Spartanburg’s Love Headlines A List Of Top Specialists In ’26 Class In SC

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Moncks Corner - Go to any football practice and look around. You will likely find the offenses and defenses getting their work done. Look away from those groups, sometimes on a totally different field, and you will find the kickers and punters.

As practice nears an ending, the coaches ask the kickers to join them and tells them if they make a 40-yard field goal, the rest of the team escapes 100-yard sprints. No pressure, just the entire team counting on you.

But, to be a successful specialist, you need nerves of steel and you want that type of pressure. The pressure is certainly increased in live games that are decided by a kick of some kind. Nobody really knows your name until you miss a 40-yard field goal, or shank and extra point or punt.

The roles of specialists have evolved over time. Not that long ago, a lineman or quarterback was the placekicker or punter. Some teams didn’t even attempt kicks because old school coaches didn’t want to waste the practice time.

Nowadays, there are true specialists, guys who spend as much time on their craft as any quarterback or receiver.

South Carolina has its share of quality kickers and punters. Though few will actually earn a scholarship to use their craft on the college level, there will be a handful that earn a next-level opportunity as preferred walk-ons. Some may never kick or punt after high school, just as it is with every other position on the field.

As has been the case for the last several years, the Palmetto State has quite a few quality Friday night performers who use their feet to help their teams win. Some have stronger legs for better distance while others are known for accuracy or the ability to pin teams deep on their own end.

In recent years, the Lowcountry has been home to some of the top specialists in the state. The top performer in the 2025 class is from the Upstate in the person of Spartanburg High’s Will Love.

Love has impressed college coaches at all levels but ended his recruitment during the spring with a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech. He is the only kicker in the state with a power 4 offer as the season begins.

Spartanburg head coach Mark Hodge has complete and total faith in his strong-legged kicker. Handling pressure is one of his strengths.

“Nerves of steel,” Hodge said. “I have no reservations asking him to kick a long field goal or a field goal with the game on the line. He loves the pressure. I might be biased but I believe he is the best in the state.”

Love made nine-of-15 field goal attempts last season with a long of 51 yards. He missed one extra point in 26 attempts. Love has made 18 field goals over the previous three seasons. His kickoffs routinely end up inside the five-yard line or the end zone.

Mountain View Prep’s Henry Phillips made 10 field goals and 58 extra points last season. He and Love are generally considered the top two placekickers on the state and Phillips is only junior.

Other top kickers in the Upper State include Brock Franklin of Laurens, Curt Horton of Andrew Jackson, and Mitchell Bobbitt of Blue Ridge.

One of the top returning kickers in the Lowcountry is CJ Falotico of Phillip Simmons. Last season Falotico averaged 54.4 yards per kickoff and nearly 34 yards per punt. He also converted six-of-eight field goal attempts with a long of 57 yards.

Like most serious kickers, Falotico attends highly credible kicking camps and competitions and has fared well on a national scale.

“We’ve been fortunate with special teams over the last few years and CJ ranks right up there with the best,” said Philip Simmons coach Eric Bendig.

Cane Bay junior Aiden Thorn also competes at a high level, kicking a 60-yard field goal and a 57-yard punt over the summer.

“His kickoffs are so valuable and the ball really travels when he gets hold of one good,” Cane Bay coach Russell Zehr said. “I don’t hesitate to try a field goal anytime we’re inside the 40.”

 James Island sophomore Isaac Lorentz is next in a recent string of top kickers. He has 50-yard range on field goals.

Wando freshman Cameron Moody is a young talent to watch grow and Berkeley junior Ryland Curwen is potentially the best in school history.

Other top performers to watch this fall include Jackson Summey (Oceanside Collegiate), Elliott Parrot (Strafford), Hunter Thiem (Porter-Gaud) and Sully Damron (Lucy Beckham).

Most of the placekickers also handle punting duties for their respective teams like Cole McLeod of Northwood Academy . Some of the best punters in the state include Ashton Davis of Blythewood and Ethan Mick of South Pointe.