CSRA Week 6 Games and Players to Watch
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The region season is well underway. Depending on the classification, this is either the first or second week of region play for CSRA teams. The next month will separate the contenders from those who still have a way to go.…
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Continue ReadingThe region season is well underway.
Depending on the classification, this is either the first or second week of region play for CSRA teams. The next month will separate the contenders from those who still have a way to go.
For those opening this week, it’s an opportunity to get an early lead in what will be a marathon condensed into a month.
Let’s start with the Week 6 Games to Watch:
Airport (4-2) at Aiken (0-5)
A streak will end for one of these teams. The Eagles look to snap a seven-game losing streak in Region IV-4A, while the winless Green Hornets have a 10-game overall losing skid dating back to last season.
Ironically, the 21-7 win took place last season over Airport. This is an improved Eagles’ roster which, despite blowout losses to Brookland-Cayce and Irmo, already has its highest win total since 2020.
Quarterback Jesse Hoover has developed a strong synergy with wide receivers Shiloh Perry and Avery Jones Avery Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Airport | 2025 State SC , who have combined for all eight receiving touchdowns. Defensively, the linebacking corps of Bryant Cherry Bryant Cherry 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Airport | 2025 State SC , Trey Neil and Montrelle Keys Montrelle Keys 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Airport | 2025 State SC are among the team’s most prepared and hardest working players on the road.
Giving up scoring runs has been a problem for the Green Hornets. They gave up 34 unanswered points to Clinton three weeks ago and 26 unanswered points in last week’s loss to Barnwell.
South Aiken (1-5) at North Augusta (4-2)
With undefeated Midland Valley idle, this is an opportunity for either the Thoroughbreds or Yellow Jackets to take an early lead in Region 5-4A.
The Thoroughbreds broke into the win column for the first time in spectacular fashion. The 41-30 upset over Class 3A ranked Clinton was spurred by a dominant running attack which produced 336 rushing yards.
Running back Jevon Edwards Jevon Edwards 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB South Aiken | 2025 State SC was a yard shy of 200 yards, while quarterback Terrence Smith Terrence Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB South Aiken | 2024 State SC (pictured) rebounded from a subpar showing against White Knoll with 161 rushing yards and 141 passing yards against Clinton.
The Thoroughbreds were still outgained on the ground, giving up 385 rushing yards. Enter North Augusta’s Michael Doe Michael Doe 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB North Augusta | 2026 State SC – who had 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Strom Thurmond. Quarterback Corey Tillman Corey Tillman 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB North Augusta | 2025 State SC presents a dual threat passing and running the football.
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets need another big game from defensive lineman Deondre Baskett, who had two sacks and helped limit the Rebels’ passing offense to 105 yards in the second half.
Strom Thurmond (3-2) at Batesburg-Leesville (2-3)
Rebels’ head coach Andrew Webb did not mince words about his team following last week’s 23-11 loss to North Augusta.
“If the Rebs play well, the Rebs are pretty good,” he said. “If the Rebs beat the Rebs, we look like a crap football team. And I’m disappointed about that.”
Quarterback Quan Edmond will look to improve his second-half effort against North Augusta. He has weapons like Tennessee commit Braylon Staley Braylon Staley 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC and Jay Sewell Jay Sewell 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2025 State SC at his disposal.
Strom Thurmond faces a Panthers’ team which it has defeated in 11 of the last 13 meetings. Batesburg-Leesville’s last win was in 2014.
Running back Amadre Wooden does it all for Batesburg-Leesville. He’s the team’s leader in rushing and kick return yards and second in receiving. Wooden had a 94-yard kickoff return TD last week against Chester. Wide receiver Cole Price accounts for half of the completions quarterback Tanner Watkins has thrown.
Barnwell (3-3) at Edisto (5-1)
Since a season-opening loss to longtime nemesis Bamberg-Ehrhardt, the Cougars have won five straight games.
Edisto has a potent running game with a bevy of ball carriers from quarterback Terrell Thomas Terrell Thomas 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Edisto | 2025 State SC to Khamanti Kennedy, Micah Johnson and Juwarren James at running back.
Edisto now faces another team against whom history has not fared in their favor.
Barnwell quarterback Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC has led the Barnwell offense with his arm (824 passing yards, six touchdowns) and feet (365 rushing yards, 10 TDs). Wide receiver Logan Sturkie is his favorite target with 33 receptions for 366 yards and four touchdowns. The offense was shut down, however, in last week’s 35-8 loss to Silver Bluff.
Players to Watch
KJ Saab LB, Blackville-Hilda – An integral contributor on a defense that has held opponents to 11 points per game, Saab is routinely in the double figures in tackles in his first year back after a season-ending ACL injury.
Philijuan Saldano QB, Branchville – Saldano, the Yellow Jackets’ leader in rushing yards the last two seasons, should be able to put up good numbers at home against Allendale-Fairfax.
Chanston Crosby Chanston Crosby 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2025 State SC QB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt – The Georgia State commit threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns in 69-0 win over East Clarendon. He’ll look to continue that production at Ben Lippen.