Prep Talk

Conway's Moreland makes college choice

Conway tailback Seth Moreland ran behind Tim Fowler on many of his carries in 2008. Now he's planning to do it for four more years.

Moreland committed this weekend to Presbyterian College, an FCS member of the Big South Conference, during an official visit to the school, Conway coach Chuck Jordan said. Fowler, an offensive lineman, chose the Blue Hose over several other schools in December.

Myrtle Beach-Byrnes sign three-year deal to meet in football

Perhaps the nation's No. 1 team, No. 1 senior and No. 1 junior will all take the field at the same time this September. And they might do it on national TV.

Myrtle Beach and Byrnes have inked a contract to play in each of the next three seasons, starting with a Sept. 4 matchup in Duncan. The Rebels will visit Doug Shaw Stadium in 2010 before a third game at Byrnes in 2011.

Benton earns scholarship at Clemson

Former Myrtle Beach football standout Spencer Benton will vie for the vacant starting kicker position at Clemson as a scholarship athlete, according to a report.

Update on former area football standout

Former Waccamaw football standout Eric Sparkman, who is spending this year at Fork Union (Va.) prep school, isn't likely to sign a National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day. Fork Union (Va.) coach John Shuman said earlier this week that Sparkman thrived on both sides of the ball last fall and has a promising college career in front of him. However, he also said that Sparkman needed more work academically before he tried to promote him to college suitors.

Area product dismisses report of commitment

Conway product Tyran Melvin, who began his college career at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, said today that a report in Tuesday's edition of The (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat claiming he had committed to S.C. State is false.

Melvin said his recruitment remains open. The 6-foot-2, 240 pounder, who missed this past season at Hutchinson with an injury, has a bevy of scholarship offers, including S.C. State, Coastal Carolina, Arizona, Middle Tennessee, Howard, Texas Southern and others, he said.

Melvin, who plans to make a decision next week, visited S.C. State this past weekend and said that while he is considering the Bulldogs, he hasn't told the coaching staff that he is coming. The defensive end/outside linebacker has three years of eligibility remaining after redshirting this past season.

Area prep standout chooses Coastal Carolina

For the second straight year, South Columbus (N.C.) will send one of its players down U.S. 701 to Coastal Carolina.

Offensive lineman Pat Worley has committed to the Chanticleers, joining linebacker Andrae Jacobs, who is already on the roster at Coastal Carolina. Worley, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound Shrine Bowl selection, said he could end up playing anywhere on the offensive line, though the coaching staff believes he best fits at guard.

Worley helped the Stallions rack up 11,152 total yards of total offense in his final two seasons.

Area player headed to FCS powerhouse

Conway standout Michael Frazier used his speed to wreak havoc all over the field during his stellar prep career. Now he's headed to a college program that prides itself on playing faster than all of its opponents.

Frazier committed this weekend to Appalachian State, winners of three of the last four FCS national championships, where he is expected to showcase his versatility at strong safety.

One area school ranked in preseason baseball polls

Conway's baseball team, which was swept by Boiling Springs in last year's Class AAAA state championship series, will begin the 2009 season ranked third in the classification.

The Tigers were slotted behind No. 1 Dorman and Boiling Springs in the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association preseason poll when it was released on Monday. Conway returns all-state pitchers Colby Holmes, a South Carolina signee, and Bobby Watford, a Coastal Carolina signee. Conway finished 28-4 last season, winning 26 consecutive games - the fifth-longest winning streak in state history - at one point.

No other area team was ranked, but Lake City, which joined Region VII-AAA this season, is sixth in Class AAA behind perennial powers Brookland-Cayce (first), A.C. Flora (second) and Riverside (third). Gilbert is No. 1 in Class AA, and Bamberg-Ehrhardt starts season ranked first in Class A.

For all the polls, click below:

Area standout commits to FBS university

North Myrtle Beach is sending its prized recruit to the nation's northern reaches for the second straight year. Standout corner Jermaine Vereen has committed to Western Michigan, a 2008 bowl participant and member of the Mid-American Conference, joining 2007 Chiefs standout Ryan Quigley (Boston College) in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Area player set to commit to S.C. State

Buddy Pough lured two Gause football standouts to the University of South Carolina earlier this decade. Now he's raiding the family tree once again. Conway offensive lineman Erskine Johnson said he plans to commit on Wednesday to S.C. State, which is coached by former USC assistant Pough, ending a recruitment that drew the attention of a multitude of Football Championship Subdivision schools.