GSPD Week 9 Game Balls

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The remaining days of the regular season are upon us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of the following teams enter Week 10 knowing they had a solid Week 9. This weekend's Game Balls are a testament to great individual performances that elevated squads not only key region victories, but also better playoff standing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freddy Cruz</strong> LB, Lamar</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silver Foxes' top tackler was up to his old tricks in the Region VI-A championship-clinching victory over Lake View. Cruz, a 5-foot-6, 170 pound linebacker, finished (unofficially) with 12 tackles against the Gators. It was exactly what the Silver Foxes needed playing an ultra-important game on the road in less-than-stellar weather conditions. But Cruz - who entered the game with 62 total tackles and nine tackles for loss - delivered when his team needed it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Johnson</strong> RB, Aynor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the highest-scoring games in the state in Week 9, Aynor and Georgetown combined for 104 points in the Blue Jackets' victory. Johnson's rushing yards were also through the roof. The senior (pictured) was the hot hand in this run-heavy offense, and he got 31 carries against the Bulldogs. It resulted in a career-high 218 yards and three touchdowns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205556' first='Josiah' last='Oxendine']</strong> QB, Dillon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have put a premium on the run to take some of the pressure off their sophomore quarterback. If you can't beat ‘em, join ‘em. In addition to 208 passing yards in the win over Waccamaw, Oxendine also ran for 95 yards. That included a touchdown run and a 60-yard scamper. It actually wasn't his longest run of the year, as he also had a 67-yarder earlier in the season. But believe that the tape of the latest one will be circulated heavily by opposing coaches come playoff time. It was that effective of a run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La'Ontray Knox</strong> RB, Loris</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loris didn't just beat Manning in a crucial region game that gave the winner the inside track on the region's second-place finish and a first-round home playoff game. The Lions dominated, winning 41-0. Knox was a big reason why. The senior tailback used his 16 carries to run for 138 yards and a score. His touchdown came late in the third quarter and all but sealed the victory for Greg Mance's team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922400' first='Jackson' last='Chavis']</strong> DL, Hartsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chavis is starting to play with some serious attitude. The timing of it isn't coincidence. The hybrid lineman was delayed somewhat after an offseason shoulder injury and a position change but against West Florence he displayed some serious attitude. In the lopsided key region victory, Chavis (pictured) finished with 5.5 total tackles, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He was active against opposing blockers and showed some pursuit abilities from behind, too.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16418630/6532b980dfd7e80b586ff800' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6533e9dfddd9e"} /-->