News Summary
The Midlands area anticipates an exciting high school football season as standout quarterbacks, including South Carolina’s Mr. Football Will Wilson and the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year AJ Brand, move on to collegiate play. Returning talents like Roper Wentzky and Tre Howard look to lead their teams, while new faces also promise to make their mark. With practices starting soon, coaches focus on developing the next generation of football stars, creating a dynamic landscape for the upcoming season.
Columbia, SC – The 2024 high school football season was marked by remarkable performances from local quarterbacks in the Midlands, setting a high standard for the upcoming 2025 season. Key figures like Will Wilson from Richland Northeast and AJ Brand from Irmo have garnered attention and accolades, with Wilson being named South Carolina’s Mr. Football and Brand awarded the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. Both players are making strides as they transition to collegiate football; Wilson will play at North Carolina State University, while Brand heads to Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
This year, several teams will see new faces under center, leading to a fresh dynamic in the Midlands’ high school football landscape. The region is brimming with potential as local coaches and programs prepare to develop the next wave of talent. Identifying standout players is crucial, and The State Newspaper has released a ranking of the top quarterbacks to watch in the coming season.
Key Quarterbacks in the 2025 Season
Among the notable returning players is Roper Wentzky from AC Flora. Wentzky, a senior entering his third year as a starter, recorded impressive numbers last season, completing 62.9% of his passes for 2,684 yards, with 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His experience is expected to be a significant asset for his team this season.
Tre Howard from Ridge View is another quarterback to keep an eye on. As a junior in his second starting year, Howard completed 65.6% of his passes, throwing for 2,476 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also demonstrating his versatility by rushing for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
Patrick Belk, a senior at Heathwood Hall, is seeking a comeback in 2025 after an injury limited his play in 2023. His performance will be critical in steering the team back into contention. Meanwhile, Tyler Waller from Gray Collegiate, also a senior, completed 63% of his passes for 1,112 yards alongside 13 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capability with an additional 404 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Brayden Moore from River Bluff took over the starting role late last season and performed admirably, throwing for 718 yards and five touchdowns. His experience gained will be essential as he enters this season as the lead quarterback.
Another notable player is Dre Dopson, a senior from Irmo who previously played at Brookland-Cayce. Dopson boasts significant experience, having thrown for nearly 1,500 passing yards and rushed for around 300 yards with a notable 23 total touchdowns last season. He adds depth and seasoned skill to Irmo’s offensive lineup.
First-year starter Jaxon Knotts from Dutch Fork is anticipated to utilize talented teammates effectively, paving the way for a promising season. In Newberry, Kenton Caldwell also had an impressive year last season, passing for 1,575 yards and rushing for 382 yards, accumulating 26 touchdowns—an indicator of his dual-threat prowess.
Jay Stoker from Chapin hopes to fill the shoes of record-setting quarterback Brady Albro, who graduated. Stoker, previously a two-year starter at Easley, faces a pivotal role in maintaining Chapin’s competitive edge.
Support also comes from Greyson Rimpf, son of Camden’s head coach, who steps in as a new starter after seeing action in seven games last season, throwing for 853 yards and six touchdowns. Other quarterbacks to watch include Carrington Carter from Westwood, Kaden Diggs from Fairfield Central, and Kendall Wright from Swansea.
Looking Ahead
The excitement surrounding the start of the high school football season is building, with Class 6A programs set to begin practice on August 4, closely followed by Class 1A-4A teams starting on August 11. The accomplishments of the 2024 quarterbacks have set a high bar and intrigue as teams navigate through the new talent and their ambitions for the upcoming season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: High school football
- MRT
- Google Search: high school football
- WLTX
- Google Scholar: high school football statistics
- Indy Star
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Newswest9
- Google News: high school football 2024 season
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
