Baxter: Teams, players to watch with 100 days to go to 2015 kickoff
Thursday marks 100 days until the kickoff to the 2015 prep football season. I’ll be previewing teams, regions, and impact players from now until then.
TEAM MOST LIKELY TO REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPION Considering there were several 2014 championship teams loaded with underclassmen, this is a tough call. But there are at least two teams I feel comfortable saying they will repeat at this early stage.
The Spartanburg Vikings return a wealth of talent, including, arguably, the state’s top player in running back Tavien Feaster. This team is loaded. The Dillon Wildcats are another team that I feel will repeat. Quarterback Avery McCall will be going for his fourth consecutive state championship as the starter.
SURPRISE TEAM IN 2015 From a statewide standpoint, the Westside Rams could be the surprise team. A transfer quarterback, one of the state’s top offensive players in wide receiver Matthew Martin and a cast of athletes make this team scary in coach Scott Earley’s second season.
In the Midlands, the surprise teams will come from the same region. Both Brookland-Cayce and Airport have the potential to be very good football teams. The Bearcats are loaded at the running back position and are strong on defense with potential all-stars and at least two Division-1 caliber players on defense. Airport is loaded with skill players, has junior quarterback Brett Burnett back with a year of experience and strong talent at key positions on both sides of the football.
MIDLANDS IMPACT PLAYERS FOR 2015
Brandon Tillman, QB, River Bluff – As goes Tillman, so go the Gators. He is clearly their top offensive threat.
Terrance Wilson, RB, Batesburg-Leesville – Without this versatile player, the Panthers are about average with the rest of the teams in their region.
Slade Carroll, RB, Lexington – The Wildcats have a lot of skill players this year, but he is the wheels that will make the bus roll.
Brendan Greene, QB, A.C. Flora – With the graduation of several skill players, the Falcons will rely even more heavily on Greene.
Stephen Davis Jr, DB, Dutch Fork – This linebacker/defensive back could have a huge impact on the Foxes if used on both sides of the ball.