Week 4 Games To Watch: Midlands
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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…
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Continue ReadingBelieve 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.
AC Flora (2-1) at Camden (2-2)
These teams are going in opposite directions. AC Flora has won two in a row while Camden has lost its last two.
The Falcons have turned to sophomore Roper Wentzky Roper Wentzky 5'11" | 155 lbs | QB AC Flora | 2026 State SC 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 Noah Kelson, who has 486 yards rushing. Kendall Byrd Kendall Byrd 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2026 State SC 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.
Albert Perkins Albert Perkins 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB AC Flora | 2024 State SC , Ryan Biggerstaff Ryan Biggerstaff 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB AC Flora | 2024 State SC and Eric McClain Eric McClain 5'9" | 195 lbs | LB AC Flora | 2024 State SC lead the Falcons defense.
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. Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC has thrown for 851 yards and rushed for 171 yards but needs to be more consistent with region play right around the corner. Receivers Jaquarius Mayrant Jaquarius Mayrant 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Camden | 2024 State SC and Aidan Heriot Aidan Heriot 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Camden | 2024 State SC and RB Averee Hickmon Averee Hickmon 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB Camden | 2024 State SC will need to continue to showcase their game-breaking abilities.
Wilson Nash Wilson Nash 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Camden | 2024 State SC , Jordan Crim Jordan Crim 6'1" | 160 lbs | DB Camden | 2025 State SC and Tylin Drakeford Tylin Drakeford 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Camden | 2026 State SC lead a defense that has played decently despite the back-to-back losses.
Keenan (1-2) at Fairfield Central (3-1)
One thing Keenan can’t blame the slow start on is the play of RB Evan Artemus Evan Artemus 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB W.J. Keenan | 2024 State SC has a 300-yard performance to his credit this season. He is over 500 yards and is a load to bring down. Desmond Washington has added 200 yards on the ground and over 400 yards passing.
The Griffins rebounded from being shutout against Chester to score 46 points in a victory over Lancaster. Sophomore Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'3" | 230 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2026 State SC hasn’t missed a beat from last season. He has 875 yards passing with a trio of receivers getting the bulk of the catches – TyDarion Greir (22-331 yards), KJ Golden KJ Golden 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Fairfield Central | 2024 State SC (19-243) and Dre Walker (11-131). Grier is the leading rusher with 146 yards.
Douglas McCloud and Amos Bell 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.
Lexington (4-0) at Gilbert (3-0)
You can call this one a rivalry with the schools and communities just nine miles apart.
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. Taiden Mines Taiden Mines 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Lexington | 2024 State SC 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 Brandon Cromer Brandon Cromer 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Lexington | 2025 State SC , who has 16 catches for 303 yards and is coming off a two-touchdown performance against Blythewood. Torrie Jones (257 yards) Cam Morris (254 yards) and Mines (191 yards) lead the ground attack.
The front seven on defense has been the key for the Wildcats. Montrell Bryd has 34 tackles, seven TFL and 3 sacks. Matthew McAulay Matthew McAulay 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Lexington | 2025 SC is next with 32 stops and six TFL. Dylan Bolin, Daniel Bryant and Christian Sexton Christian Sexton 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC all can make game-changing plays.
Gilbert has a new cast but hasn’t missed a beat in rising to No. 5 in the Class 3A rankings. Drake Braddock Drake Braddock 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2024 State SC has 671 yards passing and eight TDs while Jaylen Jay has 591 rushing yards and six scores on the year. Krew Morris Krew Morris 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Gilbert | 2025 State SC has 13 receptions for 184 yards with Chance Guthrie being the big-play threat with 225 yards receiving on nine catches.
The Indians have been able to play a lot of people on defense with two of the three wins being by large margins. Wynn Meetze Wynn Meetze 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Gilbert | 2026 State SC has 26 total tackles. Gray Gunter and Caleb Strese Caleb Strese 6'3" | 210 lbs | DL Gilbert | 2024 State SC are just behind Meetze with 25 stops each.
Midland Valley (4-0) at Westwood (1-3)
It’s safe to say that Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC 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 Preston McNair compliments Dunbar with 359 yards and QB Preston Butler has thrown for 392 yards. The lowest offensive output is 414 yards.
Linebacker Andon Hawkins Andon Hawkins 5'7" | 205 lbs | LB Midland Valley | 2025 State SC is averaging 14 tackles per game and LB Dominic Morgan chips in with 12 tackles per game for the Mustangs.
The Redhawks have struggled after a season-opening win over Spring Valley. Antwan Nelson is the leading ground gainer and receiver after four games with 288 yards rushing and 171 receiving. Carrington Carter has 455 yards passing.
Jalen Burns is already at 49 tackles with Daniel Brown and Jayce Rios having 30 each.
North Augusta (3-1) at Dutch Fork (1-3)
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.
North Augusta features several offensive weapons. QB Corey Tillman Corey Tillman 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB North Augusta | 2025 State SC leads the charge with 351 yards rushing and 380 yards passing. Mike Doe has added 335 yards on the ground with a team-best six total touchdowns. Connor Brown Connor Brown 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR North Augusta | 2025 State SC has 13 receptions for 142 yards and Beans Hunt Beans Hunt 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH North Augusta | 2024 State SC has 121 yards on none catches.
Sophomore Ethan Offing Ethan Offing 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2026 State SC 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. Jacob Hamilton Jacob Hamilton 5'9" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC and Jayden Westbrook returned punts for scores and Maurice Anderson Maurice Anderson 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2025 State SC added a kickoff return for another touchdown. Hamilton is the leading receiver with 219 yards.
Nine players already have double digit tackles for Dutch Fork. Deon Winsley Deon Winsley 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC leads the way with 30 stops and Bryce Nutall and Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC are just behind him.
South Aiken (0-4) at White Knoll (3-0)
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.
Terrance Smith 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. A trio of receivers have the bulk of the receptions. Malik Scurry (18 receptions, 419 yards), Ryan Lubeck (14-182) and Andruw Kirkland (12-157) will test the Timberwolves defense.
Defensively, South Aiken allows over 50 points per game. If linebacker Garrett Still Garrett Still 5'10" | 165 lbs | LB South Aiken | 2025 SC and defensive back Jalen Johnson can slow down opposing offenses, Smith and company can keep it close.
Landon Sharpe Landon Sharpe 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB White Knoll | 2025 State SC 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 Hassan Lee. Tiyon Fanning Tiyon Fanning 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB White Knoll | 2027 State SC leads the rushing attack with 226 yards and five scores.
Defensively might be where the Timberwolves have an advantage. The linebacker trio of Ayden Gallegos, Jaiden Kimble Jaiden Kimble 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC and Demenico Banks Demenico Banks 5'10" | 225 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC are playing at a high level and lead the defense that is allowing just seven points per game.