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Scotty's H.S. Prep Blog
Monday August 18, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Uh, What am I Supposed to do with this Blog Thing??
Hi There---I've never done a blog, I never thought I'd do a blog, and honestly, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the blog---but, everyone tells me I'm a complete dork for local sports, I talk about em all the time, and I don't get enough time on TV to express myself, so the station is being kind enough to let me pontificate, predict, and just hear myself talk in this little cyber world we like to promote.
So lets start---I'm not from the Palmetto State originally---but I am about as big of a SC High School and College sports fan there is. The rumors of me knowing where every Palmetto State professional athlete and where they went to high school, and my ability to spout off every in state HS mascot are true. I've been lucky enough to work in TV sports departments in Greenville/Spartanburg, Columbia, and now, entering my 2nd football season in Charleston---so I've seen plenty.
I've been really really lucky---in 2005, working in the Upstate I got to cover Willy Korn, week in, week out at Byrnes High. Every Friday night, you could catch me at Greenwood HS covering Armanti Edwards---pretty amazing to think--I didn't think he was very good---turns out, the kid has since won a coupla national championships leading Appalachian State at QB, beat Michigan in the Big House, and oh by the way, is a Heisman Hopeful this year. Last year was spectacular, or as I like to call it--the year of AJ Green. There isn't a doubt in my mind---he is the BEST reciever to come out of this state. He will have a longer and more prosperous NFL career than Lower Richlands David Patton (whose won a coupla Super Bowls), he'll be more athletic and more explosive at the next level than Sidney Rice (who Gamecock fans, including myself are still drooling over), and will have a more memorable catch than Clemson's Dwight Clark (ok, maybe that's stretching it a bit)...but what I'm trying to say---I don't know if we'll ever see a player again in the Lowcountry, the caliber of AJ.
But---with that being said---let's talk about a coupla guys to keep your eyes on this year (and for us sportscasters to bank on getting some solid Friday Night Hi Lites from!)
The Rock---Rockarius King, the running back for Timberland---nevermind the fact that T'Land is going to be "McNasty" this year---3 top in state prospects---but the Rock has done it since his sophomore year..59 TD's, over 5000 yards---are you kidding me!!! Easily our best hi lite guy of the year---you may not get to see him all the time, but do yourself a favor, drive way out in Berkeley County 1 Friday Night and watch him. It doesn't hurt he's got the best O-Lineman in the state (Quinton Washington) blocking for him...Art Craig is easily one of the most underrated, finest football coaches in the area. The guy wins, and does it consistently, and if 3A teams couldn't stop the Rock last year---there is no way anyone from 2A will.
Donny McElveen- He's the starting QB for Summerville, oh by the way, he's John McKissick's grandson, he has to be good. He's got great size, from everything I've read about him, he's got the tools, and oh by the way, he's the starting QB for Summerville. Yep--the Green Wave lost Reid McCollum, AJ, Marcus Morris and more---but they're just reloading. Brandon Millhouse is one of the best Lowcountry players on defense, and they've got the tools around McElveen. If you remember, McCollum wasn't a great athlete--but was unbelieveably successful. McElveen just has to play QB, and with the talent around him, should be great.
Robert Smith---you may not have heard of him yet, he plays way up in St. George for Woodland, and he's only a sophomore, but, flat out fantastic. 25 touchdowns, 2500 yards as a FRESHMAN last year, the kid was 2 years away from driving a car, and was driving the bus for the Wolverines. Exciting to watch, he can run, throw, and do it all---it'll be easy to get Woodland Hi Lites this year--Coach Charpia may have another Tye Hill type talent on his hands in Dorchester County.
Beaufort is loaded again! They made it to the state final game last year---and have prety much everyone back. The Eagles should be fun to watch...Duane Chisolm is their massive DE---he's solid as a rock. He's got offers all over the place, and a good squad around him.
Those are just a few---ive blogged way too long, I have no idea how long these things are supposed to go! Just holla at me with any ideas, any suggestions, any comments or just to tell me I'm an idiot and my predictions are far fetched and flat out wrong- I can take it! Just drop a comment, and make this an open forum. Gosh I can't wait for football to start (except for the lack of sleep, and spilled ketchup on my shirt on Friday nights, trying to eat fast food in the WCIV vehicle on my way rushing from Walterboro to West Ashley and back to Mt. Pleasant...by the way, if you know of any good food stops for my travels--let me know, I may have to try em out!!!
Comments on Uh, What am I Supposed to do with this Blog Thing??
Scott Eisberg
5:29 pm on 08/27/08
Brian- In all honesty---nobody---they're just too good. Teams in the state are trying to emulate what Byrnes has done---instituting an offense when the kids are 6 years old in Pee Wee Football, and using it all the way up until their senior year---but no town in the state has done it nearly as long as them. When you swing around the state and think of teams that can compete with them---Byrnes has traditionally had trouble with Gaffney. The Indians are loaded again, and do have quite a system. As far as trouble with their rival Spartanburg, there won't be any this year---Spartan High isn't as loaded as they were in the past, and they've got a new coach--so they'll be learning a new system. I have friends in the Upstate who saw them in their scrimmages, and said they weren't impressed at all. If I had one team to pick to beat Byrnes, I'd go with Greenwood---Shell Dula's team is loaded---they've got a TE named Sam Montgomery I think who is tops in the state---they're fast as they always are, and are always loaded with talent.
As far as when Byrnes gets to the state finals---Its up for grabs---Richland Northeast in Columbia is alright as usual, Irmo should be as well---but they're good Midlands teams--i wouldn't say they're anything close to Byrnes....None of the Augusta area schools are big enough to compete at that level---and after this Friday Night, i should be able to tell you who is the best shot to come out of the Lowcountry/Grand Strand to play them (either Summerville or Conway, they'll play eachother). Lookin foward to it.
-Scott
Brian
4:31 pm on 08/27/08
Very nice blog I must say. Quick question. Who in the state do you think has the best chance of hanging with Byrnes this year ?
Ben Baker
1:58 pm on 08/25/08
Scott, Nice job blogging! How's AJ Green doing at UGA???
Regards,
Your former sports co-worker - Ben Baker
