24 Catawba River Region Players To Watch In Week 1
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Everyone in the Catawba River Region kicks off the 2023 season this coming Friday night and you’ve got quarterbacks who can sling it with their arm, and some who can keep it on the ground. While on the defensive side…
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Continue ReadingEveryone in the Catawba River Region kicks off the 2023 season this coming Friday night and you’ve got quarterbacks who can sling it with their arm, and some who can keep it on the ground. While on the defensive side of the ball, there are guys that you will want to be careful throwing the ball to as we head into Week 1.
Andre Pickett | DE | Northwestern
Pickett came up with three solo tackles and 2 ½ of them for a loss as the defensive line was active early against Providence Day last week. He is one of the leaders on the defensive line and will be looking to help his team get back on track against Clover on Friday.
Antonio Hopkins Antonio Hopkins 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Chester | 2024 State SC | LB | Chester
The Shrine Bowl candidate recorded 8 tackles with two of them for a loss. He will be a tough out for anyone that goes up against him. He had two sacks and a forced fumble, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
Chris Dixon Chris Dixon 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL South Pointe | 2024 State SC | DL | South Pointe
Dixon was difficult to run against last week against Spartanburg. He got into the backfield and assisted on several TFLs. He can also get his hands up and knock the ball down. Keep an eye on Jeremiah Minor Jeremiah Minor 5'10" | 270 lbs | DL South Pointe | 2024 State SC up front as well.
CJ McCree | DL | Chester
McCree was active up front for the Cyclones, recording 13 tackles, with one of them for a loss. He’ll be looking to replicate it against a team that likes to run the ball.
Debo Hall Debo Hall 5'11" | 185 lbs | DB York | 2024 State SC | DB | York
Hall is one of the more aggressive defensive backs in the area, and we expect that to continue as the Cougars kick off the season on Friday. He recorded 60 tackles in 2022.
DJ Latimer | QB | Catawba Ridge
The Copperheads may have found their quarterback as he had an impressive debut, going 11-for-19 for 148 yards in last week’s 38-14 win over Fort Mill. He’s also dynamic with his feet. He ran for 128 yards as well.
Elijah Coleman Elijah Coleman 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Clover | 2024 State SC | RB | Chester
Coleman produced 130 of the Cyclones’ 200 yards last week in their win over Lancaster, and he’ll be looking for a strong follow up this week.
Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC | QB | Northwestern
Polk threw for 397 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 42-35 loss to Providence Day last week in Charlotte. He’ll be looking to avoid the red zone turnovers that plagued the Trojans this week against Clover.
Fred Reese | DB | South Pointe
Reese (pictured above) has the instincts and the athleticism you need at the cornerback position, and he’ll be looking for another interception this week. He nabbed a pick against Spartanburg last week. Keep an eye on Zantawn Nelson as well.
Ira Mister | RB | Catawba Ridge
The senior showed that he will be a real running threat in 2023 – he ran for 143 yards last week in the win and was a great one-two punch with Latimer.
Jayden Bryant Jayden Bryant 6'4" | 215 lbs | DL Clover | 2024 State SC | DL | Clover
The Coastal Carolina commit is the unquestioned leader of the Blue Eagles’ defense. He’s big and is tough for offensive linemen to block one-on-one.
Jaylen Burris | WR | Northwestern
Burris will be looked upon as a leader in the wide receiver room for the Trojans in 2023. He got his season off to a good start, recording five receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Providence Day.
Jonathan Tobias | DB | York
Tobias recorded an interception in the Bill Pate White Rose Classic and will be looked on as a leader on offense and defense. He can beat you with his speed on the outside.
Kaden Barnette | QB | Nation Ford
Barnette showed poise as he led his team back from a deficit to beat Indian Land on the last play of the game. He connected with speedy wide receiver Josh Ameo on the two-point conversion to win.
Landon Armstrong Landon Armstrong 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC | LB | Rock Hill
Armstrong will fly around and knock people around on the offensive line. We will be interested to see how he fares in the season opener Friday.
Malik Clark Malik Clark 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Rock Hill | 2025 State SC | WR | Rock Hill
Clark already has multiple Division 1 offers and is a home run threat to score when he catches the ball. He told us for the Bearcats’ season preview that he’s been looking to improve his route running.
Matthew Wilson Matthew Wilson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC | QB | Rock Hill
Wilson will begin his senior season on Friday night. He’s an accurate, athletic signal caller who can keep plays alive with his feet and will find the open grass.
Sequel Patterson Sequel Patterson 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Indian Land | 2027 State SC | QB | Indian Land
The young freshman scored three touchdowns in a nail-biting loss to Nation Ford to open the 2023 season. He can hurt you with his feet and his arm and can make you miss in space.
Tanner Mays Tanner Mays SC | WR | Fort Mill
Mays scored a touchdown in the loss to Catawba Ridge last week and he can beat you on the outside one-on-one. We’ll see if he’s looked upon more heading into this week.
TJ McCluney | WR | Clover
Keep an eye on McCluney on the outside at receiver. He is a slippery, downfield threat who should be a reliable target for quarterback Jaylon Hoover, who can keep plays alive with his feet.
Notable Catawba River Region Week One Matchups
All games kickoff at 7:30PM unless otherwise noted (as of time of publication)
Charlotte Christian at Catawba Ridge
Fort Mill at Chester
Clover at Northwestern (8PM kick)
Indian Land at Timberland
Rock Hill at South Pointe
York at Nation Ford (8PM kick)