The Lexington Wildcats had a stellar season under first year head coach Josh Stepp but they have a lot to work on in the Spring. They have a huge void at quarterback with the graduation of four-year starter Will Hunter. While rumors of a "transfer" linger, it hasn't happened yet and the hole is still there. They do have rising junior wide receiver Jason Hopper, along with running back Slade Carroll on offense. Defensively, they have several holes fill. Safety/linebacker Jordan Carr returns to lead the secondary.
Irmo moves back to the region, replacing Dutch Fork, who moved over to Region IV. The Yellow Jackets have a great deal of work to do when they get to Spring workouts. For starters, they will be looking for a quarterback, again. Manny Banks returns at wide receiver and he has looked very good in off-season workouts. Ronnie Jamison gives the Jackets some experience at running back, having played behind Shyheim Copeland last season. Defensively, they lost several key players but return Jalen Bell up front and Juwan Freeman at linebacker to anchor the defense.
White Knoll second year head coach Dean Howell will have a lot of work as the Timberwolves head into Spring Practice. Key spots on offense are open and the focus has to be on finding playmakers for the quarterback and running back position. Calev Grubbs returns at wide receiver as their most consistent returner on offense. On the front, the Timberwolves lost senior leadership to graduation and will rely on a less experienced group this year after graduating two players who will move on to college ball.
The River Bluff Gators enter the Class 4A for their first year of Varsity competition and will not find it very hospitable. Fortunately, they enter in a year where most of the Region is down but it will be a big step up from the junior varsity schedule they played last season in 3A. They return Brandon Tillman at quarterback but will need to find a cast to surround him. Perhaps their biggest weapon will Diante Petruso at wide receiver . Focus on getting stronger up front will be key for Coach David Bennett's team. Defensively, the Gators will be scrappy but not overpowering. Look for defensive back Paul Leonard to be a key on defense.
The Non-midlands teams in this region will be competitive. I look for North Augusta to be the team to beat, again, this season. They return the region's top quarterback Trib Reece on offense and are loaded across the roster on both sides of the football. They will need to fill holes in the trenches. South Aiken, the other non-midlands team in the region, will struggle again this season after losing several key players on an offense that just wasn't very good last seasons.
Early Projection for Class 4A ? Region V[/B]
1. North Augusta
2. Lexington
3. Irmo
4. White Knoll
5. South Aiken
6. River Bluff
Irmo moves back to the region, replacing Dutch Fork, who moved over to Region IV. The Yellow Jackets have a great deal of work to do when they get to Spring workouts. For starters, they will be looking for a quarterback, again. Manny Banks returns at wide receiver and he has looked very good in off-season workouts. Ronnie Jamison gives the Jackets some experience at running back, having played behind Shyheim Copeland last season. Defensively, they lost several key players but return Jalen Bell up front and Juwan Freeman at linebacker to anchor the defense.
White Knoll second year head coach Dean Howell will have a lot of work as the Timberwolves head into Spring Practice. Key spots on offense are open and the focus has to be on finding playmakers for the quarterback and running back position. Calev Grubbs returns at wide receiver as their most consistent returner on offense. On the front, the Timberwolves lost senior leadership to graduation and will rely on a less experienced group this year after graduating two players who will move on to college ball.
The River Bluff Gators enter the Class 4A for their first year of Varsity competition and will not find it very hospitable. Fortunately, they enter in a year where most of the Region is down but it will be a big step up from the junior varsity schedule they played last season in 3A. They return Brandon Tillman at quarterback but will need to find a cast to surround him. Perhaps their biggest weapon will Diante Petruso at wide receiver . Focus on getting stronger up front will be key for Coach David Bennett's team. Defensively, the Gators will be scrappy but not overpowering. Look for defensive back Paul Leonard to be a key on defense.
The Non-midlands teams in this region will be competitive. I look for North Augusta to be the team to beat, again, this season. They return the region's top quarterback Trib Reece on offense and are loaded across the roster on both sides of the football. They will need to fill holes in the trenches. South Aiken, the other non-midlands team in the region, will struggle again this season after losing several key players on an offense that just wasn't very good last seasons.
Early Projection for Class 4A ? Region V[/B]
1. North Augusta
2. Lexington
3. Irmo
4. White Knoll
5. South Aiken
6. River Bluff