A look behind the analytics: A.C. Flora Class of 2023 running back Markel Townsend
Lee hasn't had the chance to watch Townsend in person or evaluate his film, but the numbers say it all...
Columbia, SC: Markel Townsend is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound Class of 2023 running back hailing from the A.C Flora Falcons, a South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) AAAA Region 4 powerhouse located in Columbia, SC.
Townsend, who totals 132 carries 1,156 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021, is averaging nearly 8.8 yards per carry. Well, the official tally is 8.75, but you get the point…
That’s right, the A.C Flora running back is helping the Falcons ‘fly’ once again this fall, hoping to bring the Falcons a ‘second straight’ AAAA South Carolina High School Leauge (SCHSL) championship under revered Flora head coach Dustin Curtis, who brought the school its first-ever trophy against North Myrtle Beach at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in a 42-7 triumph over the North Myrtle Beach Chiefs on Dec. 5, 2020.
If he and his teammates can get the Falcons back to the promised land this time around, he may even have a shot at eclipsing the 2,000-yard mark.
With that being said, I’ve got some words of wisdom for college coaches at all levels, including Division 1, 2, and 3.
You may have your reasons if you haven't offered Townsend a scholarship yet, but you're downright insane if you don't at least show the junior any interest at all.
The back recorded a ridiculous 14.5 yards per carry on 11 attempts in the ‘Dirty Birds’ last contest against 1-7 Lugoff-Elgin. The Class of 2023 underdog rumbled for 160 total yards and 4 touchdowns one half against the Demons in a 53-17 laughter on Fri. Oct, 22.
He’s bound to put up similar numbers tonight when the Falcons face lowly cross-town rival, Dreher. The Blue Devils are 2-7 heading into their final contest.
While college coaches aren’t on board (yet) Townsend will be going bowling.
Townsend was nominated to the Elite 88 Junior Showcase Bowl, an invitation-only postseason all-star contest for high school student-athletes in South Carolina. Kudos to his selection to play in that game. Hopefully, it will finally wake up coaches who haven’t given him the attention he deserves.
The postseason game will be held Dec. 19, 2021, in Summerville, SC at the John McKissick Field at Memorial Stadium.
The hard-working and relentless running back who hits his holes with force and speeds around defenders on the edges is just getting started…