Week 7 Players To Watch: The Midlands
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The calendar has turned to October. That means the temperatures are getting cooler and teams are starting to jockey for playoff seeding. Here is a look at some players that will be key for the final four weeks of the…
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Continue ReadingThe calendar has turned to October. That means the temperatures are getting cooler and teams are starting to jockey for playoff seeding. Here is a look at some players that will be key for the final four weeks of the regular season.
Aiden Mosley Aiden Mosley 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2025 State SC RB, AC Flora – The junior RB made his season debut a huge one. He ran for 217 yards and three scores and added three receptions for 64 yards and another score. The Falcons have battled the injury-bug but to get the talented Mosley back for the stretch run is a huge key.
Mark’quelle Moser OL, Richland Northeast – The Cavaliers have dominated lesser opponents but have a chance in the final weeks of the season to make a splash. They still have AC Flora and Ridge View on the schedule along with Lugoff-Elgin and Westwood. The offensive line will be a key. Moser is 6-foot-4 and 365 pounds so a lot of that success could start with him.
Jayden Davis RB, Batesburg-Leesville – The Panthers need to find more offense. They are averaging 24.5 points per game but have scored 18 and 14 in back-to-back losses. Davis has 264 yards on 48 carries, and he might need to be the featured back the rest of the way.
Drake Porter Drake Porter 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Ben Lippen | 2026 State SC LB, Ben Lippen – The Falcons have lost four in a row and have allowed at least 31 points in all four games. The defense needs to find a focus over the next three games. Porter is an attacking linebacker that has 75 tackles this season.
Jordan Avinger RB, Bethune-Bowman – The Mohawks are 1-5 and another team that has struggled offensively. Avinger, a sophomore, is the biggest producer with over 300 yards rushing and nearly 200 yards receiving. He needs to be featured more to help with the 14 points per game average.
Brogan Sox Brogan Sox 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Brookland-Cayce | 2026 SC QB, Brookland-Cayce – The Bearcats played a brutal early season schedule but it’s beginning to pay off. Sox is getting more comfortable in the offense and has all the tools to become a great passer. He has all the tools and getting the experience has certainly helped his confidence.
Lamarion Pearson Lamarion Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Lower Richland | 2024 State SC RB, Lower Richland – Pearson (pictured) doesn’t have the numbers he had as a sophomore or junior. In a 1-6 start to the season, the senior has run for 439 yards and added 105 yards receiving with five total touchdowns. A strong finish to his senior season could help Lower Richland garner a playoff spot.
Connor Jones WR, North Central – The junior had six catches for 58 yards and three scores last week. The passing game accounted for five touchdowns total. If the Knights can receive that type of production to help the pressure on the running game, it will benefit North Central down the stretch.
Caleb Pearson Caleb Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH CA Johnson | 2024 State SC QB, CA Johnson – Typically when the lone senior on the CA Johnson roster has a subpar game, he bounces back with one of his best. In a loss to top-ranked Lewisville last week, he only accounted for 33 yards passing and 18 rushing. The Green Hornets need a huge performance from Pearson to hope to secure at least one home playoff game.
Chrisitan Zachary WR, Calhoun County – The senior recently reopened his recruiting after de-committing from Virginia. He uses his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame well and is a matchup problem. His production will be key for a Saints team that is 5-1 and has high postseason hopes.
Nic Nichols ATH, Heathwood Hall – The injury bug has hit the Highlanders hard, but Nichols has been a bright spot. He plays defense and has added 271 receiving yards, 202 rushing yards and 130 passing yards. Heathwood Hall has lost five straight and need Nichols more involved offensively.
Wynn Meetze Wynn Meetze 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Gilbert | 2026 SC , Gilbert – Meetze is just a sophomore but leads the Indians with 59 tackles. He’s graded out at 80 percent on the season and is a big hitter coming down from the secondary. Gilbert is undefeated and the defense will be a huge key as they try to secure a region title over the next four weeks.
Rondrecus Peterson LB, Columbia – Peterson has helped the Capitals to a 3-4 record. The sophomore LB nearing 60 tackles is one of the reason Columbia has improved defensively from last season.
Christian Sexton Christian Sexton 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC LB, Lexington – The Wildcats defense has been one of the best in the state and Sexton is one of those leaders. The front seven cover a lot of ground and rarely find themselves out of position. Lexington still has three region games remaining and their defense will give them a chance in each one.
Parker Murray Parker Murray 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB River Bluff | 2025 State SC QB, River Bluff – Murray should go over 1,000 yards this week but he’s another quarterback that needs a bounce back performance. He only threw for 25 yards in a loss to White Knoll last week. The Gators are several talented receivers and need to get them the ball more consistently.
Wyatt Mazza LB, Mid-Carolina – The Rebels have struggled to a 1-6 record, but Mazza gives plenty of hope for the future. The freshman has been a bright spot as a starting linebacker. The defense has yielded 28 points per game, but the offense has struggled to get much going against a strong schedule.
Harrison Collins Harrison Collins 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Blythewood | 2024 State SC QB, Blythewood – It was about this time last season that the Bengals started putting everything together. After a two-game losing streak, the Bengals opened region play with a 27-7 win over Fort Mill. If Collins and a bevy of athletic wide receivers can get rolling, Blythewood might be in the mix for another region title.