Week 3: Midlands Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingTeams 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.
Class 4A #3 AC Flora (2-0) at Brookland-Cayce (1-2)
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.
Carew Bates Carew Bates 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH AC Flora | 2023 State SC has settled in nicely at quarterback and he has ample weapons around him. Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC , Noah Kelson and Aiden Mosley Aiden Mosley 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2025 State SC are more than capable backs. Chris Lofton Chris Lofton 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2023 State SC is one of the most electrifying players once he has the ball in his hands. Jack Purdy Jack Purdy 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR A.C. Flora | 2023 SC has two touchdowns among his three catches. The offensive line led by Ben Holmes Ben Holmes 6'7" | 285 lbs | OL AC Flora | 2023 State SC and Kendarius Kinard Kendarius Kinard 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL AC Flora | 2023 State SC is one of the best in the Midlands.
Mason Little and Ryan Biggerstaff Ryan Biggerstaff 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB AC Flora | 2024 State SC at linebacker and Braxton Burton on the defensive front anchors the defense for the Falcons.
Brookland-Cayce will have to rely on QB Tanner Staton Tanner Staton 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC , RB Dashawn Washington, WR/RB Naahzeikial Mays Naahzeikial Mays 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC and WR Jadyn Johnson to try and keep pace.
Blythewood (2-1) at Lexington (2-1)
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.
The Wildcats are averaging just over 39 points a game behind the play of QB Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC , RB Jonah Norris and WRs Kamadi Maxwell and Jarrod Mewborn. Defensively, Chris Frye has been one of the best in the area.
Blythewood is only allowing 12 points a game. Edward Robinson is leading the attack with 34 tackles, 10 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries. Zarion Williams Zarion Williams 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2025 State SC has 20 tackles and five sacks.
The offense has gotten a lot better in the last two weeks. Harrison Collins has thrown for 305 yards and 3 TD’s with David Herden adding 250 yards passing and two scores. Sophomore Kinson Holland is the leading ground-gainer with 351 yards and 4 touchdowns. Josh Gary and Chris Thomas have been the top pass catchers.
Gray Collegiate (0-3) at Class 3A #4 Camden (2-1)
The defending Class 2A champion War Eagles have played a rugged schedule to begin the season and it gets no easier against Camden.
Despite being winless, Riley Staton Riley Staton 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2024 State SC has played well at quarterback. He has 890 yards and eight touchdowns. His top targets have been Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , Devin Johnson and Savion Smith. BJ Montgomery and Caleb Ford Caleb Ford 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2025 State SC have combined for 352 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC and RB Averee Hickmon have combined for over 600 yards rushing for Camden. Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC and Ja Mayrant have been good in the passing game with White being the triggerman. Defensively, Wilson Nash and Henry Green have been solid behind the play of Xzavier McLeod Xzavier McLeod 6'5" | 320 lbs | DL Camden | 2023 State SC and David Copley David Copley 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Camden | 2023 State SC up front.
Laurence Manning (2-1) at Hammond (1-2)
Hammond finally settles into SCISA action after playing Gaffney and Prince Avenue Christian (Ga). The defending Class 3A SCISA champs will rely on Dylan Richardson and Aidan Canzater to get on track both offensively and defensively.
Laurence Manning is led by QB Tyler June, RB Bryson Smith and WRs Brandon King and Jackson Brown. Landon Prescott is leading a defense that is allowing just 16 points per game.
Class 2A #10 Pelion (3-0) at Class 3A #6 Gilbert (2-0)
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.
Luke New Luke New 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Pelion | 2024 State SC has run for seven touchdowns with nearly 400 yards rushing and thrown for two additional scores. Carlos Rivera has been the top running back. Dalton Blackburn is a force from his safety position.
Gilbert has a 1-2 punch of Alias Graham-Woodberry Alias Graham-Woodberry 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Gilbert | 2023 State SC and Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC at running back. The duo has combined to rush for 627 yards and nine touchdowns in two games. Braden Boatwright and Jordan Smith Jordan Smith 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Gilbert | 2023 State SC are the top two tacklers. Smith has two interceptions and a fumble recovery as well.
Class 4A #10 Ridge View (2-1) at Spring Valley (1-2)
The Blazers are a missed two-point conversion from being undefeated. After struggling on offense, Ridge View exploded last week. David Tomlin has thrown for 684 yards and the trio of Zion Agnew Zion Agnew 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2023 State SC , Adonis McDaniel Adonis McDaniel 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2023 State SC and Chris Lawson Chris Lawson 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2023 State SC have combined for the majority of those yards with Agnew leading the way with 420 yards and three touchdowns. Marcus Kelly Marcus Kelly 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Ridge View | 2023 State SC is the top ground-gainer with 232 yards.
Ridge View is only allowing 14 points per game. David Matthews (30 tackles), Myles Brown (26 tackles) and Kenneth Jackson and Mycah Cummings (24 tackles each) lead the way.
The Vikings have struggled offensively but Evan Javis Evan Javis 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC has been a bright spot at running back. Defensively, David Wilson David Wilson 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC is coming off a 22-tackle performance. Devan Crumpton Devan Crumpton 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Spring Valley | 2024 State SC and Jordan Chestnut Jordan Chestnut 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC have been solid as well.