Week 6 Midlands Games To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the most part, the preliminary stuff is over. The high school football season began on the weekend of August 18 and there have been several high-profile matchups during the past six weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It means a little more now. Teams begin the transition into region play and with that comes playoff implications. As the saying goes, records go out the window at this stage of the season. It's how teams fare over the next five weeks that will determine their playoff seeding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the best games in the Midlands this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chapin (5-1) at Lexington (4-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapin comes in on a five-game winning streak and has used the hot hand of quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> so far. The junior has thrown for 1,579 yards with 15 touchdowns and just one interception. He's completed 129-of-184 this season and five receivers with double digits in receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddox Floyd</strong> and <strong>Kalen Bostick</strong> lead the way. Floyd is the possession guy with 35 catches for 304 yards and a team-best five touchdowns. Bostick is more of a big-play threat with 30 catches for 442 yards. Right behind Bostick is <strong>Jacob Nerone</strong> with 25 receptions for 327 yards. <strong>Weldon Gunter</strong> (11-168) and <strong>Jon Rossi </strong>(11-116). Eight different players have at least one touchdown reception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Eagles have improved since allowing 48 points in the season-opening loss to Irmo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360369' first='Gavin' last='Stam']</strong> has 47 total tackles with six tackles for loss and two sacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360035' first='Tanner' last='Short']</strong> (36 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks) and <strong>Xavier Williams</strong> (33 tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks) are next in line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771241' first='Russell' last='Gentry']</strong> (23 tackles), <strong>Griffin Burns</strong> (22 tackles), <strong>Lamont Johnson</strong> (19 tackles) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1255998' first='Anthony' last='Turnbow'] </strong>(19 tackles) all have shined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will be facing a stingy defense in the Wildcats. They allow less than 16 points per game with a group of four linebackers that have speed to burn. <strong>Daniel Bryant</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997334' first='Montrell' last='Byrd']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton'],</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836316' first='Matthew' last='McAulay']</strong> work well together and have some defensive lineman in the front that make it difficult to run. <strong>Dylan Bolin</strong> is a force and can get pressure off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines']</strong> is the triggerman on offense, and he has a reliable receiver in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer']</strong>. The duo <strong>Cam Morris</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800020' first='Tyler' last='Chavis']</strong> handle the bulk on the rushing attack. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15161799/65109f0f665554038891c5c2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6514c7f72c454"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewisville (5-1) at CA Johnson (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to talk about Lewisville and not talk about defense first. The Lions haven't allowed a point since the fourth quarter of the season opener against Class 2A power Oceanside Collegiate. That is five straight games and 20 quarters of football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leaders of the defense have been a pair of linebackers - senior <strong>Joquan Howze</strong> and sophomore <strong>Daquan Evans</strong>. Howze leads the way with 74 tackles with Evans slightly back with 56 stops on the season. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158047' first='Elisha' last='Baker']</strong> has eight of the team's 22 sacks. Defensive ends <strong>KJ Davis</strong> and <strong>Montre Fletcher </strong>each have four sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When teams do find time to throw it, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong']</strong> has five interceptions and Howze has four picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809751' first='Ian' last='Grissom']</strong> leads a Lewisville offense that is averaging 56.8 points per game during the five-game winning streak. The junior has thrown for 1,793 yards and 23 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His main three targets are <strong>De'adrian Robinson</strong> (17 catches, 460 yards and 7 TDs), sophomore <strong>Jacorreun Howze</strong> (23-483 and three scores) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589011' first='Dion' last='Brown']</strong> (16-377 and five TDs). <strong>Damion Fee</strong> has 538 of the 785 rushing yards on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Lions will have to try and stop the explosive <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142538' first='Caleb' last='Pearson']</strong> for the Green Hornets. The senior has rushed for 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns and thrown for 192 and has six receptions for 86 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360178' first='Keivonte' last='Bates']</strong> is a bruiser of a runner and has added 515 yards on the ground and he's thrown for 116 yards as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Pearson and Bates will also be key as they start at cornerback. Safety <strong>Jaylin Miller</strong> will also have to play a huge role. Linebackers <strong>Sam Farmer</strong> and <strong>Jeremiah Miller</strong> must stay home and not let the run game of Lewisville hurt them, but they also need to help in the secondary. Defensive end <strong>Jadaelan Harper </strong>and lineman <strong>Angel Valez-Vann</strong> will try to put pressure on Grissom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16289385/650e7b5d3dead712e490cf19' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6514c7f72c489"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portal Ga. (3-2) at Gray Collegiate (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate is filling its schedule with out of state schools after all the teams from Region 4-2A elected to forfeit their games in a protest in what they perceive as a competitive advantage situation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The War Eagles will host Portal out of Georgia this week after having a bye last week. The two-quarterback system of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller']</strong> and <strong>Dre'von Dopson</strong> continue to shine. They have combined to throw for 1,061 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job'],</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord']</strong> handle the bulk of that yardage. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'] </strong>(pictured) leads the ground attack with 608 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebacker duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong> each have over 60 tackles on the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor']</strong> is next with 31 stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers also employ a two-quarterback system with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997385' first='Elijah' last='Coleman']</strong> and <strong>Brian McQueen</strong> splitting time. Coleman is more of s dual-threat option with 428 passing yards and a team-best 272 yards rushing. <strong>Samari McBride</strong> and <strong>Charles McNeal</strong> are the top two receiving targets. <strong>Chase Smith</strong> and <strong>Marcus Smith</strong> are the top two tacklers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White Knoll (5-0) at River Bluff</strong> <strong>(5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Knoll comes in as statistically one of the top teams in the state. The Timberwolves defense has allowed just 36 points on the season and the closest contest was a 27-point win over Colleton County. Five players have over 20 tackles with <strong>Mondo Domenech</strong> leading the way with 26 tackles. <strong>Domenico Banks</strong> is next with 25 tackles and Shrine Bowl selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble']</strong> has 24 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. Those two are complimented by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1083060' first='Connor' last='Burgess']</strong> with 22 tackles and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142785' first='Lincoln' last='Ilunga']</strong>, who has 21 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. &nbsp;Kimble and Ilunga each have three sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong> is completing 75 percent of his passes in the Timberwolves hurry-up attack. He has 1,144 yards and 13 touchdown passes. His top two targets have been <strong>Evan Henderson</strong> (24 catches, 388 yards, 3 TDs) and <strong>Hasan Lee</strong> (17-290 and 4 TDs).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning']</strong> is a star in the making. The freshman running back has 373 yards and nine scores and is getting more and more comfortable each week. <strong>DJ Dingle</strong> and Sharpe each have over 159 yards on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River Bluff found a way to squeak out a win last week over Dorman after trailing for much of the contest. The Gators lean on a physical defense that is led by <strong>Alonzo Singleton</strong> with 40 tackles and nine tackles for loss. <strong>Griffin Lindler</strong>, <strong>Hayden Cushman</strong>, and <strong>Kameron Woodruff</strong> can all dominate at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;After battling injuries last season, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier']</strong> is becoming a go-to offensive weapon. The junior has 25 catches for 407 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 109 yards rushing and four scores. He will be a matchup problem for anyone on the schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray']</strong> hits 68 percent of his passes and has thrown for 919 yards and nine scores. <strong>Trace Nettles</strong> paces the ground game with 483 yards. But <strong>Darius Caine</strong>, <strong>Torian Leaphart</strong>, <strong>Jacob Pinkney</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592250' first='Hayden' last='Myers']</strong> all have over 100 yards rushing. Myers has missed two games but had 76 yards in the win over Dorman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13002993/6501f73315f59307e04afaa6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6514c7f72c4ae"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strom Thurmond (3-2) at Batesburg-Leesville (2-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels come off a loss to Class 4A North Augusta, but they will look to get things going in a tough region. The Rebels will rely on a trio of receivers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley']</strong>, a Tennessee commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771039' first='Demarius' last='Tolen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254050' first='Jay' last='Sewell']</strong> are as good as any trio in the state. They have combined for 76 receptions for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Quan Edmond</strong> has the 918 passing yards with sophomore <strong>Bri'shaun Lee</strong> has thrown for 223 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Strom Thurmond is led by safety <strong>Tre Clarke</strong> with 32 tackles and linebacker <strong>Deonte Miller</strong> with 31 stops. Defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589020' first='Darius' last='Simpkins']</strong> and nose guard <strong>Nate Stephens</strong> are next with 27 tackles each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are looking to make noise behind a strong rushing attack. <strong>Amadre Wooden</strong> has 433 yards with <strong>Jayden Davis</strong>, <strong>Legend Tolen</strong>, <strong>Latrez Nicholson,</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592414' first='KD' last='Whitt']</strong> all have over 100 yards on the season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->