Week 0 CRR Games To Watch
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Football is back in the Catawba River Region of South Carolina as we have lots of storylines heading into the 2023 season. You’ve got new quarterbacks trying to find their rhythm with a talent nucleus surrounding them and guys who…
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Continue ReadingFootball is back in the Catawba River Region of South Carolina as we have lots of storylines heading into the 2023 season. You’ve got new quarterbacks trying to find their rhythm with a talent nucleus surrounding them and guys who will cause problems for opposing offenses.
Most games will happen right here locally, but you’ve got one big time game along the I-85 corridor in the Upstate and another one happening across the state line.
Friday, August 18
Nation Ford at Indian Land
Kaden Barnette appears to be the starter for the Nation Ford Falcons as they move on from Carson Black, who is at UNC-Charlotte. The Falcons are loaded with skill talent including Josh Ameo and Lucas Barz. Ben Wakefield Ben Wakefield 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Nation Ford | 2024 State SC is a big, physical tight end who will cause some matchup problems. Keep an eye on Braydon Flores and Mason Colunga. Read our season preview of the Falcons here.
Optimism is high at Indian Land as the Warriors run first offense is back. Jaxon Schiedt returns at quarterback along with the multi-talented Jaden Singletary Jaden Singletary 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Indian Land | 2024 State SC . Look for Camdin Portis to make plays on the outside when they go deep as he enters his sophomore year. Linebacker and Florida St. commit Timir Hickman-Collins Timir Hickman-Collins 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Indian Land | 2024 State SC is the leader on defense. Keep an eye on Devin McCurry and Chase Jones as well. Read our preview of the Warriors here.
Fort Mill at Catawba Ridge
The Yellow Jackets will be looking to find a rhythm with their flexbone offense with what appears to be Quinn Kelly at quarterback – he took the starting reps during the Bill Pate White Rose Classic last Friday. Jackson Smith has the speed on the outside if the Jackets decide to go deep. Keep an eye out for Joseph Duey and Josh Welch defensively. Read our preview of the Jackets here.
We still don’t know who Catawba Ridge will run out there first at quarterback on Friday night but it’s a battle of three guys: CJ Couch, Andrew Turner Andrew Turner 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Hammond | 2025 SC and DJ Latimer. But they certainly have skill to help them out with Sheldon Crawford, Brady Ambrose Brady Ambrose 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Catawba Ridge | 2025 State SC and Ira Mister. Rasean Marajah Rasean Marajah 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB Catawba Ridge | 2025 SC will be a leader on defense along with Jackson Burger at linebacker.
South Pointe at Spartanburg
Malachi Marshall Malachi Marshall 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2024 State SC kicks off his senior campaign with a lot of skill power accompanying him, including wide receivers Jordan Curbeam (pictured above) and Mikey Mann. Curbeam has splashed throughout the spring and in the summer while Mann will be looked at as one of the leaders. J’Zavien Currence J’Zavien Currence 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH South Pointe | 2026 State SC and Fred Reese will lead things in the secondary. Read our season preview of the Stallions here.
Spartanburg moves on Rahiem Jeter, who is now at East Carolina, so it will be interesting to see who takes the starting snap on Friday night. T.J. Johnson is one guy to watch as he is a dual threat. The duo of linebackers in Cam’rich Smith and Bennie Littlejohn Bennie Littlejohn 5'7" | 210 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2024 State SC should create an interesting matchup against the Stallions. Read our season preview of the Vikings here.
OFF: Clover, Rock Hill and York
Other Game of Note: Chester at Lancaster
Saturday, August 19, 7PM, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte
Providence Day vs. Northwestern
The battle of the two Carolinas takes place in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday night. Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC returns for the Trojans in his junior season after throwing for 3301 yards and 31 TDs in 2022. Yes, the Trojans will need to figure out what to do as Elijah Caldwell has graduated but Jaylen and Jayden Burris along with Greer Hopkins Greer Hopkins 5'8" | 150 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2024 State SC look to be the leaders at the receiver spot. Will Massey Will Massey 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Northwestern | 2025 State SC and Andre Pickett will be leaders on what should be a solid defensive line. Read our preview of the Trojans here.
Providence Day is led by star quarterback Jadyn Davis who is committed to the University of Michigan. Channing Goodwin is one of Davis’s favorite targets along with JD Elsworth, as we saw last Friday night at the Bill Pate White Rose Classic. Brody Barnhart took snaps at running back last week as well. Could that continue on Saturday? Read our preview of the Chargers here.