Patriots are locked and loaded for '08

A.J. Green is gone, but Region 8-AAAA football carries on.

This region lost a lot of talent with the departure of the Summerville All-America receiver and such standouts as Fort Dorchester defensive end Robert Quinn, Beaufort running back Adrene Byas and Colleton County quarterback Zack Singleton. However, competition inside the region should be as strong as ever as other players get their chance to shine.

Last year, Summerville finished as the runner-up for the state Division I-AAAA championship and Beaufort finished as the runner-up for the Division II-AAAA title. Both teams have holes to fill this season but should still be strong.

Oddly enough, the team that didn't book a single win in 2007 should compete for the region crown this season. Fort Dorchester finished the season with a respectable 9-4 record, but then had to forfeit all its wins because it dressed out an undocumented player.

The Fort is loaded with returning starters this year, and in most of the right places, and coach Steve LaPrad says he has his quickest team yet. That combination means the Patriots enter the season as the favorite to claim the region crown.

"We have some big-time playmakers, and I think our speed is our biggest asset," LaPrad said. "Our sights are set high, but we have an extremely hard schedule."

However, no team can be counted out of this fight. Summerville, Beaufort and Colleton County are strong in football tradition, which can go a long way. West Ashley enters its second season under the leadership of coach Bobby Marion a more polished team than in past years.

All the teams have some talented athletes, so success depends on how quickly less experienced players develop and team depth. Beaufort looks to have the upper hand in both of those areas.

FORT DORCHESTER PATRIOTS

2007: 0-13, 0-5

COACH: Steve LaPrad (6th season at Fort Dorchester)

RETURNING STARTERS: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Galen Bennett, LB Geno Porter, WR T'rel Hamilton, LB Adrian Stewart, WR Jamal Hall, RB Dante Ravenel, OL Bradley Jefferson, OL Greg Harris, OL Brandon Furse, TE Greg Ellington, DL Antonio Guy, DL Montae Adams, DB Tyler Walker, DB Doron Jefferson.

OUTLOOK: With three-year starting quarterback Galen Bennett at the helm, the Patriots' offense should be both dynamic and productive. The team's defense is anchored by two talented linebackers and should be tough. However, the Patriots' secondary isn't very experienced, so much of the season is riding on how it develops.

NOTES: Bennett threw for 1,084 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while rushing for 990 yards and 18 TDs. The team lost only one of its starting offensive linemen from last season. Porter led the team in tackles with 127, including 26 primaries and 11 tackles for a loss.

BEAUFORT EAGLES

2007: 12-3, 4-1

COACH: Mark Clifford (5th season at Beaufort)

RETURNING STARTERS: 11 (5 offense, 6 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DE Duane Chisolm, QB Blake Gruel, DB Jimmy Legree, WR Michael Ginn, RB Andre Carpenter, LB Sam Venning, LB Justin Parker, DL Derrell Garry, OL Shane Dwyer, OL Patrick Dennis, DB Arthur Smith, DL Ales Wiezbicki.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles' big challenge on offense is replacing running back Adrene Byas, who finished last season with approximately 2,000 yards. The team returns starting quarterback Blake Gruel, running back Andre Carpenter and receiver Michael Ginn. Defensively, the team will be strong up front and should hold its own with returners Jimmy Legree and Arthur Smith anchoring the secondary.

NOTES: Gruel threw for 1,500 yards in 2007, Carpenter rushed for more than 1,000 yards and Ginn had nearly 600 receiving yards. The 6-4, 250 Chisolm is a force and has caught the eye of many Division I colleges.

SUMMERVILLE GREEN WAVE

2007: 13-2, 5-0

COACH: John McKissick (57th season at Summerville)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 (3 offense, 3 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Chad Brisben, RB Tyler Veronee, QB Donny McElveen, OL Jacob Webb, RB Daniel Edmonson, DL Demetrius Sherman, DL Aaron Carter, DB Michael Varner, DL Brice Laughlin, QB Andrew Hancox, LB Ronnie Kirven, LB Rondrick Tucker, OL Corley Bridges.

OUTLOOK: QB Donny McElveen led a team to a North Carolina state title game last year before transferring to Summerville. However, the Wave lost its three top receivers, so don't expect him to air it out as much as Reid McCollum did last season. A strong defense, running backs and short passes likely are going to be the staples of this team. The Wave's season could ride on how well, and how quickly, the offensive line develops.

NOTES: McElveen is a grandson of coach John McKissick and a college prospect. Defensive lineman Demetrius Sherman (6-2, 300) and offensive lineman Chad Brisben (6-5, 245) are among the team's other college prospects.

WEST ASHLEY WILDCATS

2007: 4-7, 1-4

COACH: Bobby Marion (2nd season at West Ashley)

RETURNING STARTERS: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Cedric Chisolm, QB KJ Cohen, DL Eduardo Curry, WR Preston Bibler, DL Donovan Pinckney, DB Trey Livingston, FB Marquel Graham, LB Ira Banks, LB Luke Lucas, OL Brandon Shell.

OUTLOOK: The Wildcats lost by some close scores last season and showed they can be dangerous. Coach Bobby Marion thinks his starters can stand toe-to-toe with the other teams in the area, but he is concerned about depth. No one will be looking past West Ashley this year, particularly if the Wildcats stay healthy.

NOTES: OL Cedric Chisolm (6-5, 285) is a three-year starter up front. The Wildcats also return QB KJ Cohen (1,492 passing yards in 2007), receiver Preston Bibler (37 catches) and fullback Marquel Graham (499 rushing yards). On defense, they return linemen Donovan Pinckney (6-2, 295) and Eduardo Curry (6-4, 295), both three-year starters, and their leading tackler, defensive back Trey Livingston (64 tackles).

COLLETON COUNTY COUGARS

2007: 6-6, 3-2

COACH: Leroy Riley (21st season at Colleton County/Walterboro)

RETURNING STARTERS: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Brett Hughes, WR Taurean Stephens, WR Willie Grant, QB Kevin Adams, DL Dante Drew, DB Daval Johnson, PK Brantley Wiggins, LB Dakota Mitchell, RB Victor Bright, LB Phillip Martin, RB Kalin Johnson, P Hristos Stamatopoulos, DB Eric Sears, LB Anthony Sherrill, OL Michael McQueen, WR James Wrice, DL Andre Collum.

OUTLOOK: Coach Leroy Riley says his squad is similar to the one he had last year. The team should be able to move the ball with its passing attack. If the Cougars can develop at the running back and linebacker positions, they should be competitive.

NOTES: The Cougars have talent and depth at the receiver position. Both kicker Brantley Wiggins and punter Hristos Stamatopoulos are returning starters. Lineman Dante Drew and safety Daval Johnson (6 interceptions) return to provide leadership on the defense.