Midlands high school football spring practice story lines
With spring football practice starting around the state on Monday, here are five story lines to keep an eye on for Midlands teams:
New coaches
As always, the offseason brought several coaching changes to Midlands schools.
Among the new coaches taking over programs are Dustin Curtis (Westwood), Chad Leaphart (Gilbert), Greg Wright (Swansea), Rodney Barr (Lower Richland), Robert O’Connell (Richard Winn) and Jerry Brown (Northside Christian).
Brown’s return is one of the biggest surprises in the offseason. The hall of fame coach will take the reins for the first-year program in Lexington. Northside competes in the South Carolina Independent Schools Association, and will be playing eight-man football this year.
Keenan and Eau Claire are without coaches going into spring practice, but the vacancies are expected to be filled sometime this month.
New QBs get their chances
The majority of teams in the Midlands will be breaking in new quarterbacks.
Of the top 21 passers in the Midlands last season, only seven return. That will mean the spring will be a good time for teams to get used to their new signal callers.
One of the biggest shoes to fill will be at Chapin, where rising junior Trad Beatty replaces Logan Bailey, who had a record-breaking senior season and signed to play at The Citadel. Bailey accounted for 4,288 yards and 66 touchdowns and was a Mr. Football finalist.
At 6-foot-5, Beatty is a contrast to Bailey, but Chapin coach Justin Gentry said he’s more mobile than people think. Chapin also will have to break new receivers with the graduation of Evan Estridge and Joe Flowers, but return South Carolina commit Will Register at tight end.
Lexington has big holes to fill
Lexington made its first trip to a state championship game since 2000, but is graduating a strong nucleus of the team.
The Wildcats lose 28 seniors, including 13 starters on offense and defense, plus kicker Christian Kinsley. Chase Crouch will take over at quarterback in place of Brandon Blake and Donny Baker, who each had their share of big moments last season.
One of the biggest questions marks will be finding a replacement for running back Slade Carroll, who led the Midlands with 2,021 yards. Lexington coach Josh Stepp said they’ll have a running back by committee right now.
Lexington also must replace all-star receivers Tyler Schadewald, Jayson Hopper, Shrine Bowl defensive back Nick Graves and leading tackler Trey Mitchell.
Ridge View looks to make big jump
Ridge View made big strides in Perry Parks’ first season, and pieces are place to make a bigger jump in year two.
The Blazers move into a region with defending Class 3A champion South Pointe, but have a talented roster and will be in the mix for the postseason. Among the returnees are South Carolina commitment Damani Staley, who had a breakout junior season with 22 sacks and was named The State’s Defensive Player of the Year.
The Blazers also picked up two transfers for the upcoming season in Lakewood’s Latheron Rogers-Anderson and Westwood quarterback Jalen Smith. Rogers-Anderson can play multiple positions and has picked up a handful of Division I offers. Smith threw for 1,603 yards last season for the Redhawks.
Realignment
This won’t be a huge story in the spring, but it was during the offseason as teams made out their schedule for the upcoming year.
There will be five classifications in the South Carolina High School League next year, and just one champion per classification. In addition, all teams will play 10 games and there will be no points system to determine playoff seedings, which were used especially in Class 4A.
Because of the lack of a points system, bigger schools can play teams closer in distance and not worry about having to try and earn playoff points. That made things a little easier for teams to make out their schedules.
Lou Bezjak