Week 8 Lowcountry Games To Watch
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From region title clashes to playoff-spot deciders, the stakes are heightened in each passing week of October. We’ve got another stellar Lowcountry slate on tap for Week 8. Let’s go over the most intriguing contests that we’ll have our eyes…
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Continue ReadingFrom region title clashes to playoff-spot deciders, the stakes are heightened in each passing week of October.
We’ve got another stellar Lowcountry slate on tap for Week 8.
Let’s go over the most intriguing contests that we’ll have our eyes on this Friday night.
Goose Creek (2-5) at Cane Bay (5-2)
The last two unbeaten teams in Region VI- 5A will meet in Summerville with massive postseason implications on the line. After challenging themselves throughout their non-region schedule, the Goose Creek Gators sit at 1-0 in the region after a convincing win two weeks prior against Berkeley. They nearly knocked off Fort Dorchester in Week 7 with a high-octane attack from versatile playmaker Shy’Juan Grant and athletic 6-foot wideout Davion Malloy Davion Malloy 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Goose Creek | 2024 State SC , putting up 35 points against the Patriots. Cane Bay’s explosive secondary of Jordan Horlback and senior safety Keaton Cooley should provide a challenge to the Gators’ budding pass attack. The Cobras will need their blocking to step up on Friday, anchored by 325-pound center Jayden Ferguson to open up lanes for efficient senior running back DeShawn Tompkins (56 car, 455 yds, 3 TD). Goose Creek linebacker Kenneth Smalls has great instincts and physicality at linebacker and could be the difference to slow down the Cobras’ scary ground game.
Berkeley (4-3) at Ashley Ridge (6-1)
It’s not a region matchup, but an intriguing one nonetheless as both teams prepare for their stretch runs. All eyes will be on Ashley Ridge standout wide receiver Derrick Salley Derrick Salley 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Ashley Ridge | 2024 State SC , who shredded West Ashley’s defense for 270 receiving yards and three scores last week. Jermaine Jackson and a developing Stags defense could have their hands full holding down the tall and athletic Salley, who’s shown his tremendous catch radius and breakaway speed downfield. Sensational sophomore linebackers Marcus Henderson Marcus Henderson 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB Berkeley | 2026 State SC and Kevin Rivers will be needed to pressure and disrupt Ashley Ridge quarterback Trevor Kalisz Trevor Kalisz 5'11" | 215 lbs | QB Ashley Ridge | 2026 State SC . Berkeley freshman sensation Henry Rivers Henry Rivers 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB Berkeley | 2027 State SC will need to play great to keep up on the other end, and he’s coming off a phenomenal 330-yard passing game with four touchdowns and two more scores on the ground. He’s brought terrific poise and elusiveness at a young age, and will eye a strong repeat performance against quick and agile senior cornerback Nikolaos Jefferson who could play a key role against the freshman signal-caller.
Colleton County (2-5) at May River (2-5)
Adam Kinloch’s squad can play, and the Colleton County Cougars proved it at home last Friday for a massive region win over Hilton Head. It’s a victory that makes the Cougars a sudden contender for a Region VII-4A postseason berth, especially if they can knock off May River on the road this week. The Sharks couldn’t slow down James Island’s three-headed rushing monster at the Tank, and now will face a confident and underrated Colleton County group led by quarterback Sean Williams, electric two-way player Bryan Hamilton, and powerful fullback Nick Williams. The Cougars took what the defense gave them while limiting the mistakes, and the same formula will be the key to success against the Sharks. May River’s Kuron Green will need an active game to disrupt Colleton’s confident offense alongside fledgling linebacker Hudson Flanagan. Expect Will Bostwick to build upon an exceptional 7.5-tackle game in the secondary and limit extra yards after the catch while providing tight coverage. The Sharks’ chances may rest on the play of quarterback Tanner Macy, who was held down most of the night by James Islands’ terrific pass rush. If given open lanes, Macy has elite elusiveness to turn explosive carries in a hurry. Hamilton came up clutch with a game-sealing pick last week and should find ways to make impacts from the secondary.
Woodland (6-0) at Hampton County (7-1)
It’s a key showdown in Varnville this Friday between two top-10 Class 2A squads. The stakes are high- the winner will likely earn the Region VI-2A championship and make its path a little easier towards the Lower State championship. The battle on the line should be as advertised- featuring beastly Hampton County star Kavon Chisolm and Woodland 285-pound standout
Kam Pringle
Kam
Pringle
6'7" | 305 lbs | OL
Woodland | 2024
State
SC
. The heavyweight bout on the line could decide the edge for most of the night, especially with the threat of the Hurricanes’ speedy
Zion Dobson
Zion
Dobson
5'10" | 175 lbs | RB
Hampton County | 2024
State
SC
(122 car, 1,322 yds, 16 TD) lurking in the backfield. Dobson has earned the highest praise on the offensive side, but freshman
Jordan Bovain
Jordan
Bovain
5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH
Hampton County | 2027
State
SC
has added a secondary spark from breakout junior quarterback Chris Terry to help keep defenses honest. Woodland has game-breaking strength up front with Pringle and budding junior sensation Antonio Ford. A strong performance in the blocking game will help open space for flashy senior running back
TJ Wright
TJ
Wright
5'10" | 180 lbs | RB
Woodland | 2024
State
SC
to take off in the open field. It could be easier said than done against a hungry Hurricanes defense led by an explosive
Mandrell Sanders
Mandrell
Sanders
5'11" | 190 lbs | LB
Hampton County | 2025
State
SC
with gifted instinctiveness and physicality to wreak havoc in the backfield.