Week 9 Preview: York and Lancaster Counties
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Only two weeks remain in region play and there are teams that are playing for playoff positioning and others that are simply playing for pride. Let’s jump into this week’s games: Catawba Ridge (8-0 overall, 3-0 region) at Indian Land…
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Continue ReadingOnly two weeks remain in region play and there are teams that are playing for playoff positioning and others that are simply playing for pride. Let’s jump into this week’s games:
Catawba Ridge (8-0 overall, 3-0 region) at Indian Land (5-3 overall, 1-2 region)
Catawba Ridge made quick work of Lancaster last week, scoring 60 points and taking advantage of multiple turnovers. Tyler Fikis is continuing to grow as a passer, as he can find the open man and allow them to do the rest. He has talent around him, which includes Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 5'11" | 225 lbs | RB Catawba Ridge | 2023 State SC who ran for two touchdowns and runs extremely hard.
Indian Land will need to win and get some help in the region, as they’ve dropped two in a row. Jaden Singletary Jaden Singletary 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Indian Land | 2024 State SC is an impressive two way player, who had a scoop and score to get the Warriors on the board last week in the loss to South Pointe. But can the offense find their footing with Myles Stinson and Jaxon Scheidt Jaxon Scheidt 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Indian Land | 2024 State SC ?
Clover (4-4 overall, 2-1 region) at Fort Mill (0-8 overall, 0-3 region)
Clover was held to a season low 7 points in a region loss to Blythewood. But they have the opportunity to get back on track this week across the Catawba River. The explosive trio of Jaylon Hoover, Dion Brown and Hunter Jaime will look to outrun the Yellow Jacket defense, while Cooper Zohner, who nearly had a pick six last week and Omari Davis will lead the defense for the Blue Eagles.
The Yellow Jackets fell in another heartbreaker last week, this time to Spring Valley. Isaiah Haynes Isaiah Haynes 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Mill | 2023 SC and Dylan Schaefer have been one of the bright spots for the offense, and they’ll need to have another big night if they want any chance of pulling the upset.
Northwestern (7-1 overall, 3-0 region) at South Pointe (6-2 overall, 2-1 region)
This is the game of the night in the area, and one that many will have their eyes on the state. For Northwestern, it’s simple. Win and you set up a winner take all region championship against Catawba Ridge next week. But South Pointe has other plans. The Trojans have been rolling with Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC , Turbo Richard Turbo Richard 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Northwestern | 2024 State SC and Elijah Caldwell Elijah Caldwell 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2023 State SC .
The Stallions will look to put a complete game together offensively with Malachi Marshall and Caleb Sims. Look for them to utilize the quick game with Demari Kendrick against the Trojan defense.
Blythewood (6-2 overall, 3-0 region) at Rock Hill (2-6 overall, 1-2 region)
Blythewood will be a handful to handle defensively Friday and heading into the playoffs. Edward Robinson broke the single season sack record as he currently has 22 in the ‘22 season. Sterling Sanders Sterling Sanders 6'4" | 305 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2025 State SC is another guy to keep your eye on on the defensive front for the Bengals. Offensively, Harrison Collins Harrison Collins 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Blythewood | 2024 State SC and Deon Tyler connected on the long ball twice and will look to keep that connection going.
Rock Hill should compete in every game, and a lot of that has to do with the skill talent on offense. Matthew Wilson Matthew Wilson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC and Brandon Watson are a solid duo at the quarterback and running back position. Landon Armstrong Landon Armstrong 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC and Justice Foster are two guys who affect the quarterback and will look to make life hard for Collins.
Nation Ford (2-6 overall, 1-2 region) at Spring Valley (4-4 overall, 2-1 region)
Carson Black Carson Black 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2023 State SC and Josh Ameo connected three times for touchdowns in a confidence boosting win over Rock Hill last week. Look for AJ McCollum to see action on Friday in the run game for the Falcons. Ja’Derrick Foster is an enforcer in the secondary and will light up the receiver over the middle.
Speaking of tackling and making plays defensively, Evan Javis Evan Javis 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC has been all over the place for the Vikings and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue Friday.
York (4-4 overall, 0-3 region) at Lancaster (3-5 overall, 0-3 region)
Both teams need a region win and have had a tough last few weeks. Ayden Davis Ayden Davis 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB York | 2024 State SC and Javarus Gutherie are the two bright spots for the Cougars offensively. Both combined for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Lancaster will have to avoid the costly turnovers that got them in trouble last week in their blowout loss to Catawba Ridge. They’ll look to get the run going with Mikel McCollum and JaRon Stevenson.