Mid-term grades for area Class AAAA teams

With their off weeks in the rearview, the area’s three Class AAAA squads open region play this week.

Conway and Carolina Forest have the look of teams prepared to do what they need to in the coming weeks to either, in the Tigers’ case, return to the postseason, or – for Carolina Forest – finally qualify for the Class AAAA playoffs for the first time. Those two and Socastee have their pros and cons. Each of the three were assigned a grade based on preseason expectations, returning talent and their non-region slates.

CAROLINA FOREST

Record: 3-3

How the Panthers got to this point: They started off the year by beating Darlington and then lost a close contest to then-No. 2 Fort Dorchester. The win-one, lose-one trend continued against St. James and North Myrtle Beach, as well as Myrtle Beach and Lexington.

Biggest strength: The rushing attack of Carolina Forest has put it in position to win games that used to be massive blowout losses, and the Panthers are now a team that has an opportunity to beat any opponent on their schedule. What’s more, they have to be considered the favorite against multiple region foes.

Biggest weakness: If there is a critique that stands out above the rest, it’s that Marc Morris’ squad struggles with consistency. It’s not simply from one game to the next, but also one quarter to the next. On any given night, the Panthers could steamroll the opposing team or make head-scratching mistakes that cost it.

Team Grade: B-

CONWAY

Record: 5-1

How the Tigers got to this point: Outside of the thumping they took against Class AAA No. 1 Hartsville, and they’ve made the most of the non-region portion of the schedule. Conway made quick work of South Brunswick (N.C.), Socastee and Marlboro County, and also won narrow games against quality opponents Georgetown and Myrtle Beach.

Biggest strength: Not since 2008 have the Tigers played with this much confidence. They enter every game believing a win is not only a possibility, but that it’s going to happen. Talent plays a big role in that, but execution has been nearly as effective. Offensively and defensively, this is just a different team than Chuck Jordan has had in some time.

Biggest weakness: If there is a chink in the armor, it is the Tigers’ rush defense. Socastee (Malachi McClendon), Hartsville (Jalen Jacobs, Shy McPhail) and Myrtle Beach (Brandon Sinclair) each had at least one ball carrier go for more than 100 yards. Some of that is scheme, but in a close game against similarly sized opponents, it could be the difference in a region title.

Team Grade: A

SOCASTEE

Record: 1-5

How the Braves got to this point: After starting 0-4 with losses to a pair of out-of-state teams, Conway and Myrtle Beach, they finally got into the win column with an upset of North Myrtle Beach on the road. They wrapped up non-region play with a loss at home against St. James.

Biggest strength: Socastee has nowhere to go but up. But what the Braves also have is an opportunity to work on their future – behind newly anointed quarterback Hunter Illing – with expectations. It could lead to the Braves sneaking up on opponents that make the mistake of taking them too lightly.

Biggest weakness: A new scheme and a whole bunch of relatively inexperienced faces is tough to overcome, especially against at least three region teams that are primed for postseason success. At some point, experience between teammates matters, and Socastee doesn’t have much of that.

Team Grade: C-

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Mid-term grades for area Class AAAA teams."