Week 4 Games To Watch: Midlands

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Believe it or not but we're already into region play with Region 4-2A getting things kicked off this week. But were also have several spicy non-region games, especially with three schools from the CSRA region coming into the Midlands to test their fortunes. Here's a look at the top games around the area this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AC Flora (2-1) at Camden (2-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams are going in opposite directions. AC Flora has won two in a row while Camden has lost its last two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons have turned to sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky']</strong> at quarterback. He's responded with 556 yards and 10 touchdowns in just a little over two games of action. That has helped free up <strong>Noah Kelson</strong>, who has 486 yards rushing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd']</strong> has turned into Wentzky's favorite target with 12 catches for 226 yards that includes a four-touchdown performance last week in a win over Brookland-Cayce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771227' first='Albert' last='Perkins']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997228' first='Ryan' last='Biggerstaff']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771222' first='Eric' last='McClain']</strong> lead the Falcons defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camden has allowed 85 points in the two losses while scoring just 33 points. Last week, they turned the ball over four times in the Red Zone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White']</strong> has thrown for 851 yards and rushed for 171 yards but needs to be more consistent with region play right around the corner. Receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142669' first='Aidan' last='Heriot']</strong> and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448993' first='Averee' last='Hickmon'] </strong>will need to continue to showcase their game-breaking abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448983' first='Wilson' last='Nash']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157893' first='Jordan' last='Crim']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165092' first='Tylin' last='Drakeford']</strong> lead a defense that has played decently despite the back-to-back losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keenan (1-2) at Fairfield Central (3-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing Keenan can't blame the slow start on is the play of RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1079020' first='Evan' last='Artemus']</strong> has a 300-yard performance to his credit this season. He is over 500 yards and is a load to bring down. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360203' first='Desmond' last='Washington']</strong> has added 200 yards on the ground and over 400 yards passing. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Griffins rebounded from being shutout against Chester to score 46 points in a victory over Lancaster. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']</strong> hasn't missed a beat from last season. He has 875 yards passing with a trio of receivers getting the bulk of the catches – <strong>TyDarion Greir</strong> (22-331 yards), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142804' first='KJ' last='Golden']</strong> (19-243) and <strong>Dre Walker</strong> (11-131). Grier is the leading rusher with 146 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592601' first='Douglas' last='McCloud']</strong> and <strong>Amos Bell</strong> each have over 30 tackles on a defense that has to get better if Fairfield Central is going to be a factor in the Class 3A playoffs in seven weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lexington (4-0) at Gilbert (3-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can call this one a rivalry with the schools and communities just nine miles apart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington has skyrocketed to No. 3 in the most recent Class 5A rankings. It's been a balanced attack that has gotten them out to the lofty ranking. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines']</strong> is in his third season as the starting QB and that experience is starting to show. He has a 93.4 QB rating and has 591 yards passing. His favorite target has become <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer']</strong>, who has 16 catches for 303 yards and is coming off a two-touchdown performance against Blythewood. <strong>Torrie Jones</strong> (257 yards) <strong>Cam Morris</strong> (254 yards) and Mines (191 yards) lead the ground attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The front seven on defense has been the key for the Wildcats. <strong>Montrell Bryd</strong> has 34 tackles, seven TFL and 3 sacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836316' first='Matthew' last='McAulay']</strong> is next with 32 stops and six TFL. <strong>Dylan Bolin</strong>, <strong>Daniel Bryant</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton']</strong> all can make game-changing plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert has a new cast but hasn't missed a beat in rising to No. 5 in the Class 3A rankings. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock'] </strong>has 671 yards passing and eight TDs while <strong>Jaylen Jay</strong> has 591 rushing yards and six scores on the year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris']</strong> has 13 receptions for 184 yards with <strong>Chance Guthrie</strong> being the big-play threat with 225 yards receiving on nine catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians have been able to play a lot of people on defense with two of the three wins being by large margins. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze']</strong> has 26 total tackles. <strong>Gray Gunter</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese']</strong> are just behind Meetze with 25 stops each. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Midland Valley (4-0) at Westwood (1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's safe to say that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar']</strong> is fully back. After shaking off a devastating knee injury from two seasons ago, Dunbar is already at 1,000 yards on 98 carries this season. He's scored nine touchdowns. Fellow running back <strong>Preston</strong> <strong>McNair</strong> compliments Dunbar with 359 yards and QB <strong>Preston Butler</strong> has thrown for 392 yards. The lowest offensive output is 414 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins']</strong> is averaging 14 tackles per game and LB <strong>Dominic Morgan</strong> chips in with 12 tackles per game for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redhawks have struggled after a season-opening win over Spring Valley. <strong>Antwan Nelson</strong> is the leading ground gainer and receiver after four games with 288 yards rushing and 171 receiving. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter']</strong> has 455 yards passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jalen Burns</strong> is already at 49 tackles with <strong>Daniel Brown</strong> and <strong>Jayce Rios</strong> having 30 each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Augusta (3-1) at Dutch Fork (1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still odd to see Dutch Fork sitting at three losses at this point of the season. The defending Class 5A state champions have another test with North Augusta coming to town.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Augusta features several offensive weapons. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman']</strong> leads the charge with 351 yards rushing and 380 yards passing. <strong>Mike Doe</strong> has added 335 yards on the ground with a team-best six total touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown']</strong> has 13 receptions for 142 yards and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595703' first='Beans' last='Hunt']</strong> has 121 yards on none catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing']</strong> is getting more comfortable running the offense. He has 522 yards passing that includes 345 the last two weeks. And last week, special teams played a huge factor in the Silver Foxes picking up their first win of the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448992' first='Jacob' last='Hamilton']</strong> and <strong>Jayden Westbrook</strong> returned punts for scores and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson']</strong> added a kickoff return for another touchdown. Hamilton is the leading receiver with 219 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nine players already have double digit tackles for Dutch Fork. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley']</strong> leads the way with 30 stops and <strong>Bryce Nutall</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Tyler' last='Jones']</strong> are just behind him. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Aiken (0-4) at White Knoll (3-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The records in this one might be deceiving. South Aiken has played three ranked teams already and the other is receiving votes in the statewide rankings. White Knoll's three opponents have one win on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrance Smith </strong>has been just short of spectacular on the season. The senior QB has accounted for 876 passing yards and 511 yards on the ground. He's totaled 15 touchdowns. &nbsp;A trio of receivers have the bulk of the receptions. <strong>Malik Scurry</strong> (18 receptions, 419 yards), <strong>Ryan Lubeck</strong> (14-182) and <strong>Andruw Kirkland</strong> (12-157) will test the Timberwolves defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, South Aiken allows over 50 points per game. If linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797153' first='Garrett' last='Still']</strong> and defensive back Jalen <strong>Johnson</strong> can slow down opposing offenses, Smith and company can keep it close.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong> has picked up where he left off last season. The junior has 690 yards passing and added 95 yards rushing. He has seven touchdown passes with three being hauled in by <strong>Hassan Lee</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning']</strong> leads the rushing attack with 226 yards and five scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively might be where the Timberwolves have an advantage. The linebacker trio of <strong>Ayden Gallegos</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142518' first='Demenico' last='Banks']</strong> are playing at a high level and lead the defense that is allowing just seven points per game. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->