Our preseason Midlands Top 10: The best high school football teams for 2022 are ...
The State’s preseason Top 10 power rankings for the season:
1. Dutch Fork
Last year’s record: 12-1
Why they are ranked: The Silver Foxes fell short last year in winning their sixth consecutive Class 5A championship and will look to start a new streak. Dutch Fork is playing its toughest non-conference schedule since Tom Knotts arrived more than a decade ago.
Running back Jarvis Green will be the centerpiece of Dutch Fork’s offense — he had more than 2,000 yards of total offense and 37 touchdowns a year ago. The defense has three of its top four returning tacklers back in Chandler Perry, Landon Danley and John Buetow.
2. Camden
Last year’s record: 11-3
Why they are ranked: The Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back state championship appearances and have a strong group returning. Camden has a pair of Division I prospects on defense in Xzavier McLeod and Shymeik Jones. Offensively, Grayson White is back at quarterback along with running backs Avaree Hickman and Cortez Lane, who missed last season with an injury.
3. Brookland-Cayce
Last year’s record: 9-3
Why they are ranked: Brookland-Cayce won the Region 5-3A title and made it to the Class 3A lower state semifinals before losing to Camden. The Bearcats return the Region 5-3A Player of Year in quarterback Tanner Staton and all-purpose threat Nazeikeil Mays. B-C has a strong nucleus on the offensive line back, and Jayden Johnson leads the B-C defense.
4. Gilbert
Last year’s record: 9-3
Why they are ranked: The Indians have won at the least seven games or more in each season since Chad Leaphart arrived in 2016, and that should continue this year. Gilbert has a strong 1-2 punch in running backs Alias Graham-Woodberry and Jaden Allen-Hendrix. Chance Jennings will be making the switch from quarterback to receiver and give the Indians another weapon on offense as Drake Braddock handles quarterback duties.
5. Gray Collegiate
Last year’s record: 14-1
Why they are ranked: The War Eagles are coming off their first state championship in school history but lose several key players from that team, including Mr. Football finalist KZ Adams, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards last season. Riley Staton takes over full-time duties at quarterback, and Caleb Ford will be one of the guys handling running back duties.
6. Lexington
Last year’s record: 9-3
Why they are ranked: The Wildcats were one of the biggest surprises and had one of the biggest turnarounds last year. After a winless 2020 season, Lexington won nine games in 2021 and advanced to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs. Taiden Mines is back at quarterback along with running back Jonah Norris and receiver Kamadi Maxwell.
7. AC Flora
Last year’s record: 9-2
Why they are ranked: It was quite the offseason of change for A.C. Flora, which made it to the third round of the Class 4A playoffs in 2021. Offensive coordinator Ken Floyd took over as head coach for Dustin Curtis, who left to take the job at Dorman. The Falcons have some new faces in the coaching staff and have a battle at quarterback. Running back Markel Townsend is looking for a big senior season, and Chris Lofton and Carew Bates will be some of the other top options on offense. Wofford commit Ben Holmes will help anchor the offensive line.
8. Ridge View
Last year’s record: 6-5
Why they are ranked: The Blazers are coming off a third-round playoff appearance in Class 5A and will be moving back down to Class 4A this year. The Blazers lost a few key performers, including three-year quarterback starter Andre Washington. Donald Tomlin transferred in from Heathwood Hall and is battling returnee Breylon Boyd to be the team’s starting QB. The Blazers have a talented group of receivers in Appalachian State commit Chris Lawson, East Carolina commit Zion Agnew and A.C. Flora transfer Adonis McDaniel, as well as running back Marcus Kelly.
9. Irmo
Last year’s record: 7-4
Why they are ranked: Irmo won a share of the Region 4-4A championship last season and made it into the third round of the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets must replace several players, including South Carolina signee Nick Emmanwori, as well as quarterback Izyah Whiteside and receiver DeAree Rogers. A.J. Brand moves over from receiver to quarterback, and the Yellow Jackets return running back Erick Tucker.
10. Hammond
Last year’s record: 13-0
Why they are ranked: The Skyhawks are the premier program in SCISA and won their fifth straight state championship last year in coach Jon Wheeler’s first season. Hammond returns quarterback Dylan Richardson, running back Aidan Cantzater, offensive lineman Jackson Osborne and Connor Stephens, who tied for the team lead in sacks a year ago.
Others considered: River Bluff, Spring Valley, Chapin, Saluda, Lower Richland, Newberry, Fairfield Central
This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 8:45 AM.
