Week 8 Preview: York and Lancaster Counties
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Region races in York and Lancaster Counties are beginning to come into clearer form as there are only three weeks left in the regular season, starting Friday night. Here’s what you need to know about this week’s games: Lancaster (3-4…
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Continue ReadingRegion races in York and Lancaster Counties are beginning to come into clearer form as there are only three weeks left in the regular season, starting Friday night. Here’s what you need to know about this week’s games:
Lancaster (3-4 overall, 0-2 region) at Catawba Ridge (7-0 overall, 2-0 region)
Catawba Ridge continued their winning ways with a rout over York, and their defense was a big reason why. Ira Mister and Sheldon Crawford each had pick sixes last week and it was against an offense that likes to run the ball. This week will present a similar challenge with Mikel McCollum and Jaron Stevenson.
Clover (4-3 overall, 2-0 region) at Blythewood (5-2 overall, 2-0 region)
This game will go a long way in determining the winner of region 3-5A. You have Clover, with plenty of skill talent to go around with Jaylon Hoover, Hunter Jamie and Dion Brown who have been a dynamic trio offensively and Omari Davis and Cooper Zohner, a recent Shrine Bowl selection who can clog up run lanes and make life hard on the opposing offense.
But the Blue Eagles will face a Blythewood team, particularly on defense, that is coming off shut outs of their last two opponents in Fort Mill and Nation Ford. Edward Robinson and Zarion Williams Zarion Williams 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2025 State SC are a big reason why. Look for the Bengals to shorten the game and keep the ball out of an explosive Clover offense with Kinson Holland and take their chances downfield later with Josh Gary and Harrison Collins Harrison Collins 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Blythewood | 2024 State SC .
Indian Land (5-2 overall, 1-1 region) at South Pointe (5-2 overall, 1-1 region)
These are two teams that started out hot but have cooled off as of late. South Pointe got back in the win column last week with a 10-2 win over Lancaster and they did primarily with defense. Expect DJ Barksdale II DJ Barksdale II 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB South Pointe | 2023 State SC , who was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl, to be a factor against the downhill run game of Jaden Singletary Jaden Singletary 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Indian Land | 2024 State SC and Myles Stinson. Barksdale had 2 interceptions and 12 tackles last week.
But the Stallions may be able to counter with Malachi Marshall and Caleb Sims in the run game. Whoever can shorten the game and play keep away from the other offense, that will likely determine the winner of this one.
Rock Hill (2-5 overall, 1-1 region) at Nation Ford (1-6 overall, 0-2 region)
Both teams are at the bottom half of the region race and are fighting for fourth place. Rock Hill has confidence with Matthew Wilson Matthew Wilson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC (cover photo above), who was dynamic in the run game in the win over Fort Mill last week. Landon Armstrong Landon Armstrong 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC and Justice Foster were active on the defensive front, and will look to keep a Nation Ford offense, who was shut out against Blythewood last week, stuck in neutral.
But Carson Black Carson Black 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2023 State SC , Josh Ameo and Jeremiah Hailstock will look to change their fortunes from last week. The key for the Falcons offensively will be who can catch the football.
York (4-3 overall, 0-2 region) at Northwestern (6-1 overall, 2-0 region)
York needs a win to stay on track in the region, and things won’t get any easier against a surging Northwestern team. Elijah Caldwell Elijah Caldwell 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2023 State SC continues to be the main target for the Trojans as he had two touchdowns in a rout over Indian Land last week. Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC threw for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns. Can Dalton Russell Dalton Russell 5'9" | 165 lbs | LB York | 2024 State SC and Jonathan Tobias throw off his rhythm in the secondary?
The Cougars’ run game with Javarus Gutherie and Ayden Davis Ayden Davis 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB York | 2024 State SC could present a challenge for the Trojan defensive front so we will see what Andre Pickett and Khamari Morant bring to the table as they were active last week.
Other area game of note: Spring Valley (3-4 overall, 1-1 region) at Fort Mill (0-7 overall, 0-2 region)