More than 20 Midlands high school teams breaking in new QBs

As a backup last season, Trad Beatty envisioned his chance at being Chapin’s starting quarterback, and that time has come.

The junior has some big shoes to fill as he takes over for Logan Bailey, who was a Mr. Football finalistand signed to play with The Citadel. Bailey accounted for 66 touchdowns in helping Chapin to an 11-2 record.

“Playing behind Logan was a great learning experience for me,” Beatty said. “I was just one play from coming in and was always on my toes and I would plan out scenarios in my head. This year fortunately, I have been blessed with ability to start.”

At 6-foot-5, Beatty gives Chapin more of a true pocket passer at quarterback than Bailey. But coach Justin Gentry says Beatty has “deceptive speed” and might surprise some people.

Beatty attended a dozen camps this summer and also has been working with former Benedict standout coach Ramon Robinson, who runs Golden Arm Elite Training in Greenville.

Beatty has gotten some college interest but no offers yet. That could come with a big season this year.

“It is his time to shine,” Gentry said. “We had him written in for this spot five years ago. We stuck with him and he stuck with us.“

Beatty isn’t the only signal caller getting his first full-time shot on the varsity level this year as more than 20 Midlands schools will be breaking in new quarterbacks. State runner-up Lexington is turning to Chase Crouch at quarterback. Crouch played behind Brandon Blake and Donny Baker last year.

“He is a great leader and what you want to have at the position. You’ve got to have a kid that has a little swagger and moxie to him. He has got that,” Lexington coach Josh Stepp said. “He is a big kid, very athletic. He had two great examples last season to learn from and has done a great job in the offseason. I think he is going to be tremendous player for us.”

Dreher’s Matt Campbell takes over for North-South quarterback and Furman signee Avery Armstrong. The senior is the top pitcher on Dreher’s baseball team and now will get a chance to be the go-to guy on the football team.

“You control the game as a pitcher and as a quarterback. Everything is on your shoulders,” Campbell said. “If you don’t throw the strike you need, then that is on you. Just like as a quarterback, if you screw up that hurts your team just as much.”

Campbell describes himself as more of a “pocket guy” which is a little different from Armstrong, who rushed for nearly 700 yards . Dreher coach Treigh Sullivan said Campbell won’t run as much as Armstrong did last season but the senior has shown the ability to do it if needed.

“He is a different player from Avery but he has a unique skillset,” Sullivan said. “He is someone that could make every throw that we asked him to make. I expect him to be very productive this year.

“Matt played a lot in two games when Avery was out and we won both of those games. We aren’t going scale anything back. I think he will be fine.”

One thing many of the first-year quarterbacks have going for them is a strong supporting cast. Beatty will have tight end and South Carolina commit Will Register as one of his top targets. He also will have Kale Rhame and Ben Lippen transfer Cole Owens at receiver, and Gentry said the team goes about eight deep at that position.

Chapin also has four of its five linemen back from last season.

Campbell will have a strong running game behind him as Jay Washington is back after rushing for 1,347 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 8:30 PM.