Three-way battle shaping up in Region 6-A

Defending region champion Cross is once again the favorite but the road to a title will not be an easy one.

Balance and depth are the code words in Region 6-A this fall, as any one of several teams could end up on top of the standings by late October. Cross surprised many in going undefeated in league play last season, but duplicating an unblemished mark will be difficult. Competitive teams at St. John's, Baptist Hill and Military Magnet will be solid challengers.

The defending champion Trojans will be a bit younger than they were a year ago, but coach James Waring has a solid group of athletes returning.

St. John's will have perhaps the league's best player, Greg Roper, running the show offensively. Baptist Hill has solid skill people returning, and Military Magnet looks set to turn the corner and post a winning season after it won five games last year.

The bottom of the league is still building with Academic Magnet, Hardeeville and Lincoln seeking to gain respectability.

CROSS TROJANS

2007: 7-5, 6-0

COACH: James Waring (4th season at Cross)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL/DE Tim Stephens, OL Matthew Nesbitt, RB Jonathan Gourdine, RB Antonio Smith, LB Floyd Mack, DB Kentrell Geathers.

OUTLOOK: Quarterback is a concern, and Cross' success will hinge on how a new starter performs. The offensive and defensive lines are stocked with experience, and Cross will certainly be able to move the football on the ground. Winning has certainly helped in the confidence area, and Cross expects to be a contender once again.

NOTES: Cross advanced to the second round of the Lower State Class A playoffs before losing last season. ... Stephens should be considered an all-state candidate this fall. ... Mack, only a sophomore, and is already one of the league's best linebackers.

ST. JOHN'S ISLANDERS

2007: 6-4, 5-1

COACH: Larry Sechrist (10th season at St. John's)

RETURNING STARTERS: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB/DB Greg Roper, LB Edmund Robinson, OL Brandon White, DL Timothy Brown, OL, Brandon Robinson, RB Wesley Brown.

OUTLOOK: The Islanders have size up front and good speed at the skill positions. Depth is a concern, especially up front where many linemen play both ways. Roper is considered the best athlete in the region by most observers and will play a key role, but he is a first-year player at quarterback. The junior class is stocked full of talent as well, so Sechrist has a contending team if things fall into place.

NOTES: Junior Edmond Robinson is a third-year starter and is considered a college prospect by Sechrist. ... Look for the Sept. 19 game at Cross to be the biggest of the region season this fall.

BAPTIST HILL BOBCATS

2007: 6-5, 4-2

COACH: Marion Brown (1st season at Baptist Hill)

RETURNING STARTERS: 17 (8 offense, 9 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR/DB Devin Gilliard, RB/LB Shawn Middleton, LB, Tripez Seabrooks, RB Richard Campbell, QB DeAntray Drayton, DE Darius Hill, WR Brandon Mitchell.

OUTLOOK: Marion Brown takes over at Baptist Hill and has a very experienced group to start the season. The Bobcats should improve on last year's six-win season. Gilliard caught 52 passes for more than 800 yards last season and is a key playmaker. Seabrooks anchors the defense, totaling more than 100 tackles in 2007. Baptist Hill should have one of the best defenses in the region.

NOTES: Barring injury, Gilliard will surpass 100 career receptions this season. ... Middleton averaged 10 yards per carry last season and should get more than 40 carries, his total last season. ... He is also a 3.4 student in the classroom.

MILITARY MAGNET EAGLES

2007: 5-6, 2-3

COACH: Gene Ross (5th season at Military Magnet)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB DeAndre Owensby, WR Lorenzo Mehciz, LB Devin Frazier, LB Travis Seabrook, OL/DL Donovan Alston.

OUTLOOK: Depth is a major concern, but if the Eagles stay healthy, they could make a strong run. Owensby will be the workhorse offensively as a third-year starter, while Frazier anchors a small but quick defense.

NOTES: The Eagles made the playoffs last year, losing in the first round to eventual state champion Blackville-Hilda. ... It was the school's first playoff appearance, but another one is likely this season.

ACADEMIC MAGNET RAPTORS

2007: 2-8, 2-4

COACH: Bud Walpole (5th season at Academic Magnet)

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 (3 offense, 3 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Billy Pantz, WR Theo Hartwell, PK/RB Kyle Taylor, RB Michael Moore, DT Sean Pennington, FB Steve Newman.

OUTLOOK: Just over half the team's 28 players have playing experience. The Raptors scored only 105 points last season, but that was a school record. Walpole expects the numbers to increase as they begin their second season in the wing-T offense. Pantz is perhaps the team's best athlete and will be a key to any offensive success. Improving on defense, where the Raptors allowed 30 points per game, will be a goal.

NOTES: Walpole is working hard to form a two-platoon system, resting the starters as much as possible due to depth issues. Taylor will handle all place-kicking duties and will start at safety, in addition to working at wing back on offense.

HARDEEVILLE HURRICANES

2007: 1-9

COACH: Blake Raley (2nd season)

RETURNING STARTERS: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH:RB Jarrell Knighton, RB Jamal Swinton, OL, Kashif Grant, DL Marquise Moody, DB Aaron Grant, DB Travon Harris.

OUTLOOK: Hardeeville makes the move up to region and varsity play this season and should be more competitive than last year. ... Look for a strong running game with the return of Knighton and Swinton. A playoff berth might be a stretch this season, but the potential for a competitive program down the road is good.

NOTES: Knighton topped 1,000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season. ... Raley will have only four seniors on the roster this season.

LINCOLN YELLOW JACKETS

2007: 1-9, 0-6

COACH: Raleigh Jackson (2nd season)

RETURNING STARTERS: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Xavier Simmons, RB Darius Witherspoon, DL Justin White, WR, Rashad Green, DB Vincent White.

OUTLOOK: Lincoln looks to be improved as the players become more comfortable in Jackson's system of doing thing. The Yellow Jackets will be athletic, but depth will be a major issue. Skill people will compete with the other teams in the region, but the most improvement will have to come up front.

NOTES: Lincoln scored only 70 points in 10 games last season. ... Simmons is a 6-3, 205-pound athlete at quarterback who could be the league's best if he gets some help.