Columbia, SC, August 1, 2025
News Summary
The 2024 high school football season in the Midlands brings significant changes as over half of the teams welcome new quarterbacks. With the departure of standout players Will Wilson and AJ Brand, many schools are keenly observing emerging talents. The State Newspaper has highlighted promising players, including seniors Roper Wentzky and Tyler Waller, and junior Tre Howard, all aiming to lead their teams to victory. This season promises competitive games and a focus on how these new quarterbacks adapt to the challenges ahead.
Columbia, SC – The 2024 high school football season in the Midlands is set to showcase a new generation of quarterbacks amid the departure of two standout players. Last season, Richland Northeast’s Will Wilson earned South Carolina’s prestigious Mr. Football honor, while Irmo’s AJ Brand was recognized as the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year, leading his team to a state championship appearance. With both players now playing at the collegiate level—Wilson at North Carolina State and Brand at Virginia Tech—the region faces a significant talent void at the quarterback position.
As the current season unfolds, over half of the Midlands high school football teams are introducing new quarterbacks, resulting in an intriguing competition for the position across various schools. The State Newspaper has provided a ranked list of the most promising signal callers to keep an eye on during the season.
Key Quarterbacks to Watch
The following quarterbacks have been identified as some of the top talents in the Midlands for the upcoming season:
- Roper Wentzky, AC Flora: A senior entering his third year as a starting quarterback, Wentzky completed 62.9% of his passes last season, totaling 2,684 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
- Tre Howard, Ridge View: This junior is in his second year as a starting quarterback, having completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,476 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season, while also rushing for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Patrick Belk, Heathwood Hall: A seasoned senior who missed most of the previous season due to injury, Belk aims to build on his strong performance from last year.
- Tyler Waller, Gray Collegiate: Another senior in his third year, Waller completed 63% of his passes for 1,112 yards, along with 13 touchdowns and 404 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns last season.
- Brayden Moore, River Bluff: Moore took over starting duties late in the previous season and threw for 718 yards and 5 touchdowns.
- Dre Dopson, Irmo: A senior who transferred from Brookland-Cayce, Dopson previously threw for nearly 1,500 yards and rushed for around 300 yards with a total of 23 touchdowns.
- Jaxon Knotts, Dutch Fork: In his first season as the quarterback for the defending state champions, Knotts had modest stats last season with 14 completions for 114 yards in 4 games.
- Kenton Caldwell, Newberry: Completing 98 of 142 passes for 1,575 yards last season, Caldwell also rushed for 382 yards, contributing to a total of 26 touchdowns.
- Jay Stoker, Chapin: Stoker is a recent transfer from Easley and is replacing a record-setting quarterback, having thrown for 1,173 yards and rushed for 198 yards with 13 touchdowns last year.
- Greyson Rimpf, Camden: A junior and the son of the head coach, Rimpf will be starting his first season as quarterback, having previously passed for 853 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Other Notable Quarterbacks
Other quarterbacks to watch include Carrington Carter from Westwood, Kaden Diggs of Fairfield Central, and Kendall Wright representing Swansea.
Context and Implications
The transition period for the Midlands quarterbacks presents a unique challenge and opportunity for high school teams. With the emergence of new talent, coaches and scouts will be keenly observing how these players adapt to the pressures of leading their respective teams. This season promises to be just as competitive, with numerous young quarterbacks stepping up in an effort to fill the shoes of their predecessors.
The successful performance of quarterbacks can significantly impact the trajectory of their teams, making this an exciting time for fans and teams across the Midlands region. The upcoming games will be critical not only for the players striving for personal success but also for their schools aiming to achieve victory and glory.
FAQ
Who were the standout quarterbacks from last season?
Will Wilson from Richland Northeast and AJ Brand from Irmo were the standout quarterbacks, with Wilson winning Mr. Football and Brand being named Gatorade Player of the Year.
Which teams are introducing new quarterbacks this season?
Over half of the Midlands high school teams are introducing new quarterbacks for the current season.
What is the performance of the top quarterbacks entering the new season?
Some of the top quarterbacks include Roper Wentzky of AC Flora, Tre Howard of Ridge View, and Patrick Belk of Heathwood Hall, each with impressive statistics from the previous season.
| Quarterback | School | Year | Pass Completion % | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Rushing Yards | Rushing Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roper Wentzky | AC Flora | Senior | 62.9% | 2,684 | 28 | N/A | N/A |
| Tre Howard | Ridge View | Junior | 65.6% | 2,476 | 22 | 298 | 3 |
| Patrick Belk | Heathwood Hall | Senior | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tyler Waller | Gray Collegiate | Senior | 63% | 1,112 | 13 | 404 | 4 |
| Brayden Moore | River Bluff | N/A | N/A | 718 | 5 | N/A | N/A |
| Dre Dopson | Irmo | Senior | N/A | 1,500 (approx.) | 23 | 300 (approx.) | N/A |
| Jaxon Knotts | Dutch Fork | N/A | N/A | 114 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kenton Caldwell | Newberry | Senior | N/A | 1,575 | 26 | 382 | N/A |
| Jay Stoker | Chapin | N/A | N/A | 1,173 | 13 | 198 | N/A |
| Greyson Rimpf | Camden | Junior | N/A | 853 | 6 | N/A | N/A |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The State: High School Football Season Overview
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- MRT: Top Quarterbacks to Watch
- Google Search: High School Football Quarterbacks
- IndyStar: Purdue Football Freshman QB
- Google Scholar: High School Football Performance
- WLTX: Hunter Helms Football Insight
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- MRT: Midland High Showcase
- Google News: Midland High Football
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, 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 Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. 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, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
