Simmons' departure leaves Burke with a big void

There are plenty of big-name football players in Region 6-AA.

But the one player you won't find in conference battles is Burke quarterback Del'Javon Simmons, the region player of the year in 2008.

Simmons, who accounted for more than 3,200 yards in total offense last year, decided to transfer to Oldsmar (Fla.) Christian School for his senior year to play basketball and baseball. Simmons' new school does not participate in football.

Still, there's plenty of talented quarterbacks in the conference, including Woodland junior Robert Smith and Bishop England junior Mikell Fosberry.

Smith a big-time prospect, led the Lowcountry with 2,101 yards passing and 22 touchdowns in the regular season. Fosberry was the No. 3 passer in the area with 1,591 yards and 15 touchdowns in the regular season.

Woodland, which went 8-4 last year, is loaded with returning starters and is the team to beat. Coach Reed Charpia, who begins the season with 223 victories, welcomed back seven starters on offense and eight on defense.

Bishop England flourished in coach John Cantey's first year as head coach, producing a 9-3 record.

But graduation took a toll on the Bishops, who have five starters on offense and two on defense. The Bishops are so young that seven sophomores could be starting by the end of the season.

Jon Rose left Burke to take an administrative job at North Charleston, so the venerable Earl Brown is pinch hitting as head coach of the Bulldogs. The team features talented basketball players Sidney Sanders and Michael Heyward. But depth could be an issue.

The final playoff spot in Region 6-AA should be a fight between Cane Bay and Ashley Ridge, schools that are in their second year of existence.

WOODLAND

WOLVERINES

2008: 8-4, 4-1

COACH: Reed Charpia (6th year)

RETURNING STARTERS: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Robert Smith, RB Nagui Wright, WR Harold Seabrook, OL Ricky Pringle, LB Daniel Mitchell DB Kijuan Edwards, DE Damian Alston.

OUTLOOK: The defense struggled at times last year, but the offense was high octane behind the direction of Smith, a major college prospect. The Wolverines averaged 36.5 points per game. Smith also rushed for 971 yards in the regular season. Nagui Wright also is a capable runner. Look for more of the same in 2009

NOTES: Otez Ross is the only starting wide receiver to return. Woodland's defense recorded two shutouts last fall but gave up at least 30 points in three games

BISHOP ENGLAND

BISHOPS

2008: 9-3, 4-1

COACH: John Cantey (2nd year)

RETURNING STARTERS: 7 (5 offense, 2 defense)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Mikell Fosberry, RB Thomas Grimsley, OL Joe Fongerousse, DB Patrick Sutton, WR Stephen Griffith, DL Jesse Jones.

OUTLOOK: Cantey must oversee a major rebuilding of the defense as nine starters graduated. The Bishops gave up only 13.5 points per game last year and posted three shutouts. Fosberry had great success passing, but has three new receivers to start the season.

NOTES: The sophomore class appears to be strong. Cameron Swails is slated to start at linebacker and running back. Other sophomores to keep an eye on are Andrew Bunch, Danny Croghan, Matt Shiver and Joe Provost.

BURKE

BULLDOGS

2008: 6-5, 4-1

RETURNING STARTERS: 12 (8 offense, 4 defense)

COACH: Earl Brown (1st year)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Sidney Simmons, RB Michael Heyward, OL Nate Moten, DB Solomon Dukes, OL Ronald Spain.

OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs have some of the best athletes in the conference, but just can't match Woodland's or Bishop England's depth. Sidney Sanders was the top receiver on the team with 35 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Bulldogs' strong point last year was offense as they averaged 38 points per game.

NOTES: The heart of the team is made up of basketball players. Simmons, Sanders and Heyward have led the basketball Bulldogs to a 47-5 record the past two seasons.

CANE BAY

COBRAS

2008: 2-8, 2-3

RETURNING STARTERS: 20 (9 offense, 11 defense)

COACH: Jeff Cruce (2nd year)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Fritz Simmons, RB James Bishop, OL Joseph Hill, LB Cullen Seabrook, LB Tarig Simmons, CB Cody Rose, LB Darius Warren:

OUTLOOK: The Cobras actually finished fourth in the conference, but were on probation and ineligible to compete. The school is in its second year of fielding a team and coach Cruce feels his team can have a winning record. The Cobras had one of the least productive offense in the state last year, averaging only 8.0 points per game.

ASHLEY RIDGE

SWAMP FOXES

2008: 2-9, 1-4

RETURNING STARTERS: 19 (10 offense, 9 defense)

COACH: Doc Davis (2nd year)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Cameron Cox, WR Seamus McKinney, TB Otis Neal, TB Romelo Doctor, LB Lorenzo Baker, LB Kevin Lester, DE Tre Deloach.

OUTLOOK: The Swamp Foxes should be improved on both sides of the ball. Last year, they scored 11 points a game and allowed 30.5

NOTES: Give Davis time and he will build a winner. He won 178 games and five state titles at Spartanburg.

GARRETT TECH

FALCONS

2008: 2-9, 0-5

Returning starters: 6 (3 offense, 3 defense)

COACH: Dirk Thomas (4th year)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Devonte Thames, OT Keith Rivers, WR Deaunte Smith, RB Jonathan Roberts, DL Deandre Gadsden, DL Raymond Seabrook, DB Marcus Campbell,

OUTLOOK: The team is young with many sophomores filling many key roles, including Thames at quarterback. The Falcons averaged only 10.5 points per game last fall, so the offense must step up. The defense was porous most of the year, allowing 33 points per game.

NOTES: The freshman class is solid with 15 players, including a starter at linebacker and wide receiver.