Non-Region CSRA Games To Get You Hyped For 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With plenty of movement in both the coaching and player circles the last few months, the intensity involved with several CSRA non-region matchups has heightened.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And while we held off on this post for some time to let the chips fall where they did, we're less than two months away from the start of actual games. Here are three games that we can't wait to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll be here before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silver Bluff at South Aiken (August 18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recent run of new faces in Silver Bluff uniforms means one of the more respectable Class 2A programs is even better. [player_tooltip player_id='91351' first='Jayden' last='Fuller'], [player_tooltip player_id='231445' first='Joenathan' last='Peeples'], [player_tooltip player_id='451249' first='Jaydon' last='Eason'] and [player_tooltip player_id='315098' first='Mickenzie' last='Atterberry'] joined a team that was already bolstered by the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='139306' first='Christian' last='Echols'] and [player_tooltip player_id='139299' first='Jordan' last='Boyd'], who recently gave Georgia Tech a verbal commitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the flip side of that, South Aiken is no slouch. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='340388' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] (pictured) was one of just 11 2,000-yard rushers last year, and tailback [player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] wasn't far off, finishing with 1,702. The duo combined for 51 rushing touchdowns last season. The Thoroughbreds have some work to do replacing four offensive linemen, and while they're going to get a stout test right off the bat, those highlight-reel players will be ready to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strom Thurmond at Midland Valley (August 25)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='589020' first='Darius' last='Simpkins'] (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='589012' first='Jamaris' last='Stevens'] (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) form one of the better one-two defensive punches in Class 3A. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] (6-foot, 170 pounds) is a fast-rising sophomore who will be able to anchor the back side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midland Valley lost its quarterback from last season, but the vast majority of the power players are back. That includes linebackers Dan Morgan (122 total tackles), [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] (109) and <strong>Garrett Miller</strong> (93). And you can't ignore [player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar'], who is back to full strength after an off-season knee injury suffered in early 2022. Dunbar came back at the midway point of last season and looked to be his old self.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bamberg-Ehrhadt at Barnwell (September 1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders tend to get a lot of attention because of 2025 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']. Don't get us wrong; he's really good. But it masks how loaded this Bamberg-Ehrhardt team might be in 2023. Tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997288' first='Nick' last='Folk']</strong> rushed for 1,413 yards and 14 touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998689' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson']</strong> added 618 yards on the ground and another 624 receiving. <strong>Anthony Williams</strong> had 54 catches for 814 yards. On defense, linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142485' first='Jamie' last='Downing']</strong> and defensive lineman <strong>Y'Zorian Washington</strong> will also be back (Johnson and Williams play both sides).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnwell will be entering the season with a new head coach in Brian Smith (most recently of Ridge Spring-Monetta) and without Tyler Smith, last season's Mr. Football finalist and the state's leading rusher with 2,903 yards. But what the Warhorses do have returning is quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] (878 passing yards/214 rushing yards/15 total touchdowns), budding tailback <strong>Jordan Peeples</strong> (265 yards, three touchdowns), linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254065' first='Lex' last='Thomas']</strong> (57 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and defensive back/linebacker <strong>Daven Hayward</strong> (three interceptions). It provides for some big one-on-one matchups throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->