WHILE THERE IS a lot to good coaching that gets a team to the state championship, most coaches will tell you that often it is more about the “Jimmys” and the “Joes” than the Xs and Os.

Let’s take a look at impact players to watch in the upcoming Weekend of Champions.

Quarterbacks

Keiston Smith, Union County: The best you will see this weekend. Has thrown for more than 5,000 yards.

Derek Olenchuk, Dutch Fork: Has quietly become and excellent field general of one of the state’s most productive offenses.

Mason Rudolph, Northwestern: Leads the top passing attack in 4A. Has an offer from LSU.

Avery McCall, Dillon: Freshman, leads a potent Wildcat attack and can run or throw effectively.

Deandre Belton, Fairfield Central: Track speedster, more than 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.

Running backs

Matt Colburn, Dutch Fork: Undersized sophomore plays larger than life. Deceptively strong with explosive speed. May be best of the weekend.

Hylek Foster, Gaffney: Inside, outside, in the middle or over the top; it doesn’t matter with this versatile back who leads the Indians’ offense.

DeAngelo Stephenson, Bishop England: Versatile, explosive, and fast, this Bishop will be key in the game against Abbeville.

Octavious Morgan, Greenwood: The first-year starter has been a feature of the Eagles’ ground game.

Anthony Blue, Dillon: Took over for injured Jabo Lee earlier in year.

Wide receivers

Rontavious McClure, Northwestern: 6-foot-6 with great hands.

Jordan Berry, Dutch Fork: Exciting to watch after the catch; very sure hands and ability to get open.

Dupree Hart, Nortwestern: Small (5-5), but dangerous.

Mustaffa Love, Northwestern: Another tall (6-4) receiver in the Trojans’ arsenal.

Chris Booker, Union County: Two-way starter for Jackets.

In The Trenches

Jaylen Miller, DE, Gaffney: Shrine Bowler with more than a dozen BCS offers.

D.J. Park, OT, Dillon: Four-star prospcect, committed to South Carolina, anchor on the line.

Bryce King, C, Dillon: Another four-star guy, USC committment, Shrine Bowler

Jamar Winston, Dutch Fork: Rangy defensive end, Shrine Bowler, raw

Linebackers

Kennan Gilchrist, Abbeville: Big time hitter, strong against the run, more than a handful of offers from FCS and Division II schools.

Quan Weeks, Gaffney: Seventy tackle, a big hitter.

Davon Durant, Greenwood: Solid tackler with good coverage skills, Shrine Bowler.

Hishawn Blue, Dillon: Another Blue in the middle for the Wildcats, 225-pound battering ram..

Defensive Backs

Lane Ecton, Dutch Fork: Very good coverage guy; solid in run support.

Deangelo Stephenson, Bishop England: Solid two-way starter.

O’Daryl Douglass, Northwestern: Good coverage, tackling skills, North-South selectee.

Lorenzo Mathis, Greenwood: Another outstanding player in the Eagles’ tradionally strong position.

Davonta Foster, Faifrield-Central: One of the state’s interception leaders.