By Justin Jarrett | LowcoSports@gmail.com
This much is certain – the May River High School football team will be far more competitive in year two. What that looks like in the win-loss column is hard to say.
The Sharks certainly will benefit from a full offseason, complete with spring practice and summer workouts, not to mention the continuity of entering their second year in a new system. But for a team that was outscored by an average of 39 points per game, it’s unclear whether even drastic improvement will result in more wins.
The offense that never scored more than 13 points last year should be exponentially better with an experienced offensive line returning to block for dynamic freshman quarterback Ahmad Green and promising running back Cam Adams. Green has some nice targets returning in two-way starter Vance Summers and tight ends Hunter Singletary and Zach Brzezinski, as well as speedy freshman Melvin Liverman.
The defense gave up 40 or more points in all nine losses last year but played well toward the end of the regular season, shutting down Battery Creek and Ridgeland-Hardeeville in a pair of region victories. With eight starters back, including bookends Roderick Grant and Hunter Brophy and an experienced secondary, the Sharks could be pretty tough on that side of the ball.
MAY RIVER SHARKS FOOTBALL
Coach: Rodney Summers
Record at MRHS: 2-8 (2nd season)
2016 record: 2-8 (2-2 region)
Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense
Offensive scheme: Multiple
Defensive scheme: 3-4
Top returners: DE Roderick Grant, DE Hunter Brophy, WR/DB Vance Summers, DB Terry Fields, C Gabe Long
Breakout candidates: QB Ahmad Green, RB Cam Adams, WR Melvin Liverman, WR/DB Jayden Void, WR/DB Mason Krout
Outlook: The Sharks are probably a year away from being serious region championship contenders, but they should be a playoff team and could push the region powers. With so many young players in key roles, they will improve dramatically throughout the season and could be a dangerous team in region play and the postseason.
SCHEDULE
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| 8/18 | vs. Hanahan | 7:30 p.m. |
| 8/25 | vs. Bluffton | 7:30 p.m. |
| 9/1 | at Whale Branch | 7:30 p.m. |
| 9/8 | vs. Hilton Head Island | 7:30 p.m. |
| 9/15 | vs. Beaufort High | 7:30 p.m. |
| 9/22 | at Manning | 7:30 p.m. |
| 9/29 | at Bluffton* | 7:30 p.m. |
| 10/6 | vs. Ridgeland-Hardeeville* | 7:30 p.m. |
| 10/20 | at Battery Creek* | 7:30 p.m. |
| 10/27 | vs. Wade Hampton* | 7:30 p.m. |
*region opponent
