Myrtle Beach tops Class AAA in first South Carolina writers’ football poll

The state’s football writers have spoken.

Their votes are surprisingly similar to a year ago.

For the second straight season, Myrtle Beach will open the year as the No. 1 team in South Carolina’s Class AAA. The Seahawks led a talented group of squads that include defending state champion South Pointe and Lower State champion Hartsville.

Those three teams were also Nos. 1-3 in last year’s preseason poll. Myrtle Beach’s postseason hopes were dashed when its top two quarterbacks, including Drayton Arnold, were sidelined with hand injuries last November.

The Seahawks return Drayton, fellow Old Dominion verbal commitment Brandon Sinclair and four offensive linemen to this year’s team.

The only other Grand Strand team appearing in the preseason polls was Loris. Jamie Snider’s team chimed in at No. 7 in Class AA. North Myrtle Beach started the year in the Class AAA receiving votes category for the second consecutive season.

CLASS AAAA

1. Spartanburg; 2. Fort Dorchester; 3. Dutch Fork; 4. Hillcrest; 5. Northwestern; 6. Dorman; 7. Byrnes; 8. Westwood; T9. York; T9. South Florence

Others receiving votes: Goose Creek, Greenwood, Westside, Lexington

CLASS AAA

1. Myrtle Beach; 2. South Pointe; 3. Hartsville; 4. Greer; 5. Seneca; 6. Marlboro County; 7. Belton-Honea Path; 8. Chapin; 9. Union County; 10. Berkeley

Others receiving votes: A.C. Flora, Daniel, Wren, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, North Myrtle Beach

CLASS AA

1. Dillon; 2. Timberland; 3. Newberry; 4. Abbeville; 5. Fairfield Central; 6. Batesburg-Leesville; 7. Loris; 8. Chesnee; 9. Pendleton; 10. Woodruff

Others receiving votes: Chesterfield, Ninety Six, Central, Powdersville, Blacksburg, Cheraw

CLASS A

1. Christ Church; 2. McBee; 3. Williston-Elko; 4. Bamberg-Ehrhardt; T5. Lamar; T5. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler; 7. Lake View; 8. Calhoun County; 9. Allendale-Fairfax; 10. Lewisville

Others receiving votes: St. John's, Southside Christian, Hemingway, Cross, Fox Creek

The S.C. Prep Media Football Poll is conducted by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal with voting from Andrew Macke, Greenwood Index Journal; Bob Castello, Greenville News; Mike McCombs, The Island Packet; Chris Clark, Orangeburg Times and Democrat; Chris Dearing, The State; Ian Guerin, Myrtle Beach Sun News; Kevin Melton, Spartanburg Herald Journal; Lou Bezjak, The State; Lake Morris, Anderson Independent Mail; David Shelton, Charleston Post and Courier; Bret McCormick, The Herald (Rock Hill) and Eric Russell, Aiken Standard.

This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 8:48 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach tops Class AAA in first South Carolina writers’ football poll."