Week 3 Preview: York, Chester and Lancaster Counties

Week Three of the 2022 high school football season is here in York, Chester and Lancaster Counties.  You've got contests this Friday night where some teams are needing a win to gain confidence, especially offensively. You've also got teams that have been rolling so far and have put up points and are looking to avoid an upset loss early in the season.   Here's what you need to know:   Rankings reflect the SC Statewide Media Poll, which is updated weekly.   West Cabarrus at No. 7 4A Catawba Ridge (3-0)   Catawba Ridge will host another North Carolina squad this week in Fort Mill. The defense has pitched one shutout and has held two opponents to 14 points each. Look for Sheldon Crawford and Brody Teismale to anchor things again this week. Nate Thomas is an excellent game manager and has the talent around him to put up points with [player_tooltip player_id='262619' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] with his power running and [player_tooltip player_id='202755' first='Brandon' last='Raysor'] at receiver.   Fort Mill (0-2) at No. 9 4A Indian Land (3-0)   There may not be a better duo offensively in the area so far than [player_tooltip player_id='139305' first='Jaden' last='Singletary'] and Myles Stinson. They are the straw that stirs the drink in the first few weeks of 2022 for the Warriors and we expect that to continue this week. Quarterback Jaxen Schiedt can make the quick throws and keep the offense on schedule. Timir Hickman Collins and Damian Hernandez will be two guys to watch on the defensive line.   Fort Mill had a bye week last week and while they are winless, the defense has been an improvement, particularly in the secondary with Braylen Thomas, who had an interception in the opener against Catawba Ridge and TJ Vanstocken, who forced a fumble. But can quarterback Isaiah Haynes and a new look Fort Mill offense find their footing?   Clover (0-2) at York (2-0)   This is a classic rivalry game that always brings a good crowd on the western side of York County. This year's game should be no different. [player_tooltip player_id='208367' first='Ayden' last='Davis'] and the Cougar offense <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/09/week-two-game-balls-york-and-lancaster-counties/">scored 70 points last week in a win over Union County.</a> But they also gave up 49 points, and that'll be something that coach Dean Boyd will address with the defense in practice. Jonathan Tobias and [player_tooltip player_id='267449' first='Debo' last='Hall'] anchor a young secondary and they'll be tested this week.   Clover's first two games have been against two of the top teams in the state in Northwestern and Hillcrest so while they are 0-2, the competition should be more on par this week. [player_tooltip player_id='202766' first='Joe' last='Boyd'] is the starter at quarterback and we'll be interested to see Dion Brown who had three touchdowns against Northwestern two weeks ago. Cooper Zoehner and the defensive line will also look to get after Davis on Friday night.   No. 1 4A South Pointe (3-0) at Chester (2-1)   South Pointe is coming off an <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/09/what-we-saw-south-pointe-rallies-late-to-defeat-mallard-creek/">emotional win over Mallard Creek last week</a> and coach Bobby Collins is tasked with making sure his team doesn't have a hangover this week on the road to Chester County. The Stallions are led by quarterback Malachi Marshall, who found his rhythm in the second half with wide receivers Demari Kendrick and Jaevan Sanders. A.J. Miller and [player_tooltip player_id='139304' first='Chris' last='Dixon'] are anchors on the defensive line and we expect that to continue this week. Keep an eye on Zantawn Nelson as well.   Chester is on a two-game winning streak after defeating Lower Richland. Trooper Floyd can sling it and has Reggie Heath at receiver but Floyd will need time to throw it. And who will step up for the Cyclones on defense? That will go a long way in determining who will win what could be a sneaky good game.   Lower Richland (1-2) at Rock Hill (0-3)   There's no question that Rock Hill has gotten off to a tough start in 2022. But last Friday's contest against Lancaster gave them a boost of confidence that they can compete. They put up 38 points and have a duo of [player_tooltip player_id='139293' first='Matthew' last='Wilson'] and Evion Hinton, who caught multiple touchdowns last week.   Lower Richland has been struggling offensively out of the gate in 2022. They have [player_tooltip player_id='202736' first='Nate' last='Branch'], who is a two-way player and will look to provide a spark. Look for Lamarion Pearson and Mekhi Campbell as two skill players to keep an eye on.   No. 2 4A Northwestern (3-0) at Nation Ford (0-3)   The biggest issue facing Nation Ford right now is not the quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='91150' first='Carson' last='Black'], but it is the talent around him at wide receiver to catch the football. So what happens in the meantime? Keep it simple with the quick passing game and lean on the run game with [player_tooltip player_id='154863' first='Jeremiah' last='Hailstock'].    On defense, the Falcons will be tasked with slowing down a Northwestern offense with stars [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='265222' first='Turbo' last='Richard'] that have put up an average of 60.6 points in their first three games.

Week Three of the 2022 high school football season is here in York, Chester and Lancaster Counties. You've got contests this Friday night where some teams are needing a win to gain confidence, especially offensively. You've also got teams that have been rolling so far and have put up points and are looking to avoid an upset loss early in the season.