Week 5 Midlands Players To Watch

We are at the halfway point of the season and this group of 15 players have a huge opportunity to determine how the second half of the season unfolds. Here are some standouts to watch for this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='1079020' first='Evan' last='Artemus'] RB, Keenan – The Raiders senior already has a 300-yard rushing performance this season. He's the main clog to the Keenan attack. They already have a region loss and will look to get on track against Newberry.    [player_tooltip player_id='1360178' first='Keivonte' last='Bates'] RB, CA Johnson – [player_tooltip player_id='1142538' first='Caleb' last='Pearson'] has been the pivotal offensive performer with over 1,00 yards rushing but Bates could be key with region play starting soon. The junior has 471 yards rushing and has added 35 tackles and three interceptions on defense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd'] WR, AC Flora – It would be an understatement to say Byrd and fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] have a great connection. In the three starts made by Wentzky, Bryd has 15 receptions for 362 yards and seven touchdowns. The Falcons have some injuries so they will need those two to continue the hot streak.   [player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'] WR, River Bluff – The Gators have one more tune-up before region play begins so that give Collier and QB [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] one more chance to improve. Collier, a junior, has 19 catches for 367 yards and five TDs. That's almost half of the 783 passing yards from Murray.      Thompson Dubose ATH, Heathwood Hall – Dubose was one of the top receivers in the area but has been pressed into service at quarterback after the early season injury to [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk']. He's run for 267 yards and thrown for 395 yards. Dubose is playing out of position, but he will be key to see if the Highlanders can improve in the second half of the season.    Maddox Floyd WR, Chapin – Chapin quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] has been more than spectacular with 1240 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. His top target has been Floyd, who has 34 receptions for 304 yards and five touchdowns. Jacob Nerone and Khalen Bostick are also big parts of the passing game.    [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] QB, Ben Lippen – The 6-foot-5 sophomore has been as good as advertised. The transfer from Ridge View is 59-of-117 for 914 yards, 11 TDs and just two interceptions. Gilmore (pictured) has four talented receivers that each have 11 or more catches on the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='816735' first='Jamel' last='Howse'] WR, Newberry – The Bulldogs big-play sophomore receiver will need to continue progressing to help Newberry in the Region 4-AA competition.      [player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble'] LB, White Knoll – The Shrine Bowl selection has 18 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks on a defense that has limited opponents to just 686 total yards in 4 games. A season ago, the Timberwolves started the season with six straight wins before stumbling in the region with three straight losses. Kimble will be a huge key if they can avoid that pitfall this season.    Brewer LaMotte LB, Hammond – Last year, the Skyhawks defense hardly allowed anything against SCISA competition. The last two games, they've yielded 13 points and LaMotte is a big reason why. He has 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass break ups and two interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane'] ATH, Cardinal Newman – The transfer from Camden is averaging an eye-popping 14.9 yards per carry in the first four games of the season. He has 552 yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries. He also added five catches for 93 yards. With the Cardinals still unbeaten nearing the halfway part of the season, Lane will need to touch the ball more.     Jamel McDaniel QB, Columbia – The Capitals already have two wins and look to earn its first region win against Eau Claire this week. The senior quarterback can hurt teams with his arm and legs and will need to continue that into the second half of the season.    Lucas New QB, Pelion – New was an all-state selection as a defensive back last season. He also played quarterback last season and has continued those duties this season. He's been huge in the two Panthers wins so far this season.   Derick Simons QB/OLB, Bethune-Bowman – The senior has thrown for 242 yards and added 181 yards rushing with five total touchdowns. He also is a load at linebacker and rarely steps off the field for the Mohawks.    [player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White'], QB Camden – White is in his third season starting and he typically gets better as the weather turns cooler. He accounted for six total touchdowns last week as the Bulldogs snapped a two-game slide. He's thrown for 1,431 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for 243 and five scores.

We are at the halfway point of the season and this group of 15 players have a huge opportunity to determine how the second half of the season unfolds. Here are some standouts to watch for this week.