Helmet stickers: Socastee, St. James’ Stanfield nab Week 4’s top honors

At optimum level, Hunter Illing believes Socastee can score with just about anyone.

His hunch held weight last Friday night, the Braves quarterback helping his team earn a measure of revenge against rival Myrtle Beach, 51-34.

With the win, Socastee moves to 3-0 on the season, good enough to receive votes in the latest Class 5A state media poll. Such an effort also earned it recognition as The Sun News’ top team for Week 4.

Against the Seahawks, Socastee filled the stat sheet in every way imaginable.

Illing threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another on the ground. His favorite target on the night was Devin Stamp, who caught eight passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, they forced six Myrtle Beach turnovers. Defensive backs Edward Tucker and Kenney Solomon each nabbed a pair of Seahawks passes, with Solomon taking one of his to pay dirt for a touchdown.

Player of the Week

Deondray Stanfield, St. James: Sharks football coach Joey Price said “it seemed as if we were on the verge of mailing it in.” All it took was one Stanfield touchdown to reverse fortunes. The sophomore running back wound up with 208 yards rushing and five touchdowns for St. James, helping it overcome a 28-point deficit to defeat Lake City. Stanfield received 44 percent of the fan vote in being named Week 4’s Player of the Week.

Helmet stickers

Nathan Adams, Aynor: Had three sacks and a forced fumble in the Blue Jackets’ win over Creek Bridge.

Gamal Alston, Andrews: Had eight tackles and a forced fumble for the Yellow Jackets in their 54-31 loss to Hemingway.

Chris Anderson, St. James: Rushed for 106 yards in the Sharks’ 42-34 win over Lake City.

Deakidd Anderson, Georgetown: Caught four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 49-47 overtime win over Stratford.

Henry Blake, Georgetown: Had five total tackles and a sack for the Bulldogs in their 49-47 win over Stratford.

Pooh Brantley, Conway: Caught three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ 35-21 win over Hartsville.

Kered Class, North Myrtle Beach: Ran for 66 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns in the Chiefs’ 40-21 win over Carvers Bay.

Noah Freshley, Conway: Had 10 total tackles, in addition to forcing a fumble and recovering one for the Tigers in their 35-21 win over Hartsville.

Dalton Gasque, Aynor: Had a fumble recovery for a touchdown to go along with four tackles for a loss and two sacks in the Blue Jackets’ blowout of Creek Bridge.

Tyler Gore, North Myrtle Beach: Caught three passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the Chiefs’ win over Carvers Bay.

Dijon Goss, Carvers Bay: Had eight tackles along with catching a pass for 61 yards in the Bears’ 40-21 loss to North Myrtle Beach.

D’Wuan Grainger, Conway: Completed 10 of his 21 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 58 more yards in the Tigers’ 35-21 win over Hartsville.

Jermani Green, Myrtle Beach: Rushed for 70 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns in the Seahawks’ 51-34 loss to Socastee.

Chunk Grissett, Myrtle Beach: Caught 14 passes for 232 yards — tying a Seahawks single-game record with former standout Kyle Belack in 2014 — and a touchdown in his team’s 51-34 loss to Socastee.

Tonka Hemingway, Conway: Was in on six tackles for the Tigers in their 35-21 win over Hartsville.

Hunter Illing, Socastee: Completed 19 of his 25 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns, adding another on the ground for the Braves in a 51-34 win over Myrtle Beach.

Jahrique Isaiah, Loris: Caught three passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Lions’ 14-6 overtime win over Green Sea Floyds.

R.J. Knowlin, Andrews: Rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown in the Yellow Jackets’ 54-31 loss to Hemingway.

Kwame Livingston, North Myrtle Beach: Was in on 13 tackles for the Chiefs in their 40-21 win over Carvers Bay.

Jaylen Moody, Conway: Had 13 total tackles in the Tigers’ win over Hartsville.

Shedrick Pointer, Myrtle Beach: Was in on eight tackles for the Seahawks in their loss to Socastee.

R.J. Richardson, Carolina Forest: Five tackles in the Panthers’ loss to Hoggard (N.C.).

Kenney Solomon, Socastee: Had two interceptions, one of which went for a touchdown in the Braves’ win over Myrtle Beach.

Devin Stamp, Socastee: Caught eight passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the Braves’ 51-34 win over Myrtle Beach.

Deondray Stanfield, St. James: Was key in a furious Sharks comeback at Lake City, scoring five touchdowns and rushing for 208 yards in their 42-34 win.

Ishmael Taylor, Georgetown: Rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown in Georgetown’s 49-47 overtime win over Stratford.

Calvin Thomas, Georgetown: Was in on seven tackles and an interception for the Bulldogs in their 49-47 overtime win over Stratford.

Edward Tucker, Socastee: Caught six passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, along with eight tackles and a pair of interceptions in the Braves’ 51-34 win over Myrtle Beach.

Dominic Vereen, North Myrtle Beach: Was in on 11 tackles along with forcing a fumble in the Chiefs’ win over Carvers Bay.

Will Walton, Myrtle Beach: Was in on 13 tackles — five in the Socastee backfield — along with a fumble recovery in the Seahawks’ 51-34 loss.

Stephon Wilson, North Myrtle Beach: Had 10 total tackles for the Chiefs in their 40-21 win over Carvers Bay.

The Sun News’ Top 5 poll

1. Conway (4-0): After a satisfying win over Hartsville, a banged up group of Tigers get a week off ahead of their Battle for the Victory Bell against Myrtle Beach.

2. North Myrtle Beach (4-0): Despite taking it on the chin for portions of their game against Carvers Bay, a resilient Chiefs team pushed through to stay undefeated.

3. Carvers Bay (3-1): Losing to the No. 2 team in Class 4A is no indictment on how good this team is — or can be.

4. Socastee (3-0): Braves made a statement by hanging 50+ on rival Myrtle Beach. Do it this week against North Myrtle Beach, and they’ll have the entire state’s attention.

5. Carolina Forest (2-1): Dismal showing against Hoggard (N.C.) sends Panthers to sliding in latest Grand Strand poll.

Other teams considered: Andrews, St. James and Myrtle Beach

This story was originally published September 13, 2017 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Helmet stickers: Socastee, St. James’ Stanfield nab Week 4’s top honors."