Week 3: Midlands Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams across the Midlands are still trying to figure this out as we head to region play in just a few short weeks. This week should give several programs another test to see where they sit in the landscape of postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A #3 AC Flora (2-0) at Brookland-Cayce (1-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the beginning of the season, this looked like an attractive matchup on paper. But that was before the Bearcats allowed 62 and 65 points, respectively, in losses to Byrnes and Northwestern. Things won't be any easier against A.C. Flora.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202733' first='Carew' last='Bates']</strong> has settled in nicely at quarterback and he has ample weapons around him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202726' first='Markel' last='Townsend'],</strong> <strong>Noah Kelson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272714' first='Aiden' last='Mosley'] </strong>are more than capable backs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202725' first='Chris' last='Lofton']</strong> is one of the most electrifying players once he has the ball in his hands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409839' first='Jack' last='Purdy']</strong> has two touchdowns among his three catches. The offensive line led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340713' first='Ben' last='Holmes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202728' first='Kendarius' last='Kinard']</strong> is one of the best in the Midlands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Little</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997228' first='Ryan' last='Biggerstaff']</strong> at linebacker and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202750' first='Braxton' last='Burton']</strong> on the defensive front anchors the defense for the Falcons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brookland-Cayce will have to rely on QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='199432' first='Tanner' last='Staton']</strong>, RB <strong>Dashawn Washington</strong>, WR/RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91137' first='Naahzeikial' last='Mays']</strong> and WR <strong>Jadyn Johnson </strong>to try and keep pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blythewood (2-1) at Lexington (2-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup has gotten more intriguing over the first three weeks of the season. Plus, it should be a matchup of strength against strength when Lexington's offense goes against the Bengals defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are averaging just over 39 points a game behind the play of QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines']</strong>, RB <strong>Jonah Norris</strong> and WRs <strong>Kamadi Maxwell</strong> and <strong>Jarrod Mewborn</strong>. Defensively, <strong>Chris Frye</strong> has been one of the best in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blythewood is only allowing 12 points a game. <strong>Edward Robinson</strong> is leading the attack with 34 tackles, 10 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157756' first='Zarion' last='Williams']</strong> has 20 tackles and five sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense has gotten a lot better in the last two weeks. <strong>Harrison Collins</strong> has thrown for 305 yards and 3 TD's with <strong>David Herden </strong>adding 250 yards passing and two scores. Sophomore <strong>Kinson Holland</strong> is the leading ground-gainer with 351 yards and 4 touchdowns. <strong>Josh Gary</strong> and <strong>Chris Thomas</strong> have been the top pass catchers. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gray Collegiate (0-3) at Class 3A #4 Camden (2-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending Class 2A champion War Eagles have played a rugged schedule to begin the season and it gets no easier against Camden.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being winless, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119009' first='Riley' last='Staton']</strong> has played well at quarterback. He has 890 yards and eight touchdowns. His top targets have been <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord']</strong>, <strong>Devin Johnson</strong> and <strong>Savion Smith</strong>. <strong>BJ Montgomery</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford']</strong> have combined for 352 yards on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White']</strong> and RB <strong>Averee Hickmon </strong>have combined for over 600 yards rushing for Camden. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane']</strong> and <strong>Ja Mayrant</strong> have been good in the passing game with White being the triggerman. Defensively, <strong>Wilson Nash</strong> and <strong>Henry Green</strong> have been solid behind the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89338' first='Xzavier' last='McLeod'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91155' first='David' last='Copley']</strong> up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laurence Manning (2-1) at Hammond (1-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond finally settles into SCISA action after playing Gaffney and Prince Avenue Christian (Ga). The defending Class 3A SCISA champs will rely on <strong>Dylan Richardson</strong> and <strong>Aidan Canzater</strong> to get on track both offensively and defensively. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laurence Manning is led by QB <strong>Tyler June</strong>, RB <strong>Bryson Smith</strong> and WRs <strong>Brandon King</strong> and <strong>Jackson Brown</strong>. <strong>Landon Prescott </strong>is leading a defense that is allowing just 16 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A #10 Pelion (3-0) at Class 3A #6 Gilbert (2-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the surprise teams of the season has been Pelion, off to its best start since 2001. But the competition gets a little stiffer this week against rival Gilbert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267470' first='Luke' last='New']</strong> has run for seven touchdowns with nearly 400 yards rushing and thrown for two additional scores. <strong>Carlos Rivera</strong> has been the top running back. <strong>Dalton Blackburn</strong> is a force from his safety position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert has a 1-2 punch of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262635' first='Alias' last='Graham-Woodberry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> at running back. The duo has combined to rush for 627 yards and nine touchdowns in two games. <strong>Braden Boatwright</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262639' first='Jordan' last='Smith']</strong> are the top two tacklers. Smith has two interceptions and a fumble recovery as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A #10 Ridge View (2-1) at Spring Valley (1-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers are a missed two-point conversion from being undefeated. After struggling on offense, Ridge View exploded last week. <strong>David Tomlin</strong> has thrown for 684 yards and the trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202775' first='Zion' last='Agnew']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202731' first='Adonis' last='McDaniel']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262637' first='Chris' last='Lawson']</strong> have combined for the majority of those yards with Agnew leading the way with 420 yards and three touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262703' first='Marcus' last='Kelly']</strong> is the top ground-gainer with 232 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View is only allowing 14 points per game. <strong>David Matthews</strong> (30 tackles), <strong>Myles Brown</strong> (26 tackles) and <strong>Kenneth Jackson</strong> and <strong>Mycah Cummings</strong> (24 tackles each) lead the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have struggled offensively but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146359' first='Evan' last='Javis']</strong> has been a bright spot at running back. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202737' first='David' last='Wilson']</strong> is coming off a 22-tackle performance. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267471' first='Devan' last='Crumpton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202745' first='Jordan' last='Chestnut']</strong> have been solid as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->