As we get into the third week of the high school football season, the sample size of each player’s abilities is growing with each game played.
Here are the top-five football standouts we’ve seen so far, in no particular order.
WR/DB Jaris Sinkfield, Junior, Thomson
While the Thomson Bulldogs came into Friday still looking for its first win of the season, they may not have to look as hard for emerging playmakers. Sinkfield has burst on the scene, showing electrifying ability on both sides of the football. But it’s on offense where he’s shone brightest for Thomson so far. Listed at a rather diminutive 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, there’s absolutely nothing small about the way Sinkfield plays. As a receiver, he’s caught 13 passes for 128 yards and two scores. He’s rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on just six carries and he’s done it on special teams as well, scoring on a long kick return against North Augusta last week. As the Bulldogs get three more tune ups before starting region play, expect Sinkfield to continue cementing himself as a key player for coach Michael Youngblood.
RB Jevon Edwards, Senior, South Aiken
We knew coming into the season that Jevon Edwards was a special talent. But after a 300-plus yards rushing performance in last week’s season opener against Silver Bluff, we could be setting up to see another major single season performance from a South Carolina running back. Last year, we got treated to then-Midland Valley senior Traevon Dunbar, now at West Virginia. While Dunbar was more of a power back, north-and-south runner, Edwards has jump-cut quickness, jitterbug-style elusiveness, but also the breakaway speed to simply outrun defenders. He has good vision as well, and can make plays out of the backfield in the passing game. He’ll be fun to watch as the season progresses.
QB Ty Jones, Senior, Lakeside
Jones is a true dual-threat quarterback, and, at least in the first game of the season, he’s proven to be the octane that makes Lakeside’s offense go. We say “dual-threat,” but in Lakeside’s Week 1 win against Grovetown, Jones only had to throw eight passes. He completed five for 70 yards. But he averaged 10.5 yards per pop on the ground as a runner, scoring two touchdowns. In just that one game, he’s already reached half his rushing total for the entire 2023 season. That’s partly because he split time at quarterback with Mi’keal Grissom. But with more control of the Panthers’ offense, he’ll have more opportunities to show the full breadth of his offensive skill set.
DE Jaden Wuerth, Sophomore, Aquinas
For those who may have thought Wuerth’s dynamic freshman campaign was an anomaly, check the tape from the first two games of his sophomore season. The 6-foot-2, 242-pound defensive end is picking up right where he left off as Aquinas’ most devastating tackler and pass rusher. Through two games, Wuerth leads the Irish in total tackles (35), tackles for loss (4) and is tied with senior Chris Jackson for the lead in quarterback sacks with two a piece. Wuerth uses his frame exceptionally well to get leverage over opposing offensive linemen, especially for such a young player. Over the offseason, Wuerth picked up his first Division I offer from Georgia Southern during the offseason. It can almost be guaranteed that it won’t be the last.
QB Chimere Sturgis, Senior, Laney
In watching Laney’s offense, you’ll see the true definition of “multiple” at work. The formations look the same — call it a “power spread” look from the shotgun formation. The Wildcats are always going to look to run the ball first, and usually with just a handful of run plays that have slightly different tweaks and wrinkles to set them apart. Laney’s offense is predicated not on creativity as much as execution, and the “multiple” part comes in when you consider how many players handle and carry the football. Even at quarterback, coach Ronnie Baker acknowledges he’ll play “quarterback by committee” with as many as three players taking snaps. However, when it’s time to throw the ball, Sturgis stands out among them.
He’s got solid pocket presence and a good throwing motion that doesn’t waste movement. At 5-foot-9, he’s smaller than a traditional quarterback. But he commands the offense well. His arm was responsible for Laney’s only touchdown against Westside in the season opener, and the Wildcats looked more like theirselves last week putting up 30 against Hephzibah. It’ll be interesting to see if Sturgis becomes the more permanent answer behind center as the season progresses.
