Week 9 Players To Watch: The Midlands
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There are two weeks remaining in the regular season and teams are jockeying for playoff seeding. Here is a look at a group of players across the Midlands that can make a difference for their respective teams. Jonathan Clarkson RB,…
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Continue ReadingThere are two weeks remaining in the regular season and teams are jockeying for playoff seeding. Here is a look at a group of players across the Midlands that can make a difference for their respective teams.
Jonathan Clarkson RB, North Central – The Knights are coming off a 20-6 loss to Cheraw but can still secure a home game in the playoffs if they win out. Clarkson has 470 rushing on 51 carries and has added 61 tackles on defense.
Christian Sexton Christian Sexton 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC LB, Lexington – The North-South All-Star selection at linebacker has given the Wildcats an added boost in the running game as well. But he makes his mark on the defensive side of things and will need a strong finish to help the Wildcats secure a possible home first round playoff game.
Jamere Crooks Jamere Crooks 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Ben Lippen | 2026 SC WR, Ben Lippen – Crooks and fellow sophomore QB Jayvon Gilmore Jayvon Gilmore 6'6" | 195 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2026 State SC provide a decent punch for the Falcons. Crooks is the leading receiver with 401 yards and four touchdowns on 19 receptions. Ben Lippen will need more from Crooks in the final two weeks of the regular season.
Javion Martin Javion Martin 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Crestwood | 2024 State SC QB, Crestwood – The Knights have only lost once this season and they have a showdown with Camden this week with the winner likely claiming the region title. Martin (pictured) has thrown for 1,779 yards and 17 touchdowns to go along with 310 yards rushing and 10 scores.
Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC QB, Camden – White has thrown for 2,005 yard and 22 touchdowns and added 361 yards rushing for the Bulldogs. Camden has a huge showdown with Crestwood this week and the winner will likely be the region winner.
KJ Golden KJ Golden 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Fairfield Central | 2024 State SC WR, Fairfield Central – The Griffins are looking to close out the season strong and Golden has been one of the keys. He had four catches that resulted in three touchdowns last and added a 75-yard kickoff return for a score. He has 451 yards receiving this season and seven touchdowns on 27 receptions.
Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC RB, Irmo – The Yellow Jackets are two wins from capping an unbeaten regular season. Allen-Hendrix was selected to the North-South All-Star Game behind his 1,385 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.
Darius Dixon LB, Keenan – The Raiders have recorded back-to-back shutout and Dixon has played a huge roll in that. Last week, Dixon recorded nine tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss in a 53-0 win over Eau Claire.
Lamarion Pearson Lamarion Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Lower Richland | 2024 State SC RB, Lower Richland – Lower Richland won for just the second time this season with Pearson rushing for 193 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Swansea.
Kendall Byrd Kendall Byrd 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2026 State SC WR, AC Flora – The Falcons have stumbled in region play but Byrd and QB Roper Wentzky Roper Wentzky 5'11" | 155 lbs | QB AC Flora | 2026 State SC give hope for the future. Just a sophomore, Byrd has tallied 765 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 44 receptions.
Bryant Cherry Bryant Cherry 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Airport | 2025 State SC LB, Airport – Cherry now has 110 tackles on the season after his 13-tackle performance last week against South Aiken.
Amarii King WR, Cardinal Newman – The Cardinals spread it around with five receivers having between 14 and 20 receptions. King leads the way with 20 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns.
JT Lott DL, Saluda – The Tigers bounced back from a loss two weeks ago to Strom Thurmond with a 15-14 win over Silver Bluff. Lott leads the Saluda defensive effort with 59 stops, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
Anthony Addison Anthony Addison 6'3" | 210 lbs | DL Sumter | 2025 State SC DE, Sumter – In a 17-14 loss to Carolina Forest, Addison registered 16 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss.
Will Young Will Young 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Brookland-Cayce | 2024 State SC Ath, Brookland-Cayce – Young finished off a 35-28 victory over Dreher with an overtime touchdown that proved to be the difference. He had 227 yards on 36 carries and four rushing scores on the night.