Week 0 Preview: Midlands Area
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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…
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Continue ReadingWeek 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 Markel Townsend 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 Chris Lofton, Adonis McDaniel and Carew Bates all have play-making ability.
Dreher transfer Micaiah Settles Micaiah Settles 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Dreher | 2022 State SC will fill a huge hole on the defensive line. Tyrell Green, Boyce Bankhead and Jacob Croffie all have experienced leadership.
Brookland-Cayce will lean heavily on junior quarterback Tanner Staton. The Bearcats must replace 1,000-yard rush Will Way Will Way 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Brookland-Cayce | 2021 State SC but Staton will have two solid wide receivers in Jordan Wise and Jayden Johnson Jayden Johnson 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Goose Creek | 2022 State SC . Senior linebacker Owen Plane will anchor the defense.
Other top games include:
Gray Collegiate at Camden – 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 KZ Adams and a solid offensive and defensive front. Quarterback Tre Robinson will likely be a game-time decision. Back-up QB Riley Staton Riley Staton 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2024 State SC 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 Xzavier McLeod Xzavier McLeod 6'5" | 320 lbs | DL Camden | 2023 State SC and Jonathan Chavis Jonathan Chavis 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL Camden | 2022 State SC , linebacker David Copley David Copley 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Camden | 2023 State SC and defensive back Jaylen Pate Jaylen Pate 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Camden | 2022 State SC are highly thought of prospects.
Westwood at Ridge View – The Blazers will open their new on-campus stadium against rival Westwood.
The offense for Ridge View might be one of the best around. Andre Washington Andre Washington 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Ridge View | 2022 State SC is back at quarterback, and he has three solid prospects in wide receivers Chase Smith Chase Smith 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2022 State SC , Chris Lawson, and Zion Agnew. Defensively, linebackers Sterling Goodwin Sterling Goodwin 6'3" | 230 lbs | LB Ridge View | 2022 State SC and Miquel Mason Miquel Mason 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Ridge View | 2022 State SC along with defensive lineman Antonio Gaines should make for a formidable group.
The Redhawks will be led by running back Julian Milligan Julian Milligan 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB Westwood | 2022 State SC .
Dutch Fork at Wren – 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 Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC returns to pace the ground attack for Dutch Fork. Wide receivers Antonio Williams Antonio Williams 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC and Nick Sowell will be big targets for whoever wins the quarterback battle between Davin Patterson or Aliam Appler Aliam Appler 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC . Landon Danley and CJ Wicker CJ Wicker 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC return to anchor the defense.
The Hurricanes have a 1-2 punch in the backfield of Zorian Young Zorian Young 5'7" | 185 lbs | RB Wren | 2022 State SC and Malachi Hill Malachi Hill 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Wren | 2022 State SC . Defensively, they will turn to linebacker Luke Schuller Luke Schuller 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Greenville | 2023 State SC and defensive back Nick Morgan Nick Morgan 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Wren | 2022 State SC .