Non-Region Games To Watch in 2021 (Part 1)

Ian Guerin June 28, 2021 @ 09:00 AM

Many of the most anticipated non-region games that could have happened in 2020 were put on hold or cancelled outright in lieu of a shortened season focused on ensuring the playoffs could take place. This fall shapes up to be different. With months to plan and a whole bunch of one-off games needed before the next realignment window, we are going to be the beneficiaries of some awesome non-region games. Will they mean much toward the postseason? In most cases, no. But they’ll be fun to watch. In this four-part series, we’ll go from the opening week of the South Carolina slate right up to the final action prior to region play, breaking down the stars and supporting cast that will make a few contests talked about well outside their communities. Catawba Ridge at Nation Ford, Aug. 27 Two of the best quarterbacks in the entire state could be put on billboards for this one. Class of 2024 No. 1 overall player [player_tooltip player_id="91362" first="Jadyn" last="Davis"] from Catawba Ridge has seen a steady stream of interest and offers in recent months, and Nation Ford’s [player_tooltip player_id="91150" first="Carson" last="Black"], with an extra few games of experience, is one more huge season from knocking on a whole bunch more doors. With a full season this fall, the two quarterbacks could pass for a combined 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. How many of those will come in this game? Byrnes at Chapman, Aug. 27 Byrnes tailback Damareyon Long is a couple of big early games from getting some attention outside of Duncan, and with a couple of experienced linemen to run behind in [player_tooltip player_id="59465" first="Eli" last="Henderson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="89309" first="Dakota" last="Quinonez"], he’ll certainly have opportunities to have that breakout campaign. The Rebels’ season opener at Chapman - a school with more ranked players than any other in the state for the Class of 2022 - will be a scene setter, perhaps. Led by an extremely deep receiving corps in [player_tooltip player_id="153242" first="Walt" last="Waddell"], [player_tooltip player_id="153245" first="DJ" last="Black"] and [player_tooltip player_id="153247" first="Tim" last="McClurkin"], and with [player_tooltip player_id="153248" first="Drew" last="Settle"] throwing to them, this one could light up the scoreboard in a hurry. Sumter at Ridge View, Sept. 3 With a 7-on-7 championship from the Shane Beamer camp at South Carolina under their wings this summer, the Ridge View Blazers and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="153263" first="Andre" last="Washington"] are clearly turning heads and will be expected to do so all fall. This is an offense that will shine. If it does so against Sumter on Sept. 3, the rest of Class 5A needs to watch out. The Gamecocks, led by [player_tooltip player_id="59473" first="Davin" last="Jackson"], [player_tooltip player_id="89303" first="Jabari" last="Tiller"], [player_tooltip player_id="146354" first="Monteque" last="Rhames"] and a few others, have show-stopping potential.