Florence Christian’s Schwab wins defensive award

By Dennis Brunson

           hssr.com Associate Editor

           Florence – Florence Christian School junior defensive lineman Hayden Schwab was selected as the SCISA Region 2-AAA Defensive Player of the Year.

           Schwaub, who was the only returning starter on the D line for the FCS football team, had team highs in tackles with 97, tackles for loss with 11 ½ and quarterback sacks with eight, returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown, caused two fumbles and recovered another.

           The Eagles finished the year with an 8-3 overall record and reached the semifinals of the state playoffs. Veteran head coach Neil Minton was pleased with the team’s performance.

“We had a great season,” Minton said. “We played five games against teams who played for state titles (AAA state champion Pinewood Prep in the semifinals, AAA runner-up and region foe Wilson Hall, AAAA runner-up Heathwood Hall, AA runner-up Pee Dee Academy and Class A state champion Williamsburg Academy). Our young people battled and competed with great determination and character. I am proud of our growth and will really miss our seniors.”

The Eagles were 2-3 in the games against the five title contenders. They beat Heathwood Hall 14-13 and Pee Dee 21-0 while losing to Williamsburg 34-21, Wilson Hall 34-15 for the region title and Pinewood Prep 45-6.

Florence Christian had five other players selected to the All-Region 2-AAA team. They were senior Brooks Poston, senior Pierce Boykin, senior Parker Watson and juniors Josh Davis and Andrew Miller.

           Poston, who started in the secondary on defense, finished with 40 tackles, two interceptions, two passes defended and two fumbles caused. As a wide receiver and running back on offense, Poston caught 11 passes for 187 yards and a score and had 84 carries for 502 yards and seven touchdowns.

           Boykin had five sacks, 72 tackles and 10 ½ TFLs as a defensive lineman.

           Davis and Miller both were starting running backs on offense as well as starters in the secondary. Defensively, Davis had 37 tackles, 5 ½ TFLs, one PD and caused three fumbles, while Miller had 37 tackles, five TFLs and three sacks.

           Miller was FCS’ leading rusher with 884 yards and 14 touchdowns on 143 carries. Davis had 82 carries for 389 yards and four touchdowns.

           Watson was the starting left offensive tackle and was a 2-year starter.

           The Eagles look to have eight starters back on defense and six on offense. One of the returners on offense will be sophomore quarterback Riley Minton, the coach’s son.

           In his second season as a starter, Minton completed 68 of 113 passes for 978 yards and four touchdowns while running for 163 yards and five scores on 45 carries.