Week 6 Preview: Midlands Area
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Now that the calendar has turned to October, teams that haven’t gotten into region play will start tonight. That means a second chance for some teams and for others, it’s an opportunity to continue building on what they started back…
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Continue ReadingNow that the calendar has turned to October, teams that haven’t gotten into region play will start tonight. That means a second chance for some teams and for others, it’s an opportunity to continue building on what they started back in late August.
The intensity usually makes a step forward as well when region play begins. That will put a greater emphasis on the guys that have garnered a lot of attention so far. It also allows other guys to put their names in the forefront over the final weeks of the regular season.
Here is a look at the top games in the Midlands for Week 6.
Lexington (4-1) at River Bluff (2-3)
This will be a big step to see who a challenger to Dutch Fork in Region 5-5A could be. After opening the season with a loss to West Florence, Lexington has won four in a row. Quarterback Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC leads a steady offensive attack that will rely on a running game powered by Jonah Norris and Keshawn Gladden. Rhett Peeples and Payton Mathis are two of the defensive leaders for the Wildcats. River Bluff has struggled out of the gate against a difficult non-region slate. Hunter Sheppard has thrown for over 600 yards with Apollos Cook Apollos Cook 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Aiport | 2023 State SC just shy of 300 yards receiving with six touchdowns. Wyatt Proctor, Thomas Powell and Connor Clamp leading the defense.
Dutch Fork (4-0) at White Knoll (1-4)
On paper a mismatch but the intriguing storyline here is Tom Knotts facing former assistant coach Nick Pelham. Knott’s former defensive coordinator was there for all five state championships and helped the Silver Foxes to a 65-1-1 record over that time. Pelham will have to try and slow down Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC , Antonio Williams Antonio Williams 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC , and Davin Patterson. That’s something that has yet to be accomplished this season. White Knoll will try to control things with a running game that included Jaquez Frederick and Austin Cunningham.
Richland Northeast (2-2) at Irmo (1-2) – This region is looking up at A.C. Flora and the winner of this contest might be considered the biggest challenger. The Cavaliers will lean on a lot of young faces such as Will Wilson and Myles Pratt. Irmo has only played three games due to Covid restrictions but has a ton of talent. Nick Emmanwori is a tackling machine and Izayah Whiteside and Dearee Rogers lead an explosive offense.
Rock Hill (1-3) at Spring Valley (3-1)
Spring Valley will be playing its second straight opponent from the Rock Hill area. The Vikings knocked off South Pointe last week. DeQuandre Smith DeQuandre Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Spring Valley | 2022 State SC , Evan Jarvis and Kenneth Jefferson lead the offense with Mondell Hutto Mondell Hutto 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB Spring Valley | 2022 State SC and Jameer Toney leading a defense that registered nine sacks a week ago. The Bearcats are led by tight end/defensive end Luke Bracey Luke Bracey 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Rock Hill | 2022 State SC .