There are no frontrunners this season for gridiron dominance
Who will be king of the football mountain in 2006? That's a good question.
In all my years of covering high school football in the county, I cannot recall a more difficult year to attempt to predict how our teams will fare.
Every team in the county has huge question marks. Even defending South Carolina Independent School Association state champion Augusta Christian Schools is a bit of a mystery.
Sure, the Lions will be good. Head coach Bruce Lane has built a solid system for the Lions, but they are replacing more than half their starters, including a few All-State performers.
Most notably, the Lions will not have Lee Banks this fall. Banks was sensational a year ago piling up passing and rushing numbers that will be hard to duplicate.
Both Lakeside and Greenbrier high schools will have new signal-callers, and Greenbrier has a new head coach and system to boot.
Harlem and Evans high schools each return their starting quarterback, but they also both have question marks on the line of scrimmage.
Who will emerge as the county's top team? If there has ever been a year to simply say, "I have no clue," this is it. Predicting how things will shake down with our teams is almost impossible. I'll give it a shot anyway.
Augusta Christian (SCISA Region 1-AAA)
Offense - Multiple I Formation
Defense - 50
Keys players for success:
All eyes will be on new quarterback Tyler Bourdo. He is a talented kid who should be fine running the offense. The Lions also need one of the three candidates for starting center to step up and take the job.
On defense, the Lions linebackers could be a concern. That said, one thing in Augusta Christian's favor this year is that some of the folks in South Carolina seem to be writing them off. In my opinion, that could turn out to be a big mistake.
Predicted regular season record: 7-3
Evans (Region 3B-AAAA)
Offense - Multiple Wing
Defense - 50
Key players for success:
Coach Marty Jackson is really high on running back David Smith. He, along with quarterback Kevin Millward, tight end Wes Wuchte and wide receiver Jonathan Nicely, will spearhead a Knights offense that should be much improved this fall. Defensively, the Knights have several standout returners led by Jacob Gibbs (LB), Ben Rouse (LB), and Ryan Alford (DE).
Keep an eye on newcomer Trey Henderson (WR/DB). He will be an immediate help on defense and should be a big part of the offense as he picks up the system.
Predicted regular season record: 5-5
Greenbrier
(Region 3B-AAAA)
Offense - Spread I
Defense - Multiple 5
Key players to success:
New head coach Scott Chadwick brings in a wide-open offense, which could make a star out of new signal caller Nick Richards. At 6 feet 4 inches tall with a strong arm, Richards has the tools to put up some nice numbers for the Pack.
It might take him a few games to get comfortable with the new system, but if he does he could be a sleeper player to watch. Freddie Jones (TB/DB) will be counted on heavily on both sides of the ball, but especially on offense.
Defensively, sophomore Dylan Turner will be one of the leaders. He has a chance to be a special player before his career is over at Greenbrier.
Predicted regular season record: 4-6
Harlem
(Region 3B-AAA)
Offense - Triple Option
Defense - 4-3, 5-3
Key players to success:
Harlem returns three of the most talented players in the county. Quarterback Brendan Gray, runningback/linebacker Barry St. John and linebacker Maurice Dorsey should be primed for big seasons. The only thing holding back the Bulldogs' high-powered ground game is inexperience on the offensive line. Coach Jimmie Lewis has to replace two All-County linemen from a year ago.
If he finds adequate replacements, they should be able to put plenty of points on the board. Defensively, along with Dorsey, nose guard A.J. Ortiz will play a key role.
Predicted regular season record: 6-4
Lakeside (3B-AAAA)
Offense - Flex Bone Option
Defense - 3-5-3
Coach Randy Hill will have a youthful bunch this season. Youth means inexperience, and that usually equals early mistakes. His squad will need to grow up quick for the Panthers to be successful this fall. The Panthers will have the top defensive player in the county in linebacker/defensive end Jermel Bennett.
Bennett has a motor that doesn't stop. If he can stay healthy, he is the favorite for county Defensive Player of the Year. Offensively, fullback Lance Driggers will be a key cog in the Panthers' flex bone offense. Driggers should be able to put up some big numbers rushing the football.
Predicted regular season record: 4-6
Augusta Christian will be a playoff team this fall. Harlem, playing in AAA, might be able to fight its way into the postseason as well.
As usual, Evans, Greenbrier and Lakeside might be fighting for the final playoff spot in 3-AAAA. Therefore, a vastly improved Evans team might be able to squeak in.
Greenbrier likely will put points on the board, but will they be able to stop anyone? Lakeside's youth might be a little too much to overcome. If there has ever been a year where anything could happen, it is this fall. Nothing would surprise me this year.