
BK- DJ Womack – DB
Womack is one of the most underrated players in the Lakelands area. He’s going to have to step up big time for the Eagles this year in the secondary with Zion Hawkins and Kaleb Burton both gone. Womack made a name for himself throughout the summer, and I expect him to build on that this season. Pair him with AJ Norman, and the Eagles have themselves a nice tandem of corners.