2018 R Bar & Grill All-Lowco Football Team

The 2018 high school football season is in the rear-view mirror, and it’s time to recognize the area’s best with the R Bar & Grill All-Lowco Football Team. 

With all 12 area teams qualifying for the postseason, including four region champions, two state champions, a state runner-up, and two teams who completed undefeated regular seasons, it goes without saying that there were plenty of outstanding performers across the Lowcountry. 

Narrowing the list to the area’s top 114 players — 25 on the first team, 25 on the second team, and 54 honorable mention — was no easy task. Coaches submitted their nominations, and a combination of statistics and coaches’ assessments of both their own players and opponents weighed heavily in determining which players made the cut. Factor in the challenge of comparing players from various leagues ranging from SCHSL Class 4A to SCISA 8-Man, and the exercise becomes even more daunting. 

There were many difficult decisions, and you are sure to disagree with some of them. Nonetheless, here is the second annual All-Lowco Football Team.

Players named to the first and second teams will be honored at the inaugural All-Lowco Football Awards Brunch at 10 a.m. on Jan. 5 at R Bar & Grill in Bluffton, where the winners Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, presented by Candor USA, will be announced. First- and second-team honorees will be treated to brunch at no charge. Others may purchase tickets at R Bar & Grill for $5 in advance or $7 at the door.

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Ahmad Green, MRHS

Passed for 1,080 yards with 14 TDs and 2 INTs and rushed for 1,034 yards and 14 TDs

RB: Brandon Morales, MRHS

Racked up 1,765 rushing yards (135.8 per game) and 23 TDs

RB: Irvin Mulligan, WBECHS

Rushed for 1,316 yards (9.5 per carry) and 20 TDs 

RB: De’Shaun Epps, BA

Put up video-game numbers (2,682 yards, 47 TDs rushing, 4 receiving TDs) for 8-man champs

WR: Diante Richard, HHIHS

Led area with 766 receiving yards and added 411 rushing yards with 12 total TDs

WR: Shamar Sandgren, BLHS

Caught 46 passes for 681 yards and 8 TDs and was dangerous return man for Bobcats

OL: Gabe Long, MRHS

North-South selection anchored dominant offensive line

OL: Connor Kovacs, MRHS

Graded 90 percent for O-line that led powerful rushing attack

OL: Evan Brazil, THA

Top offensive lineman for SCISA 1A champs with prolific ground game

OL: Dequan Griswold, WBECHS

Warriors’ top offensive lineman blocked for 1st-teamer Mulligan

OL: Caleb Hagood, BHS

Leader of Eagles’ offensive line that produced two 600-yard rushers

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Roderick Grant, MRHS

Powerful interior lineman collected 119 tackles, 25 TFL, and seven sacks

DL: Ronald Reid, BLHS

Speed rusher was nearly unblockable with 96 tackles, 18 TFL, and four sacks

DL: Renae Wright, RHHS

Jaguars’ top player had 85 tackles, 11 TFL, and 11 sacks 

LB: Melik Frost, JPII

Two-way standout had 124 tackles, 22 TFL, and six sacks 

LB: Will Kelley, BHS

Hard-hitting senior compiled 65 solo tackles, six TFL, and two sacks in eight games

LB: Bryce Tillotson, THA

Racked up 165 tackles and 18 TFL to lead Rebels’ dominant defense

LB: Jordan Barrow, MRHS

Sharks’ leading tackler (155) had 15 TFL and four pass break-ups

DB: Terry Fields, MRHS

Led area with nine interceptions and broke up six passes

DB: Jayden Void, MRHS

Shut-down corner racked up 23 pass break-ups with three picks

DB: Jeffrey Smyth, BHS

Three-way standout had 55 solo tackles and three picks at safety

DB: Cole DeMarzo, HHIHS

Collected 70 tackles, two picks, and 11 pass break-ups in just six games

FIRST-TEAM SPECIALISTS

K: Evan Hayes, BLHS

Led area with eight field goals, including game-winner vs. Hanahan

P: Jacob Weaver, HHIHS

Averaged area-best 46.9 yards per punt

AP: Trey Pusha, THA

Made huge impact on offense, defense, and special teams to lead Rebels to SCISA 1A title

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Stone McDonald, HHP

Passed for 1,781 yards with 15 TDs and 11 INTs and rushed for 867 yards and 11 TDs while also anchoring secondary

RB: Zach Doe, JPII

Rushed for 1,189 yards and 15 TDs for SCISA 2A runners-up

RB: River Pender, THA

Racked up 1,182 yards (8.9 per carry) and 7 TDs and was lead blocker for prolific rushing attack

WR: Daniel Harrington, HHCA

One of area’s most versatile players totaled 881 yards rushing and receiving with 18 TDs and passed for 550 yards and 3 TDs

WR: Rakim White, BLHS

Caught area-best 52 passes for 645 yards and 5 TDs

WR: Brandon Howard, RHHS

Freshman standout had 51 receptions for 693 yards and 3 TDs 

OL: Luke Bond, BLHS

Bobcats’ top offensive lineman kept QB Lee Kirkland upright

OL: Joe Whiteaker, MRHS

Key member of Sharks’ powerful offensive line

OL: Jeremiah Orr, RHHS

Jaguars’ top offensive lineman earning interest from D1 programs

OL: Nick Magnin, HHIHS

Two-way standout in trenches for Seahawks

OL: Therion Cannon, THA

Sophomore standout could be big-time college prospect

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Brandon Wilson, BCHS

Dolphins’ defensive leader had 44 tackles, 11 TFL, and six sacks

DL: TJ Polite-Grant, MRHS

Wreaked havoc in the backfield with 16 TFL and seven sacks

DL: Chris Lyons, WBECHS

Warriors’ top pass rusher collected 45 tackles, 11 TFL, and six sacks

LB: Edward McCormick, BA

Piled up 189 total tackles and 10.5 sacks for 8-man champs

LB: Ridge Dowe, MRHS

Collected 140 tackles (14 TFL), four sacks, and three fumble recoveries

LB: Kylan Simmons, BLHS

Sophomore stepped up after key injuries and compiled 69 tackles, six TFL, and two sacks

LB: Brendan Bowersox, BHS

Collected 37 solo tackles, 10 TFL, and two sacks while splitting time between DL and LB

DB: Christian Miller, HHIHS

Highly-ranked recruit broke up 12 passes despite rarely being tested

DB: Marion Smalls, WBECHS

Safety snagged six picks and broke up five passes for Warriors

DB: Jaheem Hazel, WBECHS

Opponents didn’t often through toward Wofford signee and North-South pick

DB: Steffin Gadson, MRHS

Five picks and 67 tackles for key member of improved secondary

SECOND-TEAM SPECIALISTS

K: Lukas O’Grady, HHCA

Made 7-of-9 field goals and 13-of-15 PATs for Eagles

P: Adrian Skipper, JPII

Averaged 40.1 yards per punt and was one of Golden Warriors’ top DBs

AP: Hunter Hopman, HHP

Totaled 1,087 yards and 14 TDs rushing and receiving and was one of area’s most dangerous return men

HONORABLE MENTION

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