Non-Region CSRA Games To Get You Hyped For 2023
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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. And while we held off on this post for some time to let the chips…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
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.
They’ll be here before we know it.
Silver Bluff at South Aiken (August 18)
The recent run of new faces in Silver Bluff uniforms means one of the more respectable Class 2A programs is even better. Jayden Fuller Jayden Fuller 5'11" | 225 lbs | LB Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC , Joenathan Peeples Joenathan Peeples 5'9" | 205 lbs | RB Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC , Jaydon Eason Jaydon Eason 6'0" | 275 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC and Mickenzie Atterberry Mickenzie Atterberry 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC joined a team that was already bolstered by the likes of Christian Echols Christian Echols 6'4" | 250 lbs | OL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC and Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC , who recently gave Georgia Tech a verbal commitment.
On the flip side of that, South Aiken is no slouch. Quarterback Terrence Smith Terrence Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB South Aiken | 2024 State SC (pictured) was one of just 11 2,000-yard rushers last year, and tailback Jevon Edwards Jevon Edwards 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB South Aiken | 2025 State SC 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.
Strom Thurmond at Midland Valley (August 25)
Defensive lineman Darius Simpkins Darius Simpkins 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and linebacker Jamaris Stevens Jamaris Stevens 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) form one of the better one-two defensive punches in Class 3A. Defensive back Kaleb Simpkins Kaleb Simpkins 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Strom Thurmond | 2026 State SC (6-foot, 170 pounds) is a fast-rising sophomore who will be able to anchor the back side.
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), Andon Hawkins Andon Hawkins 5'7" | 205 lbs | LB Midland Valley | 2025 State SC (109) and Garrett Miller (93). And you can’t ignore Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC , 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.
Bamberg-Ehrhadt at Barnwell (September 1)
The Red Raiders tend to get a lot of attention because of 2025 quarterback Chanston Crosby Chanston Crosby 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2025 State SC . Don’t get us wrong; he’s really good. But it masks how loaded this Bamberg-Ehrhardt team might be in 2023. Tailback Nick Folk Nick Folk 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC rushed for 1,413 yards and 14 touchdowns. Isaiah Johnson Isaiah Johnson 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC added 618 yards on the ground and another 624 receiving. Anthony Williams had 54 catches for 814 yards. On defense, linebacker Jamie Downing Jamie Downing 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC and defensive lineman Y’Zorian Washington will also be back (Johnson and Williams play both sides).
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 Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC (878 passing yards/214 rushing yards/15 total touchdowns), budding tailback Jordan Peeples (265 yards, three touchdowns), linebacker Lex Thomas Lex Thomas 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Barnwell | 2025 State SC (57 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and defensive back/linebacker Daven Hayward (three interceptions). It provides for some big one-on-one matchups throughout the game.