Midlands Game Balls: Week 6

Region play has begun, and these players made solid first impressions. Where will this lead? The hopes for many of the players will be a solid start to playing for a region title and playoff seeding down the line.   Here is a look at some of the top performances in the Midlands and what it means.   Kade Baxley, North Central – The Knights snapped a four-game losing streak with a 52-28 victory over Chesterfield. Baxley was 10-of-19 for 200 yards and five touchdown passes. The Knights also added 300 yards rushing to finish with 500 yards of total offense. If Baxley can continue finding open receivers, that will help the North Central offense down the stretch.    Jaylen Bledsoe, Saluda – The Tigers returned to their winning ways with a 42-13 victory over Pelion. Bledsoe led the offensive attack with 119 yards on 11 carries and scored on runs of 16 and 13 yards. Saluda has a number of offensive weapons and keeps finding fresh players to lead the way. Bledsoe is coming on strong recently.   [player_tooltip player_id='997121' first='Breylon' last='Boyd'], Ridge View – A week after missing a game, the senior QB threw two touchdown passes to [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] and ran for another in a 28-7 win over Lugoff-Elgin. The Blazers have a capable backup in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'], but Boyd will be key in the Blazers postseason success.     [player_tooltip player_id='997334' first='Montrell' last='Byrd'], Lexington – The Wildcats slowed what had been a high-powered Chapin offense in a 22-14 victory to open the region schedule. The senior defensive end had seven total tackles, a sack and tackle for loss. He also had the game-clinging TD with a 60-yard fumble return and sealed the win with a diving interception in the closing minutes.   Riley Croxton, Dreher – The Blue Devils have exceeded their win total from a season ago and lot of it has to do with an improved offense. Croxton helped Dreher even its record at 3-3 after a 51-7 victory over Swansea. He finished with five receptions for 135 yards and four touchdown catches from Colby Fuller.     Steven Joseph, Newberry – In a 56-0 dismantling over Eau Claire, Joseph had three interceptions to help the Bulldogs pitch the shutout. Newberry is 2-0 in the region and has allowed just 14 points in two games. With the forfeit against Gray Collegiate already in the books, the Bulldogs might have a chance for a showdown with Fairfield Central in the final week of the regular season for the No. 2 spot in the region.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157982' first='Montrelle' last='Keys'], Airport – The Eagles defense came up huge in a 14-12 victory over Aiken. Keys registered 10 solo tackles, four assists, one sack, one pass breakup and one forced fumble that was returned for a TD.      [player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble'], White Knoll – Kimble has been a defensive stalwart this season and was again in a 40-0 win over River Bluff. He had nine total tackles and two tackles for loss as the Timberwolves limited the Gators to 78 total yards and three first downs. But Kimble added 59 yards rushing, 19 yards receiving, and touchdown runs of 17 and 27 yards. For good measure, he also punted once for a 49-yard average.    Marquell Lewis, Irmo – The Yellow Jackets defense is often overlooked because the offense has scored 300 points in six games. But they allowed just 44 points during that same span. Lewis finished the 63-8 win over Richland Northeast with four solo tackles, five assists, two tackles for loss and a sack. For good measure, [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] scored four rushing touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] accounted for four scores with two passing and two rushing. Brand threw for 225 yards passing and 76 rushing.   Quentin McGill, Westwood – It came in a loss, but McGill scored three rushing touchdowns in a 36-33 setback to AC Flora.   Khalil Moody, Crestwood – In a 41-0 over Lakewood, Moody played limited snaps but finished with five tackles, four pass breakups, an interception and added one reception for a 32-yard touchdown. Crestwood might be a team flying under the radar but has talent. Moody is a lockdown corner that rarely has passes thrown in his direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='272714' first='Aiden' last='Mosley'], AC Flora – The Falcons offense got a much-needed boost with the return of Mosely to the lineup. The junior had not played yet this season but was instrumental in a 36-33 comeback victory over Westwood. He rushed for 227 yards and scoring runs of 9, 48 and 2 yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'], Gray Collegiate – Montgomery joined [player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford'] and Blaine Redmond with two rushing touchdowns each as the War Eagles defeated Portal, Georgia 56-35. If those three continue to flourish on the ground, the War Eagles will be a tough opponent in the playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='771091' first='Edward' last='Robinson'], Blythewood – The Bengals recorded 12 sacks as a team and Robinson collected five of his own in a 27-7 victory over Fort Mill. Robinson recorded an astonishing 25 sacks last season and seems to be heating up for the start of region play. If he comes anywhere close to last season's total, the Bengals might find themselves playing for a region title.   [player_tooltip player_id='589049' first='Duncan' last='Skehan'], Cardinal Newman – The Cardinals remained undefeated to set up a showdown with Hammond this week. Skehan was 10-of-12 for 256 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-0 victory over John Paul II. [player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane'] added 153 yards rushing and two scores and caught one pass for a 41-yard TD.    [player_tooltip player_id='771218' first='Deshaun' last='Washington'], Brookland-Cayce – Washington has been the key element the last two weeks, rushing for just shy of 400 yards during that time. In a 56-13 victory over Orangeburg-Wilkinson, the senior had 188 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. He and [player_tooltip player_id='771224' first='Will' last='Young'] make a formidable 1-2 punch on the Bearcats offense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'], Gilbert – The Indians remained undefeated with a 35-7 win over Lower Richand. Williamson, just a freshman, ran for 158 yards on 17 carries and scored on runs of 39 and 4 yards. He offers a solid 1-2 punch with [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] in the Gilbert backfield.

Region play has begun, and these players made solid first impressions. Where will this lead? The hopes for many of the players will be a solid start to playing for a region title and playoff seeding down the line.