Week Five Midlands Games To Watch

It's the official midway point of the regular season.   This means most teams will have its final warmup game before region play this Friday. It's also quite possibly the final opportunity to see potential post-season matchups during the regular season.   Here's a look at six of the top Midlands games this week:   Saluda at Gilbert   For the second straight week, Leonard Price Field is the location of a non-region matchup between two ranked, undefeated teams in different classifications.   Host team Gilbert (4-0) is coming off an emotional 14-3 win over county rival Lexington. The fourth-ranked Indians got an inspired team effort from the defense in sacking quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines'] six times and holding the Wildcat offense to a season-low in points and total yards (165).   Linebacker Kelvin Blackwell had a team-high four tackles and a sack. Offensively, the Indians held the football for half the game relying upon its running game led by sophomore Jaylen Jay who finished with 81 yards and a touchdown.   This is also the first game for linebacker and second-leading tackler [player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese'] following his selection to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Head coach Chad Leaphart is a Sandappers' assistant coach.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock'] completed 11-of-20 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown to Matt Edwards. He did throw an interception but made crucial completions on Gilbert's final scoring drive.   The Tigers (4-0) will come in rested following an off week. They are averaging nearly 33 points per game and are led by junior quarterback Drew Arant and a potent running game with [player_tooltip player_id='617664' first='Brayden' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1142771' first='Kenmane' last='Brunson'], Kyree Etheredge and freshmen Tristan Daniels and Jaylen Bledsoe.   Both Brunson and Etheredge also start at linebacker with Jaylen Nick for a defense that is holding opponents to 8.5 points a game. With junior JT Lott, Devon Wallace, Amir Johnson and senior Jaylen Adams, Saluda has size and experience on the defensive line.   It's similar for the secondary with returning juniors Victavis Gaines, Jahlyir Foulks and Jordan Hagler.   Irmo at Airport   Yellow Jackets' head coach Aaron Brand has a message for future opposing teams.    “I just flat out don't care what other teams think about us pregame,” Brand said. “I care how they feel about us after we get done playing with them.”   Through four games, all double-digit victories, Irmo has established itself as a team to reckon with in Class 4A. Two of its wins have come over Class 5A schools with 4-1 records in Chapin and River Bluff and last week it dominated previously Class 4A second-ranked Hartsville on the road.   Look for senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] to continue making a case for All-Star game consideration. He's rushed for 200 yards in two straight games and has a team-high seven rushing touchdowns.   Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] (pictured) continues to play mistake-free football as he closes in on 1,000 passing yards and has not thrown an interception since last season. Sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] appears due for a breakout game.   Both Allen-Hendrix and Brand are aided by a physical offensive line led by seniors tackle/center [player_tooltip player_id='996935' first='Bryant' last='Ham'], guard [player_tooltip player_id='771219' first='Elijah' last='Williams'] and center Marquis Daniels and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1142759' first='Caleb' last='Alexander'].   The most impressive part of Irmo's 35-21 win over Hartsville was how the defense allowed just 24 rushing yards. The Red Foxes entered the game having averaged 430 yards a game.   Irmo's defense is quick, athletic, and physical. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='996940' first='Jylil' last='Favor'] leads the linebacking corps, [player_tooltip player_id='1142508' first='Isaiah' last='McClary'], Malachi Smith, and Javares Brown man the secondary and [player_tooltip player_id='1146256' first='Xavier' last='Montgomery'] provides a presence upfront from the edge position.   Airport enters the home matchup with a 4-1 record. Defense has played a major role in the team's success as it has allowed an average of 7 points a game in the four victories.   Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1158030' first='Bryant' last='Cherry'] leads the Eagles with 55 tackles and defensive back Kelby Stroman has accounted for all three Airport interceptions.   Quarterback Jesse Lee Hoover has managed the offense with limited interceptions and getting the football into capable wide receivers. The duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1157959' first='Avery' last='Jones'] and Shiloh Perry have combined for eight touchdowns.   Having an All-State quality offensive lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='771066' first='Dylan' last='Barbrey'] has aided both the passing and running game. [player_tooltip player_id='1360401' first='Amari' last='Lewis'] has established himself as a lead back in the offense.   Weddington (N.C.) at Dutch Fork   After an 0-3 start, the defending Class 5A champions have seemingly righted themselves the past two games.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] has shown improvement in the back-to-back victories over Stratford and North Augusta. With Marcus Anderson emerging as a lead back, Offing has been able to spread out the football to Jordan Hamilton, Trent Lodge, Ron Di Petro and [player_tooltip player_id='1254046' first='Boone' last='Miller'].   Dutch Fork's offensive line has also appeared to settle in place with no sacks allowed in back-to-back games.   Defensively, the Silver Foxes appear to be showing the promise expected in the preseason. Strong safety [player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley'] is the team's leading tackler and is tied for most sacks and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1142809' first='Peyton' last='Betts'] has a team-high four interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='771217' first='Terrance' last='Wells'], Daniel Williams, Josh Smith, and [player_tooltip player_id='1142746' first='Dakota' last='Jordan'] are among the leaders upfront and Bryce Nutall and [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] are among the top tacklers at linebacker.   For its final non-region game, the Silver Foxes face the 4-1 Warriors. University of North Carolina wide receiver commit Kenneth Jackson leads the team in touchdown receptions and they have averaged 43 points a game.   Another player to watch is linebacker Thomas Davis, the son of the former NFL linebacker of the same name.   Hampton County at Brookland-Cayce   The Bearcats have had an up-and-down season so far. After winning their first two games by a combined score of 95-6, they have also lost two straight by getting outscored 80-66.   Brookland-Cayce (2-2) have utilized both Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='771224' first='Will' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1020770' first='Brogan' last='Sox'] at quarterback. While Young is more effective running the football with [player_tooltip player_id='771218' first='Deshaun' last='Washington'] and is one of the team's most versatile players, Sox is the stronger passer and he and Sullivan Castles have developed a strong rapport.   The Bearcats entered the season with high expectations because of the size and experience on the lines. There are three seniors on the offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='771089' first='Kamden' last='Sox'], Jacory Jones and Jared Holmes and two juniors in An'tohn Ford and O'Bryan Leaphart.   The Hurricanes (5-0) have blown away most of their opponents this season with an effective running game and stingy defense. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] is one of the state leaders with 882 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and Hampton County has allowed a total of 35 points in five games.   Defensive end Kavon Chisolm has 35 tackles and a team-high 4.5 sacks. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='809743' first='Mandrell' last='Sanders'] and Cole Segars are the Hurricanes' two leading tacklers and defensive back Dre'Vion Robinson has Hampton County's lone interception.   Oceanside Collegiate at Sumter   The Landsharks (3-1) are facing their second Class 5A opponent this season.   They eked out a 14-13 victory over Carolina Forest two weeks ago. Coming off an off week, Oceanside Collegiate catches a Gamecock team coming off back-to-back losses.   Quarterback Edward Reidenbach threw for 183 yards and a touchdown in the Landsharks' 34-0 win over Marlboro County.  He plays behind a relatively young offensive line with senior [player_tooltip player_id='139300' first='Ben' last='Britton'] and Phen Johnson taking a leadership role.   Running back Trey Brown and wide receivers CJ Moskos and Logan Hamilton will see time on defense where the Landsharks return linebackers Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='809745' first='Max' last='Moorman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809752' first='Grayson' last='Freeling'] at safety.   Sumter (3-2) is coming off back-to-back losses to county rival Crestwood in overtime and top-ranked Summerville. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples'] (509 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns) is the centerpiece of the Gamecocks' offense.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='997237' first='Pate' last='Merchant'] has thrown for 707 yards and five touchdowns. He only has one touchdown in the past two games.   Linebackers senior [player_tooltip player_id='997137' first='Bryson' last='Cuffie'] and sophomore Tymaries Thompson led the team in tackles.   Calhoun County at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   A share of first place in Region IV-A is on the line in Neeses.   The host Trojans are enjoying a revival season with a school-best 5-0 record.   They have a dual threat quarterback in Jayshawn Smalls who can either run for scores, hand off to Darion Stroman and Johnez Glover or look for John Ross Jr. and Nai'Shawn Thomas at wide receiver. Smalls also sees time at linebacker where he and [player_tooltip player_id='1575294' first='Omarion' last='Holman'] have proven to be active in forcing turnovers.   Defensively, H-K-T opened the season with four straight shutouts. Emauri Blue anchors the middle of the field as a tackle (and center on offense) and Thomas also plays defensive back.   The Saints also own a 5-0 record. Their offense is averaging 46.4 points a contest led by quarterback Tykest Davenport, who like Smalls, is lethal both throwing and running the football.   One of his top targets is [player_tooltip player_id='771220' first='Christian' last='Zachary'] - while [player_tooltip player_id='710430' first='Ahmir' last='Smith'] has eight rushing touchdowns. Amare Haynes helps provide another threat running the football for the Saints.

It's the official midway point of the regular season.