Week 0 Preview: Midlands Area

Week 0 is looking a little different for schools in Kershaw, Lexington, and Kershaw counties. Because of several cancelations and postponements due to Covid quarantines, the schedule has gotten highlighted with several matchups that we normally don’t have an opportunity to see. The marque matchup in the area is defending Class AAAA state champion A.C. Flora making the short trip across the Congaree River to face Brookland-Cayce. The Falcons lost a lot from last year’s first-ever state title run but has stockpiled talent. Running back <strong>Markel Townsend</strong> takes the lead role at running back and has the potential to be a 1,500-yard rusher. He runs low, is compact and plays behind his pads. The wide receiver corps lacks a big-time name, but <strong>Chris Lofton</strong>,<strong> Adonis McDaniel</strong> and <strong>Carew Bates</strong> all have play-making ability. Dreher transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89325" first="Micaiah" last="Settles"]</strong> will fill a huge hole on the defensive line. <strong>Tyrell Green</strong>, <strong>Boyce Bankhead</strong> and <strong>Jacob Croffie</strong> all have experienced leadership. Brookland-Cayce will lean heavily on junior quarterback <strong>Tanner Staton</strong>. The Bearcats must replace 1,000-yard rush [player_tooltip player_id="42960" first="Will" last="Way"] but Staton will have two solid wide receivers in <strong>Jordan Wise</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59477" first="Jayden" last="Johnson"]</strong>. Senior linebacker <strong>Owen Plane</strong> will anchor the defense. Other top games include: <strong>Gray Collegiate at Camden</strong> – The Class AA War Eagles travel to the Class AAA runner-up Bulldogs for a big-time non-region tilt. Gray Collegiate will rely on running back <strong>KZ Adams</strong> and a solid offensive and defensive front. Quarterback <strong>Tre Robinson</strong> will likely be a game-time decision. Back-up QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119009" first="Riley" last="Staton"]</strong> looked good in replacing Robinson in the jamboree last week. Camden lost a lot on the offensive side of things, but the defense is loaded. Defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89338" first="Xzavier" last="McLeod"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91233" first="Jonathan" last="Chavis"]</strong>, linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91155" first="David" last="Copley"]</strong> and defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153232" first="Jaylen" last="Pate"]</strong> are highly thought of prospects. <strong>Westwood at Ridge View</strong> – The Blazers will open their new on-campus stadium against rival Westwood. The offense for Ridge View might be one of the best around. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153263" first="Andre" last="Washington"]</strong> is back at quarterback, and he has three solid prospects in wide receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92205" first="Chase" last="Smith"]</strong>, <strong>Chris Lawson,</strong> and <strong>Zion Agnew</strong>. Defensively, linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91229" first="Sterling" last="Goodwin"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91193" first="Miquel" last="Mason"]</strong> along with defensive lineman <strong>Antonio Gaines</strong> should make for a formidable group. The Redhawks will be led by running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92206" first="Julian" last="Milligan"]</strong>. <strong>Dutch Fork at Wren</strong> – The five-time Class AAAAA defending state Silver Foxes have proven they will play anyone and anywhere. They will take a 50-game unbeaten streak to Wren, a Class AAA semifinalist last season. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91136" first="Jarvis" last="Green"]</strong> returns to pace the ground attack for Dutch Fork. Wide receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Antonio" last="Williams"]</strong> and <strong>Nick Sowell</strong> will be big targets for whoever wins the quarterback battle between <strong>Davin Patterson</strong> or <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44974" first="Aliam" last="Appler"]</strong>. <strong>Landon Danley</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91235" first="CJ" last="Wicker"]</strong> return to anchor the defense. The Hurricanes have a 1-2 punch in the backfield of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89305" first="Zorian" last="Young"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91218" first="Malachi" last="Hill"]</strong>. Defensively, they will turn to linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89334" first="Luke" last="Schuller"]</strong> and defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59493" first="Nick" last="Morgan"]</strong>. &nbsp;