South Carolina High School State Champion Predictions

From: Benjamin
Unlike preseason predictions, we actually like to watch some games before making a claim. Thus, after the first full week of high school action, here are our likely State Champions:

AAAA Big 16. Gaffney. Yes, a lot of Clarys played for Gaffney, but there is no bias here. I never lived there. The Indians destroyed Dorman 35-14 last Friday, and it wasn't that close. Nobody does that. Gaffney is the stongest AAAA team right now and we'd take em straight up over Byrnes. Look out for Goose Creek. Low Country teams don't get a lot of love or respect, but the Gators are huge and fast. Both good things on the football field. With Lexington carrying the Midlands, the Big 16 is not the upstate lock it has been for so long.

AAAA Division 2: Byrnes. Don't need to say much more

AAA: The most difficult to pick. Tough to go against South Pointe, but we are taking Myrtle Beach

AA: Dillon should march undefeated through the entire season

A: The greatest Gamecock, Steve Taneyhill, will get his umpteenth state title at Chesterfield. No idea of Division 2 class A.

South Carolina Kick Returner

From: Austin

The safety position was, how shall we say it, a struggle for the Gamecock defense in 2010. Both major starters have changed positions, Holloman to Spur and Auguste back to cornerback. DJ Swearinger is the only returner with any significant reps. Jimmy Legree was buried down the depth chart at cornerback. Corey Addison saw limited action, giving up a late TD pass against Southern Miss. Sharod Golightly was redshirted, while Sheldon Royster, and Kadetrix Marcus played on Friday nights. Brison Williams is on the shelf for at least 8 weeks. Seeing this, the news of DJ Swearinger injuring his hamstring is unsettling, no matter how minor. His loss would be devastating with a pass happy East Carolina awaiting. This brings the question: Should Bruce Ellington be the kick returner to decrease Swearinger's injury chances? Yes, most educated folks say you have to play to win. But, is DJ that much better than the others? If not, would it make more sense to hold him back for defense only because he is going to need all of his energy for the 60 plus passes the Pirates are expected to unleash.

Spartanburg at Union County

From: Elliott
The Spartanburg Vikings travel tonight to Union County to open the 2011 season. Coach Freddie Brown's squad will look to improve upon last season's 5-7 mark by opening with road victory. Last season, it took a late goal-ine stand for the Vikings to hold on for a 27-19 win. L.A. Kollock returns at QB to lead the offensive attack and should provide a bevy of highlights for the local newscast. Big time D1 prospect, Justin Bridges-Thompson, will lead the defense from his linebacker spot. The game can be heard on 910 am. Yes Hank Jr, we are ready for some football!

Shaq Roland Junior Football Highlight Video

From: Benjamin
South Carolina stretched its total to 4 years in a row at nabbing the state's top propsect last month when Lexington's Shaq Roland gave his pledge to the Gamecocks. Roland's Lexington Wildcats are currently ranked #2 in 4A by SCVarsity.com. He joins Jadeveon Clowney, Marcus Lattimore, and Stephon Gilmore as the 4 consecutive #1 in-state prospects to declare for South Carolina. Roland is an incredible athlete, as demonstrated by his highlight film from athlete vault.

Who signed with MLB from the SEC

From: Everyone
Those of you who stayed up for the final hours of the MLB signing period were treated to "NFL Free Agency on steroids." Talk radio was flooded with talk about how exciting the NFL signing period would be due to the lost days from the lockout. Well, cram all that into one day, half a day really. You watched this via twitter. Follow Kendall Rogers from perfectgame, Jonathon Mayo from MLB.com, Aaron Fitt, Jim Callis, and John Manuel from Baseball America and you saw the announcements instantaneously. Who was signing, for what figure, and who was returning to school. Boom, boom, boom the signings came. With 25 minutes left until the deadline, 21 first round picks were unsigned. The twitter feed erupted like firecrackers on the 4th of July. Frenetic is the only word to describe it. The SEC list is completed and can be seen here:
http://claryboyssports.blogspot.com/2011/08/sec-in-mlb-draft-update.html

Justin Smoak to the Disabled List

From: Austin

Prayers for a speedy recovery to former Gamecock 1st bagger Justin Smoak. The Seattle Mariner fractured his nose and has a hairline fracture of his left maxilla [that's the cheekbone for you non-medical people] on a hard smashed ball by Boston's Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the second inning of Friday's game. The main risk is that a maxillary fracture could lead to future vision issues by altering the way the eye moves. This risk is very low with a hairline fracture. Smoak saw another physician for a second opinion Saturday and is not expected to begin even playing catch for at least 5 days. Will the Mariners break out the Rip Hamilton face shield? As poorly as they are doing, expect the team to keep their prized player on the sideline as long as needed.

Gamecock kicker Jay Wooten on Scholarship

From: Benjamin

Jadeveon Clowney and gang have given the Gamecock fans a rosey outlook for the 2011 season. One thing that most are overlooking is the changes in the kicking game. Not only has dependable placekicker Spencer Lanning moved on, but long snapper C.D. Turner must be replaced. Former Hammond Skyhawk Walker Inabinet steps into the long snapping role. While undersized in both the height and weight department, Inabinet proved to be a reliable option when filling in for the injured Turner against Troy last season. The Gamecocks are on a good run of quality kickers. Mr. Irrelevant Ryan Succop was a game changer and the Kansas City Chiefs rookie of the year in 2010. Spencer Lanning did everything and did it well. We all remember in kicking struggles under the Holtz regime, and thus it is reassuring to hear that new kicker, Jay Wooten, was placed on scholarship this week. Wooten, a transfer from UNC, handled the kickoff duties last season. He has shown great accuracy thus far in practice and should provide the Gamecocks with a steady presence in the kicking game. Holder Seth Strickland is the only holdover off of last year's group.