Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010
Golson the best on the best
Golson's strong arm, sharp mind put Myrtle Beach on top
By Josh Hoke -
[email protected]
Everett Golson was working without a safety net in 2009, but it didn't stop the upward progression of his career.
Over his first two years, the Myrtle Beach junior had become accustomed to receiver Jamere Valentine making a big play whenever the quarterback and the Seahawks needed it. The big, physical receiver was seemingly always open when Golson needed him, helping him emerge as one of the nation's top signal-callers.
But with Valentine playing at Georgia Southern, Golson, the Toast of the Coast Offensive Player of the Year, had to learn how to trust his younger receivers last fall.
By Janet Blackmon Morgan
[email protected] - Everett Golson completed 63 percent (224-of-356) of his passes for 3,529 yards, 47 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season in leading the Seahawks back to the Class AAA championship game.
Myrtle Beach's Golson makes All-State team
Myrtle Beach junior quarterback Everett Golson was named to the South Carolina All-State High School Football Team released Tuesday by The Associated Press.
There was only one team named for offense, defense and special teams and Golson was the lone quarterback. He was one of only four juniors to make the team. The rest of the selections made from nominations from state AP members were seniors.
Golson completed 224-of-356 pass attempts for 3,529 yards and 47 touchdowns with three interceptions this season. He also rushed for 199 yards and five scores in leading Myrtle Beach to a 13-2 record and a Class AAA runner-up finish. The Seahawks lost 35-26 to Clinton in the state championship game.
"He really did a great job this year of spreading the wealth," Seahawks coach Mickey Wilson said. "Jamere was a great receiver and our go-to guy. He was usually our main read on every play. This year Everett did a great job of letting the offense work by making his reads and spreading the ball out to everybody.
"Going into the season all of our receivers were young kids. I think it forced him to make the offense work and go through his reads on every play. There were a lot of times he went to his third and fourth options."
Golson had another sterling campaign for the Seahawks, leading them to the Class AAA state championship game for the second straight year. He completed 63 percent (224-of-356) of his passes for 3,529 yards, 47 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
The Seahawks did have a 1,000-yard receiver in Donte Sumpter, but they relied on a much more collective effort from their receivers this season. Sumpter, Dallas Goodman, Jaquan Wilson, Steven Cobb, Jerrod Jackson and Morgan Byrd all took turns as top targets, making it much more difficult for opponents to focus their efforts on one side of the formation.
"I really depended on [Valentine] a lot," Golson said. "With him gone, I didn't have anybody I could always [fall back on]. This year I tried to do a better job of utilizing all my receivers.
"I feel like I matured a lot as I got to know my receivers better. I had to show a lot of leadership."