Midlands Week 7 Players To Watch

After the disruption of Hurricane Helene to the state, things are beginning to fall back into a normal cycle. The SCHSL ruled this week that an extra week would be added to the regular season and the playoffs would still be five weeks. That will allow schools to make up for missed games from the previous two weeks postponements.   We're into Week 7 and everyone is playing region games now. Here is a look at some players that will play pivotal roles in some key matchups this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='1467834' first='Jay' last='Eady'] QB, Airport   The freshman is getting used to things on the varsity level. He's the teams leading rusher and is averaging over six yards per carry with three touchdowns. The offensive line needs to provide better protection, but Eady could improve in the passing game as well. He's thrown for 221 yards and if he can get those numbers to increase, teams will have to respect the pass going down the stretch.   [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] LB, Gray Collegiate   Boulware is averaging over 13 tackles per game and is playing like the standout everyone expected. He's hard to contain and makes a quick first step towards a ball-carrier or rushing the quarterback. He leads a defensive unit that will carry the load as the offense continues to improve after playing a brutal early season schedule.   Justin Wright RB, Columbia   The Capitals have run the ball well and Wright is the leading ground-gainer with 316 yards. Malachi Butler has three rushing scores. If they move the ball on the ground, it will help a passing attack that has struggled at times. That will be a key against Mid-Carolina.    Keshon Williams LB, Mid-Carolina   Williams does a little bit of everything for the Rebels but will be counted on to stop the run this week. He's 6-foot, 225 pounds and plays with great instinct. He's very physical and that will help against a Columbia team that prefers the ground attack to putting the ball in the air.      [player_tooltip player_id='1283827' first='Aidan' last='Keeffe'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'] RB, Ridge View   The Blazers have been good throwing the ball as evidenced by the 300-yard performance from [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] last week. Now the running game spearheaded by Keeffe and Bobian need to help be a little more ball control. Ridge View is close to a 50-50 mix of run and pass but have thrown for 1,330 yards and rushed for 905. Keeffe (310 yards) and Bobian (277) need to keep the chains moving and let the passing game continue to put up big chunk plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith'] OL and Daniel McCaskill OL, Lugoff-Elgin   The Demons have lost three games in a row but against three very good offenses. Ridge View will offer that same challenge, so the best form of attack is to run the ball behind a huge offensive line. Smith (pictured) and McCaskill are close to 290 pounds so getting Jar'kese Grant move involved in the rushing attack could be key in keeping the ball away from the Blazers.   Kemarion Willingham QB, Richland Northeast   The Cavaliers will be without Shrine Bowl selection and NC State commitment [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] for maybe two more weeks. Wilson didn't play last week in a triple overtime loss to Dreher, but they did score 34 points. Willingham will have to be a guiding force against an improved AC Flora defense. RNE has a bye next week and the hope is to have Wilson back for the final two region games.   Hugh Manning LB, AC Flora   The Falcons sophomore had 16 tackles and six tackles for loss in a win over Lancaster last week. That gives him 61 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He plays alongside another sophomore in [player_tooltip player_id='1603712' first='Jordan' last='Davis'], who leads the team with 67 tackles. If those two play well down the stretch, it gives AC Flora a chance for a good finish in the region.   [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant'] DE, Irmo   Bryant has been impossible to block at times this season. He will face his biggest offensive line to date. He has 41 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. His best number though might be the four fumbles he's caused. River Bluff is balanced and has played well to be undefeated at this point. If Bryant can cause havoc, it will give the Yellow Jackets a strong start in the battle of unbeatens.    [player_tooltip player_id='1249821' first='Pac' last='Pitts'] OL, River Bluff   The Gators have rushed for 1,480 yards this season and that is a big reason they're undefeated. [player_tooltip player_id='1592250' first='Hayden' last='Myers'] has rushed for 704 yards but a big reason for that is the play of the offensive line. Pitts is one of the leaders at 6-foot-5, 260-pounds. River Bluff is facing an athletic Irmo defensive front this week and if they can run for over 200 yards, that might be key to keeping the record perfect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1262771' first='Desmond' last='Macklin'] RB, Blythewood   The Bengals have been living by the pass and QB Johnny Collins has been the catalyst. The junior signal-caller has 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns but Blythewood has only two rushing scores. Macklin has both rushing scores and 294 rushing yards. He will be the key to the ground attack that could up things better for Collins and a talented trio of receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'] QB, Heathwood Hall   Belk is a mobile quarterback that can make all the throws when given time. The Highlanders only have one victory this season but a lot of that was because of the play of Belk. He has a big-time receiver in [player_tooltip player_id='1249733' first='Onis' last='Konanbanny']. They have an opportunity against Ben Lippen to move the ball and get the offense on track after suffering a shutout in the last game out.   [player_tooltip player_id='1099127' first='Jamere' last='Crooks'] WR, Ben Lippen   Crooks has done a little bit of everything for the Falcons. He has 19 receptions for 260 yards, three interceptions that he's returned for 176 yards, 65 kickoff return yards, 40 yards rushing and 20 punt return yards. He has 16 tackles as well. He's a huge asset to freshman QB KJ Dupree in the Ben Lippen attack.

After the disruption of Hurricane Helene to the state, things are beginning to fall back into a normal cycle. The SCHSL ruled this week that an extra week would be added to the regular season and the playoffs would still be five weeks. That will allow schools to make up for missed games from the previous two weeks postponements.