Week 9 Lowcountry Games To Watch
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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. But first, we’ve got a tantalizing Week 9 with region titles and playoff berths on the line. Let’s…
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Continue ReadingIt’s mid-October, and the SCHSL playoffs are in sight. In just two more Fridays, we’ll have the final picture in full shape.
But first, we’ve got a tantalizing Week 9 with region titles and playoff berths on the line.
Let’s break down the most important Lowcountry matchups of the regular season’s penultimate week.
Summerville (8-0) at Ashley Ridge (7-1)
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. Derrick Salley Derrick Salley 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Ashley Ridge | 2024 State SC continued his tear through the region at wide receiver with 14 catches for 228 yards and a touchdown last week, and Jayden Acosta Jayden Acosta 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Ashley Ridge | 2025 State SC was efficient on the ground with an excellent 8.5 yards per carry. Summerville will lean on veteran linebackers Jaidyn Penix Jaidyn Penix 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Summerville | 2024 State SC and Kayden Gaddist Kayden Gaddist 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Summerville | 2024 State SC who have set the tone in the heart of the Green Waves’ defense. Keep a look out for Ryland Mitchell, 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 Jaden Cummings Jaden Cummings 5'11" | 195 lbs | QB Summerville | 2025 State SC who has developed a dynamite connection with tall and explosive wideout Yannick Smith Yannick Smith 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Summerville | 2024 State SC . At 6-foot-3, Smith has a wide catch radius with quick instincts and route-running to break open for big plays. Craig Middleton‘s name should be called often for Ashley Ridge who has upped his physicality and toughness into the region slate, and Nolan Spencer could be an important factor with his skill and strength at the edge. It’s a huge opportunity for Ashley Ridge quarterback Trevor Kalisz Trevor Kalisz 5'11" | 215 lbs | QB Ashley Ridge | 2026 State SC and company to make a statement at home, and make a tight Region VII-5A title race even more interesting.
West Ashley (5-4) at Fort Dorchester (5-2)
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 Bennett Riffer Bennett Riffer 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Fort Dorchester | 2024 SC and Charles Watson Charles Watson 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Fort Dorchester | 2024 State SC this year. Mul-Ty Snider has emerged as the go-to target downfield with tremendous breakaway speed and reliable hands. Ryan Campbell Ryan Campbell 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Fort Dorchester | 2026 State SC 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 Tyrik Deas Tyrik Deas 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Fort Dorchester | 2024 State SC and tight end Jmauri Allen. LB Bailey LB Bailey 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB West Ashley | 2024 State SC will need to be active defensively for West Ashley with his strong blend of speed and physicality, and Davion Kinard-Taylor Davion Kinard-Taylor 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL West Ashley | 2025 State SC ‘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 Hampton O’Donald Hampton O’Donald 6'3" | 250 lbs | OL West Ashley | 2025 SC . The Wildcats’ offensive line must deliver to give space for an experienced tandem of KJ Brown, Ramere Kelly, and Mason White to find daylight downfield. But it will be easier said than done against a stout Fort Dorchester front led by powerful 260-pound senior Jayden Acevedo.
May River (3-5) at Bluffton (4-4)
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 Owen Bayes Owen Bayes 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Bluffton | 2024 State SC 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 Carnell Warren Carnell Warren 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR May River | 2026 State SC and Brandon Bryant Brandon Bryant 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Bluffton | 2024 State SC . A productive game from May River defensive end Kuron Green and nose guard Adrian Gaston could swing the game the other way if they’re able to disrupt Gregory’s quick-strike attack. Giovanni D’Anna will be worth keeping an eye on with his clinical tackling at linebacker, and terrific safety Will Bostwick will be tested against an explosive Bobcat wideout tandem. Tanner Macy 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 Jeremiah Curry Jeremiah Curry 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Bluffton | 2024 State SC has turned in a solid senior year for Bluffton, and Chris Doyle 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 Cayson Simmons for the Sharks, who has shined as a blocker and an important possession receiver to move the sticks.
Hanahan (4-4) at Philip Simmons (8-0)
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 KJ Asbury KJ Asbury 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Philip Simmons | 2024 State SC and Sharod Williams Sharod Williams 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Philip Simmons | 2024 State SC , 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 Steven Pickard Steven Pickard 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Philip Simmons | 2026 State SC . Kalani Roberts will need to establish his presence on the line to slow down the Iron Horses’ electric ground game, and both Tijai Hartwell and Jay Meadows Jay Meadows 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Hanahan | 2024 SC will be waiting behind him in the secondary to prevent any explosive runs. Hanahan’s offense has gone as Kevon Rivera Kevon Rivera 5'9" | 215 lbs | RB Hanahan | 2024 State SC 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 Danearis Washington Danearis Washington 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Philip Simmons | 2024 SC , who has impressed with his strength and footwork on the line this year for the Iron Horses alongside breakout freshman sensation Jordan Johnson at defensive tackle. Expect a physical and tight battle up front throughout to decide the region championship on Friday.
Baptist Hill (4-4) at Cross (7-1)
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 Harold Gathers Harold Gathers 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB Baptist Hill | 2024 State SC , 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 Romaine Grant Romaine Grant 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR Baptist Hill | 2025 State SC and Jaden Douglas. But the Bobcats might meet their match against a stout Cross defense that has rattled off three consecutive shutouts heading into Friday night. David Wigfall 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. Preston Fuller 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 Tyler Mungin Tyler Mungin 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Cross | 2024 State SC 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 Jamez Way. Karmello Jones Karmello Jones 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Cross | 2025 State SC (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 Kelvin Smalls Kelvin Smalls 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Baptist Hill | 2026 State SC (53.5 tackles). Freshman Lamar Singleton Lamar Singleton 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Baptist Hill | 2027 State SC 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.