Week 9 Lowcountry Games To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's mid-October, and the SCHSL playoffs are in sight. In just two more Fridays, we'll have the final picture in full shape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But first, we've got a tantalizing Week 9 with region titles and playoff berths on the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's break down the most important Lowcountry matchups of the regular season's penultimate week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summerville (8-0) at Ashley Ridge (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two high-octane offenses will meet in Charleston on Friday in a game that will be crucial in the region title race. The Green Wave may have their eye on Fort Dorchester next week - but they'll have to contain an electric group of Swamp Fox skill position players first. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589052' first='Derrick' last='Salley'] </strong>continued his tear through the region at wide receiver with 14 catches for 228 yards and a touchdown last week, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157992' first='Jayden' last='Acosta']</strong> was efficient on the ground with an excellent 8.5 yards per carry. Summerville will lean on veteran linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227804' first='Jaidyn' last='Penix']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='140607' first='Kayden' last='Gaddist'] </strong>who have set the tone in the heart of the Green Waves' defense. Keep a look out for <strong>Ryland Mitchell</strong>, who will have an opportunity to prove himself against Salley and an electric Ashley Ridge passing game. Summerville has the horses to match up offensively, and it all starts with tremendous quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] </strong>who has developed a dynamite connection with tall and explosive wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771065' first='Yannick' last='Smith']</strong>. At 6-foot-3, Smith has a wide catch radius with quick instincts and route-running to break open for big plays. <strong>Craig Middleton</strong>'s name should be called often for Ashley Ridge who has upped his physicality and toughness into the region slate, and <strong>Nolan Spencer </strong>could be an important factor with his skill and strength at the edge. It's a huge opportunity for Ashley Ridge quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz']</strong> and company to make a statement at home, and make a tight Region VII-5A title race even more interesting.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Ashley (5-4) at Fort Dorchester (5-2)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's easy to look ahead to a showdown with Summerville in Week 10, but the Fort Dorchester Patriots will have a challenging test in front of them this Friday against West Ashley. Fort's offense has the firepower to lead the way in this matchup, and the Patriots have gotten the most from both quarterbacks <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976510' first='Bennett' last='Riffer']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142859' first='Charles' last='Watson']</strong> this year. <strong>Mul-Ty Snider </strong>has emerged as the go-to target downfield with tremendous breakaway speed and reliable hands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473024' first='Ryan' last='Campbell']</strong> is a steady force on the ground with excellent instinctive movement and the agility to make quick cuts past defenders, thanks to the extraordinary blocking of tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589015' first='Tyrik' last='Deas'] </strong>and tight end <strong>Jmauri Allen</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91363' first='LB' last='Bailey']</strong> will need to be active defensively for West Ashley with his strong blend of speed and physicality, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249843' first='Davion' last='Kinard-Taylor']</strong>'s presence could be critical on the line to force quick incompletions in the passing game. West Ashley's offense is predicated on its run game behind steady center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875795' first='Hampton' last='O'Donald']</strong>. The Wildcats' offensive line must deliver to give space for an experienced tandem of <strong>KJ Brown</strong>, <strong>Ramere Kelly</strong>, and <strong>Mason White </strong>to find daylight downfield. But it will be easier said than done against a stout Fort Dorchester front led by powerful 260-pound senior <strong>Jayden Acevedo</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>May River (3-5) at Bluffton (4-4)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got a crosstown rivalry with playoff aspirations on the line in Region VII-4A on Friday, as a high-octane Bluffton offense hosts a gritty May River side in a matchup of 1-2 region teams. The Bobcats gave James Island all they could handle on the road last night, but a couple of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='790404' first='Owen' last='Bayes']</strong> turnovers were the difference to put the Trojans over the top. Bayes will need to play an efficient and mistake-free game under center while quickly getting the ball out to game-breaking playmakers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402486' first='Carnell' last='Warren']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='988249' first='Brandon' last='Bryant']</strong>. A productive game from May River defensive end<strong> Kuron Green</strong> and nose guard <strong>Adrian Gaston</strong> could swing the game the other way if they're able to disrupt Gregory's quick-strike attack. <strong>Giovanni D'Anna </strong>will be worth keeping an eye on with his clinical tackling at linebacker, and terrific safety <strong>Will Bostwick </strong>will be tested against an explosive Bobcat wideout tandem.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1360121' first='Tanner' last='Macy']</strong> will need an excellent effort to keep up, and he's coming into this one confident after putting up five touchdowns on the board against Colleton County. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208337' first='Jeremiah' last='Curry']</strong> has turned in a solid senior year for Bluffton, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639730' first='Chris' last='Doyle'] </strong>has emerged as a breakout star on the line that could become a key factor in Friday night's story if he can contain the running lanes for Macy to break through. Expect to see a lot of <strong>Cayson Simmons</strong> for the Sharks, who has shined as a blocker and an important possession receiver to move the sticks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hanahan (4-4) at Philip Simmons (8-0)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Philip Simmons blazed past Beaufort back in Week 6, this one quickly emerged as the inevitable Region VIII-3A championship game. The Iron Horses have cruised to an 8-0 start this year behind its exceptional two-headed attack on the ground of<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='589051' first='KJ' last='Asbury']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997204' first='Sharod' last='Williams']</strong>, who have both eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in their first eight games. The elusive and hungry running by the electric duo has been helped by the improved play of sophomore tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895754' first='Steven' last='Pickard']</strong>. <strong>Kalani Roberts</strong> will need to establish his presence on the line to slow down the Iron Horses' electric ground game, and both <strong>Tijai Hartwell</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1059392' first='Jay' last='Meadows']</strong> will be waiting behind him in the secondary to prevent any explosive runs. Hanahan's offense has gone as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91352' first='Kevon' last='Rivera']</strong> goes, who has produced 1,152 yards and 18 touchdowns in seven games. He's a dynamic 222-pound workhorse power back who can outmuscle defenders and quickly pick up speed when he finds open grass. It will be a challenging task for electric Philip Simmons defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='264571' first='Danearis' last='Washington']</strong>, who has impressed with his strength and footwork on the line this year for the Iron Horses alongside breakout freshman sensation <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271251' first='Jordan' last='Johnson']</strong> at defensive tackle. Expect a physical and tight battle up front throughout to decide the region championship on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baptist Hill (4-4) at Cross (7-1)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cross Trojans have been one of the most improved teams in Class 1A this season, and they've got a real chance at stealing the Region VIII-A crown. But they'll have to slow down a red-hot Baptist Hill offense to do it, averaging  69.7 points in its last three contests. The Bobcats' offense has reached a new level this year under experienced quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340393' first='Harold' last='Gathers']</strong>, who is completing nearly 70% of his passes with an excellent 23:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He's been spreading the ball around to a variety of targets, including junior standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254034' first='Romaine' last='Grant']</strong> and <strong>Jaden Douglas</strong>. But the Bobcats might meet their match against a stout Cross defense that has rattled off three consecutive shutouts heading into Friday night. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360087' first='David' last='Wigfall']</strong> has been at the heart of the impressive unit, leading the way with 55 total tackles and nine stops behind the line of scrimmage. He's quick to diagnose plays and competes with a chip on his shoulder each week to lead a dominant 1A unit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360328' first='Preston' last='Fuller'] </strong>has been his partner in crime, showing lethal explosiveness at linebacker with nine stops for loss and six sacks so far in the season. The Trojans have an experienced senior quarterback at the helm in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142851' first='Tyler' last='Mungin']</strong> who has stepped it up this year with his poise and decision-making. He's a two-way threat with 437 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while presenting a budding aerial attack with the presence of athletic senior wideout <strong>Jamez Way</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']</strong> (70 car, 438 yds, 10 TD) has been the go-to workhorse on the ground, displaying excellent vision and patience from the backfield. Baptist Hill has a young and hungry defensive core, led by dominant and physical sophomore linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165126' first='Kelvin' last='Smalls']</strong> (53.5 tackles). Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036773' first='Lamar' last='Singleton'] </strong>has quickly become a sparkplug on defense and special teams, flying to the football and promptly helping to finish plays with 41 tackles in eight games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->