Many sports pundits around the state of South Carolina and even the USA have heard about Blacksburg High School's star running back, Chase Hames. He's a 3 year starter, and also plays wide receiver, defensive back and a little linebacker. He has racked up phenomenal stats this season, and is currently one of South Carolina's leading rushers at over 1,400 yards currently with 4 games to go (and a possible playoff game). He even had an eye dropping 350 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns against Latta in week 3, following that up with 437 yards rushing against Liberty. He earned National Player of the Week honors for that performance. I haven't seen many RBs do that against many folks, in that capacity. And I've seen many, many great running backs. The question is now, will (or should) Chase be selected to play in this year's Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas?
My answer is a resounding YES! Take away the fact that I'm a Blacksburg High alum and former football player myself, I know himself, his family and his brothers, and that his head coach, Mickey Moss, is this year's head coach of the Shrine Bowl. Chase has earned this honor not only this year, but throughout his 3-year varsity career at Blacksburg. His sophomore year, his offensive numbers weren't stealing the show, it was his prowess as a cornerback. He was All-Region and had the difficult task of covering current University of South Carolina receiver Alston Jeffery when Blacksburg played Calhoun County in the 2008 Class A playoffs. While Jeffery posted huge numbers himself (200 yards, 2 touchdowns), Chase didn't back down, even intercepting a pass in the end zone. Junior year, Chase had another All-Region year on both offense and defense. His offensive numbers were slightly better, 618 rushing yards, but again it was his defense that sealed the deal. This year so far, it has been all offense. He has been doing it up, gaining yards, touchdowns, and leading Blacksburg to victory. Mickey Moss and the rest of the Shrine Bowl coaching staff, take note. Put this guy on your roster!!!
Now here's some other drawbacks for Hames. He is very smallish, 5'7'', 170, plus he doesn't have blazing speed. However, if you watch him in practice and games, not many players on any level leave it on the field like he does. Plus this year he's gained big time yards against a much softer-schedule (one school, St. Joe's High School, is in its 1st year of varsity football). Also, Coach Moss apparently REALLY wants him on the roster as well. As head coach, he can take one of his own players by default. By matching him up against teams that can't tackle as well as other teams or have proper depth/experience, it allows young Chase to gain big numbers easier. The old formula SKILL + OPPORTUNITY = SUCCESS also comes into effect. Mickey Moss's offense is basically built around Chase as he runs the ball 25-40 times a game. Now anybody that knows football knows that if you have a decent offensive line and unless the defensive isn't the 1985 Chicago Bears, a back with good skill should average 150 yards/game at least. And Chase is definitely doing that, and then some.
I can't say I completely blame Moss for what he's doing to justify possibly choosing Chase for the game, and for his collegiate resume'. He has huge tests coming up in the next couple of weeks: this Friday at undefeated Christ Church, homecoming against Landrum, and a potential first-round playoff game. I'm not sure he will gain 200, 300 yards rushing, but he will do well as long as the line blocks and the team passes some (to his younger brother Nick possibly) to allow him to be a factor.
Given all of this, the kid deserves to be in the game as much as anyone I've ever known, and everything's in place for his selection. National Player of the Week. 1,300 rushing through a 4 week stretch. On pace for a 2,000 rushing season. Defensive stalwart as well. Hard worker, tough player. Irregardless of the schedule and other players, he has EARNED it.
There are several, DOZENS of former Blacksburg High School players that have make equal and greater accomplishments than Chase and were snubbed from the Shrine Bowl. These include: Shon Dawkins, Mike Smith, Mark Striewing, Joe Patterson, Stanley Watts, Randy Huskey, Fred Parker, Matthew Hale, Daniel Farris, and Nesbitt Black. The Shrine Bowl game is a game of politics, where mostly 3A/4A players make it merely off of competition, ability to perform in the big stage/games, and the ability to play many positions. This appears to be the year that Chase Hames and Blacksburg High School beats these politics and variables. There have been only 2 Shrine Bowlers in BHS history: Danny Fulton in 1972 (my former offensive line coach), and Doug Bolin in 1986 (arguably the BEST player ever to wear the Black and Gold of Blacksburg). Doug was also the last BHS back to rush for 2,000 yards. That has been 26 years since a Blacksburg player has accomplished the latter or the former (2,000 yards or the Shrine Bowl). Chase, all of Blacksburg is rooting for you, if nothing else for all the other players throughout the years that were omitted.
I like to watch these "once in a lifetime" athletes. Chase is not only one of these, but a once in a lifetime person. He will be successful at whatever he does in life. I just hope and pray that when the Shrine Bowl is played the 3rd weekend in December, he will be suiting up for that game. I've made my case. Does anyone else think he shouldn't play? If so, that's fine. However, he may be Blacksburg's best shot at a Shrine Bowler at least for two more years when Nick is eligible for the game. The time is now, Blacksburg, and anyone that knows high school football), let's stand behind this young man now, and not after he earns more hype.
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