Midlands Week 9 Games to Watch

So much for the calm before the storm.   The penultimate week before the finale promises to be even more dramatic with several games that could decide region titles or playoff positions.   And, for the second straight week, action starts a day early in many portions of the state.   Dreher (4-4, 2-1) at Gilbert (8-0, 3-0)   Last week, a television audience got a good glance at Dreher linebacker Jermil Sims in an overtime loss to Brookland-Cayce. That same audience also saw receiver [player_tooltip player_id='816750' first='Kaleb' last='Berry'] - who managed to fight off a B-C corner for a jump ball thrown by quarterback Colby Fuller and come down with the touchdown to help force overtime.   The Blue Devils will need an even more inspiring effort at Leonard Price Field against the undefeated Indians. Since beginning region play, Gilbert has outscored its opponents 143-21.   Gilbert freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] can become a breakthrough talent in the lineup. He's rushed for over 500 yards and nine touchdowns in just three games.   Just three weeks ago, it appeared sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] was the heir apparent at lead back. Williamson's play has allowed the Indians to lightly use Jay and put him in other scoring opportunities on the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris'] has developed into a pass-catching threat out of the backfield for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock']. Against Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Morris had a team-high six receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.   Wide receiver Matt Edwards and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding'] are also able to open up the field for Gilbert. Defensively, the Indians have a group of linebackers in [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'], Brendon Boatwright and Gray Gunter and Shrine Bowl linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese'] and Xavian Davenport who are active in pressuring the quarterback and slowing down the running game.   River Bluff (5-3, 0-2) at Dutch Fork (3-5, 1-1)   Dutch Fork has continued to rely upon its still formidable defense to win games. The secondary has seen [player_tooltip player_id='1142809' first='Peyton' last='Betts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley'] emerge as interception leaders and further solidify a group with South Carolina State commit [player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] also stepping into even bigger roles.   Dutch Fork's issues on offense have been well-documented. From the absence of starter Jon Hunt the first month of the season to less than stellar play from the offensive line, the Silver Foxes have been held under 20 points in all five losses.   With Hunt's return and getting productive rushing from [player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson'] and Trenton Lodge, coach Tom Knotts is also seeing improvement in the offensive line's play. If the Silver Foxes are to dominate October, that mixed group of seniors and underclassman must continue its recent strong play.   River Bluff is coming off an off week. Another loss would put the Gators in position to fight for the final playoff spot or hope for an at-large berth.   The offense looks to regain the proficiency shown in its 5-1 start. While quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] is completing 65 percent of his passes and has thrown only three interceptions, [player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'] is the lone consistent wide receiver this season.   The rushing by committee approach has produced 25 touchdowns on the ground. Trace Nettles leads the team with 498 yards, while Jacob Pinkney and Toriaun Leaphart each have six touchdowns.   Linebacker Hayden Cushman leads the team in tackles and can be seen pursuing whoever has the ball all over the field. Reese Lawrence and Alonzo Singleton are the run-stoppers on the team, leading in tackles for losses and sacks.   The Gators' secondary only has three interceptions on the season. While Dutch Fork does not have the gamebreakers like Jalin Hyatt and Antonio Williams any more, senior [player_tooltip player_id='448992' first='Jacob' last='Hamilton'], Lodge and Ron Di Pietro are experienced enough to find open paths for receptions.   Chapin (5-3, 0-2) at White Knoll (9-0, 3-0)   On both sides of the football, White Knoll has played the most complete football of any team in Region IV-5A. It starts on defense where the Timberwolves have posted three shutouts this season, two in region play, and allowed only two opponents to score in double figures.   Shrine Bowler [player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble'] gets the bulk of the focus because of his omnipresence all over the field. This defensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1142785' first='Lincoln' last='Ilunga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1142518' first='Demenico' last='Banks'] and linebackers Mondo Domenech and [player_tooltip player_id='1083060' first='Connor' last='Burgess'] give no quarters up front and are solid tacklers.   In the secondary, brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi'] (pictured) have the size and speed to blanket receivers and are rarely beaten deep.   This could be an issue for a pass-dominated offense at Chapin. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] spreads the football around to a bevy of wide receivers and is 13 yards shy of 2,000 yards on the season.   Jacob Nerome leads the team with 41 receptions for 526 yards, but Maddox Floyd has a team-high five touchdown receptions. While Chapin's run game has not matched the production of the passing game, the offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='851128' first='Nathan' last='Gilley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1395031' first='Caden' last='Muskus'], Jeff Harmon and Evan Creel has managed to limit the sacks taken by Albro.   Chapin defensive linemen Hayden Burris and Xavier Williams and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1360369' first='Gavin' last='Stam'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1360035' first='Tanner' last='Short'] will face an experienced White Knoll offensive line with Ty Bennett, two-year starting center Hayden Hohlwein, former defensive tackle Daniel Mitchell, Jeremiah Brown and Mason Gravlin and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='467583' first='Tyson' last='Cox'].   They will look to provide quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'] an opportunity to add to his personal high numbers. While the status of Shrine Bowl tight end Hasan Lee (leg) is uncertain, wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham'] has not missed a beat since his return with three touchdowns in two games.   On the ground, [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'], [player_tooltip player_id='994939' first='CJ' last='Earl'] and even Kimble are quick to capitalize on any openings created by the offensive line.   Batesburg-Leesville (3-5, 1-2) at Pelion (3-5, 1-2)   If Pelion wants to stay perfect and claim the region's playoff spot, it will need to get more productive plays on offense besides those of senior [player_tooltip player_id='267470' first='Luke' last='New']. Outside of a 57-yard pass to Julian Tyler, the only other highlight offensively against Strom Thurmond last week was the running of Carlos Rivera.   Injuries have help Pelion limited on defense, although lineman Kaleb James and cornerbacks New and Corey Campbell provide a boost. They face a Batesburg-Leesville team which has reverted back to its run-oriented roots on offense.   Sophomore Amadre Wooten has helped in that re-transition. The team's leading rusher (662 yards, six touchdowns), he's also second in receiving and complements senior quarterback Tanner Watkins.   He's already close to surpassing last year's passing numbers. Watkins is willing to the pocket for yardage and if given the opportunity, can make the long throw.   Batesburg-Leesville is young upfront with LaTrez Nicholson on the defensive line and Tucker Boland and [player_tooltip player_id='1574124' first='Jamerius' last='Clark'] in the secondary. This unit has been tested, especially in the five losses where the teams' combined records were 34-7.   Ridge View (6-2, 2-1) at Richland Northeast (5-3, 2-1)   Another region matchup with playoff ramifications.   The winner will finish no lower than second place behind Irmo in Region V-4A.   Both teams have responded positively since losing to the Yellow Jackets. Led by North Carolina State commit [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'], the Cavaliers have won two straight and outscored their opponents 121-79.   Wilson has accounted for 12 touchdowns, 10 passing, during those two games. Among the beneficiary of his play is wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='591391' first='Blake' last='Betette'] and Dillon Hughley and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1142696' first='James' last='Willingham'] - who had 219 all-purpose yards in last week's win over Lugoff-Elgin.   Ridge View was also victorious in his first game following the Irmo loss. It posted a 40-0 shutout over Westwood in which both starter [player_tooltip player_id='997121' first='Breylon' last='Boyd'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] saw playing time and threw touchdowns.   The Blazers still have one of the most productive receiving corps in the Midlands with [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] and Kennedy Thomas. Siah Mack is the top rusher, although Ridge View's running game has only produced 1,090 total yards among nine players.   Linebacker Myles Brown is the leader of the defense which looked to redeem itself following the Irmo loss. The group, with defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1157942' first='Cleve' last='Tellery'] and linebacker Vernard Hillary look to slow down Wilson and Willingham.

So much for the calm before the storm.