Top 5 Teams in the Lowcountry---I’m not saying these are the Top 5 Overall, but the Top 5 at excelling at their level.  Obviously, a 1-A Team won’t beat a 4-A team (Unless you’re Cross of course!), so I’m just going to rank these on characteristics that will lead them towards a state title at their own classificiation.

1-Berkeley -  you can’t beat them—they’re too good, too fast and too strong on Offense.  Bruce Ellington is an unbelieveable talent to watch---he’s crazy if he just plays basketball in college.  There are 6 times the amount of NFL football players than there are basketball players---much better shot at football.  Jerry Brown has coached 5 NFL’ers---he says, Bruce can easily be one.  I may also be saying this because I did happen to attend the greatest great school there is that happens to be in Columbia, SC, and I can really think of some good places for him to play at Williams Brice Stadium.

2-Timberland- they don’t rebuild-they reload.  Are you kidding me—this team loses Rock King, the greatest running back ever, Quinton Washington—an O-Lineman to Michigan, and Aldrick Fordham- who is currently playing for USC, and they’re still undefeated.  That’s a football crazy area, mixed with an absolute football mastermind and committed kids.  Timberland will win that elusive state title.

3- Cross-  You can’t put it past them to win a state title.  Cross is darn good.  They beat James Island!  James Island lost by a point to Berkeley. Cross is tiny, they’re way out in Berkeley County, and they’re losing kids by the year—but winning games by the week.  If they can do that, they’re not afraid to play anyone, and I think they are a sure shot to go deep in the 1-A playoffs.

4-Summerville-  They’re still Summerville.  They still win the big games.  They come out to play every week, De’Angelo Henderson is a stud RB, and Dalton Saunders is a sophomore leading the biggest school in the state.  He’s only going to get more comfortable, and going to win more games.

5- North Charleston-  This could be the year-  Jimmy Brown has done a heck of a job.  Bottom line, they are fiery, fast and fun to watch---and oh yea, hard to stop.  “Denzel Washington” as I like to call the tandem of Denzel Myers to Corey Washington has proved to be unstoppable.  They can get open, find eachother, and each can pick up and run if called upon.  I wish North Chuck had a bit more depth, and a bit more of a bench to turn to—but if you ride these two—the ride may take you to the Capital City in early December.

Top 5 Disappointments

1) Colleton County-  After watching what the Cougars did in Sertoma, I was convinced—they’re a force to be reckoned with this year.  I really thought LeRoy Riley was playing with a strong deck of cards.  Unfortunately,  bounces just haven’t gone their way--  A ridiculous tough loss to James Island in triple overtime, a tough loss to Fort Dorchester, a close loss to Wando---they’ve got talent—just got to put it together. 

2)Woodland-  I thought with Robert Smith, who I thought was the best QB in the Lowcountry-  the Wolverines would be sailing.  Unfortunately for him—it seems like this supporting cast is young and struggling.

3) First Baptist-  Just seems like a struggle—week in and week out.  First Baptist has played to some ugly scores, and you gotta feel bad for them for taking some lickings.  Hopefully the Hurricaines can blow in some wins in the 2^nd half of the season.

4)Stratford-  I know they’re losing players to Cane Bay, and I know they’re losing some to the suspensions, but the Knights are just having some trouble knocking off the “big teams”.  They do have some nice wins, but you’ve come to expect a win over a Goose Creek or Summerville under Coach Stack.

5)James Island- I’ll give it to them—they’ve been close a bunch—they almost knocked off Berkeley, but close isn’t good enough.  An early season loss to a 1-A team in Cross, is a huge loss for a 4-A team, and I just thought JI would be better this year.  They’ve got talent (and plenty of new duds thanks to Roddy White)—I think they’re on the right track to win, but just have to turn some of the close losses into wins.

Top 5 Coaching Jobs

1)Jeff Cruce- Doing what he’s done with Cane Bay in a 2 year stint is incedible.  They’re well disciplined albeit young, and are just a budding Jeff Cruce team.  He’s making this change even quicker than he did with Hanahan. 

2) Doc Davis-  The other “new school” coach is moving Ashley Ridge right along.  The Swamp Foxes are putting up big numbers in year 2.  This isn’t a surprise—Doc Davis isn’t a new coach, he’s a legend at Spartanburg HS, and coached the likes of former NFL RB Stephen Davis.

3)Art Craig-  I said it earlier, but if you can lose 5 major college prospects at Timberland, and still be undefeated, you’re the man!

4)Earl Brown-  Considering the fact that he didn’t expect to be coaching AT ALL a week before the season, he’s doing a heck of a job at Burke.  The athletes were already in place-but Earl is making the most of his “old gunslinger” persona.  They’re fun to watch, and Earl is taking what Jon Rose started, and making the most of it with almost no plans.

5)Bobby Marion-  You don’t hear much about West Ashley—but week in and week out, they’re really playing well.  They’re not at the level of the Summerville’s and Fort D’s yet—but he’s made plenty of strides in his 3 years west of the Ashley.  He’s grooming talent, and for the first time in a long time, the Wildcats have some legitimate D1 talent.

That’ll do it for now!  Til next time—happy football!