Gilmer's Gospel

Dorman receiver Charon Peake had two touchdown receptions on Thursday, including one run after a short pass that can only be described as a "sick display of athleticism." (Photo by Alex Hicks)

      There will be some changes in the Dorman offense over the next few weeks.
     And it’s not because fans want to see the pass more often.
     It’s out of necessity.
     Tight end Brandon Thomas won’t play the rest of the season, he told me last night. The big blocker was mobile, had great hands, and was always at the point of attack in the running game that averaged more than 300 yards a game.
     Without him, there will be some changes made.
     “When big Brandon went down last week we thought that we needed a Plan ‘B,’” coach Dave Gutshall said. “And that is multiple formations and throwing the ball more.”
     The Cavaliers may not be as “power rushing” as they have been.
     Look for more spread. More passes. More option.
     Look for two backs in the backfield beside the quarterback.
     There will still be some double tight end sets.
     The passing game looked better on Thursday, as Cavalier quarterbacks were 10-for-14. That kind of production will certainly help keep the running game moving downhill.
     As the offense slightly changes to this style, it will be fun to see what happens with the Cavaliers.

Boiling Springs quarterback Dylan P. Thompson will try to lead the Bulldogs to their first win against the Vikings. (Photo by John Byrum)

    I said a few weeks ago that the Boiling Springs Bulldogs needed a big-time win.
    (Read that blog here)
     A win for their program. One to make people forget about those past losing seasons.
     The Bulldogs have already mathematically secured a winning record.
     Tonight, they go for the monumental win.
     Spartanburg doesn’t have the national ranking or undefeated season at stake, but the Vikings are the biggest nemesis in the Bulldogs’ program.
     The Bulldogs have never beaten the Vikings, going 0-for-27 since the team’s started playing in 1980.
     Hey, if Axl Rose is ready to release “Chinese Democracy,” then anything, including a Boiling Springs win against Spartanburg, can happen.
     This team of Bulldogs has the best chance since a Phil Petty-led team played in the first game the Vikings played at Gibbs Stadium.
     The Bulldogs have more rushing and passing yards than the Vikings. They have averaged more points and allowed less points that Spartanburg.
      On paper, this looks like the year for the Bulldogs to do it. But games aren't played on paper. On the field tonight, the Vikings will be ready to win.
      They don't want to be the team to lose the streak and allow the Bulldogs to win a contest.
      This should be a great game. Best of luck to both teams.

 

 

When the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas is played on Dec. 20 at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, there will be five local players there.
Since they've each played against Spartanburg in their careers, they should know plenty about the field on the Wofford campus.

Here's some info about each local player named to the South Carolina all-star team.

Justin Bright
School: Byrnes
Position: DB
Height, Weight: 6-2, 181
Stats: 62 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 8 passes broken up.
College commitment: Florida State
About Bright: Bright is a physical player who also serves as the Rebels’ general in the secondary. He makes sure people are in the right places and then he goes about doing his job. Last year in a game he had 24 tackles.
Said coach Chris Miller: “Justin is great because of his run support. He’s like another linebacker on the field. He’s got good instincts and good football smarts.”

Daniel Cleveland
School: Byrnes
Position: LB
Height, Weight: 6-0, 210
Stats: 62 tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble.
College commitment: Presbyterian
About Cleveland: Nicknamed “The Big Cat,” Cleveland is all over the field for the Rebels. He is able to stop the run, but also able to cover someone if needed. He’s the general on the field, as he gets the calls from coaches and makes changes to the call if needed.
Said coach Chris Miller: “Daniel isn’t a burner and he’s not the strongest guy in the world, but he’s smart and knows the game. He puts himself in position to make plays.”

Denzelle Good
School: Gaffney
Position: OL
Height, Weight: 6-5 ½, 318
Stats: 82-percent grade, 42 knockdowns, 26 pancakes
College commitment: N.C. State
About Good: It’s not surprising for a linebacker to look up and see Good running at him as a pulling blocker. He runs well and has quick feet for a lineman. He can get around the corner and when he does, he’s looking for someone to hit.
Said coach Phil Strickland: “Denzelle has really come out of his shell out of last year and this year and has realized his potential. When he makes up his mind, he can block anybody.”

Brandon Thomas
School: Dorman
Position: OL
Height, Weight: 6-4, 280
Stats: four catches for 87 yards (21.8 ypc) and one touchdown
College commitment: Clemson
About Thomas: Last season Thomas was a left tackle for the Cavaliers, but he was moved this season to the tight end and H-back position where he’s always at the point of attack blocking. He has good hands, runs well and is one of the best blockers on the team.
Said coach Dave Gutshall: “You want to talk about someone who has all the tools. There are no negatives. He’s got ‘Division-I’ stamped all over him and you can tell by the letters we get for him.”

Walt Canty
School: Dorman
Position: DB
Height, Weight: 5-11, 200
Stats: 55 tackles, three interceptions, one sack, 11 rushing touchdowns, two punt returns for touchdowns.
College commitment: not committed
About Canty: There isn’t a position that Canty couldn’t play on the field and there are only a few he hasn’t. He’s mostly a defensive back, but he sees a lot of time as a rusher and he also returns punts. He’s in great shape and as the weather gets cooler, he’ll likely see more time on offense.
Said coach Dave Gutshall: “He’s the most versatile athletes we’ve had here in a long time. He’s a winner. He wants the ball. Some people shy away from tight situations but that’s when he wants it the most.”

Congratulations to these young men and all of the players who made the Shrine Bowl all-star teams.

     If the Gaffney Indians want to win Region III-4A, they have to face two totally different offenses over the next two weeks.
     Next week they must travel to Northwestern and go against its “Air Raid” attack.
     On Friday, the Indians have to stop Clover’s ground attack.
     It doesn’t have a nickname.
     Most coaches just call it a nightmare.
     It's a wing-T style of offense and the Blue Eagles are fond of throwing in a few trick plays here and there.
     Clover has run 446 times for 3,246 yards (7.3 yards per carry).
     Running isn’t what Northwestern does.
     The Trojans have thrown for around 2,200 yards and quarterback Justin Worley has thrown for more than 20 touchdowns.
     “We’ll go from one extreme to the other,” Gaffney coach Phil Strickland said. “We’re going to have to play tough this week and learn to play the finesse game next week.”

     Sorry for the delay in getting this blog accomplished. There was some rain, so I postponed writing it.

     Here we go, some players who stood out.

     Dorman’s offensive line: For their play in the Cavaliers 35-28 victory over Byrnes, this group was named the ESPN 1400 AM Hawg(s) of the Week. They helped the Cavaliers to 260 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

     Ash Butler, Dorman: Butler ran for 190 yards and three scores. His first run was a 72-yard touchdown run and he added 68- and 10-yard scores later in the contest.

     Ryan Pruitt, Dorman: The linebacker had 11 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and an interception in the victory.

     Dylan P. Thompson, Boiling Springs: Thompson threw for 295 yards on 16 of 20 passing. He connected for three touchdowns and hit seven different receivers.

     Matthew Toney, Boiling Springs: Toney made the most of his two catches as both were touchdowns. He had a 31-yard touchdown reception and a 76-yard touchdown reception.

     Markeith Hillstock, Spartanburg: Hillstock had two rushing touchdowns – both from two yards out – as Spartanburg won 29-6 against Hillcrest.

     Efferlan Williams and Dominique Parks, Greer: This duo continues to have big games. They combined to run for 335 yards (with Williams running for 211 yards) and seven total touchdowns. Greer won 54-14.

     Riley Parsons, Landrum: Parsons started the Cardinals in the right direction with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown.

     The Chapman Panthers: The Panthers were close so many times this season to notching their first victory and finally got it with a 29-28 win over Riverside.

     Thomas Copeland, Chapman: Copeland caught eight passes for 153 yards and one touchdown as the Panthers got their first win.

     Emison Hughes, Gaffney: The all-star wide receiver had three catches for 117 yards and caught touchdown passes of 42 and 39 yards in the third quarter.

     DeEdward Burris, Gaffney: Not only did Burris threw for 130 yards on 5-for-8 passing, but he ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns (34 and 1 yards).

     Maurice Gilliam, Woodruff: Gilliam had rushing touchdowns of 22, 1 and 34 yards as he tallied 96 rushing yards on 11 carries.

     Best of luck to teams this week and I’ll try not to let the rain delay next week’s version of this blog.