Published Tuesday, August 26, 2008 8:53 AM
Updated Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:57 AM
This region lost a lot of talent with the departure of the Summerville All-American receiver and the likes of Fort Dorchester defensive end Robert Quinn, Beaufort running back Adrene Byas and Colleton County QB Zack Singleton. However, competition inside the region should be as strong as ever as other players get their chance to shine.
Last year, Summerville finished as the runner up for the South Carolina Division I-AAAA championship and Beaufort finished as the runner up for the Division II-AAAA championship. Those teams have holes to fill this season, but should still be strong.
Oddly enough, the team that didn’t book a single win in 2007 should compete for the region crown this season. Fort Dorchester finished the season with a respectable 9-4 record, but then had to forfeit all its wins due to dressing out an undocumented player.
The Fort is loaded with returning starters this year and in most of the right places. Plus, Coach Steve LaPrad says this season he has his quickest team yet. Therefore, the Patriots enter the season as the favorite to claim the region crown.
“We have some big time playmakers and I think our speed is our biggest asset,” LaPrad said. “Our sights are set high, but we have an extremely hard schedule.”
However, no team can be counted out of this fight. Summerville, Beaufort and Colleton County are strong in football tradition, which can go a long way. West Ashley enters its second season under the leadership of Head Coach Bobby Marion a more polished team than it has been in the past.
All the teams have some talented athletes so much of this season rides on how quickly the less experienced players develop and team depth. The Eagles look to have the upper hand in both of those areas.
FORT DORCHESTER PATRIOTS
2007: 0-13, 0-5
COACH: Steve LaPrad (6th year at Fort Dorchester)
RETURNING STARTERS: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Galen Bennett, LB Geno Porter, WR T’rel Hamilton, LB Adrian Stewart, WR Jamal Hall, RB Dante Ravenel, OL Bradley Jefferson, OL Greg Harris, OL Brandon Furse, TE Greg Ellington, DL Antonio Guy, DL Montae Adams, DB Tyler Walker and DB Doron Jefferson.
OUTLOOK: With three-year starting quarterback Galen Bennett at the helm, the Patriots’ offense should be both dynamic and productive. The team’s defense is anchored by two talented linebackers and should be tough. However, the Patriots’ secondary isn’t very experienced so much of the season is riding on how it develops.
NOTES: Bennett threw for 1,084 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while rushing for 990 yards and 18 TDs. The team only lost one of its starting offensive linemen at the end of last season. Porter led the team in tackles with 127, including 26 primaries and 11 tackles for a loss.
BEAUFORT EAGLES
2007: 12-3, 4-1
COACH: Mark Clifford (5th year [as head coach] at Beaufort)
RETURNING STARTERS: 11 (5 offense, 6 defense)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: DE Duane Chisolm, QB Blake Gruel, DB Jimmy Legree, WR Michael Ginn, RB Andre Carpenter, LB Sam Venning, LB Justin Parker, DL Derrell Garry, OL Shane Dwyer, OL Patrick Dennis, DB Arthur Smith and DL Ales Wiezbicki.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles’ big challenge on offense is replacing running back Adrene Byas, who finished last season with approximately 2,000 yards. The team does return starting quarterback Blake Gruel, running back Andre Carpenter and receiver Michael Ginn. Defensively, the team will be strong up front and should hold its own with returners Jimmy Legree and Arthur Smith anchoring the secondary.
NOTES: Gruel threw for 1,500 yards in 2007; Carpenter rushed for more than 1,000 yards; and Ginn had nearly 600 receiving yards. The 6-4, 250 Chisolm is a force and has caught the eye of many D-1 colleges.
SUMMERVILLE GREEN WAVE
2007: 13-2, 5-0
COACH: John McKissick (57th year at Summerville)
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 (3 offense, 3 defense)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Chad Brisben, RB Tyler Veronee, QB Donny McElveen, OL Jacob Webb, RB Daniel Edmonson, DL Demetrius Sherman, DL Aaron Carter, DB Michael Varner, DL Brice Laughlin, QB Andrew Hancox, LB Ronnie Kirven, LB Rondrick Tucker and OL Corley Bridges.
OUTLOOK: QB Donny McElveen led a team to a North Carolina state title game last year before transferring to Summerville. However, the Wave lost its three top receivers so don’t expect him to air it out as much as Reid McCollum did last season. A strong defense, running backs and short passes are likely going to be the staples of this team. The Wave’s season could ride on how well, and how quickly, the offensive line develops.
NOTES: McElveen is the grandson of Coach John McKissick and a college prospect. Defensive lineman Demetrius Sherman (6-2, 300) and offensive lineman Chad Brisben (6-5, 245) are among the team’s other college prospects.
WEST ASHLEY WILDCATS
2007: 4-7, 1-4
COACH: Bobby Marion (2nd year at West Ashley)
RETURNING STARTERS: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Cedric Chisolm, QB KJ Cohen, DL Eduardo Curry, WR Preston Bibler, DL Donovan Pinckney, DB Trey Livingston, FB Marquel Graham, LB Ira Banks, LB Luke Lucas and OL Brandon Shell.
OUTLOOK: The Wildcats fell by some close scores last season and showed they can be dangerous. Coach Bobby Marion feels like his starters can stand toe-to-toe with the other teams in the area, but is concerned about his depth. No one will be looking past West Ashley this year, particularly if the Wildcats stay healthy.
NOTES: Cedric Chisolm (6-5, 285) is a three-year starter up front. The Wildcats also return QB KJ Cohen (1,492 passing yards in 2007), receiver Preston Bibler (37 catches) and fullback Marquel Graham (499 rushing yards). On defense, they return linemen Donovan Pinckney (6-2, 295) and Eduardo Curry (6-4, 295), both three-year starters, and their leading tackler, defensive back Trey Livingston (64 tackles).
COLLETON COUNTY COUGARS
2007: 6-6, 3-2
COACH: Leroy Riley (21st year at Colleton)
RETURNING STARTERS: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Brett Hughes, WR Taurean Stephens, WR Willie Grant, QB Kevin Adams, DL Dante Drew, DB Daval Johnson, PK Brantley Wiggins, LB Dakota Mitchell, RB Victor Bright, LB Phillip Martin, RB Kalin Johnson, P Hristos Stamatopoulos, DB Eric Sears, LB Anthony Sherrill, OL Michael McQueen, WR James Wrice and DL Andre Collum.
OUTLOOK: Coach Leroy Riley says his squad is similar to the one he had last year. The team should be able to move the ball with its passing attack. If the Cougars can develop at the running back and linebacker positions, they should be competitive.
NOTES: The Cougars have talent and depth at the receiver position. Both place kicker Brantley Wiggins and punter Hristos Stamatopoulos are returning starters. Lineman Dante Drew and safety Daval Johnson (6 interceptions) return to provide leadership on the defense.