Week 8 Preview: Midlands Area

If you want an early preview of what the playoffs will look like beginning the first week of November, all you must do is look at the slate of games that will be taking place this Friday. We have four matchups that will feature teams ranked in the S.C. High School Media poll. All these games will go a long way in determining playoff seeding and how the postseason picture might take shape. Here is a preview of the top games across the Midlands. <strong>A.C. Flora (6-0, 2-0) at Irmo (4-2, 2-0) </strong> The Region 4-4A lead is at stake in this battle between the No. 1 and No. 10 teams in Class 4A. A.C. Flora is riding a 15-game winning streak and are the defending state champion. And don’t look now but the Falcons might be finally putting it together on offense. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="202726" first="Markel" last="Townsend"]</strong> is the healthiest he’s been all season. Quarterback <strong>Phillips Daniels</strong> is starting to get more comfortable in running the offense as a first-year starter. Receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="202725" first="Chris" last="Lofton"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="202731" first="Adonis" last="McDaniel"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="202733" first="Carew" last="Bates"]</strong> are a formidable receiving corps. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="200664" first="Tyrell" last="Green"]</strong>, <strong>Malik Heyward</strong> and <strong>Micaiah Settle</strong> lead a defense that’s been outstanding all season – allowing a tick less than nine points a game. Irmo counters with quarterback <strong>Izayah Whiteside</strong> and receiver <strong>DeAree Rogers</strong> lead an offense that has scored over 40 points in four of its last five games. <strong>Nick Emmanwori</strong> has over 100 tackles on the season. <strong>Gilbert (6-1, 2-0) at Brookland-Cayce (4-2, 1-1)</strong> Gilbert has used the running of <strong>Alias Graham-Woodberry</strong> and <strong>Jaden Allen-Hendrix</strong> to rush to a No. 6 ranking in the state poll. The duo has each rushed for more than 100 yards in three straight games. Gilbert is averaging over 48 points a game during its five-game winning streak. The 10^th ranked Bearcats are coming in off a loss but have firepower in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="199432" first="Tanner" last="Staton"]</strong>, running back <strong>Nazzhzekial Mays</strong> and receiver <strong>Skylar King</strong>. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="200697" first="Owen" last="Plane"]</strong> heads a defense that is playing much better than a season ago. <strong>Northwestern (7-1, 2-0) at Spring Valley (5-1, 2-0)</strong> This one has all the makings of a classic. Northwestern is No. 5 in the Class 5A poll with Spring Valley one spot behind at No. 6. The winner of this one will claim the region 4-5A No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Northwestern quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89316" first="Will" last="Mattison"]</strong> is nearing 2,000 yards with 26 TDs on the season. Turbo Richard has been solid at running back and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89332" first="Christian" last="Watkins"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="146372" first="Elijah" last="Caldwell"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91200" first="Calique" last="Cunningham"]</strong> are capable receivers. <strong>Isaac McClellan</strong>, <strong>Ashton Latta</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="200747" first="Austin" last="Wilkes"]</strong> are the leaders on defense for the Trojans. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59480" first="DeQuandre" last="Smith"]</strong> is a threat with both his arm and legs for the Vikings. Defensive play has been the calling card for Spring Valley. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153240" first="Mondell" last="Hutto"]</strong> has 10 sacks and will be a key in limiting the Trojans Air Raid attack. <strong>Saluda (5-1, 2-0) at Gray Collegiate (5-1, 2-0) Midlands Sports Complex</strong> Winner of this one between the No. 7 and No. 2 teams in Class 2A will take the lead in Region 3-2A. Saluda quarterback <strong>Jonah McCary</strong> is completing over 70% of his passes in leading an offense that is averaging over 40 points per game. <strong>Montrevious Baker</strong> is the top running back. <strong>Kazarious Adams</strong> has done a little bit of everything for Gray Collegiate. He has over 1,400 yards rushing and 13 rushing scores, four receiving touchdowns and one punt return for a score. Quarterback <strong>Tre Robinson</strong> missed last week but should be back this week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="200691" first="Tory" last="Kelly"]</strong> and <strong>Zach Glenn</strong> lead a hard-hitting defense.