Non-Region Games To Watch in 2021 (Part 3)

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>James Island at Andrews, Sept. 24</strong> There are glimpses of something truly special developing at James Island under second-year head coach Jamar McKoy. And while rising sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="91365" first="Braxton" last="Scott"] may only be the beginning, it’s a pretty darn good start. Scott can run and throw, and he’s done it against some high-level defenses already.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Andrews may not qualify as one of the best units of the state on that side of the ball, necessarily, but the budding Class 2A program has a 6-foot-4 defensive end (Waylon Jones), an effective defensive back (Ethan Cannon) and a defensive tackle (She’Fon Boyd) who will have their sights set on slowing down Scott. <strong>Carolina Forest at Ridge View, Sept. 24</strong> In Part 1 of this series, we highlighted one of the reasons Ridge View was going to be looked at this season - namely quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="153263" first="Andre" last="Washington"]. However, he’s got a massive and developed squad around him on both sides of the ball. From 6-foot-6, 280-pound lineman [player_tooltip player_id="153246" first="Tray" last="Franklin"] in front of him to rising senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id="92205" first="Chase" last="Smith"] on the outside, the Blazers will be tough to stop. Carolina Forest, meanwhile, just continues to impress on the Class 5A level under Marc Morris. The team is still figuring out how to wrap itself around two-way star [player_tooltip player_id="89329" first="Luke" last="Janack"] this fall, but numbers are through the roof, meaning the next talent pool is, too. <strong>Fort Dorchester at Myrtle Beach, Sept. 24</strong> If you want a couple of quarterbacks who can really spin it, look no further than this game on this night. Fort Dorchester’s [player_tooltip player_id="89345" first="Zolten" last="Osborne"], the No. 14 player in the Class of 2023 (and third-ranked quarterback), will be going head to head with Myrtle Beach’s [player_tooltip player_id="59494" first="Ryan" last="Burger"], an Appalachian State verbal commitment. What’s more, Myrtle Beach will be trying to give receiver and Clemson commitment [player_tooltip player_id="59464" first="Adam" last="Randall"] a huge confidence boost heading into region play. If Burger and Randall get going, Osborne’s going to be asked to keep up. That could lead to some huge passing numbers.