With prep sports completed for the 2019-20 school year and seniors graduating, it’s time to look toward the 2020-21 year and discover who will be taking the place of the departing star athletes. This is a collection of 10 male student athletes who are expected to truly shine next year for the first time in their high school careers.
The list’s criteria allows for players who have either flashed in limited playing time or who have started but will likely ascend to star-level production next season to be selected.
Josh Brown, Columbia, football/basketball: Many Wildcat fans are already aware of No. 2 and his highlight-worthy long runs on the gridiron and straight-line drives on the hardwood. But Brown is only just scratching the surface of his potential. As a rising junior, he is already among the fastest and shiftiest athletes in the county, and he should become a full-blown star in both sports next year. With the ball in his hands in football, there isn’t a more exciting player than Brown in the county, evidenced by rushing for 516 yards and nine touchdowns on just 47 carries (11.0 yards per carry). Whether he’s Columbia’s quarterback in the fall or returns to his Swiss-army knife role, Brown will be a big play waiting to happen.
Jonathan Wiltz, Columbia, football: Wiltz became a fixture in Columbia’s defense as an outside linebacker by the end of his sophomore season, but he has the capability to become a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball. He flashed the ability to roam sideline to sideline and deliver big hits, but there’s more playmaking potential to be met. On the offensive end as a reserve running back, the young man known as “J-Prince” actually led all of Marion County in yards per carry despite its wealth of supremely talented ball carriers. He ran for 266 yards and four touchdowns on only 16 carries (16.6 yards per carry) and simply has a knack for finding big holes.
Dashod Ball, Columbia, football: Although Ball hasn’t produced much going into his senior season, that’s due more to the talent that was in front of him than his own ability. As a 5-foot-11 receiver and defensive back, he has the size, speed and physicality to start both ways next season. Coaches rave about his ability and work ethic.
Chandler Carver, Columbia, basketball/baseball: Carver burst onto the scene as a freshman on the diamond, not only earning a starting role but becoming one of Columbia’s most consistent hitters at the dish. His sophomore year was a wash because of COVID-19, but he has college-level ability in baseball. On the hardwood, Carver became a starting guard for the Wildcats this past year and was their leading perimeter shooter. If he can tighten up his handle a little and become a little more consistent with his shot, he could average 10-plus points and five assists per game next year.
Cody Fortenberry, Columbia Academy, basketball: Fortenberry was a key part of CA’s state title as a sophomore, but he will be stepping into a starring role next year. With the size and athleticism of an elite high school forward and the scoring touch of a guard, Fortenberry will be a force to be reckoned with for the Cougars. Don’t be surprised if he leads all scorers in Marion County next year.
Preston Sauls, Columbia Academy, football/baseball: Sauls earned The Columbian-Progress Newcomer of the Year award as a freshman for the Cougars on the gridiron and is only getting started. While sharing the backfield with Riles Stuart, Sauls averaged 6.1 yards per carry and totaled 799 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. With Stuart graduating, Sauls will likely go well over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, and he will also be a starting linebacker. On the diamond, Sauls saw some time early on at shortstop, and with the Cougars graduating much of their starting lineup he will likely be a fixture in the lineup.
Tyler Aikens, West Marion, football/baseball: Aikens first arrived on the scene as a freshman pinch runner for the Trojans baseball team in 2019, flashing legitimate speed and instinct on the basepaths. Then he earned a starting role in West Marion’s secondary last year with an excellent summer, only for a knee injury in Week 1 to erase his sophomore year. Coming back as a junior, Aikens will replace Ott Mitchell as a starting cornerback, and he will also push for playing time in baseball, too. Trojans head football coach Brad Duncan said Aikens has worked very hard in his rehab and is looking 100%.
Ra’Quan Johnson, West Marion, football: With Jordyn Mahaffey off to Jones College, the Trojans will need someone to replace his elite production both as a defensive end and occasional tight end. Look no further than Johnson, who has grown from 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds to 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds in the past nine months. Johnson has the size, athleticism and bend to be a terror rushing the quarterback and could be a mismatch on the offensive side up the seam.
Amere Woodham, East Marion, football: Woodham was a finalist for the Newcomer of the Year award that went to Sauls after leading the county in yards per reception as a sophomore. It took a few weeks for him to crack East Marion’s lineup last year, but Woodham became the deep threat the Eagles sorely need with 434 yards and two scores on 16 receptions (27.1 yards per reception). He also proved to be a ballhawk in the secondary with two picks. With so much of East Marion’s production graduating, Woodham will likely be its best option for instant offense.
Jadarrius Mallard, East Marion, football: Like Woodham, Mallard flashed big-play ability in limited opportunities as a freshman running back last year. He ran for 249 yards and three touchdowns on just 43 carries and has the home-run speed coaches crave in ball carriers. If Mallard can learn how to be a little more patient and follow his blocks, he could have a big year.
Players who have already played exceptionally well as underclassmen don’t qualify for this list, including Columbia’s Jaheim Oatis, Jeremiah Haynes, Greg Fortenberry, Darius Stewart and Omarie Johnson; East Marion’s Ja’Quarious Jones, Martez Mikell, Vashon Sims, Caleb Rawls, Carlos Stubbs, Ethan Hibley, Ladarrius Watts and Cameron Walker; West Marion’s Jartavious Martin, Jayden Duncan, Qavonte Swanigan, O’Marion Husband, Ka’Marius Husband, Octavious Harvey and Larry Magee; and Columbia Academy’s Robert Johnson, Trevor Courtney and Kris Ginn.
Pictured Above: East Marion's Jadarrius Mallard runs against West Lincoln in the playoffs. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
