Looking at the past present and future of high school football in the Palmetto State.
Staff Report
MaxPreps.com
Best Player: Chad Dodd, Jr., QB, Byrnes/Marcus Lattimore, Jr., RB, Byrnes
He isn’t the biggest or most gifted player, but Chad Dodd ran the Byrnes offense to perfection as a sophomore, throwing for 3,202 yards and 32 touchdowns. Dodd turned in special performances against Hillcrest (462 yards, 5 TDs) and rival Gaffney (373 yards, 7 TDs) on the way to leading the Rebels to a 15-0 record and state title. The other half of Byrnes’ Dynamic Junior Duo, Lattimore piled up 2,302 rushing and receiving yards (1,839 on the ground) with 27 trips to the end zone. Special mention here goes to South Pointe’s Devonte Holloman, a star at quarterback and defensive back for North Carolina juggernaut Independence before transferring to the Palmetto State for his senior season. Holloman is a Clemson commitment and regarded as one of the top safety prospects in America. Returning state leaders - Passing: Dodd 227 of 409, 3,202 yards, 32 scores; Rushing: Sean Davis (Pelion) 274 attempts, 2,130 yards, 27 TDs.
Best All-Time Player: Art Shell, OL, Bonds-Wilson
It’s tempting to pick 1945 Heisman Trophy Doc Blanchard of Army, but Shell put together the more impressive career resume. The first African-American head coach in the NFL during he modern era, Shell was an All-State performer in both basketball and football at now defunct Bonds-Wilson High School. Shell was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection while playing for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders.
2008 Must See: McKissick Begins Life After A.J. Green
Legendary head coach John McKissick has replaced star players before, but never one quite like current University of Georgia freshman A.J. Green. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound wide receiver helped McKissick reach two state title games and bring his win total to 556 entering this season. Green hauled in 279 receptions for 5,373 yards during his storied four-year career, so it will be interesting to see how the Green Wave replace that type of production.
On The Throne: Byrnes
The Rebels didn’t stay down for long. After failing to win the state title in 2006 for the first time in four years, Byrnes bounced back with a dominant title run in 2007. Behind quarterback Chas Dodd – back to lead the charge again this season and just a junior – the Rebels averaged 41 points per game en route to a 15-0 record and AAAA state title. Byrnes, 93-8 with five state titles since 2001, is absolutely loaded and MaxPreps.com’s pick as preseason national No. 1.
Best Rivalry: Rock Hill vs. Northwestern
This feud is about to enter a new chapter as the teams won’t meet in the final game of the regular season for the first time since 1972 after being split into different divisions. They will still play on Sept. 12, but it remains to be seen if the rivalry between Rock Hill schools will feature the same level of intensity without a title on the line.
Future Star: Everett Golson, So., QB, Myrtle Beach
Golson was perhaps the most productive freshman quarterback in the country last fall, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Seahawks posted a 12-1 record with the rookie quarterback, averaging nearly 35 points per game. Golson is also drawing attention for his prowess on the hardwood.
Fun Fact
ESPN recently tagged Valdosta, Ga., with the “Titletown” moniker, but folks in Gaffney have other ideas about who rightfully deserves that honor. The Indians are the proud owners of 16 state football titles – the most of any South Carolina team. Gaffney’s most recent state title came in 2006 when it went 15-0 and finished in the top 30 of the MaxPreps National Rankings.
MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team
WR – Alshon Jeffrey, Calhoun County
WR – Ricco Sanders, Byrnes
WR – Stephon Gimore, South Pointe
TE – Desmond Parks, Greer
OL – Quenton Washington, Timberland
OL – Cedric Chisholm, West Ashley
OL – Kwame Geathers, Carvers Bay
OL – Ian Anderson Hilton Head Prep
OL – Brandon Thomas, Dorman
QB – Stephen Gilmore, South Pointe
QB – Chas Dodd, Byrnes
RB – Travis Small, Cheraw
RB – Rockarius King, Timberland
RB – Marcus Lattimore, Byrnes
ATH – Roderick McDowell, Sumter
K – Owen Plair, Beaufort
DL – Sam Montgomery, Greenwood
DL – Chris Bonds, Richland Northeast
DL – Duane Chisholm, Beaufort
DL – Aldrick Fordham, Timberland
LB – Daniel Cleveland, Byrnes
LB – Skylar Franklin, Byrnes
LB – Brett Johnson, North Augusta
LB – Quandon Christian, Lake View
LB – Demario Jeffery, Columbia
DB –Justin Bright, Byrnes
DB – Taylor Sowell, Dorman
DB – Devonte Holloman, South Pointe
DB – David Sims, Calhoun County
P – Bo Lindsey, Dorman
State Preview Video
