Wide-open race for 8-AAA crown

Alan Hawes
The Post and Courier

In his second season at Stall, coach Ken Cribb hopes to continue to turn around the Warriors’ football program. Last season, the Warriors took a step in the right direction as they scored more than 26 points a game, second best in the region.

Now that perennial power Timberland has moved down to Class AA, the teams remaining in Region 8-AAA must feel pretty good about their chances of winning the region title.

Most observers believe Hilton Head will be the next to capture the championship, but it might not be quite as easy as some might think. Several teams, including North Charleston and Stall, could be poised to pull an upset or two along the way. Bluffton won four games last year and returns some talented players. Battery Creek was winless last year, but that shouldn't be the case this season, and Lake Marion will have as many athletes as any team on the region schedule.

In the end, however, the Hilton Head Seahawks are the team to beat. Coach Tim Singleton is in his sixth season and has firmly established his style into the program.

HILTON HEAD SEAHAWKS

2007: 8-3, 4-1

COACH: Tim Singleton (6th season at Hilton Head)

RETURNING STARTERS: 17 (9 offense, 8 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Marcus Green, QB Niko Driessen, OL Dylan Hannon, LB Kenny Anderson, FS Ahmad Aiken.

OUTLOOK: Hilton Head is the most talented and most experienced team in the region. The Seahawks have several college prospects and Green is one of the top running backs in the Lowcountry, averaging more than seven yards per carry and scoring 16 touchdowns last season. Driessen gives the Seahawks a viable threat in the passing game as well.

NOTES: Head coach Tim Singleton is a former Hilton Head quarterback. Safety Ahmad Aiken is a fourth-year starter in the secondary and had eight interceptions over the last two years. Seahawks finished second in the league behind Timberland the last two years.

NORTH CHARLESTON COUGARS

2007: 6-5, 2-3

COACH: Jimmy Brown (5th season at North Charleston)

RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB/DB Denzel Myers, OL/DL Bernard Seabrook, OL Zack Taylor, RB Kyron Smith.

OUTLOOK: Led by Myers at quarterback, the Cougars will be a strong offensive team this season. Myers has all his linemen back in front and running back Kyron Smith gained nearly 1,000 yards on the ground last season. Depth is always a concern, and many players see significant playing time on both sides of the ball. But if Myers stays healthy, the Cougars could be a serious threat.

NOTES: Two of North Charleston's top receivers will be transfers Reggie Edwards (Stall) and Denzell White (Garrett Tech). ... Seabrook is the team's best offensive lineman and has been each of the last two years.

BLUFFTON BOBCATS

2007: 4-6, 2-3

COACH: Jeremy West (2nd year at Bluffton)

RETURNING STARTERS: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DL Akil Brown, RB Timmy Smith, RB Zach Frazier, LB Ethan Green, QB Ryan Combs.

OUTLOOK: The Bobcats were the smallest team physically in the region last year, but West placed tremendous emphasis on strength and conditioning during the offseason. If the hard work pays dividends, Bluffton could be a surprise team. The defense is quick and must improve over last year, and the offensive backfield is potentially one of the league's best.

NOTES: Linebacker Ethan Green is looking for a second consecutive season with more than 100 tackles. ... Bluffton allowed 315 points last season, 14th most in Class AAA.

STALL WARRIORS

2007: 4-7, 2-3

COACH: Ken Cribb (2nd year at Stall)

RETURNING STARTERS: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB/LB John Gadson, QB Brian Brown, DL Deontray Stewart, LB Desmond Waring, WR Trae Sellers, OL Jordan Patrick, OL Zeke Mackey, DE Corey Rogers.

OUTLOOK: Coach Ken Cribb's enthusiasm is unmatched in the region and it has sparked a fire into the program. The Warriors were not far from a winning season last year, losing a few games late. Gadson is perhaps the best player in the region and his health is a big factor for the Warriors. Defensive end Corey Rogers is the top returning tackler, and newcomer Desmond Waring could be a force at linebacker. QB Brian Brown passed for nearly 1,000 yards in Stall's balanced offense.

NOTES: Stall averaged better than 26 points per game last year and was the second-highest scoring offense behind Hilton Head in the region. ... Depth is a problem and that shows mostly on defense, where the Warriors allowed 351 points a year ago.

BATTERY CREEK DOLPHINS

2007: 0-11, 0-7 (Class AAAA)

COACH: Carlos Cave (1st season at Battery Creek)

RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DB David Dinkins, RB Antonio Hills, RB Tavares Pinckney, OL Arthur Fells, QB Antonio Wiggs, DB Ricky Chaney.

OUTLOOK: Things have to get better with the drop to Class AAA, and coach Carlos Cave has plenty of returning experience to help with the transition. Cave is new to the program but has built competitive programs before. Quarterback Antonio Wiggs is a big-time playmaker, and all four starters return in the secondary. The Dolphins have to improve defensively after allowing a whopping 453 points as a AAAA team last season.

NOTES: Cave came to Battery Creek from North High after a playoff season a year ago. ... Cave also took Allendale-Fairfax to the playoffs during his tenure there. ... The Dolphins have not had a winning season in this decade.

LAKE MARION GATORS

2007: 1-9, 0-5

COACH: Corey Wright (5th season at Lake Marion)

RETURNING STARTERS: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Thomas Montgomery, WR Sheldon Bradshaw, TB Nick Williams, DL Marcellus Tilley, LB Tyshawn Washington.

OUTLOOK: Wright has some experience back, which should lead to more than one victory. Athleticism is never a problem at Lake Marion but consistency has been. Tailback Nick Williams had more than 1,000 total yards, and the offensive line will average more than 270 pounds.

NOTES: Lake Marion has not had a winning season in its brief history. ... Gators averaged only two touchdowns per game last year and allowed 38 points per game. ... If the Gators can have early success in their non-region schedule, the confidence may lead to conference wins.