The State’s best: Meet the 2024 Midlands all-area high school football team
A look at The State’s all-area football team for the 2024 season from Midlands high schools.
Top honors
- The State’s Offensive Player of Year: AJ Brand, Irmo
- Readers’ choice Offensive Player of Year (fan vote): Tylin Drakeford, Camden
- The State’s Defensive Player of Year: Josh Smith, Dutch Fork
- Readers’ choice Defensive Player of Year (fan vote): Chauncey Turner, Fairfield Central
- The State’s Coach of the Year: Greg Lawson, Batesburg-Leesville
- Readers’ choice Coach of the Year (fan vote): Willie Fox, Swansea
All-Area First Team Offense
—— Quarterbacks ——
Brady Albro, Chapin: Senior threw for 2,763 yards and 22 touchdowns. Albro was Class 5A All-State selection and picked to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
AJ Brand, QB, Irmo: Virginia Tech signee threw for 2,600 yards, rushed for 2,029 and accounted for 57 touchdowns in helping the Yellow Jackets to the Class 5A Division II championship game. Brand also was named S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year and was S.C. Offensive MVP in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
Landon Sharpe, White Knoll: Senior threw for 2,173 yards, rushed for 1,022 and accounted for 31 touchdowns. Sharpe was Class 5A All-State selection and picked to play in Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Andrew Turner, Hammond: Senior was SCISA 1-4A Co-Player of the Year, threw for 2,534 yards, rushed for 585 with 44 total touchdowns for the 4A champion Skyhawks.
Will Wilson, QB, Richland Northeast: Senior threw for 2,482 yards, rushed for 1,144 yards and accounted for 42 touchdowns despite missing two games because of injury. Wilson signed with N.C. State, was named Mr. Football in South Carolina, named Richland County Football Player of Year and selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
——Running Backs——
Maurice Anderson, Dutch Fork: Senior rushed for 1,177 yards, had 40 catches for 521 yards and 25 total touchdowns. Anderson was picked to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Caleb Ford, RB, Cardinal Newman: Senior was the SCISA 1-4A Co-Player of the Year and rushed for 2,346 yards and had 17 total touchdowns. Ford is committed to Murray State.
Tydarion Grier, RB, Fairfield Central: Senior rushed for 2,184 yards, had 208 yards receiving and had 39 total touchdowns. Grier was a Class 2A All-State selection, 2A Upper State Offensive Player of Year and was picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
Manny Johnson, Hammond: Senior rushed for 1,108 yards, caught 20 passes for 351 yards and had nine total touchdowns. Johnson is committed to Dartmouth.
Hayden Myers, River Bluff: Junior carried it 258 times for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Amadre Wooden, RB, Batesburg-Leesville: Junior rushed for 2,138 yards (third most in school history) and had 26 touchdowns. Wooden was a Class 2A All-State selection.
——Receivers——
Blake Betette, Richland Northeast: Junior had 81 catches for 1,158 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Boykin Bickley, Dutch Fork: Senior had 60 catches for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns.
Khalen Bostick, Chapin: Senior had 62 catches for 884 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Bostick was a Class 5A All-State selection.
Kendall Byrd, WR, AC Flora: Junior caught 83 passes for 1,104 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Byrd is a Class 4A All-State selection.
Carter Coleman, Blythewood: Junior had 53 catches for 834 yards and 15 total touchdowns.
Caleb Geronomi, WR, White Knoll: Junior had 63 catches for 975 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he had 32 tackles and one interception.
Tyheim McNeil, Keenan: Senior caught 57 passes for 1,145 yards, rushed for 242 yards and had 19 total touchdowns.
Donovan Murph, WR, Irmo: Junior caught 96 passes for 1,328 yards and 12 touchdowns. Reclassified from the Class of 2026 to Class of 2025 and is ranked as a four-star prospect. Murph was All-State selection and picked to play in the Under Armour All-American game.
——Tight Ends——
Stephen Collier, River Bluff: Senior had 57 catches for 713 yards, six touchdowns and had 1,105 all-purpose yards. Played some on defense and had two interceptions. Collier was a Class 5A All-State selection, picked for Shrine Bowl of Carolinas and signed with East Carolina.
Connor Gooding, Gilbert: Senior had 36 catches for 690 yards and four touchdowns. Gooding was a Class 4A All-State selection, picked for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl and signed with Marshall.
Mike Tyler, Hammond: Senior had 38 catches for 618 yards and six touchdowns, including the game-winning TD in the SCISA 4A championship game against Porter-Gaud. Tyler signed with South Carolina.
——Offensive Line——
Joe Allende, River Bluff: Senior was three-year starter for the Gators and was Region 4-5A Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Tanner Bracey, Camden: Senior graded out at 92 percent blocking this season. On defense, he also had 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Bracey signed with The Citadel.
Joshua Ladd, Ridge View: Senior guard graded out at 92 percent blocking with 16 pancake blocks. Ladd was picked to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl game.
Jack Laird, Cardinal Newman: The senior graded out blocking at 87 percent with 34 pancake blocks. Laird is signed with Marshall.
Ryan Love, Irmo: The senior was a three-year starter and graded out at 94 percent this season with 36 pancake blocks. Love was an All-State selection and picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
Lebron Lyles, Newberry: Junior graded out at 91 percent blocking with 15 knockdowns. Lyles was a Class 3A All-State selection.
Caden Muskus, Chapin: Junior three-year starter graded out at 80 or plus in every game this year and has Division I offers. Muskus was a Class 5A All-State selection.
Donovan Sims, White Knoll: Senior graded out at 82 percent blocking this season with 22 knockdown blocks and 14 pancakes. Sims was picked for the Touchstone Energy Bowl game.
Christian Smith, Lugoff-Elgin: Senior played every position on the offensive line this season for the Demons. Had 57 knockdowns and 70 pancake blocks. Smith was picked for the Touchstone Energy Bowl game and signed with Newberry.
Aiden Wiles OL, North Central: Senior had 52 pancake blocks and also scored four touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he had 52 tackles (16 for loss), 4.5 sacks and blocked two kicks. Wiles was All-State selection, picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas and signed with The Citadel.
——All-Purpose——
Sam Burks, Northside Christian: Senior had more than 1,400 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns despite missing a couple of games because of injury. On defense, he had 21 tackles, two interceptions and two touchdowns.
Tylin Drakeford, Camden: Junior had 1,380 all-purpose yards and accounted for 15 touchdowns on offense. Drakeford also played on defense and had 54 tackles, four passes defensed and an interception.
Maleek Miller, Irmo: Sophomore caught 55 passes for 914 yards and had 1,758 all-purpose yards with 13 touchdowns.
Desmond Washington, QB, Keenan: Senior threw for 2,789 yards, rushed for 244 and had 29 total touchdowns. Washington was Region 4-3A Player of the Year.
Wyatt Thompson, Camden: Senior played four different positions on offense and two on defense. He rushed for 1,032 yards, threw for 941 yards, had 171 yards receiving and had 13 total touchdowns. On defense, he had 31 tackles, an interception and a sack. Thompson also averaged 34.8 yards a punt.
All-Area First Team Defense
——Defensive Line——
Jaiden Bryant, Irmo: Sophomore had 86 tackles (18 for loss), 15.5 sacks, seven pass break-ups and three caused fumbles.
Kellen George, Ben Lippen: Senior had 62 tackles (30 for loss) and 12.5 sacks. Was SCISA 4A Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for Richland County Football Player of the Year.
Tyrone Jennings, White Knoll: Sophomore had 92 tackles (9.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks this season.
Artem Kalinken, Lexington: Senior had 50 tackles (7 for loss) and 15 sacks. Kalinken was picked for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Sterling Sanders, Blythewood: Senior had 40 tackles, 4.5 sacks this season. Sanders was an All-State selection, picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas and signed with Boston College.
Cleve Tellery, Ridge View: Senior defensive tackle had 38 tackles (10 for loss), four sacks. Tellery was a Class 5A All-State selection and picked for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Zeb Taylor, Gray Collegiate: Senior had 55.5 tackles (10 for loss), 9.5 sacks and eight quarterback hurries.
Daniel Williams, Dutch Fork: Senior had 65 tackles (28 for loss) and tied for team lead in sacks with 11.
——Linebackers——
Jared Acosta, Newberry: Senior had 111 tackles (nine for loss) and two quarterback pressures. Acosta was a Class 3A All-State selection and picked to play in Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Michael Boulware, LB, Gray Collegiate: Junior had 133 tackles (five for loss), five sacks, two caused fumbles and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Boulware was a Class 4A All-State selection.
Devon Domes, Lugoff-Elgin: Senior had 109 tackles (17 tackles for loss), nine pass break-ups and six interceptions this season.
Ophir Hill, Lower Richland: Senior had 125 tackles (35 for loss), five sacks, two forced fumbles and scored one TD. Hill was a Class 4A All-State selection.
Jackson Ross, Hammond: Sophomore had 97 tackles (14 for loss), 11.5 sacks, six pass break-ups, two interceptions and 10 quarterback pressures.
Josh Smith, Dutch Fork: Senior had a team-high 96 tackles (16 for loss), nine sacks and six quarterback hurries. Smith was an All-State selection, signed with South Carolina and picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
Gavin Stam, Chapin: Senior had 132 tackles (15 tackles for loss) and had 1.5 sacks. Stam was a Class 5A All-State selection.
Chauncey Turner, LB, Fairfield Central: Senior had 120 tackles (15 for loss), six sacks and two interceptions. Turner was a Class 2A All-State selection and Class 2A Upper State Defensive Player of the Year.
——Defensive Backs——
Matthew Blocker, Irmo: Senior had 96 tackles, six pass break-ups, four interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
JoJo Crim, Camden: Senior had 63 tackles (4 for loss), six pass break-ups, three blocked kicks, two forced fumbles this season. Crim was a Class 4A All-State selection, picked for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl and signed with Virginia Tech.
Devin Geronomi, White Knoll: Senior had 68 tackles (3 for loss), seven interceptions and five passes broken up. Geronomi was an All-State selection, is signed to play with Richmond and was picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
Rha’ Zarii Harris, Lower Richland: Senior had 50 tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles. Harris was a Class 4A All-State Selection.
Onis Konanbanny, DB, Heathwood Hall: Senior had 45 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown. Only had three passes completed against him. On offense, he had 38 catches for 526 yards and five touchdowns. Konanbanny is committed to Tennessee.
Wynn Meetze, Gilbert: Junior safety had 126 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack. Meetze was a Class 4A All-State selection.
Caleb Pinkney, River Bluff: Sophomore had 32 tackles and led the team with seven interceptions.
Elgin Sessions, DB, Dutch Fork: Senior had 43 tackles (4 for loss), three interceptions, 14 pass break-ups and blocked two kicks. Signed to play with Georgia Tech and picked to play in the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas.
KD Whitt, Batesburg-Leesville: Had a team-high six interceptions and was a Class 2A All-State selection. On offense, Whitt had 27 catches for 475 yards and a school-record 10 touchdowns.
——All-Purpose——
Keivonte Bates, CA Johnson: Senior had 86 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks. On offense, he had 1,320 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. Bates was a Class A All-State selection.
Matt McAulay, Lexington: Senior had 86 tackles, three sacks and blocked five kicks and had six touchdowns on offense. Was All-State selection and picked for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Willie Smith, Dreher: Senior had 95 tackles and two forced fumbles. On offense, he rushed for 1,192 yards and 21 touchdowns. Was Class 4A All-State selection and finalist for Richland County Football Player of the Year.
——Specialists——
Tripp Bryant, River Bluff: Senior was 10-of-17 on field goals with a long of 42 yards and was 32-of-34 on extra points. Bryant was picked to play in the Touchstone Cooperatives Energy Bowl and signed with Georgia Southern
Justin Welch, Dutch Fork: Senior was 7-of-13 on field goals including a 50-yarder and was 66-of-68 on extra points.
All-Area Second Team Offense
——Quarterbacks——
Kenton Caldwell, Newberry; Johnny Collins, Blythewood; Tre Howard, Ridge View; Ethan Offing, Dutch Fork; Tanner Watkins, Batesburg-Leesville; Roper Wentzky, AC Flora
——Running Backs——
Spencer Bobian, Ridge View; Jon Clarkson, North Central; Tiyon Fanning, White Knoll; Colione Martin, Chapin; Braden Marye, Ben Lippen; BJ Montgomery, Gray Collegiate; Hunter O’Neal, Keenan; Angelo Rios, Westwood; Amire White, Irmo; Trevon Williamson, Gilbert
——Receivers——
Darius Carter, Ridge View; Jemerius Clark, Batesburg-Leesville; Jack Croft, Hammond; Stone Furrey, Chapin; Aaron Griffin, River Bluff; Khristian Jackson, Ridge View; Isaiah Small, Richland Northeast; KJ Smith, Dutch Fork
——Tight Ends——
Noah Lucas, Lower Richland; Jamel Howse, Newberry; Cayden McFadden, Dutch Fork
——Offensive Line——
Kasiah Harkless-Adams, Swansea; Jack Armstrong, Gray Collegiate; Joshua Benson, Dutch Fork; Kaleb James, Pelion; Jeaden Johnson, White Knoll; Bryson Moore, Irmo; Victor O’Neal, Keenan; Reed Paolucci, Blythewood; Pac Pitts, River Bluff; Michael Swinton, Keenan
——All-Purpose——
Charlie Bonds, Richard Winn; Malachi Butler, Columbia; JR Kinard, Northside Christian; Tyree Johnson, Brookland-Cayce; Nykeim McNeil, Keenan; EJ Richardson, Lugoff-Elgin; Anthony Turnbow, Chapin
All-Area Second Team Defense
——Defensive Line——
Austin Huff, Ben Lippen; Jake Jeffery, Northside Christian; Amir Johnson, Saluda; JT Lott, Saluda; Kemuel Little, Blythewood; John Sawyer, Batesburg-Leesville; Moe Singleton, Gray Collegiate; Brennen Williams, Lower Richland; Julian Walker, Dutch Fork; Dontrell Wilson, Camden
——Linebackers——
Bubba Alexander, Hammond; Kmari Brown, Gilbert; Connor Burgess, White Knoll; Blaine Fender, River Bluff; Logan Freeman, Camden; William Geddis, Swansea; Donte Henderson, Spring Valley; Julian Hughes, Heathwood Hall; Montrelle Keys, Airport; Hugh Manning, AC Flora; Drake Porter, Ben Lippen; Raleigh Salters, Dutch Fork; Julian Senn, Newberry; Tanner Short, Chapin; Devon Wallace Saluda
——Defensive Backs——
Azel Banag, AC Flora; Jordyn Best, Ridge View; Demarion Brown, Gilbert; Freddie Gillens, Cardinal Newman; Darius Goodson, Irmo; Jaiden Haltiwanger, Hammond; Antario James, Fairfield Central; Jordan Joe, North Central; Zay Mathis, Hammond; Corey Murphy, Lugoff-Elgin; Jaylen Reeves, Blythewood; Derek Smith, Dutch Fork
——Specialists——
Jacob Harper, Swansea; Tucker Williams, Irmo
