The Midlands has many prospects to watch this season

In today’s “Five On The Rise” feature, we look for more players of impact this season in the Midlands. I’m also going to throw in one impact coach in each of these segments starting today. (Players are in alphabetical order).

FIVE ON THE RISE

Cassius Garner, LB, Blythewood – Garner is a part of a strong linebacker group for the Bengals and will anchor that unit. The 6-foot, 205-pound athlete collected 121 tackles, 10 for loss, in 2015.

Tevaughn Higgins, QB, Lower Richland – One of the most underrated quarterbacks in the state, this rising junior threw for more than 2,300 yards last season and returns as one of the Midlands’ top players for the Class of 2018.

Maurice Jones, RB, White Knoll – Jones was in the shadows last season because of quarterback Calev Grubbs, but is one of the top returning offensive skills players in the Midlands. At 5-8, 165, he rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 2015.

Garrison Moore, TE, Ben Lippen – This 6-4, 220-pounder is one of the top players in SCISA and has an excellent skills set at TE. He could also develop at tackle at the next level.

Kevin Vaughn, OLB, Hammond – He’s playing SCIS, but this 6-2, 210-pound athlete is a prospect. He collected more than 100 tackles as a junior, including five quarterback sacks, and is one of the top defensive guys returning in the league.

IMPACT COACH

Micah Kurtz, Strength Coach, A.C. Flora – If there is an underrated spot on staff from the public eye perspective, it is the strength coach position. Kurtz, recently voted S.C. Strength Coach of the Year, is one of those guys. His value to the sports programs at A.C. Flora go beyond a price tag, and he’s proven it by ensuring that all of the athletes in the Falcon’s athletics program are trained correctly and in a manner where they reach their optimum potential.

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 8:43 PM with the headline "The Midlands has many prospects to watch this season."