3A Football
1. Greer – Dominique Parks returns for his senior tootball season to run through opponents for a third straight year. Last season he rushed for 2300+ yards and 28 TDs fro Greer, a number similar to Marcus Lattimore (who had lots of receiving yards to go along). But with the losses of top TE prospect Desmond Parks to the Florida Gators and QB Efferlan Williams, the Yellow Jackets football team rebounds with enormous Mario Sanders at TE (a big play starter already at defensive end) and two underclassmen quarterbacks. Look for an improvement on the defensive side of the ball that cost the Yellow Jackets the 2008 season.
2. Daniel – Last season, the D.W. Lions returned to their glory days in the final year of their historic football stadium. Unfortunately, Chester tainted the stadium’s farewell and ruined their hopes for another state title. Despite losing an experienced quarterback and two offensive linemen, Daniel still remains a defensive bulwark with an outstanding athlete in DeAndre Hopkins who is a big threat on both sides of the ball.
3. Belton-Honea Path – This team should surprise a lot of people and even challenge reigning region champs Daniel. Nino Woolridge plays both QB and linebacker, but could be sharing time with junior QB Cody Spence. But the Bears should have a nice running game from Jacob Tavernier and Charles Lindsey (a junior who scored 11 TDs last season). Unfortunately, all Upstate AAA teams will have to get past Chester and Myrtle Beach, so let’s see how the season plays out before we throw in all the cards for BHP.
4. JL Mann – A lot of people are betting on an instant success story for Phil Magdic and the Greenville Red Raiders, but the Patriots had a strong 2008 season and return with some talent in key areas, including RB Cameron Blassingame and DB Calvin Caldwell.
5. Union County – The Yellow Jackets had success their first year in 3A during the 2007 season, but weren’t able to build on that success last year. This year, however, the Yellow Jackets are running behind Mike Mebane, who is following the footsteps of 2007 star Marcus Whitener to lead this team of rising stars to compete in the toughest region in 3A football.
What do you think of these rankings? Are they right or way off? Leave a comment.
