First Round Game Balls: Midlands Area
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The first round of the playoffs saw several outstanding performances but these five QBs, three RBs, WR and two defensive standouts caught our eye for this addition of Midlands Game Balls. Aliam Appler Aliam Appler 6'4" | 205 lbs…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the playoffs saw several outstanding performances but these five QBs, three RBs, WR and two defensive standouts caught our eye for this addition of Midlands Game Balls.
Aliam Appler Aliam Appler 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC , QB, Dutch Fork
The senior accounted for four touchdowns in a 56-0 win over Mauldin. He threw for 193 yards and scores of 25 yards to Leyton Shuler, 30-yards to Jacob Hamilton Jacob Hamilton 5'9" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC and 69-yards to Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC . He also added a 67-yard scoring run.
Zack Earle, LB, Camden
The senior had nine tackles and an interception as the Bulldogs defense pitched a shutout in a 29-2 win over Loris. The only Loris points came on a safety.
Jashaun Manning, LB, Fairfield Central
The senior was all over the field in helping the Griffins to a 28-7 win over Ninety-Six. He registered 22 tackles from his linebacker spot.
Naahzeikial Mays Naahzeikial Mays 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC , RB, Brookland-Cayce
With two of the Bearcats best offensive weapons on the sideline with injuries, Mays scored four touchdowns and ran for 163 yards on 14 carries in a 36-7 win over Hanahan. He also added four tackles on defense.
Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC , QB, Lexington
The junior threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score to help the Wildcats to a 45-0 victory over Wando. Mines threw 68 and 50-yard TD passes to Kamadi Maxwell Kamadi Maxwell 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Lexington | 2023 State SC , a 7-yarder to Cam Sutton and ran for a 29-yard score.
BJ Montgomery, RB, Gray Collegiate
The sophomore ran for three touchdowns in helping the War Eagles to a 54-0 win over Fox Creek.
Hernandez O’Neal, QB, Keenan
The senior was nearly perfect in a 62-29 win over Landrum. O’Neal was 21-of-22 passing for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for 64 yards and two additional TDs.
Caleb Pearson Caleb Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH CA Johnson | 2024 State SC , QB, CA Johnson
The junior scored five touchdowns on runs of 10, 28, 10, 54 and 2 yards in helping the Green Hornets to a 35-12 victory over Ridge Spring-Monetta. He had 147 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Dylan Richardson, QB, Hammond
The senior accounted for three touchdowns in a 49-7 victory over Augusta Christian. He had two passing touchdowns and a rushing score as well.
Chris Thomas, WR, Blythewood
The Bengals junior had 8 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown and added a punt return for a score to lead Blythewood to a 40-0 win over Boiling Springs.
Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC , RB, AC Flora
The senior topped the 2,000-yard mark for the season with 165 yards and three rushing touchdowns and a receiving score in a 49-14 win over Wilson.