Week 2 Preview: Midlands Area
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It’s still the early part of the schedule but the third week of games offers several intriguing matchups across the Midlands. Here’s a look at a few must-see games. Chester (1-1) at Class 2A No. 5 Fairfield Central (2-0) This…
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Continue ReadingIt’s still the early part of the schedule but the third week of games offers several intriguing matchups across the Midlands.
Here’s a look at a few must-see games.
Chester (1-1) at Class 2A No. 5 Fairfield Central (2-0)
This one has a chance to be a shootout. Chester QB Trooper Floyd threw for 296 yards in his one game this season while talented freshman Cam McMillon has thrown for over 700 yards and 10 touchdowns in two games for the Griffins.
Reggie Heath has been the top receiving threat for the Cyclones with over 200 yards on the season. Malik McCullough has been the top ground-gainer. Chester’s defense relies on LB DJ Stevenson and freshman sensation Terry Radford on the line.
McMillon has three receivers with over 100 yards each with TyDarian Greer leading the way. Jai Boyd and Donovan Watkins are also threats. Stephen Gadsden and JaShawn Manning anchor the Griffins defense.
Class 3A No. 6 Hartsville (2-0) at Class 2A No. 2 Camden (2-0)
This one has the makings of a classic. Last year, these teams played a 43-37 thriller, and we might have much the same this year.
Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC has been spectacular through two weeks. The junior QB has thrown for 441 yards and rushed for 230 yards and accounted for nine touchdowns so far. But he isn’t the only offensive weapon. Averee Hickmon has rushed for a team-best 234 yards while Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC has added 162 rushing yards. Ja Mayrant has been White’s favorite target.
Defensively, it starts up front with Xzavier McLeod Xzavier McLeod 6'5" | 320 lbs | DL Camden | 2023 State SC , David Copley David Copley 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Camden | 2023 State SC and Shymeik Jones but the back seven has played well. LB Wilson Nash is the leading tackler.
The Red Foxes will try to counter with a power running game led by J’Shawn Anderson J’Shawn Anderson 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Hartsville | 2023 State SC and Carmello McDaniel Carmello McDaniel 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Hartsville | 2024 State SC . In Hartsville’s two victories, they outscored their opposition 109-17.
Class 4A No. 7 Irmo (2-0) at River Bluff (2-0)
This will be the biggest test for either team so far. Irmo has faced the tougher competition so far and that might help the Yellow Jackets in this road test.
AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC has been as good as advertised at QB, but Irmo needs to be more consistent offensively. Erick Tucker has been a boost for the running game. Brand is still searching for his top target at wide receiver. Defensively, the Yellow Jackets have been solid.
River Bluff has the makings of a team on the rebound. The Gators won just two games last year and have already matched that total. QB Parker Murray, RB Cooper Johns and WR Stephen Collier are a big reason for that. Lineman AJ Colter and LB Connor Clamp have led a revamped defense.
Class 4A No. 10 Ridge View (1-1) at Lower Richland (1-1)
This is a matchup of two teams with a lot of promise, but they have to figure it out offensively for that to happen.
The Blazers have Chris Lawson Chris Lawson 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2023 State SC , Zion Agnew Zion Agnew 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2023 State SC and Adonis McDaniel Adonis McDaniel 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2023 State SC on offense but so far, they haven’t broken out. They’ve combined for 27 catches but only three touchdowns. Transfer David Tomlin has seemed to have won the QB battle and has four touchdowns but two interceptions.
Ridge View has been solid defensively, allowing 14.5 points per game. The linebacker group of Myles Brown, Mycah Cummings, Kenneth Jackson and David Matthews all are around 20 tackles for the season.
Lower Richland has leaned heavily on the running of Lamarion Pearson, who has 261 yards and five touchdowns. But the Diamonds have completed just a dozen passes on the season and that must improve with the talents of Nate Branch Nate Branch 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Lower Richland | 2023 State SC and Mekhi Campfield at WR. Deamonti Garrett Deamonti Garrett 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Lower Richland | 2023 State SC has four sacks and leads the defense.
Westwood (0-2) at Blythewood (1-1)
The Bengals seemed to find their way last week in a blowout win over Richland Northeast. Backup QB David Herden had a solid game as did RB Kinson Holland. The defense has been good in both games so far.
The Redhawks have struggled out the gate. They’re still trying to figure out the QB position and how to get the ball in Noah Jennings hands more often. Until they settle those two items, Westwood might struggle offensively.
Saturday, September 3
Class 5A No. 1 Dutch Fork (2-0) vs Creekside, Ga. (0-1) and Class 2A No. 6 Gray Collegiate (0-2) vs South Atlanta (1-0)
Dutch Fork and Gray Collegiate will travel over to Atlanta to play in the two Georgia schools in the Cam Newton Classic.
The Silver Foxes have won two games by a combined five points. Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC has been the bulk of the offense, rushing for 375 yards so far. Dutch Fork has an injury situation at QB and that has forced safety Landon Danley Landon Danley 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC to take a lot of snaps from center.
This should be a hard-hitting affair. The Dutch Fork linebacker group of Chandler Perry Chandler Perry 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Dutch Fork High | 2023 State SC , John Buetow John Buetow 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC and Jaylen Hinton Jaylen Hinton 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC is one of the best.
Creekside will counter with RB Roderick McCary Roderick McCary 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Creekside | 2024 State GA and defensive back Daiquan White Daiquan White 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Creekside | 2023 State GA .
Gray Collegiate has stumbled out of the gate but not because of the play of QB Riley Staton Riley Staton 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2024 State SC . The junior has thrown for nearly 500 yards and 5 touchdowns. Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC has been his top target.
Defensively, the War Eagles have allowed 42.5 points per game.
Keyjuan Brown Keyjuan Brown 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB South Atlanta | 2023 State GA and Jontez Adams each rushed for over 100 yards and combined for five touchdowns last week for South Atlanta.