Non-Region Games To Watch In The Catawba River Region In 2024
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The 2024 season kicks off in a little over four months. As schedules have been released for teams in the Catawba River Region, there is a level of excitement with the recent region realignment that teams who haven’t played each…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 season kicks off in a little over four months.
As schedules have been released for teams in the Catawba River Region, there is a level of excitement with the recent region realignment that teams who haven’t played each other in the last few years will now get that opportunity.
But that doesn’t mean the non-region schedule isn’t loaded with games that will catch your attention. We picked out four games happening locally that feature a lot of speed on the field and cross town rivalries, some of which will happen on the same night.
AUGUST 30
South Pointe at Rock Hill
*Note: As of April 17, 2024: Lewisville QB Ian Grissom Ian Grissom 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2025 State SC has transferred to Rock Hill for his senior season.
The annual city rivalry between the Stallions and Bearcats will feature some new faces this fall.
Former Gaffney defensive coordinator Randy Birch is the new head coach for the Bearcats, replacing Bubba Pittman. Matthew Wilson Matthew Wilson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC has graduated and is off at App State. Kason Cannup appears to be the presumptive starter at quarterback. Cannup will have Malik Clark Malik Clark 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Rock Hill | 2025 State SC (pictured above) to throw to, who has numerous Division 1 offers along with EJ Ratley. Both are burners at the receiver position who are threats to score at any point. Nigel Lightner Nigel Lightner 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Rock Hill | 2027 SC and Kaiden Watkins Kaiden Watkins 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Rock Hill | 2027 State SC saw significant playing time as freshman last year and they’ll be a year older in the Bearcats defense this year. Keep an eye on Zy’on King and Rakwon Stratford as well.
The Stallions will also have a new quarterback in Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB South Pointe | 2026 State SC who transferred from Fairfield Central. He comes in after throwing for 57 touchdowns and 5713 yards over his first two seasons. He’ll have a dynamic duo in the backfield in Aidan Turner Aidan Turner 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB South Pointe | 2025 NC who ran for 1025 yards in 2023 and Mason Picket-Hicks Mason Picket-Hicks 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB South Pointe | 2025 State SC . Expect the Stallions to be tough again on defense with a trio of stars in the backfield with J’Zavien Currence J’Zavien Currence 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH South Pointe | 2026 State SC , Fred Reese Fred Reese 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB South Pointe | 2025 State SC and Aakil Brown Aakil Brown 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB South Pointe | 2025 State SC back.
SEPTEMBER 6
Indian Land at Andrew Jackson
Indian Land will have a core of sophomores and juniors that will lead the way in 2024, starting with Sequel Patterson Sequel Patterson 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Indian Land | 2027 State SC who will likely get the snaps at quarterback. He’ll have Camdin Portis to throw to, who has numerous offers already as a sophomore from schools like Colorado and Georgia Tech. Brysen Conner and Hayden Morris Hayden Morris 6'2" | 160 lbs | WR Indian Land | 2026 SC will be other guys to watch at the receiver position.
Andrew Jackson moves on without Trey Thompson Trey Thompson 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Andrew Jackson | 2024 State SC in the run game but Damais Seegars looks primed and ready to take the reins. We expect Jase Fair to be a thumper on defense and come up and lay the lumber, like we saw against Lamar last season.
SEPTEMBER 13
Richland Northeast at Nation Ford
This game was a tight one won by RNE, 41-38 in the Midlands last season. Could the same thing happen this year? RNE returns Will Wilson Will Wilson 6'1" | 220 lbs | QB Richland Northeast | 2025 State SC , who threw for 2,237 yards and 22 touchdowns. The senior is committed to NC State. He’ll have junior wide Blake Betette Blake Betette 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Richland Northeast | 2026 State SC back who recorded 39 receptions for 733 yards and six touchdowns. Keep an eye on Jarell Turner Jarell Turner 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Richland Northeast | 2026 State SC in the defensive backfield as well.
The Falcons return quarterback Kaden Barnett Kaden Barnett 6'0" | 150 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2025 State SC who is committed currently to play baseball at the University of North Carolina. He’ll have a good nucleus of talent of skill returning with Lucas Barz and Josh Ameo back at receiver, both of whom can score at any time. Keep an eye on Zyon Neely and Sayvion Drayton up front on defense as well.
Clover at York
Landon Stone Landon Stone 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Clover | 2025 State SC returns for his senior season for the Blue Eagles after running for over 2000+ yards and over 19 touchdowns in 2023. They will need to replace quarterback Jaylon Hoover and it appears that Brody Woolbright will be the guy as we head into spring practice. Brody Rowan Brody Rowan 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Clover | 2025 State SC will be counted on as one of the leaders defensively, after tallying over 24 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2023. Carson Pinti heads into his junior year after seeing action on both sides of the ball in 2023.
Tashon Freeman is the presumed starter at quarterback for the Cougars as he will step into the full role now that Ayden Davis Ayden Davis 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB York | 2024 State SC has graduated. Jonathan Tobias returns for his senior year as he will be a guy to watch in the secondary along with Ziggy Byers and Darrell Harrison Darrell Harrison 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH York | 2026 State SC at the linebacker position.