A look at The State’s all-area football team for the 2025 season from Midlands high schools.

Top Honors

The State’s Co-Offensive Players of Year: Kenton Caldwell , Newberry ; and Amadre Wooden, Batesburg-Leesville

Readers’ choice Offensive Player of Year (fan vote): Patrick Belk , Heathwood Hall

The State’s Co-Defensive Players of Year: Jaiden Bryant , Irmo ; and Julian Walker , Dutch Fork

Readers’ choice Defensive Player of Year (fan vote): Azel Banag , AC Flora

The State’s Coach of the Year: Tom Knotts , Dutch Fork

Readers’ choice Coach of the Year (fan vote): Tymere Zimmerman , Heathwood Hall

All-Area First Team Offense

— Quarterbacks —

Patrick Belk , Heathwood Hall: Senior threw for 2,264 yards, rushed for 484 and accounted for 27 TDs in helping the Highlanders to their first state championship game since 2009.

Kenton Caldwell , Newberry : Senior was Region 4-3A Player of Year and threw for 2,136 yards, rushed for 1,200 yards and accounted for 44 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

Drevon Dopson , Irmo : Senior threw for 2,379 yards, rushed for 431 and accounted for 31 touchdowns.

Jaxon Knotts , Dutch Fork : Junior was Region 4-5A Offensive Player of the Year and threw for 2,293 yards, rushed for 536 and accounted for 28 touchdowns.

Roper Wentzy , AC Flora: Senior was picked for Touchstone Energy Bowl and threw for 2,877 yards and 29 touchdowns this season. Wentzky finished his high school career with more than 8,000 yards passing.

Xavier Wright , Gray Collegiate: Freshman was Region 4-4A Offensive Player of the Year and threw for 2,215 yards, rushed for 328 yards and accounted for 28 touchdowns.

centerNewberry quarterback Kenton CaldwellJosh Robinson Photo

–Running Backs–

Spencer Bobian , Ridge View : Junior rushed for 1,391 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Tristan Daniels , Saluda : Junior rushed for 1,518 yards and accounted for 17 touchdowns.

BJ Mack, Dreher: Senior rushed for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Hayden Myers , River Bluff : Senior rushed for 1,682 yards and 14 TDs, including 300-yard performance against Lexington .

Jaylen Simmons , AC Flora: Junior rushed for 1,237 yards and had 18 total touchdowns.

Amire White , Irmo : Junior rushed for 1,381 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Trevon Williamson , Gray Collegiate: Junior rushed for 1,662 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Amadre Wooden, Batesburg-Leesville : Senior rushed for 1,995 yards and 26 total touchdowns. Became the school’s all-time leading rusher this season and finished his career with 5,071 rushing yards.

centerRunning back Amadre Wooden of Batesburg-Leesville High SchoolSam WolfeSpecial To The State

–Receivers–

Darius Carter , River Bluff : Junior caught 62 passes for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Jamere Crooks , Newberry : Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and caught 54 passes for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Jai Chuniesningh, Pelion : Senior caught 63 passes for 1,089 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Carter Coleman , Ridge View : Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and caught 51 passes for 539 yards and had four touchdowns. Coleman signed with Richmond.

Corey Gleaton , Gray Collegiate: Senior caught 52 passes, had 1,425 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. Gleaton had 50 tackles, six interceptions, nine pass break-ups on defense.

Shamil Sadiq , Lugoff – Elgin : Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and had 75 catches for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns. Sadiq committed to play at Lenoir-Rhyne.

TyQuarius Shannon, Fairfield Central: Junior had 37 catches for 922 yards and 16 touchdowns.

KD Whitt, Batesburg-Leesville : Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and had 42 catches for 693 yards and 16 touchdowns.

centerGray Collegiate Academy Corey ‘CJ’ Gleaton (2) runs after a reception against the Brookland-Cayce Bearcats during their game at Gray Collegiate Academy , 11/7/25.Jeff BlakeJeff Blake Photo

–Tight Ends–

Jamel Howse , Newberry : Senior was a Shrine Bowl selection and had 52 catches for 686 yards and five touchdowns. Howse signed with Appalachian State.

Jackson Rogers , North Central: Senior played offensive line most of the season because of injuries to the team and was picked for Touchstone Energy Bowl at tight end.

–Offensive Line–

Jack Armstrong , Gray Collegiate: Junior graded out at 90 percent and didn’t allow a sack. Armstrong also played defense and had 37 tackles (8 for loss) and three sacks.

Joseph Braveboy , Ridge View : Senior guard graded out at 94 percent and had 18 knockdowns and 20 pancake blocks.

Nate Carson , Irmo : Junior is starting tackle on Irmo’s squad that played for a second straight state championship. Carson is ranked as a four-star prospect by recruiting services and No. 4 in SC for Class of 2027 by 247Sports Composite.

Chanson Evans, Dreher: Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and Blue Devils’ top lineman.

Jaylen Gates , White Knoll: Senior tackle graded out at 93 percent and had 27 knockdown blocks.

Kalen Hammond , Lugoff – Elgin : Senior was Touchstone Energy Bowl selection, had 43 total knockdown/pancake blocks and didn’t allow a sack this season.

Brody Lorenzo , Dutch Fork : Sophomore was the anchor of the state Dutch Fork offensive line the past two seasons. He starts at center but also has seen some time at guard and tackle this year.

Bryson Moore , Irmo : Senior was Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and committed to play at Charleston Southern.

Caden Muskas , Chapin : Senior is a four-year starter, picked to play for Touchstone Energy Bowl and signed with Appalachian State.

James Ross , Ridge View : Junior tackle graded out at 91 percent with 28 knockdown and 17 pancake blocks.

Elijah Sanders , Newberry : Sophomore graded out at 94 percent with 21 knockdown blocks and was Palmetto Champions Class 3A Lower State Lineman of the Year.

centerIrmo Yellow Jackets OL Nate Carson (55) blocks during the game between the White Knoll Timberwolves at the Irmo Yellow Jackets, Friday night, 10/17/25.Jeff BlakeJeff Blake Photo

–All-Purpose–

Blake Betette , AC Flora: Senior receiver/defensive back had 41 catches for 584 yards and had 1,048 all-purpose yards with 16 total touchdowns. On defense, he had 38 tackles, four interceptions, was selected for the Shrine Bowl and signed with Dartmouth.

Tylin Drakeford , Camden : Senior had 1,504 all-purpose yards (1,014 receiving) and 12 touchdowns. Drakeford was a Shrine Bowl selection, Georgia Southern signee and also had 37 tackles and two interceptions on defense.

Terrell Golson, CA Johnson: Junior running back/linebacker had 1,504 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he had 50 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.

Maleek Miller , Irmo : Junior receiver/running back had 1,453 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets .

Royce Williamson , Gray Collegiate: Junior receiver/defensive back had 42 catches for 725 yards and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, Williamson had 51 tackles and picked off eight passes.

EJ Richardson, Lugoff – Elgin : Junior had 2,066 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns this season on offense. On defense, Richardson had 39 tackles (6 for loss), four interceptions and four pass break-ups.

Er’Dreus Walker, Fairfield Central: Senior was Region 3-2A Player of the Year. He had 65 tackles (8 for loss), five pass break-ups, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Offensively, he had 589 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.

centerTylin Drakeford (2) of Camden carries the ball during White Knoll’s game against Camden in Lexington on Thursday, August 21 , 2025.Sam WolfeSpecial To The State

All-Area First Team Defense

Peyton Bishop , AC Flora: Junior had 113 tackles (25.5 for loss), 14 sacks and four pass break-ups.

Jaiden Bryant, DE, Irmo : Junior had 79 tackles (23 for loss), 11 sacks, six fumble recoveries, two punt blocks, an interception and three touchdowns.

Jace Coleman , Lugoff – Elgin : Sophomore had 117 tackles (32 for loss), 27 quarterback hurries, 11 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Tyronne Jennings , Irmo : Junior had 80 tackles (3 for loss), five pass break-ups and four sacks

Hugh Manning , Hammond: Junior had 59 tackles (22 for loss), 11 sacks, 40 quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles

John Stokes , Hammond: Junior had 56 tackles (36 for loss), 16 sacks and 40 quarterback pressures.

Julian Walker, DE, Dutch Fork : Senior had 75 tackles (25 for loss), 14 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Walker signed with South Carolina and was selected to the NC-SC Shrine Bowl and Navy All-American Bowl.

Nasir Walker , AC Flora: Sophomore had 104 tackles (21 for loss) and 12 sacks.

Jaden Wuerth, DE, Dutch Fork : Junior had 62 tackles (18 for loss), 14 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles

Dontrell Wilson , Camden : Senior was SC Football Coaches Association Palmetto Champions Class 4A Lineman of Year. Wilson had 53 tackles (12 for loss) and four sacks.

centerJaiden Bryant (24) of Irmo is seen during Irmo’s game against visiting Dutch Fork in Columbia on Friday, October 31 , 2025.Sam WolfeSpecial To The State

–Linebackers–

Michael Boulware , LB, Gray Collegiate: Senior had 283 tackles, three sacks and five pass break-ups.

Josue Esiki, White Knoll: Senior was Touchstone Energy Bowl selection.

D’Juan Franklin, Ridge View : Senior linebacker had 79 tackles (9 for loss), three sacks and an interception.

Gray Gunter , Gilbert : Senior had a school-record 157 tackles (9 for loss), three pass break-ups and two interceptions.

Julian Hughes , LB, Heathwood Hall: SCISA 1-4A Defensive Player of the Year had 85 tackles (9 for loss), 12 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He also has almost 600 all-purpose yards on offense and six touchdowns.

Drake Porter , Ben Lippen : Senior had 140 tackles (10 for loss) for the Falcons .

Jackson Ross , LB, Hammond: Junior had 93 tackles (13 for loss), eight sacks, eight QB pressures, 11 pass break-ups. He also caught six touchdown passes on offense.

Raleigh Salters , Dutch Fork : Senior was a Shrine Bowl selection (injured and can’t play) and had 57 tackles (5 for loss), four quarterback hurries and three pass break-ups.

Julian Senn , Newberry : Senior was Region 4-3A Defensive Player of the Year and had 135 tackles (17 for loss), two sacks, eight QB pressures, four forced fumbles and two punt blocks.

centerJulian Hughes (20) of Heathwood Hall warms up before Hammond’s game against Heathwood Hall in Columbia on Friday, September 12 , 2025.Sam WolfeSpecial To The State

–Defensive Backs–

Mario Anderson , Dutch Fork : Senior had 54 tackles (9 for loss), four sacks, three interceptions and eight pass break-ups.

Azel Banag , DB, AC Flora: Senior had 75 tackles, five interceptions and 12 pass break-ups. He also had four touchdowns on offense. Banag signed with Oregon and was picked for Touchstone Energy Bowl.

Jordyn Best , Ridge View : Senior had 17 tackles an interception, was picked for Shrine Bowl and signed with North Carolina State .

KJ Dupree, Dutch Fork : Sophomore safety had 28 tackles and five interceptions, including two in the state championship game.

Caleb Geronomi , DB, White Knoll: Senior was a two-way standout for the Timberwolves and led them in interceptions. Geronomi was picked to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl and signed with Richmond.

Quency Grant , Ridge View : Senior had 28 tackles (3 for loss), four pass break-ups and four interceptions.

Jamar Grissett , DB, Irmo : Junior had 76 tackles, seven interceptions, seven pass break-ups and blocked two field goals.

Wynn Meetze , Gilbert : Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and had 70 tackles (352 for his career), three interceptions and three pass break-ups

Jarrell Turner , Richland Northeast: Senior was a Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and signed with Charlotte .

Justin Washington , Westwood : Senior safety had 121 tackles (4 for loss) and two interceptions.

centerAzel Banag (1) of AC Flora warms up before AC Flora’s game against South Pointe at Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 19 , 2025.Sam WolfeSpecial To The State

–Specialists–

Liam Flynn , River Bluff : Sophomore was Region 4-5A Specialist of Year, was 29-of-32 on extra points, 9-of-11 on field goals, had 44 touchbacks on 55 kickoffs and averaged 32 yards a punt.

Weston Mims , Gray Collegiate: Junior was 65-of-67 on extra points, 5-of-5 on field goals and averaged 38.6 yards per punt.

All-Area Second Team Offense

–Quarterbacks–

Kaden Diggs , Fairfield Central; Andrew Frick , Brookland- Cayce ; Greyson Rimpf , Camden ; Brayden Williams , Saluda ; Zach Williams , Lugoff – Elgin

–Running Backs —

Navier Boykin, Camden , Tre Jackson , Pelion , Angelo Rios , Westwood ;, Dante Caldwell , Swansea ; Tiyon Fanning , White Knoll; Jarkese Grant, Lugoff – Elgin ; Solomon Kelson , Lower Richland ; Avery King , Brookland- Cayce ; Joseph Morse , WW King; Hunter O’Neal, Keenan; Landyn Strong , Blythewood

–Receivers–

Joshua Davis , AC Flora; Chance Johnson , Blythewood ; Stone Furrey, Dutch Fork ; Keon McKinley , Heathwood Hall; Corey Miller , Irmo ; Charlie Scott , AC Flora

–Tight Ends–

Jay Eady , Irmo ; Wham Walker, Hammond; Wyatt Warner , Dutch Fork

–Offensive Line–

Moises Gonzalez , Batesburg Leesville ; Jeremiah Goodwin , Lower Richland ; Vernen Hairens, Irmo ; Kennedy Harmon , Gilbert ; Ryan Lawson , Camden ; LeBron Lyles , Newberry ; Reed Paolucci , Blythewood , Sid Shaw , Saluda ; Keiron Vauls , Irmo

–All-Purpose–

Bubba Alexander , Hammond; Brady Cottingham , Pelion , Deandre Caldwell , Swansea ; Eijah Harper, CA Johnson; Bennett Plane , Brookland- Cayce ; CJ Springs , Saluda ; BJ Suits, Northside Christian; Jahcory Sumpter, Eau Claire; Ryker Woolstenhulme , Mid-Carolina

All-Area Second Team Defense

–Defensive Line–

Thomas Bishop , Camden ; Luciano Cesario , Dutch Fork ; Tyler Edwards , Camden ; Travis Gates , Batesburg-Leesville ; Bryson Hugee , Spring Valley ; Darryl Jones , Westwood ; Josh Reaves , Blythewood ; Mason Stewart , River Bluff ; Brennan Williams , AC Flora; Jordan Wright , Newberry

–Linebackers–

Heyward Belser , Heathwood Hall; Keaton Bennett , White Knoll; Kmari Brown, Gilbert ; William Geddis , Swansea ; Wyatt Mazza , Mid-Carolina; Zion Oliver , Westwood ; Chris Parnel , American Leadership; Lavay Penny , Camden ; Quayson Peoples, North Central; Rondrecous Peterson, Columbia ; Dylan Redden , Spring Valley ; Tye Rivers , Gray Collegiate; Caleb Schrodt , Lexington ; Evan Simmons , Brookland- Cayce ; JP Sweatt, Gray Collegiate; Davon Toney , Ridge View

–Defensive Backs–

Jordan Boston , Hammond; Kaylin Culp , Fairfield Central; Tyrese Drakeford , Westwood , Gavin Elliott , Gilbert ; Michael Ford , Blythewood ; TJ Gibson, Dutch Fork ; Peyton Griffin , Chapin ; Tucker McGinty , WW King; Caleb Renwick , River Bluff

–Specialists–

Brayshawn Gray, Lower Richland ; Brad O’Leary, Dutch Fork

December 15, 2025 | State, The: Web Edition Articles (Columbia, SC)
Author/Byline: Lou Bezjak, The State | Section: high_school