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Scotty's H.S. Prep Blog
Wednesday September 03, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Observations of HS Football while a Hurricane Looms
I'm Ready---I went to the store last night, and hurricaine prepared my house (and in the process bought all sorts of ridiculous food that I haven't eaten since college---I figured, Easy Mac was pretty easy to make in a dorm room, how hard could it be during a big storm....I then realized that I'd have no way to make HOT Easy Mac)---regardless, I've got some time to write a blog while sorting through this weeks cancellations, rescheduled games---and basic Hurricane Madness!
As far as observations so far on this season----here goes....
Timberland is nasty---I said it in my last blog, and I'll in all likelihood say it in my next blog--The Wolves are the best offensive team we'll see all year long---there is no doubt in my mind, they could play a 4A schedule and win more than half of their games----Rock King and Rennis Black awesome, Cody Craig shows he can fill Blake Wrenn's shoes and Washington and Fordham on the line are obviously giving those guys enough time...
In response to "J" who posted on my last blog that we'll be surprised by James Island this year----I think we may---John Patterson has a real interesting style of coaching over there....Of all of the practices I've been to this year--the Trojans are more "military" than any other....They're running their butts off, conditioning and seem to be on track to be disciplined if nothing else....I don't know if they have the athletes to win on the 4-A level yet---but they'll certainly be condioned to play the entire game. Patterson also has an interesting way of hiring his coaches---he's brought in young guys who his players may know from Palmetto State college success. We've featured Reggie Merriweather--the popular former Clemson running back on his staff, but he's also got Marcus Lawrence who played for the Gamecocks about 3 or 4 years ago, and got a quick cup of coffee with the Carolina Panthers as well as 2 recent players from the Citadel and Wake Forest. It's a good way to relate to the kids on that team---guys like that may not have coaching experience, but they do have real life experience the James Island players will relate to. I look for good things from JI in the near future, just maybe not this year,
What is goin on with Summerville?? A 21-19 loss to Conway in Week 1??? A far cry from contemplating going to Texas to play in a National TV tournament....It's not that Summerville is a bad team (Conway is excellent, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them move deep into the playoffs), its just that Summerville is NEW....I know Donny McElveen, John McKissick's grandson is an excellent QB (he has to be to lead his former HS in NC to a state title)---he just doesn't know this system yet, he doesn't know the players around him yet, and that will take some time...Unfortunately for the Wave---with the parity of 4-A football around here, waiting a coupla weeks for success could mean the difference between a clean run to a state title, and a rough matchup with a team like Conway early on in the playoffs. Verrone and Henderson are solid RB's, McElveen is of that "QB" mold and their defense seemed fine (with the exception of 2 big plays from Conway)--if someone on Summerville steps up, and can be a "big play threat"---it'll even out defenses a bit--and S'Ville should be fine... Interestingly for them---their "defining week" is this week---a matchup against Goose Creek----a team that traditionally has had some success against the Wave and is coming off of a tough loss....Oh by the way, could you imagine Summerville starting off 0-2??? PS...Props to the Subway in Summerville for their fast service on Friday night---I was able to clean up my live shot at 6:28 PM, get to Subway, eat my freshly made sandwich --- and yes, I'm picky and use many specifications---and still get back to McKissick field before kickoff.
My surprise of the year so far---North Charleston---Jimmy Brown's offense is fantastic! Denzel Meyers is holding it down as a young QB in the area---and Kayron Smith is running for more TD's than I did in my HS days...which ironically isn't many.....because my mom wouldn't let me play football for safety reasons (I'm not too big....or athletic). Smith is small...but watch out for him---he's unbelieveably quick and can catch the ball out of the backfield. North Charleston beat Bishop England on Daniel Island, they knocked off a quick Military Magnet team and they're very well disciplined. The Cougars are good this year--no doubt about it.
How about Burke HS---Jon Rose comes from the Ray Stackley, Stratford way of coaching---and he's doin a great job with the Bulldogs. Del'Javon Simmons is a solid guy to base a team around---he was a great point guard for the hoops team, taking them to Clemson for the state title game...and he's just as good of a leader on the football team at QB...I don't see him taking Burke to Columbia in football---but he's got tools around him. He's got some good skill guys--and Rose isn't afraid to have him put it up for the big play---go to Stoney Field this year and check him out---he's one of those guys you may see catch on with a smaller school, maybe an FCS type like a Furman, Wofford, CSU--and really make some noise at the next level.
Quick update on a coupla of our local guys now at the college level-
Summerville's AJ Green was AJ Green for Georgia---a sweet 36 yard catch that led to a TD, then AJ got himself a TD in the 4th quarter. He's the man.
Summerville's Reid McCollum was in street clothes for USC leading me to believe he'll almost definitely redshirt, Fort Dorchesters Robert Quinn didn't put up any numbers against McNeese State for UNC, not sure what his status will be---Butch Davis says he'd like to play him, but he may end up redshirting. Berkeley's Andre Ellington and Brandon Ford didn't play Clemsons game..
But the star of all of the Lowcountry guys---Stratfords Asheton Jordan---steps in for his first game at the Citadel, starts at RB, goes for 100 total yards of offense...and 2 TD's....Not bad at all---he should play against Clemson.
Til next time---stay safe, stay dry---and thanks for readin!
Scott
Comments on Observations of HS Football while a Hurricane Looms
The Watcher
1:50 pm on 09/09/08
The only thing you left off in reference to that Kayron Smith fellow is that he is an incredible triple threat, he runs, catches, and yes even throws TD's. I saw him throw a couple of beautiful spirals to lift The Cougars over the Bulldogs on Mon. After throwing for 60 or 70 yards he ran for about 40yds from the QB position. The Bulldogs also have a very talented Holmes and Sanders in their skilled positions. One of the best catches of the night was a one handed grab by a small in size, giant in stature Sidney Sanders. Travis "The Beast" Holmes is a great two-way threat!
Mr. Football
11:29 pm on 09/05/08
You are dreaming! JICHS will be lucky to winn 4 games.
