After injury, South Carolina commit Doty’s role changes for Myrtle Beach in championship run
Myrtle Beach quarterback Luke Doty might not play a down in Saturday’s state championship against Wren.
But that doesn’t mean the South Carolina commit won’t have a role for the Seahawks in the Class 4A championship game. Doty injured his hand in Myrtle Beach’s first-round playoff game against Lakewood and hasn’t played since then.
Seahawks coach Mickey Wilson said Doty had a doctor’s appointment on Monday and said his status is still up in there. There is a chance if Doty plays it could be even be at receiver or defensive back. Doty played receiver during early in his career at Myrtle Beach. Still, Doty will be an active role behind the scenes in the last few weeks as Myrtle Beach goes for its second straight state title.
Doty threw for 244 yards and had three touchdowns in last year’s championship game against Greer.
Wilson said Doty has acted as another assistant coach in helping backup Ryan Burger throughout the postseason and is in the film room with the other coaches, making suggestions.
Berger has stepped in for Doty and thrown for 667 yards and seven touchdowns in four playoff games.
“Luke continues to be a great leader and been amazing mentor for Ryan,” Wilson said at Monday’s state championship press conference at Williams-Brice Stadium, “Helped him with film study and on sideline between series. He has continued to be a winner and a great leader.
“You can’t put a price tag on that. He has been there and done that. He has been an assistant coach for us the last four weeks. He has made my job a lot more easier that’s for sure.”
Myrtle Beach running back Xayvion Knox has seen his role increase with Doty out. The Seahawks senior rushed for 258 yards and seven touchdowns against Lakewood when Doty got injured He has 513 yards and 13 touchdowns in the postseason.
Still, Knox says the team still feeds off Doty’s energy when he’s not on the field.
“Luke’s around now as a mentor,” Knox said. “He helps us not be down and to stay up, have a positive mindset. He plays a big part now.”
Wren coach Jeff Tate joked he hasn’t seen a bit of film with Doty in game prep, but he doesn’t need that to know the dual-threat passer’s talent.
Tate coached former Clemson QB Kelly Bryant and current Gamecocks quarterback/receiver Jay Urich.
“I don’t need to see him play on Saturday to confirm that he’s a good football player,” Tate said. “Because a lot of guys out there smarter than I am can tell you that he’s a great football player. He’s special. He’s got exceptional speed. He’s strong.
“He’s got the ability to see the field and react and make all the right decisions. He’s very competitive. Obviously, he has the ability to throw the ball and run the ball. That makes him extremely dangerous.”
SC Football Championship Schedule
A look at SC High School Football state championship schedule for Dec. 6-7
Friday
At Benedict College
Class 2A
Saluda vs. Barnwell, 5 p.m.
Class A
Ridge Spring-Monetta vs. Green Sea Floyds, 8 p.m.
Saturday
At Williams-Brice Stadium
Class 5A
Dorman vs. Dutch Fork, noon
Class 3A
Chapman vs. Dillon, 3 p.m.
Class 4A
Wren vs. Myrtle Beach, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12.00 in advance, $12.00 at gate. Advance tickets sold at participating schools only.
GoFan for online tickets https://gofan.co/app/school/SCHSL
TV/INTERNET: Saturday’s games will be locally on WACH Fox 57.2 and other Sinclair TV stations across the state. The Dutch Fork-Dorman game will be on Wach Fox 57. Friday and Saturday’s games will be streamed on www.nfhsnetwork.com (Subscription required.)
This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 6:15 PM with the headline "After injury, South Carolina commit Doty’s role changes for Myrtle Beach in championship run."
