Marlboro’s Alford named Morning News Preseason Player of the Year

BENNETTSVILLE—It was only two seasons ago that Elliot Alford was thrown into the starting quarterback role at Marlboro County because of injuries.

Listed as third on the depth chart, Alford didn’t get too many snaps in practice or too many looks in passing leagues before he was handed the keys to the Bulldogs’ offense.

The sophomore’s first game? An opening-night matchup against then nationally-ranked Richmond County in North Carolina.

“I was kind of nervous, didn’t really know if I could get the job done,” Alford said. “But as the game went on, I made some plays and started believing in myself more.”

Alford and the Bulldogs lost his debut, coming up short on the last play of the game that might have sent the contest into overtime.

But the 21-13 score and the way he played foreshadowed what was to come. A year later, Alford had Marlboro a play away from the state championship.

This year, he’s hoping to take that last step toward a title.

Alford’s amazing rise and stellar junior year (2,632 yards passing, 31 touchdowns, 56 percent completion percentage, 221 yards rushing) have earned him the Morning News Preseason Player of the Year honor.

Not since Syvelle Newton in 2002 has a Marlboro County player held that title. Newton quarterbacked the Bulldogs before splitting time at quarterback and receiver at USC from 2003-2006.

“We’ve had a lot of great quarterbacks here,” Bulldogs coach Dean Boyd said. “I think what separates Elliot from the rest is his vision and his commitment in the weight room. He’s worked extremely hard to get to where he is.

“He’s got that special quality that you can’t put your finger on that just makes him a winner.”

Last season, Alford didn’t fall victim to a second-year jinx. He led the Pee Dee in passing yards and touchdown passes while helping Marlboro to a 10-4 record.
“After I got in there and showed what I could do, the coaching staff and the team really rallied behind me that first year,” Alford said.

“Last year, I just wanted to come back and show that it wasn’t a fluke and get this team to state.”

After Alford was intercepted 17 times as a sophomore, his understanding of the offense and coverage schemes grew by leaps and bounds. Last season, he cut his INTs nearly in half with just nine.

Alford’s relentless conditioning routine has him running the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, which is down from 5.2 two years ago.

“I didn’t really like to run all that much when I started because I wasn’t that fast,” Alford said. “Now I feel a little more comfortable that when a play breaks down, I can still make a big play.”

Even so, Alford thinks of himself as a drop-back passer and looks to make a play with his arm first.

“We’ve got a lot of athletic guys on this team who can make plays downfield and score touchdowns a whole lot easier than I can running around,” Alford said with a chuckle.

With the losses of some of their top wideouts from last season, the Bulldogs will count on Alford’s arm and legs even more this season.

“We’re putting a lot on his shoulders this year,” Boyd said. “I think he understands he has to be the catalyst for our offense and for our team.”

OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK

Elliot Alford
Marlboro County
Sr., 6-1, 165

2008: Completed 167 of 298 passes for 2,632 yards, 31 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Also had 221 yards rushing.

RUNNING BACKS
Shon Carson
Lake City
Jr.,

2008: Rushed for 1,636 yards on 186 carries with 19 touchdowns.

Dre Scott
Hartsville
Sr., 5-11, 165

2008: Rushed for 1,057 yards on 164 carries with 13 touchdowns

RECEIVERS
Sergio Johnson
Chesterfield
Sr., 5-8, 173

2008: Had 24 combined touchdowns and 1,500 total yards as wideout, running back.

Antuawn Blue
Dillon
Sr., 5-11, 162

2008: Caught eight TD passes, had 10 total TDs and had five INTs as defensive back.

Jaquan Brantley
Marlboro County
Sr., 5-10, 170

2008: Had 37 catches for 570 yards and four touchdowns.

TIGHT END
Will Lucas
Hartsville
Sr., 6-1, 240
2008: Caught six passes for 63 yards and one TD and also recorded 63 knockdown blocks.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Kaleb Carter
Wilson
Sr., 6-4, 275

Hayden Wilkes
Chesterfield
Jr., 6-3, 301

Dexter Morant
Manning
Sr., 6-6, 235

Thomas Teal
Marlboro County
Sr., 6-3, 325

DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Lee Pegues
Marlboro County
Sr., 6-3, 240

2008: Had 113 tackles, three sacks and 17 tackles for a loss.

Moon Edwards
Chesterfield
Sr., 6-1, 248

2008: Had almost 90 total tackles and 24 tackles for a loss.

BJ Goodson
Lamar
Jr., 6-2, 215

2008: Led team with 10 sacks and had almost 90 total tackles.

Terrence Jennerette
Carvers Bay
Jr., 6-2, 305

2008: Had almost 70 tackles and seven sacks.

LINEBACKERS
Kentell Kelly
Lake View
Sr., 6-0, 180

2008: Had 94 tackles, eight sacks and one interception.

Sammy Merriman
Cheraw
Jr., 6-2, 190

2008: Had 125 tackles with three sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Mike McAllister
Timmonsville
Jr., 6-3, 210

2008: Led team in tackles as a
sophomore with 155.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Davious Chestnut
Carvers Bay
Sr., 6-3, 185

2008: Had four INTs, more than 30 tackles and 746 yards rushing.

John Fulton
Manning
Sr., 6-0, 175

2008: Had eight interceptions and seven kickoff/punt returns for TDs.

Adam Peterson
Hartsville
Sr., 6-0, 175

2008: Had 46 tackles and
three interceptions.

Sheldon Robinson
Lake City
Sr., 5-7, 165

2008: Had four interceptions
and 41 tackles.

Ryan Echols
Wilson
Sr., 5-11, 180

2008: Had 78 tackles and one
interception at strong safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Adam Lightsinger
Marlboro County
Sr., 5-10, 180
2008: Made 28 of 44 extra point attempts and was 1-for-2 on field goal tries. Had a 31.6 yards per punt average.