Every vote counts.
Just ask Whale Branch star De’Arius Hazel, a two-way standout who has been a fixture on the RBC Heritage Player of the Week ballot this season.
After being nominated seven times previously, Hazel put together a Twitter campaign this afternoon to make sure the eighth time was the charm. The Warriors’ senior running back and linebacker was successful in whipping the votes, picking up 21.08% of the vote to edge Hilton Head Prep’s Stone McDonald (20.63%) by only three votes to claim the online fan vote.
Hazel’s performance in the Warriors’ 14-7 loss to Bamberg-Ehrhardt was impressive — he rushed 13 times for 111 yards, caught one pass for 10 yards, and made 11 tackles (one for loss) — but it wasn’t enough to garner any votes from our panel.
One of those votes went to Beaufort High quarterback Daniel Phares, who rushed 21 times for 136 yards and 2 TDs and was 7-of-12 for 112 yards and a touchdown through the air in a 38-21 win at Hilton Head High.
But the lion’s share of support — a whopping four votes, including mine — were cast in favor of May River quarterback Ahmad Green, whose performance against Battery Creek drew at least one comparison to Oklahoma Sooners legend Jamelle Holieway (check him out on YouTube, youngsters).
Indeed, the junior quarterback had a monster game, rushing 12 times for 183 yards and four TDs and going 6-of-12 for 118 yards and a TD in a 52-13 win.
It was enough to keep the Sharks undefeated in region play and make Ahmad Green the RBC Heritage Player of the Week. Congrats to Ahmad, De’Arius and all the nominees, and thanks for voting!
The Heritage Classic Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, enhances the quality of life and economic vitality of our region by hosting the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, South Carolina’s only PGA TOUR golf tournament.