OTS Sports Network Statewide Poll: Week 9

[dfactor26]

Just for fun I looked at player rankings for class of 2016-2019 on 247sports and looked at player rankings and which school they went to and here is what I found.


-Fort Dorchester has the most ranked players of any 4A team with 3 ranked players.
-Hilton Head has the most ranked players in 3A (and more than any classification) with 5
-Lake Marion has the most ranked players in 2A with 3
-All three teams are undefeated at the moment
-Byrnes, Northwestern, Spartanburg and Dorman all only have 1 player ranked

You also failed to mention they only rank 11 players for class of 2017, 5 for 2018, and zero for 2019.
Also, take note when it comes to rankings is they ONLY rank players that will qualify. So guys like Micah Young (Byrnes QB) and Traevon Hinton (NW LB) are not ranked. Yet, both of them are one of the best at their position in the state. That is the point I am trying to make. Byrnes and NW have GREAT players at every position, yes the coaches help that, but these guys are great. Its their HIGH school performance. If a kid doesn't have the grades to get to the next level then they face a huge uphill battle of making the NFL, even if they have the potential. Take a look at Kentrell Jones from Gaffney. VERY few people would argue that he was one of, if not THE BEST, High School Football player this state has ever seen. However, guy couldn't get into school and never went to college. He threw all over NW cornerback Derek Ross in the 1997 state championship. The same Derek Ross that played at Ohio State, was a 3rd round pick of the Cowboys, and finished 2nd to Julius Peppers for NFC defensive rookie of the year. Most would stack Jones up against any QB this state has seen. Golson, Worley, Bentley, Rudolph, whomever.
When determining High School talent, it has to be what they did during High school. Anyone can blow up in college and make it to the NFL.
In the case of the Fort D guys, they were great high school players as well. But those three don't make the overall players at Fort D better than Byrnes or NW.

I chose 2016-2019 because those are the players that are at the actual schools right now so it was relevant.


Traevon Hinton is on 247sports, but he's not ranked. Looks like he has been offered by Appalachan State, Towson, and Marshall. Rivals has him as a 2-star. (Fort Dorchester's John Simpson is a 4-star on Rivals and has offers from 11 schools including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson and South Carolina.)

I couldn't find much on Micah Young besides a few articles here and there, I found an article from last month that said the senior is hoping to get his first offer, but that he's been talking to Charleston Southern, North Greenville and Wingate. (Fort Dorchester's sophomore QB Dakareon Joyner already has offers from Georgia, Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee and has been talking to Auburn, UNC and Ohio State)

So again, I mean... I don't know what you want me to say. I'm not saying kids from Byrnes or Northwestern suck, and countless times I have complimented the teams and the success they have had the past decade. I have also said I'd bet on either team to beat Fort Dorchester should they meet....but as far as who has better players...I'm still going with Fort Dorchester.

[FootballFan4343]

Just for fun I looked at player rankings for class of 2016-2019 on 247sports and looked at player rankings and which school they went to and here is what I found.


-Fort Dorchester has the most ranked players of any 4A team with 3 ranked players.
-Hilton Head has the most ranked players in 3A (and more than any classification) with 5
-Lake Marion has the most ranked players in 2A with 3
-All three teams are undefeated at the moment
-Byrnes, Northwestern, Spartanburg and Dorman all only have 1 player ranked

You also failed to mention they only rank 11 players for class of 2017, 5 for 2018, and zero for 2019.
Also, take note when it comes to rankings is they ONLY rank players that will qualify. So guys like Micah Young (Byrnes QB) and Traevon Hinton (NW LB) are not ranked. Yet, both of them are one of the best at their position in the state. That is the point I am trying to make. Byrnes and NW have GREAT players at every position, yes the coaches help that, but these guys are great. Its their HIGH school performance. If a kid doesn't have the grades to get to the next level then they face a huge uphill battle of making the NFL, even if they have the potential. Take a look at Kentrell Jones from Gaffney. VERY few people would argue that he was one of, if not THE BEST, High School Football player this state has ever seen. However, guy couldn't get into school and never went to college. He threw all over NW cornerback Derek Ross in the 1997 state championship. The same Derek Ross that played at Ohio State, was a 3rd round pick of the Cowboys, and finished 2nd to Julius Peppers for NFC defensive rookie of the year. Most would stack Jones up against any QB this state has seen. Golson, Worley, Bentley, Rudolph, whomever.
When determining High School talent, it has to be what they did during High school. Anyone can blow up in college and make it to the NFL.
In the case of the Fort D guys, they were great high school players as well. But those three don't make the overall players at Fort D better than Byrnes or NW.

I chose 2016-2019 because those are the players that are at the actual schools right now so it was relevant.


Traevon Hinton is on 247sports, but he's not ranked. Looks like he has been offered by Appalachan State, Towson, and Marshall. Rivals has him as a 2-star. (Fort Dorchester's John Simpson is a 4-star on Rivals and has offers from 11 schools including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson and South Carolina.)

I couldn't find much on Micah Young besides a few articles here and there, I found an article from last month that said the senior is hoping to get his first offer, but that he's been talking to Charleston Southern, North Greenville and Wingate. (Fort Dorchester's sophomore QB Dakareon Joyner already has offers from Georgia, Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee and has been talking to Auburn, UNC and Ohio State)

So again, I mean... I don't know what you want me to say. I'm not saying kids from Byrnes or Northwestern suck, and countless times I have complimented the teams and the success they have had the past decade. I have also said I'd bet on either team to beat Fort Dorchester should they meet....but as far as who has better players...I'm still going with Fort Dorchester.

Really? You are still going to say Fort Dorchester has better players than, lets just stick with Byrnes (since the numbers are overwhelming). 23 ranked players for the Rebels vs. 3 for Fort D over the same period? Really? 23 to 3?? Again, yes those three players have made it to the league and all three are doing very well. But thats 3 in a 10 year span. Thats the only 3 that have been ranked in recruiting. We will have to agree to disagree. I respect your commitment to your stance, but the numbers are not in your favor
As for Hinton and Young, its my understanding that both of their recruiting is struggling mightily due to the qualifying scenario. Which is even tougher for Young since most teams only take one QB, they are unlikely to offer unless for sure he will qualify. Both of those guys are great players. I hope they can make it to the next level.

[dfactor26]

We have different definitions of "better players". For me its quality over quantity. I think the better players are the ones that have gone on to win national championships, win Superbowls, be pro-bowl team captains, lead the league in sacks, be a finalist for NFL defensive player of the year, and have 60+ million dollar contracts - you think the better players are the ones who have gone on to...do something other than football. You are missing some by the way...just like in 2016, in 2015 Fort Dorchester also had a player ranked higher than any Byrnes/Northwestern player.

[FootballFan4343]

We have different definitions of "better players". For me its quality over quantity. I think the better players are the ones that have gone on to win national championships, win Superbowls, be pro-bowl team captains, lead the league in sacks, be a finalist for NFL defensive player of the year, and have 60+ million dollar contracts - you think the better players are the ones who have gone on to...do something other than football. You are missing some by the way...just like in 2016, in 2015 Fort Dorchester also had a player ranked higher than any Byrnes/Northwestern player.

No, I am not thinking the better players are those that have done things other than football. I think the best players are the ones who were the best in high school. How they play in college or the NFL are not a direct correlation to how they play in high school. Your argument is like saying the guy that went to law school and has a successful law practice is therefore the smartest kid from his high school because he went on to be the most successful after graduating. No, thats not the case, the valedictorian was still the kid with the best grades in HIGH SCHOOL, even if he/she didn't go to college.
The 3 Fort D guys were great in high school as well as college and the NFL. However, thats three, when you compare it to the amount of great players at Byrnes and NW. Two of the best players this state has ever seen didn't even play college football: Kentrell Jones and Dupree Hart. Unfortunately I only saw Dunlap play in person of the three Fort Dorchester guys, and he was great. I would say that Jones and Hart's high school football skillset and accomplishments were just as much if not more than Dunlap. Again, Dunlap has been much more successful in his athletic life after football, but that doesn't make him that much better of a high school player due to what he did afterwards.
And again here, we are focusing on THREE players for Fort D. The only three ranked players from Fort D in the past 9 years went on to great NFL careers, that doesn't surpass the countless players Byrnes and NW have put out.
Also, for the record, yes I did miss Myles White in 2015, so move Fort D's number to 4. However, Richardson from Byrnes was ranked higher, as he was one of 4 Rebels on the list last year.

[FootballFan4343]

We have different definitions of "better players". For me its quality over quantity. I think the better players are the ones that have gone on to win national championships, win Superbowls, be pro-bowl team captains, lead the league in sacks, be a finalist for NFL defensive player of the year, and have 60+ million dollar contracts - you think the better players are the ones who have gone on to...do something other than football. You are missing some by the way...just like in 2016, in 2015 Fort Dorchester also had a player ranked higher than any Byrnes/Northwestern player.

Again, lets use your argument over a few "high performing" players. Does Cal put out better players than Alabama? Cal put out Aaron Rodgers, the best QB in the NFL. QB is the most important position in football and he is the best QB on arguably the best NFL team. So using what Rodgers has accomplished in the NFL (after Cal), we should say that Cal has just as good, if not better players than Alabama. Right?

[dfactor26]

We have different definitions of "better players". For me its quality over quantity. I think the better players are the ones that have gone on to win national championships, win Superbowls, be pro-bowl team captains, lead the league in sacks, be a finalist for NFL defensive player of the year, and have 60+ million dollar contracts - you think the better players are the ones who have gone on to...do something other than football. You are missing some by the way...just like in 2016, in 2015 Fort Dorchester also had a player ranked higher than any Byrnes/Northwestern player.

No, I am not thinking the better players are those that have done things other than football. I think the best players are the ones who were the best in high school. How they play in college or the NFL are not a direct correlation to how they play in high school. Your argument is like saying the guy that went to law school and has a successful law practice is therefore the smartest kid from his high school because he went on to be the most successful after graduating. No, thats not the case, the valedictorian was still the kid with the best grades in HIGH SCHOOL, even if he/she didn't go to college.
The 3 Fort D guys were great in high school as well as college and the NFL. However, thats three, when you compare it to the amount of great players at Byrnes and NW. Two of the best players this state has ever seen didn't even play college football: Kentrell Jones and Dupree Hart. Unfortunately I only saw Dunlap play in person of the three Fort Dorchester guys, and he was great. I would say that Jones and Hart's high school football skillset and accomplishments were just as much if not more than Dunlap. Again, Dunlap has been much more successful in his athletic life after football, but that doesn't make him that much better of a high school player due to what he did afterwards.
And again here, we are focusing on THREE players for Fort D. The only three ranked players from Fort D in the past 9 years went on to great NFL careers, that doesn't surpass the countless players Byrnes and NW have put out.
Also, for the record, yes I did miss Myles White in 2015, so move Fort D's number to 4. However, Richardson from Byrnes was ranked higher, as he was one of 4 Rebels on the list last year.

I wasn't even talking about Myles White in 2015, I was talking about Eurndraus Bryant. He was #15 on 247sports (it has Tavin Richardson at 24), I didn't even think of Myles White.

[GoBigGreen]

...I still say that a Byrnes at Fort D is a match up I'd drive to Summerville to see. I'd make GoBigGreen take me to Perfectly Franks before the game, then stay over and go to Page's Fried Okra Grill on Saturday before heading back to the upstate.

And I would go watch it with you because I know my team will not be playing. PFs on Friday and Pages on Saturday sounds amazing!!! Man, I am getting hungry just sitting here thinking about it !

[FootballFan4343]

We have different definitions of "better players". For me its quality over quantity. I think the better players are the ones that have gone on to win national championships, win Superbowls, be pro-bowl team captains, lead the league in sacks, be a finalist for NFL defensive player of the year, and have 60+ million dollar contracts - you think the better players are the ones who have gone on to...do something other than football. You are missing some by the way...just like in 2016, in 2015 Fort Dorchester also had a player ranked higher than any Byrnes/Northwestern player.

No, I am not thinking the better players are those that have done things other than football. I think the best players are the ones who were the best in high school. How they play in college or the NFL are not a direct correlation to how they play in high school. Your argument is like saying the guy that went to law school and has a successful law practice is therefore the smartest kid from his high school because he went on to be the most successful after graduating. No, thats not the case, the valedictorian was still the kid with the best grades in HIGH SCHOOL, even if he/she didn't go to college.
The 3 Fort D guys were great in high school as well as college and the NFL. However, thats three, when you compare it to the amount of great players at Byrnes and NW. Two of the best players this state has ever seen didn't even play college football: Kentrell Jones and Dupree Hart. Unfortunately I only saw Dunlap play in person of the three Fort Dorchester guys, and he was great. I would say that Jones and Hart's high school football skillset and accomplishments were just as much if not more than Dunlap. Again, Dunlap has been much more successful in his athletic life after football, but that doesn't make him that much better of a high school player due to what he did afterwards.
And again here, we are focusing on THREE players for Fort D. The only three ranked players from Fort D in the past 9 years went on to great NFL careers, that doesn't surpass the countless players Byrnes and NW have put out.
Also, for the record, yes I did miss Myles White in 2015, so move Fort D's number to 4. However, Richardson from Byrnes was ranked higher, as he was one of 4 Rebels on the list last year.

I wasn't even talking about Myles White in 2015, I was talking about Eurndraus Bryant. He was #15 on 247sports (it has Tavin Richardson at 24), I didn't even think of Myles White.

Gotcha. We must be looking at different rankings. 247sports has Richardson at 13 in 2015 and I don't see Bryant listed
http://247sports.com/Season/2015-Footba ... l&State=SC" target="_blank

[Fridaynightfan]

Just for fun I looked at player rankings for class of 2016-2019 on 247sports and looked at player rankings and which school they went to and here is what I found.


-Fort Dorchester has the most ranked players of any 4A team with 3 ranked players.
-Hilton Head has the most ranked players in 3A (and more than any classification) with 5
-Lake Marion has the most ranked players in 2A with 3
-All three teams are undefeated at the moment
-Byrnes, Northwestern, Spartanburg and Dorman all only have 1 player ranked

You also failed to mention they only rank 11 players for class of 2017, 5 for 2018, and zero for 2019.
Also, take note when it comes to rankings is they ONLY rank players that will qualify. So guys like Micah Young (Byrnes QB) and Traevon Hinton (NW LB) are not ranked. Yet, both of them are one of the best at their position in the state. That is the point I am trying to make. Byrnes and NW have GREAT players at every position, yes the coaches help that, but these guys are great. Its their HIGH school performance. If a kid doesn't have the grades to get to the next level then they face a huge uphill battle of making the NFL, even if they have the potential. Take a look at Kentrell Jones from Gaffney. VERY few people would argue that he was one of, if not THE BEST, High School Football player this state has ever seen. However, guy couldn't get into school and never went to college. He threw all over NW cornerback Derek Ross in the 1997 state championship. The same Derek Ross that played at Ohio State, was a 3rd round pick of the Cowboys, and finished 2nd to Julius Peppers for NFC defensive rookie of the year. Most would stack Jones up against any QB this state has seen. Golson, Worley, Bentley, Rudolph, whomever.
When determining High School talent, it has to be what they did during High school. Anyone can blow up in college and make it to the NFL.
In the case of the Fort D guys, they were great high school players as well. But those three don't make the overall players at Fort D better than Byrnes or NW.

I chose 2016-2019 because those are the players that are at the actual schools right now so it was relevant.


Traevon Hinton is on 247sports, but he's not ranked. Looks like he has been offered by Appalachan State, Towson, and Marshall. Rivals has him as a 2-star. (Fort Dorchester's John Simpson is a 4-star on Rivals and has offers from 11 schools including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson and South Carolina.)

I couldn't find much on Micah Young besides a few articles here and there, I found an article from last month that said the senior is hoping to get his first offer, but that he's been talking to Charleston Southern, North Greenville and Wingate. (Fort Dorchester's sophomore QB Dakareon Joyner already has offers from Georgia, Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee and has been talking to Auburn, UNC and Ohio State)

So again, I mean... I don't know what you want me to say. I'm not saying kids from Byrnes or Northwestern suck, and countless times I have complimented the teams and the success they have had the past decade. I have also said I'd bet on either team to beat Fort Dorchester should they meet....but as far as who has better players...I'm still going with Fort Dorchester.

Really? You are still going to say Fort Dorchester has better players than, lets just stick with Byrnes (since the numbers are overwhelming). 23 ranked players for the Rebels vs. 3 for Fort D over the same period? Really? 23 to 3?? Again, yes those three players have made it to the league and all three are doing very well. But thats 3 in a 10 year span. Thats the only 3 that have been ranked in recruiting. We will have to agree to disagree. I respect your commitment to your stance, but the numbers are not in your favor
As for Hinton and Young, its my understanding that both of their recruiting is struggling mightily due to the qualifying scenario. Which is even tougher for Young since most teams only take one QB, they are unlikely to offer unless for sure he will qualify. Both of those guys are great players. I hope they can make it to the next level.

One of the distinctions that you have to make is that there are great players in high school, and there are also those players in high school that look to project to be great players at the next level. Those are sometimes not the same players. You can be a great high school QB at 5-11 180 lbs. I have seen many. However, you will not project to the next level. Likewise, i have seen many 6-3 220 lb QBs get D1 offers with poor stats and win records in High School. So, D1 status is not necessarily indicative of performance in HS.

That being said, Ft. Dorchester looks to have a great team this year. Would be a tough game for my Rebels.I wouldn't "guarantee" a win against any of the top 10 at this point. Again, lots of parity.

[dfactor26]

Gotcha. We must be looking at different rankings. 247sports has Richardson at 13 in 2015 and I don't see Bryant listed
http://247sports.com/Season/2015-Footba ... l&State=SC" target="_blank

Yeah...I believe the one you are looking at is a composite ranking which includes rankings from several sites, I was looking at the 247sports only rankings which has Bryant higher than Richardson (the composite has Bryant lower but also includes White, the 247sports rankings do not include White at all) White is currently playing for Coastal Carolina and Bryant plays for NC State.