Non-Region Games To Watch in 2021 (Part 2)

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. <strong>Mauldin at Greenville, Sept. 3</strong> It’s hard to imagine that there will be a game across the state featuring a better collective of defensive backs all season long than what we’ll see in this one. Greenville’s [player_tooltip player_id="59492" first="Ashton" last="Whitner"] may have a slightly more dependable group of fellow defensive players top to bottom, but Mauldin sports the top two defensive backs in the Class of 2022 in [player_tooltip player_id="59459" first="Jeadyn" last="Lukus"] (verbally committed to Clemson) and [player_tooltip player_id="59476" first="Randy" last="Caldwell"], who this past weekend gave his pledge to North Carolina. All three players are extremely versatile and bring more than one trait to the table. <strong>West Ashley at Beaufort, Sept. 10</strong> West Ashley tailback [player_tooltip player_id="89312" first="Jahleel" last="Porter"] had a pretty spectacular 2020 season. In just seven games, he went off for 1,219 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 8.6 yards per rush. And keep in mind, that came after a depleted offseason and with everyone knowing he was going to get his carries. His carries in this one will be challenged extensively, especially if he tries to go up the middle. It is there that 6-foot-3, 320-pound Beaufort tackle [player_tooltip player_id="89341" first="Eamon" last="Smalls"] will be waiting. <strong>Camden at Oceanside Collegiate, Sept. 10</strong> How good is the Oceanside offensive line and the Camden defensive line? True football followers are going to forget about most of the skill position players in this contest and focus much of their attention on the trenches. The Landsharks’ [player_tooltip player_id="59486" first="Jacob" last="Ashley"], [player_tooltip player_id="61077" first="Will" last="Gause"] and [player_tooltip player_id="89337" first="Monroe" last="Freeling"] will have their hands full with Bulldogs’ defensive standouts [player_tooltip player_id="153229" first="Dontrell" last="Stradford"], [player_tooltip player_id="91233" first="Jonathan" last="Chavis"], [player_tooltip player_id="89338" first="Xzavier" last="McLeod"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91155" first="David" last="Copley"]. And vice versa.