Week 7 Midlands Games To Watch

Week 7 might as well be nicknamed “Seventh Heaven”.   This is arguably one of the most important weeks of the prep football season aside from Week 10. Several Midlands matchups taking place could have major ramifications for the region standings.   Dutch Fork (2-4) at White Knoll (6-0, 1-0)   With Dutch Fork's offensive struggles, this may be the Timberwolves' best chance at its first win in the series since 2009.   An offense which had been firing on all cylinders this season led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'] got even better last week. Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham'] (pictured) made his return after suffering a Week 0 injury and promptly caught a touchdown.   During Cunningham's absence, Shrine Bowl tight end Hasan Lee and wide receivers Evan Henderson and [player_tooltip player_id='994939' first='CJ' last='Earl'] have helped Sharpe produce 1,365 yards and 15 touchdowns. Leading rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'] has also provided a pass-catcher out of the backfield.   The offensive line, which head coach Nick Pelham described as a “dirty word” at White Knoll early in his tenure, have developed into a team strength under position coach Justin Crocker. Ty Bennett, Hayden Hohlwein, Daniel Mitchell, Jeremiah Brown and Mason Gravlin have been a dominant unit which has allowed only two sacks this season.   The defense has allowed a total of 36 points this season. This includes shutout wins over Orangeburg-Wilkinson and River Bluff.   Shrine Bowl linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble'] provides the defensive spark with 28.5 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and three sacks. Team sack leader [player_tooltip player_id='1142785' first='Lincoln' last='Ilunga'] and Demonico Banks (left in picture) are the catalyst upfront in slowing down the opposing run game and [player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi'] have been strong defenders in the secondary this season.   If Dutch Fork is to extend its 32-game region winning streak, the offense needs to mirror what it accomplished in the two victories. [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] has filled in at quarterback for Jon Hunt - whose status is unknown after getting injured in Week 0 - and has relied on wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='448992' first='Jacob' last='Hamilton'] and Trenton Lodge.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson'] has turned into a leading running back running behind an offensive line which has had its share of consistency issues.   Take away the 48-17 season-opening loss at Colquitt County, the Silver Foxes' defense has held opponents to 14.3 points per game. This isn't far too off the average posted during last year's state championship run.   Senior safeties [player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1142809' first='Peyton' last='Betts'] have emerged as impact players on defense. Winsley leads the team with 42.5 tackles and is four sacks is second only to defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'], while Betts has a team-high four interceptions.   The secondary also includes Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] who will be tasked with keeping up with White Knoll's array of wide receivers.     Cardinal Newman (6-0, 2-0) at Hammond (5-2, 3-0)   Cardinal Newman has put together arguably one of its best teams in recent memory. It has a 1-2 punch in quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='589049' first='Duncan' last='Skehan'] (1,319 yards, 14 TDs) and running back [player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane'] (880 rushing yards, 10 TDs).   The Cardinals' defense has posted back-to-back shutouts and allowed a total of 36 points. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='840041' first='David' last='Rodgers'] and Braxton Rodgers lead the defense with 37 and 29 tackles, respectively, and each account for 7.5 of the team's 26 sacks.   Hammond's offense is more run-dominated with Kinson Holland (539 yards, seven touchdowns) and Immanuel Jones (503 yards, four touchdowns). The Skyhawks have nearly equally utilized all three quarterbacks (Robert Malanuk, Charlie Allen and Ben Kiser) on passing plays with Allen accounting for five touchdowns.   Michael Tyler is the top receiver for Hammond with five of the 10 receiving touchdowns.   The Skyhawks' defense has allowed a total of 23 points during the four-game winning streak. Look for leading tackler linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='947684' first='Will' last='McQueen'] with his 10 sacks to put pressure on Skehan and helping defensive linemen Naeem Newton, Jack Miller and Tanner Chastain, upfront to stop the run.     Irmo (6-0, 1-0) at Ridge View (5-1, 1-0)   From a position standpoint, the two teams are great similarities. Both quarterbacks - [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] of Irmo and [player_tooltip player_id='997121' first='Breylon' last='Boyd'] of Ridge View - account for a large portion of their respective team's offense without turning over the football.   Each side has its share of playmakers at wide receiver. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] has made an instant impact for the Yellow Jackets as he and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1142759' first='Caleb' last='Alexander'] have each scored seven touchdowns.   Irmo also has [player_tooltip player_id='1085401' first='Telvin' last='Smith'] as a third option at wide receiver. There's also leading rusher [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] who's capable of catching the football when he's not bruising over defenders.   Ridge View's wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'], Clark Coleman and Kennedy Thomas are a disruptive trio. The Blazers utilize a running back by committee with Siah Mack, Aiden Keefe and Bradley Wilson.   The Irmo offensive line - mainly [player_tooltip player_id='1157979' first='Ryan' last='Love'], [player_tooltip player_id='1165106' first='Bryson' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='996935' first='Bryant' last='Ham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='771219' first='Elijah' last='Williams'] - has enabled the offense to average 50 points per game.   Senior Joshua Ladd is the leader on the offensive line for Ridge View. He and his position mates will have a challenge against a physical Irmo defensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1146256' first='Xavier' last='Montgomery'], Marquis Daniels, and Mal Clay.   Both teams also have active linebacking corps. Irmo's Jylil Favors and [player_tooltip player_id='1142613' first='Marquel' last='Lewis'] can defend the run or drop back on defense and Myles Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='728148' first='David' last='Matthews'] are 1-2 in tackles on Ridge View.   The secondary could be key in this matchup. Irmo has safety [player_tooltip player_id='1142508' first='Isaiah' last='McClary'] and cornerbacks Malachi Smith and Javares Brown, while safety Norey Bradley and cornerbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1825203' first='Denari' last='Halley'] and Jacob Holmes will try to do the same for Ridge View.     Midland Valley (6-0) at Airport (5-2, 1-0)   Given the recent history of both teams, few could have envisioned a Week 7 matchup for a share of first place in Region IV-4A.   The Vikings are off to a record-setting start at the school. They have already posted their highest win total since 2015 which was also their last winning season.   Midland Valley's running game is sparked by [player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar'], a Shrine Bowl selection, who has rushed for 1,273 yards and 14 touchdowns this season in just six games.   Quarterback Preston Butler presents a dual threat with his arm and legs. He accounted for a team-high 156 rushing yards in the 77-0 win over Swansea on Sept. 22 and has thrown for 545 yards and three touchdowns this season.   His main target is wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='267472' first='Antrone' last='Butler'], one of 20 seniors on the roster.   Defensively, the Mustangs are holding opponents to 15.5 points per game. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] is averaging 12 tackles a game.   On special teams, placekicker Peyton Waters went 11-11 on PATs against Swansea to tie the school record set 25 years ago by his father, Josh Waters.   The Eagles are also enjoying their most success since the 2015 season. Under first year head coach Shane Fidler, they are relying on a resilient defense which has held opponents to eight points a game in their five victories.   Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1158030' first='Bryant' last='Cherry'], Trey Neil and [player_tooltip player_id='1157982' first='Montrelle' last='Keys'] play an active role in the group's “bend but don't break” play. Cornerback Kelby Stroman has accounted for the team's three interceptions this season.   Offensively, quarterback Jesse Lee Hoover looks to rebound from last week's shutout loss to Irmo. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1360401' first='Amari' last='Lewis'] leads the team in rushing behind Dylan Barber and the rest of offensive line. Wide receivers Shiloh Perry and [player_tooltip player_id='1157959' first='Avery' last='Jones'] have combined for eight touchdown receptions and only three dropped balls on 75 targets.   Airport leads the all-time series 12-7, but the Vikings snapped a six-game losing streak last year.     Orangeburg-Wilkinson (0-5, 0-1) at Dreher (3-3, 1-0)   The Blue Devils picked up some momentum with a 51-7 rout of winless Swansea. The combination of quarterback Colby Fuller and wide receiver Riley Croxton produced four touchdowns in the team's highest point total in two years.   They face a Bruins' team which has been shut out in five of its last nine games dating back to last season. The 13 points scored in last week's loss to Brookland-Cayce was the team's highest point total since, ironically, last year's 28-26 win over Dreher.   Running back Tymir Chism and Justin Williams each had two rushing touchdowns in last week's loss to Brookland-Cayce. It's just two of the three offensive touchdowns the Bruins have had all season.

Week 7 might as well be nicknamed “Seventh Heaven”.