Week 7 Lowcountry Games to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's one thing to start region play off on a strong note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's another challenge to back that up week after week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Lowcountry squads will rise to the occasion with playoff implications on the line? Let's take a look at a few matchups from a packed Week 7 slate this Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashley Ridge (5-1) at West Ashley (5-2) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two region VII-5A frontrunners will do battle on Friday night in Charleston with postseason seeding at stake. The Wildcats have used a strong run game en route to a 5-2 start and will need an excellent effort from the offensive line of <strong>Hampton Odonald </strong>and <strong>Max Beckstine</strong> to spark a dynamic rushing attack. <strong>Craig Middleton</strong>'s high motor and physicality leads a hungry Ashley Ridge defense looking to rebound after surrendering 40 points a week ago against Fort Dorchester. The Swamp Foxes have relied upon the quickness and hands of receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589052' first='Derrick' last='Salley'] Jr. </strong>who has built quite a rapport with budding sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz']</strong>.  It should be an excellent matchup against a West Ashley defense that has found its strides in recent weeks, led by quick and athletic senior free safety <strong>LB Bailey </strong>alongside menacing 6-foot-1 and 215-pound linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208366' first='Terry' last='Grant']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Williamsburg Academy (6-0) at Beaufort Academy (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a possible SCISA 2A state championship preview, Beaufort Academy will welcome an unbeaten Williamsburg Academy squad to Lady's Island on Friday. The Eagles were dealt a big blow two weeks ago at Hilton Head Christian with the loss of two-way star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976400' first='Devonte' last='Green'] </strong>to a leg injury, which will put more of a load on dynamic running back <strong>Jaxen Porter</strong> and Thomas Heyward Academy transfer quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268686' first='Dietrich' last='Shuford'] </strong>to make plays in the passing game. Beaufort Academy will be rested as well after a week off and should bring the energy on defense with a quick and agile Porter alongside terrific anchor <strong>Tripp Gregory </strong>and outstanding pass rusher <strong>Alex Williams</strong>. Defending champ Williamsburg has returned its elite two-man backfield of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322302' first='Teague' last='Ward']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448999' first='Camden' last='Moore'] </strong>for their senior seasons who are both quick and elusive in the open field. Ward plays with a ferocity on defense and will provide a massive test for Beaufort Academy's run game alongside senior veterans <strong>JD Sholar </strong>and <strong>Ty Childers.</strong> It's a litmus test for both teams with big-time title aspirations next month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bluffton</strong> <strong>(4-2) at Lucy Beckham (5-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='790404' first='Owen' last='Bayes']</strong> proved that he could thrive in a big moment with a clutch 28-24 win over Hilton Head, but his Bobcats will be in for a tougher test this Friday against a stout Lucy Beckham defense. The Bengals have allowed just 20 points in five games this fall on the strength of the reliable linebacker tandem of <strong>Daniel Fletcher </strong>and <strong>Hank Aeppli</strong>. But the Bobcats will present multiple dimensions and have speed everywhere you look, especially with school record-breaking wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='988249' first='Brandon' last='Bryant'] </strong>and impact transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402486' first='Carnell' last='Warren']</strong>. The run game has picked up well with the emergence of <strong>Eitan Golphin </strong>and power back <strong>Jake Ridgway</strong>. Bluffton will need to stop the ground game of Lucy Beckham to come out on top with a road win, which is easier said than done with an efficient group of <strong>Charles Byrd</strong>, <strong>Stephen Segars</strong>, and <strong>Robert Myers</strong> all averaging north of nine yards per carry with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='302853' first='Bryce' last='Rothwell']</strong> leading the way on the line. Hayden Gregory's Bobcats will need hard-working lineman <strong>Shane Whittaker </strong>and breakout linebacker <strong>Josh Bond</strong> to help out the efforts of senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208337' first='Jeremiah' last='Curry']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edisto (5-2) at Hampton County (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hampton County Hurricanes took care of business last week against Ridgeland, but they could be in for a tough contest against a sneaky Edisto team on Friday. It'll be a matchup between two excellent running backs, as the Cougars' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012871' first='Terrell' last='Thomas'] </strong>(96 car, 596 yds, 4 TD) faces off with electric Hampton star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] </strong>(109 car, 1,174 yds, 9 TD). The ‘Canes will have the edge on defense with dynamic playmaker and pass rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809743' first='Mandrell' last='Sanders']</strong>, who is up to 48.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks through seven games. <strong>Xavier Garvin</strong> is starting to fit in as an athletic two-way standout with an interception to his credit already this year, and senior <strong>Kavon Chisolm </strong>will be relied upon to stuff a strong Cougar run game. After a tough showing against Barnwell a week ago, Edisto will need all hands on deck including stellar linebacker <strong>Billy Stroman </strong>(50 tackles, 7 TFL) and defensive end <strong>Kaleihl McKenzie </strong>(32 tackles, 2 TFL) to slow down Dobson's high-octane quickness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Island (6-0) at May River (2-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sharks will get their first home game since all the way back in Week 1 as they prepare for a dangerous James Island team looking to stay unbeaten on the road. May River's defense will need to keep it in the game against a versatile Trojan attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91365' first='Braxton' last='Scott'] </strong>(731 pass yards, 8 TD, 0 INT, 234 rush yds) has been excellent as a dual-threat weapon and has yet to turn the ball over. He's also got one of the most electric receivers in the Lowcountry in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448987' first='Wushi' last='Ravenel'] </strong>with the athleticism to make defenders miss and win jump-balls downfield. The Sharks will need a big day out of lineman <strong>Kuron Green</strong> who has been active in the backfield with five tackles for loss alongside a strong presence from physical veteran linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575350' first='Ethan' last='Sprinkle']</strong>. James Island's defense should lead the way on Friday with high-flying dynamic linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340395' first='Chris' last='Glover'] </strong>and beastly defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272709' first='Malachi' last='Jefferson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->