Catawba River Region’s Top Week 2 Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 2 of the season is here and we've got some intriguing non-region matchups that will draw some attention. Some teams are looking to build on the momentum from fast starts the first few weeks, while others are trying to gain their footing after stumbling with losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the games to watch in the Catawba River Region in Week 2:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Catawba Ridge (1-1) at Chester (0-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Copperheads got their first win of the 2024 season last week in a 52-19 rout of East Gaston, snapping a losing streak dating back to the 2023 season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574007' first='CJ' last='Couch'] </strong>threw four touchdowns to four different receivers: <strong>Preston Cooper</strong>, <strong>Colten McCauley, [player_tooltip player_id='1592500' first='Darius' last='Sutton'] </strong>and <strong>Brayden Wasik</strong>, who also ran for a score as well. <strong>Joshua Dobson </strong>took a kick back to the house as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270438' first='Connor' last='McFadden'] </strong>had a fumble recovery in the end zone, as one of the highlights of the game defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night will mark two weeks since the Cyclones' home opener against Lancaster, as they lost 23-20. They did not play last week against Fort Mill as the game was canceled due to severe weather in the area. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='457973' first='Trooper' last='Floyd'] </strong>suffered an injury against the Bruins and his status is unknown for this week. If Floyd can't go, look for backup QB <strong>Jackson Wilburn </strong>to carry the load along with <strong>Omari Pendagrass </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603999' first='Caleb' last='Feaster'] </strong>in the run game. <strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165099' first='Darriyarn' last='Baxley'] </strong>will be the guys to watch for the Cyclones defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palisades (NC) at Clover (1-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603816' first='Grady' last='Stone'] </strong>ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, in place of his older brother, Landon, who missed last week's game against Hillcrest with an injury. <strong>TJ McCluney </strong>had two catches for 53 yards, and is a leader in the Blue Eagle receiver room along with <strong>Dane Craig</strong>, who had 4 catches for 28 yards. The guys to watch defensively will be <strong>Sam Lee, </strong>who had 7 tackles, while <strong>Peyton Root </strong>had 5 tackles and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734584' first='Brandon' last='Smith'] </strong>had 8 tackles,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851805' first='Kendric' last='Davis'] </strong>at linebacker for the Pumas, who is committed to East Carolina University. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='759844' first='Jyron' last='Tosi'] </strong>is another guy to watch at linebacker as well. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251873' first='Fedayeen' last='Turner'] </strong>at running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesterfield (2-0) at Lee Central (1-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chesterfield is off to a 2-0 start, with blowouts against Johnsonville and Great Falls in the first two weeks. <strong>Bryce Adams </strong>has thrown for 260 yards and three touchdowns so far. <strong>TJ McBride </strong>has run for 174 yards on 35 carries and four touchdowns. It has been interesting to watch the emergence of receiver <strong>JaQuavis Clark, </strong>who scored touchdowns in a variety of ways last week. He had a score receiving, rushing, on a punt return and an interception return. <strong>Sincere Hubbard </strong>has been a leader for the Rams defensively with 26 tackles and 1 sack. Keep an eye on <strong>Tanner Burleyson </strong>with 14 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on <strong>Rico Hickmon </strong>and <strong>Nycer Henry </strong>offensively for Lee Central, as they will want to be physical and methodically move down the field in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indian Land (2-0) at Andrew Jackson (0-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors came back from a 14-7 halftime deficit to come back and beat Lancaster last week. They'll be looking to build on their 2-0 start this week in Kershaw County. They will be led by <strong>Matt Kuica </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] </strong>offensively, who are dynamic playmakers along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton']</strong>. Keep an eye on Boston College commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249777' first='Omarion' last='Davis'] </strong>defensively, who had the game winning interception.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Jackson will be looking to bounce back after a 34-13 loss to Bluffton. Keep an eye on <strong>Damais Seegars </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395000' first='Kamron' last='McGill'].</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Hill (0-2) at Lancaster (1-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats are looking for their first win under new coach Randy Birch. They will be led by quarterback <strong>Cason Kanupp</strong>, who has a duo of skill guys to throw to, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012834' first='Malik' last='Clark']</strong>. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='649189' first='Justice' last='Foster'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809198' first='Jasiah' last='Lewis'] </strong>defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165128' first='RJ' last='Brown'] </strong>is the straw that stirs the drink for the Bruins offensively, who had three touchdowns in the loss to Indian Land. He'll have <strong>Jeremiah Shipley </strong>and <strong>De'Markeyun Mobley</strong> as weapons to throw to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Pointe (2-0) at Ballantyne Ridge (NC)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212416' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] </strong>scored three touchdowns, including two to receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249764' first='Jordan' last='Collins']</strong>, who has been a main target for him the first two weeks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157761' first='Mason' last='Picket-Hicks'] </strong>is a force in the backfield with his ability to run downhill. The Stallions' defense has allowed one touchdown in the first two games. They'll be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157988' first='Aakil' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1594865' first='Brysen' last='Ginn'], [player_tooltip player_id='402297' first='Miles' last='Wilson'] </strong>and<strong> TimAeron Williams.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballantyne Ridge is a brand new program out of Southeast Charlotte. They will be led by linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149025' first='Caleb' last='Owens'], </strong>quarterback <strong>Ryder Polston </strong>and tight end <strong>Jayden Krause</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River Bluff (2-0) at Nation Ford (1-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nation Ford got their first win of the 2024 season with a 14-12 win over York. Falcons quarterback<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1575359' first='Carson' last='Sanford']</strong> threw for two touchdowns, both going to <strong>Lucas Barz. </strong>Keep an eye on speedster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575429' first='Josh' last='Ameo']</strong>, who was back last week after missing the opener against Blythewood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River Bluff is seeking a 3-0 start after wins over Rock Hill and Brookland-Cayce. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360145' first='Aaron' last='Griffin'] </strong>made a circus catch offensively last week and will be one of the leaders for the Gators. <strong>Nathan Shurman </strong>had 11 tackles and 1 pass deflection in the win last week and will be a guy to watch defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Florence (1-1) at Northwestern (2-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk']</strong> (pictured above) is lighting up the scoreboard so far, and that continued last week in a 45-27 win over Ridge View. He threw for 336 yards and six touchdowns. The Trojans had two receivers over 100+ yards receiving in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'] </strong>(9 receptions for 126 yards) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] </strong>(4 receptions for 107 yards). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360156' first='Andre' last='Pickett'] </strong>had 2 tackles for loss while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] </strong>had two tackles to lead the Trojans defensively. Keep an eye on<strong> Danija McMullen</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605531' first='Will' last='Massey']</strong> on the defensive line as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] </strong>has thrown for 375 yards and one touchdown in two games for the Bruins and will lead them into District 3 Stadium on Friday. Keep an eye on <strong>Cam James</strong>, who has run for 202 yards and one touchdown so far. But the main cog for the Bruins offense will be wide receiver and South Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'], </strong>who has 15 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592462' first='Willie' last='Kennedy'] </strong>is the leading tackler for the Bruins (29) along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] </strong>who is second on the team with 15 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>York (0-2) at Union County (0-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars are seeking their first win of the 2024 season on the road at Union on Friday. The offense will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592333' first='Tayshon' last='Freeman']</strong>, who is a dynamic playmaker in space, especially in the zone read game. <strong>Jonathan Tobias </strong>and <strong>Ziggy Byers </strong>are speedsters on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets are also seeking their first win of 2024, after tough losses to Fairfield Central and Newberry. Keep an eye on <strong>Joe Knox </strong>defensively and <strong>Josh Brandon </strong>offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->