Midlands Week 3 Players To Watch

Most teams have shaken the rust off and are getting into the groove they expect to carry over the rest of the season. Week three of the season features some big-time matchups that have big-time players facing off against each other. Here is a glance at some players to watch this coming weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165156' first='Drake' last='Porter'] LB, Ben Lippen   The Falcons defense has been outstanding in the first three games. Porter has been the best of the bunch with 42 tackles through three games. He's all over the field and can go sideline-to-sideline to make tackles. He has a challenge this week with Cardinal Newman running back [player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford'] bringing his 767 yards into focus.     Preston Furman LB, Cardinal Newman   The Cardinals defense is allowing 31 points per game so Furman and his group has to pick up some of the slack. Cardinal Newman is heading into the meat of its SCISA schedule this week against Ben Lippen. Furman has 25 tackles and needs to be a reason the defense gets off the field on third down conversions.   [player_tooltip player_id='473013' first='Carter' last='Coleman'], Ben Hendrix, [player_tooltip player_id='1172370' first='Kanye' last='Reed'] WR, Blythewood   The Bengals have a three-headed monster at wide receiver and any of them can hurt you at a given time. Coleman and Hendrix are very explosive as you can see by their numbers. Coleman (pictured) leads the teams with 14 receptions for 260 yards and four touchdowns. Hendrix leads the group with five touchdowns on his 11 receptions for 254 yards. Reed is steady and has 12 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown. They will be a nightmare matchup for Keenan this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422608' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] RB, Keenan   Keenan's best plan of attack this week against Blythewood is to feed the ball to O'Neal and let him keep the clock churning. There is a chance for wet weather this weekend and that might help O'Neal and the Raiders offensive attack. The sophomore already has 388 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries.     [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] LB and [player_tooltip player_id='473012' first='JP' last='Sweatt'] DB, Gray Collegiate   Gray Collegiate has already taken a trip to Tennessee to play Baylor School and will face another tough challenge against the defending Class 5A state champions Silver Foxes this week. Dutch Fork is methodical but efficient on offense so Boulware and Sweatt will have to be up to the challenge. Boulware already has 27 tackles in two games with Sweatt next on the team with 16 stops.     [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] LB, Dutch Fork   Let's make no mistake about it. These Silver Foxes fly to the football. They've allowed 7 points in two games and have 16 tackles for loss already. Salters is right in the middle of things, looking like an old school linebacker with a high motor. He has 16 tackles and is the vocal leader of a group that needs little extra incentive.   [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] QB AC Flora   Last season, Wentzky had a lethal connection with [player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd'] and while they still show great chemistry, Wentzky has shown his growth by distributing the ball to all his weapons. In three games, six different players have caught his 10 touchdown passes. He's completing 68 percent of his passes and has thrown for 688 yards and just two interceptions. This week, they face a Laurens team that allows 35 points per game.    Zayvion Sumpter LB, Lower Richland   In two straight wins, the Lower Richland defense has come up big. They face the challenge of Batesburg-Leesville this week and will need another sterling effort. Sumpter has 16 tackles, a fumble recovery and a caused fumble in a talented linebacker group. They face a high-powered Panthers offense that is clicking at a high level.    Tanner Watkins QB, Batesburg-Leesville   Watkins was nearly perfect in the upset win over Abbeville last week. He was 14-of-16 passing for 267 yards and three scores and added four extra points and a 26-yard field goal while averaging 41 yards per punt. He will need the same type of effort against a Lower Richland defense that is forcing turnovers at a high rate.   [player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey'] WR, [player_tooltip player_id='1149052' first='Khalen' last='Bostick'] WR and Colione Martin RB Chapin   Chapin has an offense that is averaging 52 points a game but will face its toughest test to date against Newberry. But they have weapons all over the field. QB [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] left last week's game as a precaution but whoever is under center still has Furrey (14 catches, 246 yards, four touchdowns), Bostick (15 catches, 234 yards, five touchdowns) and Martin (232 yards rushing, 216 yards receiving and four total TD's).    Tyler Cheatham LB, Ridge View   The Blazers thought their defense would be better but are allowing 33 points per game. Cheatham is the leading tackler with eight on the season and he could be the catalyst to get Ridge View moving in the right direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='1575400' first='Wyatt' last='Thompson'] QB, Camden   Thompson continues to be the Bulldogs leading rusher with 286 yards, and he's thrown for 294 yards but does have five interceptions. RB Navi Boykin will need to take some pressure in the running game and Thompson will need to protect the ball better against a Ridge View team that needs a win after two straight losses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592250' first='Hayden' last='Myers'] RB, River Bluff   Myers has 35 more carries than anyone else on the offense and must have a huge night against Gilbert. He has 371 yards rushing and three touchdowns and that opens things up for [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] and the passing game. The Gators are almost a 50-50 split right now, averaging 250 yards rushing per game and 233 yards passing.      [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] LB, Gilbert   Gunter will be one of the keys if the Indians are able to slow the balanced River Bluff attack. He plays in the middle and can slow the run game plus bring pressure in passing situations. Gunter has help in the secondary with tackling machine [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] at safety.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359132' first='Jeremiah' last='Burson'] LB, Sumter   Burson has inserted himself in the middle of the Gamecocks defense and been a force. He has 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Crestwood will try to run the ball right at Sumter and that is a strong front seven, led by Burson.     [player_tooltip player_id='1394990' first='Ladamien' last='Belton'] RB, Crestwood   The Knights like to run the football and until they become settled at quarterback, they might need to lean on Belton to carry the load. He has 282 yards with five touchdowns and is also a threat in the return game. Crestwood will be facing a Sumter defense that is fast and physical so getting Belton going will be key.

Most teams have shaken the rust off and are getting into the groove they expect to carry over the rest of the season. Week three of the season features some big-time matchups that have big-time players facing off against each other. Here is a glance at some players to watch this coming weekend.