2022 Non-Region Games to Watch: The CSRA
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That early wave of talent we saw from the CSRA last season was just the beginning. The squads along the western side of the state are rising right along each other, a product of youth development and competition across the…
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Continue ReadingThat early wave of talent we saw from the CSRA last season was just the beginning.
The squads along the western side of the state are rising right along each other, a product of youth development and competition across the board. Now, some of those kids with elementary and middle school highlight reels are competing in the high school ranks.
It’s led us to this, a whole bunch of really interesting non-region games that will build momentum right into region play and beyond.
Coincidentally, we start on the opposite side of the state – where a squad from the CSRS proves it has no fear of playing a Class 5A road game – and continue all the way to a potential Class 2A title game preview.
Silver Bluff at Socastee (Aug. 26)
Bulldogs quarterback Maleik Williams Maleik Williams 5'8" | 165 lbs | ATH Silver Bluff | 2023 State SC and tailback Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC will make the trek from one side of the state to the other to play a team three classifications higher when Silver Bluff heads to Socastee in Week 1 of the regular season. By that point, Braves head coach Ben Hampton will have had plenty of time to build what is an improving Socastee roster – one that includes rising junior quarterback Rocco Wojcik Rocco Wojcik 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Socastee | 2024 State SC and offensive lineman Dylan Breese Dylan Breese 6'1" | 250 lbs | OL Socastee | 2023 State SC .
Saluda at Ridge Spring-Monetta (Aug. 26)
With three players each ranked in the Class of 2023, and a few more in the lower classes, Saluda and Ridge Spring-Monetta have some flash and some brawn. The potential match-up in the trenches between Melvin Minick III Melvin Minick III 6'3" | 310 lbs | DL Saluda | 2023 State SC and Trojans senior Kanaan Ligons Kanaan Ligons 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Ridge Spring-Monetta | 2023 State SC could be a big one for recruiters. Meanwhile, Saluda speedsters Zion Wright Zion Wright 6'4" | 180 lbs | WR Saluda | 2023 State SC and Tyleke Mathis Tyleke Mathis 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Saluda | 2023 State SC could each reach the end zone in this one, as could Ridge Spring-Monetta’s Nehemiah Brooks Nehemiah Brooks 5'7" | 230 lbs | RB Fox Creek | 2023 State SC and Ty’Quavious Adams Ty’Quavious Adams 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB Ridge Spring-Monetta | 2023 State SC . We haven’t even mentioned RSM’s Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , who will be one of Class 1A’s top two-way threats in 2022.
Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Barnwell (Sept. 2)
Buckle up for what will have to be considered the best non-region game of the week. Bamberg-Ehrhardt and former defensive coordinator turned first-year head coach Corey Crosby will be absolutely loaded. Two of the team’s best offensive weapons in Gage Boykin and Kenneth Grant return from season-ending injuries, and potential top-flight receiver Chanston Crosby (Corey’s son) could be lighting things up as a sophomore. Barnwell’s own offensive firepower has been well documented, with rising seniors Clay Pender Clay Pender 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Barnwell | 2023 SC and Tyler J Smith Tyler J Smith 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Barnwell | 2023 State SC appearing to be locks for numerous statewide awards.
Westwood at Midland Valley (Sept. 16)
The Mustangs start the year with four games against either teams from the SCHSL Class 2A rankings or squads from Georgia who had losing records a year ago. The Week 4 home game against Westwood, though, should be considered a good litmus test for how far Midland Valley has come inside Class 4A. Joenathan Peeples Joenathan Peeples 5'9" | 205 lbs | RB Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC and Andon Hawkins Andon Hawkins 5'7" | 205 lbs | LB Midland Valley | 2025 State SC and TJ McElmurray and the rest of the Mustangs would love to show they can beat a team that finished second in a Class 4A region a year ago.
Barnwell at Silver Bluff (Sept. 23)
It wouldn’t be that big of a stretch of the imagination to think this could be a Class 2A title game preview. By this point, Dunbar and Williams should be rolling for Silver Bluff. Meanwhile, Pender and Smith should be solidified by the development of sophomore quarterback Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC and a budding offensive line around talented offensive tackle Slaton Ragsdale. If either team runs away with this one, expect them to grab a firm hold of the state’s top ranking in the media polls just prior to region play.