Week 1 Midlands Game Balls

The old adage that a team shows its most improveement from the season-opener to the second game certainly rang true for Midlands players.   Some of the top players either equalled their past efforts from the previous week. Meanwhile, some new names emerged for teams both in victory and defeat.   Time to start handing out Game Balls.   Editor's note: To nominate your players for a Game Ball, please send a member of the Prep Red Zone South Carolina team your players' performance data by noon Saturday following Friday games.   [player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett'] WR, Gray Collegiate   The senior wideout was a star among stars in the 62-60 victory over Crestwood. He had eight receptions for 247 yards and had four touchdown receptions where he showed off his leaping ability, solid hands and overall determination to beat his defender.    [player_tooltip player_id='589009' first='Javion' last='Martin'] QB, Crestwood   The Class 3A All-State senior put on a show for the Midlands. He threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, displaying a lightning release and an arm strong enough to throw from any position on the field. When opponents have trouble bringing Martin down, he reminds teams of his dual threat ability running the football.    <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='997149' first='Azarian' last='Yates'] RB, Crestwood   There's a reason Knights' head coach Roosevelt Nelson calls Yates as much a catalyst for the offense as quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='589009' first='Javion' last='Martin']. The 6-foot, 225-pound senior rushed for three touchdowns and 82 yards and also provided Martin with a "out" as seen on his Herculean 37-yard touchdown reception in which he made the over-the-shoulder catch and proceeded to bounce away from six Gray Collegiate tacklers.   [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] LB, Gray Collegiate   The sophomore transfer (pictured) stopped two two-point conversion tries by Crestwood in the fourth quarter. He stopped a Crestwood running back at the goal line and forced a fumble on the first attempt, then sacked quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='589009' first='Javion' last='Martin'] to preserve the win.   [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'], WR River Bluff   The Gators' duo connected on three of Murray's four touchdown passes in the 56-7 road win over Swansea. Murray completed 10-13 passes for 148 yards.   Torrie Jones RB, Lexington   The junior running back posted a career-high 165 yards and three touchdowns in the win over South Aiken.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] and Kelvin Blackwell RBs, Gilbert   The Indians might have found their replacement for the "Thunder and Lightning" backfield of [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] and Alias Graham-Woodberry. Jay rushed for 223 yards, Blackwell added 101 yards and both scored twice.   [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] QB, Irmo   The junior quarterback completed 19-26 passes for 263 yards and six touchdowns and rushed three times for 100 yards and a score against Lancaster. On the basketball court this past March, he scored 15 points against the Bruins at the Class 4A championship won by the Yellow Jackets.    [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] RB, Irmo   The first-year Irmo tailback was as much a threat in the air (three catches, 93 yards, two touchdowns) as he was on the ground (11 carries, 80 yards, touchdown).   [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] QB, Chapin   On an emotional night when the Eagles honored their late teammate Fabian Douglas Ruff (who passed away on Tuesday) and faced Mid-Carolina in the "Battle of the Bell," the junior quarterback was near-perfect in completing 12-13 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] QB, AC Flora   In his first start, Wentzky threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns against Dreher.   Noah Kelson RB, AC Flora   The senior tailback has somewhat allayed those concerns about replacing Markel Townsend. He rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns against Dreher.   [player_tooltip player_id='440461' first='Harrison' last='Collins'] QB, Blythewood   The senior rebounded from last week's loss to Ridge View by throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for one against Richland Northeast.   [player_tooltip player_id='771221' first='Lamarion' last='Pearson'] RB Lower Richland   The senior tailback rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown. His biggest play came with 27.4 seconds left when he hauled in a 46-yard touchdown pass from MJ Smith in the 24-21 win over Westwood.   Charlie Bonds QB and Drew Spires WR, Richard Winn   The Patriots' duo overwhelmed Laurens Academy 54-14 with four touchdowns each. Bonds was 11-13 passing for 237 yards and Spires had eight receptions for 172 yards and returned an inter eption for a touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='589049' first='Duncan' last='Skehan'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane'] RB, Cardinal Newman   The Cardinals' duo dominated Pee Dee Academy in the air and on the ground. Skehan was 10-14 passing for 282 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for one score. Lane rushed for 163 yards on nine carries.   [player_tooltip player_id='840041' first='David' last='Rodgers'] LB, Cardinal Newman   The senior linebacker was just as impactful on the defensive end for the Cardinals. He recorded 10 tackles, three for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble.   [player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples'] QB, Sumter   The junior rushed for three touchdowns and 88 yards and had a 65-yard touchdown pass in the 42-19 win over Ridge View.

The old adage that a team shows its most improveement from the season-opener to the second game certainly rang true for Midlands players.