GSPD Week 9 Games and Players To Watch

Yet another expedited week on the Grand Strand and Pee Dee means players have no choice but to establish themselves in key games.   Week 9 is going to prove itself to be a movers-and-shakers type of slate.   These are the contests and players we're narrowing our focus upon heading into Thursday and Friday's games.    Manning (7-1, 2-1) at Loris (5-2, 2-1)   Consider this the Not Quite Dillon Bowl. With both teams looking to host a first-round playoff game, both teams will have to prove that while they're not the Wildcats, they can still knock out their next best opponents in this region. For Manning, the Monarchs are going to be looking to continue a defensive onslaught that begins with Jamari Wilson (four), Jeffrey Ceasar (three) and Daquan McFadden (two). What are those numbers after their names? That's how many picks they each have through eight games this year. Tack on three more from other teammates, and ball security is going to be a top factor for a Loris offense that has turned the ball over 12 times this season (seven fumbles, five interceptions). Quarterbacks [player_tooltip player_id='327302' first='Jackson' last='Huff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald'] are both going to get looks, and if either of them catches a hot hand, there's strong likelihood the Lions are winning and the staff makes a go of it.    West Florence (5-3, 2-1) at Hartsville (5-3, 1-2)   You're going to want to go ahead and pin point West Florence standouts [player_tooltip player_id='208334' first='Kelvin' last='Hunter'] (the South Carolina commit), fellow linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1025773' first='Romello' last='Patterson'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='617662' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] in this one. Why? Because those three have been on a tear since the start of region play, piling up 16 tackles for loss between them in the last three games. Facing a Hartsville team that will be without top tailback [player_tooltip player_id='208339' first='Carmello' last='McDaniel'] for at least one more week, there will be opportunities for those three players in particular to jam up the box and force Hartsville to throw more than it might like. Shifting the pressure on Red Foxes' senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208342' first='McKendrie' last='Douglas'] (pictured) makes things even more interesting. Douglas hasn't thrown for a ton of yards this year (778, to be exact) but he has a big arm and is capable of catching opponents napping when they get sucked into stopping this split-T offense. Jeff Calabrese and Co. also like to show off his running ability during the early portion of games, too.   Wilson (3-5, 1-2) at Myrtle Beach (6-2, 2-1)   Most years, nobody thinks much of this game. But two things have happened in recent weeks. First, Wilson sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734485' first='Tristen' last='Howard'] is starting to come into his own some and spreading the ball around more to other receivers while [player_tooltip player_id='139297' first='Jyron' last='Waiters'] gets the bulk of the concentration from opposing defense. Second, Myrtle Beach's quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1254177' first='Gibson' last='Goodroe'], was sent to the injury report after taking a monster shot from South Florence's [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams'] last week and won't be available this week. That puts even more of the impetus to carry this offense on senior tailback [player_tooltip player_id='402500' first='Malachi' last='Washington'] - who has already rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. If you see the term "Rhino" on social media during this game, don't say we didn't warn you.   MORE PLAYER NOTABLES   [player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] QB, Lamar - Pierce is coming off the best game of his career in the 48-20 win over Hannah-Pamplico. But against Lake View with the region title on the line and weather expected to be downright nasty, Pierce is going to have to grow up in a hurry in awful conditions. His 17:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio is going to be put to the test, and there's a good chance he's going to have to use his legs more than he ever has before.    Cole Johnson RB and Rivers Johnson QB, Aynor - How's this for a statistical oddity? The Aynor offense has rushed for 2,163 yards this season. But the Blue Jackets have only had three 100-yard rushing performances from individuals this year and two of them came against Waccamaw last week when Johnson had 162 and Johnson had 105. Against an 0-8 Georgetown squad, Aynor needs to keep those two active and engaged. They're probably the team's best hope of finishing in the top three of the region and improving some tough playoff seeding.   Kemonte Rose DB, South Florence - We might as well be throwing a dart blindfolded here. The South Florence defense has forced 19 turnovers this year and scored nine defensive touchdowns. So obviously the Bruins are spreading the proverbial wealth on that side of the ball. Playing against a North Myrtle Beach defense that is starting to throw it more and more, though, and we think Rose is going to be an impact player. He's got four of the team's interceptions and two of those defensive scores.

Yet another expedited week on the Grand Strand and Pee Dee means players have no choice but to establish themselves in key games.