Week 10 CSRA Games and Players to Watch
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The regular season finales in the CSRA will truly be an all-star affair. 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…
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Continue ReadingThe regular season finales in the CSRA will truly be an all-star affair.
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.
North Augusta (7-2, 3-0) at Midland Valley (9-0, 3-0)
If ever a time was for the Mustangs to post their first-ever win over the Yellow Jackets, this would be the season.
The Mustangs present stars on both sides of the football. Shrine Bowl running back Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC is 124 yards shy of 2,000 yards on the season to go with 24 touchdowns.
Touchstone Energy Bowl offensive lineman Braydn Kesselring Braydn Kesselring 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Midland Valley | 2024 State SC is one of the leaders upfront who has opened holes for Dunbar and backfield mate Preston McNair Preston McNair 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2025 State SC – himself 122 yards shy of 1,000 yards – and protected quarterback Preston Butler.
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.
Defensively, linebackers Dominic Morgan Jr. Dominic Morgan Jr. 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC and Andon Hawkins Andon Hawkins 5'7" | 205 lbs | LB Midland Valley | 2025 State SC lead Midland Valley in tackles with more than 100 each. Touchstone Energy Bowl defensive back Jadyn Simpkins Jadyn Simpkins 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC will look to keep a close eye on North Augusta dual threat quarterback Corey Tillman.
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 Michael Doe Michael Doe 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB North Augusta | 2026 State SC and Beans Hunt Beans Hunt 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH North Augusta | 2024 State SC running behind an experienced offense line led by Roderick Collins, Andy Cervantes, Ethan Fitzgerald, and Bryce Tillman.
North Augusta has active linebackers, as well, with sack leader Deondre Baskett, Cam Hallingquest, Isaiah Weathersbee, Donte’ Bell and DJ Bookard. Ty Burke and Nick Grant provide leadership in the secondary. Touchstone Energy Bowl placekicker Jack Stevens Jack Stevens 5'11" | 145 lbs | K North Augusta | 2024 State SC is a weapon on special teams with nearly 90 percent of his kickoffs going for touchbacks.
The matchup will decide the Region IV-4A title.
Hampton County (8-1, 3-0) at Barnwell (6-3, 3-0)
It’s been a seamless merger on the athletics field between former rivals Wade Hampton and Estill.
Touchstone Energy Bowl selection Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC is a Mr. Football finalist. Whether it’s rushing (1,570 yards, 21 TDs), receiving, or even spelling Chris Terry at quarterback, Dobson has scored a touchdown at all three positions.
Defensive lineman Kavon Chisolm 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.
Linebacker Mandrell Sanders Mandrell Sanders 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2025 State SC 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.
The Warhorses will look to continue to ride the play of Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC – who has accounted for 25 touchdowns rushing and passing for Barnwell with Slaton Ragsdale Slaton Ragsdale 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Barnwell | 2024 State SC leading the way upfront. Wide receivers Jaquan Peeples and Logan Sturkie have capitalized off Austin’s mobility for lead the team in receptions.
Linebackers Lex Thomas Lex Thomas 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Barnwell | 2025 State SC and Klayten Zissett 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.
WEEK 10 CSRA PLAYERS TO WATCH
Michael Blocker LB, Strom Thurmond
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 Braylon Staley Braylon Staley 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC and linebacker Jamaris Stevens Jamaris Stevens 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC – 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.
Jamie Downing Jamie Downing 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC LB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt
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.
Brandon Pontoon Brandon Pontoon 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Wagener-Salley | 2024 State SC OL/DL, Wagener-Salley
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.
Terrell Thomas Terrell Thomas 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Edisto | 2025 State SC QB, Edisto
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.
Darion Stroman RB, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler
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.
Jevon Edwards Jevon Edwards 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB South Aiken | 2025 State SC RB, South Aiken
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.
Trey Hinton Trey Hinton 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Denmark-Olar | 2024 State SC QB, Denmark-Olar
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.