Week 10 CSRA Games and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season finales in the CSRA will truly be an all-star affair.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With seven players selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on Dec. 9 in Myrtle Beach and two for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas the following week in Spartanburg, the region's talent will be on display. It's especially true in two matchups to decide region champions this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Augusta (7-2, 3-0) at Midland Valley (9-0, 3-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If ever a time was for the Mustangs to post their first-ever win over the Yellow Jackets, this would be the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs present stars on both sides of the football. Shrine Bowl running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar']</strong> is 124 yards shy of 2,000 yards on the season to go with 24 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Touchstone Energy Bowl offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267450' first='Braydn' last='Kesselring']</strong> is one of the leaders upfront who has opened holes for Dunbar and backfield mate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair']</strong> - himself 122 yards shy of 1,000 yards - and protected quarterback <strong>Preston Butler</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More important, the Mustangs are on a streak of having scored 56 points in three consecutive games and 50 or more points in four straight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771234' first='Dominic' last='Morgan Jr.']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins']</strong> lead Midland Valley in tackles with more than 100 each. Touchstone Energy Bowl defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='141041' first='Jadyn' last='Simpkins'] will look to keep a close eye on North Augusta dual threat quarterback <strong>Corey Tillman</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-11, 171-pound junior has accounted for 11 of the Yellow Jackets' 20 touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets are more run-oriented with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595703' first='Beans' last='Hunt']</strong> running behind an experienced offense line led by <strong>Roderick Collins</strong>, <strong>Andy Cervantes</strong>, <strong>Ethan Fitzgerald,</strong> and <strong>Bryce Tillman</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Augusta has active linebackers, as well, with sack leader <strong>Deondre Baskett</strong>, <strong>Cam Hallingquest</strong>, <strong>Isaiah Weathersbee</strong>, <strong>Donte' Bell</strong> and <strong>DJ Bookard</strong>. <strong>Ty Burke</strong> and <strong>Nick Grant</strong> provide leadership in the secondary. Touchstone Energy Bowl placekicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346194' first='Jack' last='Stevens']</strong> is a weapon on special teams with nearly 90 percent of his kickoffs going for touchbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup will decide the Region IV-4A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hampton County (8-1, 3-0) at Barnwell (6-3, 3-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a seamless merger on the athletics field between former rivals Wade Hampton and Estill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Touchstone Energy Bowl selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson']</strong> is a Mr. Football finalist. Whether it's rushing (1,570 yards, 21 TDs), receiving, or even spelling <strong>Chris Terry </strong>at quarterback, Dobson has scored a touchdown at all three positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive lineman <strong>Kavon Chisolm</strong> was also selected to the Touchstone Energy Bowl. He sets the tone for the Hurricanes on defense with 47.5 tackles, eight sacks and 10 quarterback hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809743' first='Mandrell' last='Sanders']</strong> is also aggressive at putting pressure on the quarterback with 59.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks. As a team, Hampton County is holding opponents to 8.4 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warhorses will look to continue to ride the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin']</strong> - who has accounted for 25 touchdowns rushing and passing for Barnwell with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997315' first='Slaton' last='Ragsdale']</strong> leading the way upfront. Wide receivers <strong>Jaquan Peeples</strong> and <strong>Logan Sturkie </strong>have capitalized off Austin's mobility for lead the team in receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254065' first='Lex' last='Thomas']</strong> and <strong>Klayten Zissett</strong> are the leaders on a young defensive Warhorses group. They held Woodland to seven second-half points in the 31-27 comeback win and look to carry over that momentum into this matchup for the Region VI-2A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WEEK 10 CSRA PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Blocker </strong>LB, Strom Thurmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior was a major catalyst in the Rebels' 34-7 win over Silver Bluff. He had 7.5 tackles and three sacks in leading a unit which has held its last three opponents under single digits. His contributions should not get overlooked on a roster with wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley']</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589012' first='Jamaris' last='Stevens']</strong> - who were were selected to the Shrine Bowl. Fox Creek will have to improve upon his 7.7 points per game average to pull the upset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15083157/6535d00a96760609240ce985' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7e6ceb558"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142485' first='Jamie' last='Downing'] </strong>LB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Touchstone Energy Bowl selection scored a touchdown and led the defense in the 46-8 win over Allendale-Fairfax last week. The Red Raiders will need another inspired effort against an undefeated Whale Branch team that is holding opponents to nine points a night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16329458/653342c6f55f9c0ac4e7165e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7bc3652f7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997142' first='Brandon' last='Pontoon'] </strong>OL/DL, Wagener-Salley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Selected to the Touchstone Energy Bowl, the 6-foot 1, 299-pound Pontoon is active on both sides of the football. He plays with an enthusiasm whether its making a tackle at defensive end or overpowering a defender at guard. Wagener-Salley faces Calhoun County looking to improve its Region IV-A standing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14558557/6511bdfb19a5e20998ad3482' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7bc365314"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012871' first='Terrell' last='Thomas'] </strong>QB, Edisto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recovered from an ankle injury which sidelined him for two games, Thomas rushed for three touchdowns in the loss to Ridgeland-Hardeeville. He looks to carry his performance over against Woodland in a game which could determine a playoff berth for the winner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16420126/652c6eee0661450718e8362d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7bc365331"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darion Stroman </strong>RB, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9 sophomore has played a major role in the Trojans having their best season since their state championship days. He's an integral part of both the offense as a running back and defense at outside linebacker. Against Bethune-Bowman, he had a rushing and receiving touchdown, returned an interception for a touchdown and had a sack. This week, he faces a Ridge Spring-Monetta' team which has allowed an average of 56 points a game during their four-game losing streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17996027/6535562f386e4c098c991372' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7bc36534d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] </strong>RB, South Aiken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior is 65 yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards on the season. He's rushed for 780 of those yards in the past four games. Edwards will need another strong performance for the Thoroughbreds, who need a win over Aiken to secure a playoff berth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15865044/65344e8502b14a0a3c2ea46c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7bc365369"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997299' first='Trey' last='Hinton'] QB, Denmark-Olar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot, 165-pound senior looks to close out his career by leading the Vikings to a .500 record and snapping their three-game losing streak. He faces a winless Williston-Elko team which has allowed close to 36 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17358170/65301e176899470840b0d24d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653a7bc365384"} /-->