Week 10 CSRA Players To Watch

The after effects of Hurricane Helene continue to be felt by the S.C. High School League.   The CSRA was one of the most affected regions. It was seen with the postponement and rescheduling of games in which several teams to play four games within 12-15 day period.   Although the regular season was extended a week, some teams will be able to have a ‘bye.' So Week 10 is an opportunity to glance at some key players for the last time until the post-season or get to see if they can ensure those Week 11 games have a great importance:   [player_tooltip player_id='1254050' first='Jay' last='Sewell'] WR, Strom Thurmond (pictured)   A Touchstone Energy Cooperative Bowl selection, the 6-foot 173-pound senior made a couple of highlight reel touchdown catches against Saluda. His first touchdown reception saw him field he pass from quarterback Drew Arant while blanketed by the Tiger defense. On the second touchdown, he made a leaping two-handed grab while staying inbounds. This week, he faces a Ninety-Six team with experienced cornerman in [player_tooltip player_id='1823042' first='Kayden' last='Conway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1267223' first='Carver' last='Davis'].    [player_tooltip player_id='1575294' first='Omarion' last='Holman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'] RBs, both of Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   The Trojans have gone under the radar for most of the year. The 59-12 rout of [player_tooltip player_id='1856798' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1856799' first='Blackville-Hilda' last='']' last=''] may have finally thrusted them into the spotlight. The backfield duo of senior Holman and sophomore Summers were once again the catalyst for the H-K-T offense. Holman rushed for 133 yards and three touchdowns and Summers had 153 yards and two scores. They look to wrap up the Region 3A title against a Ridge Spring-Monetta team with a defense (allowing 15 points a game) has performed as stingy as the Trojans.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822793' first='Darion' last='Stroman'] LB, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   The 5-foot 10, 167-pound two-way junior was ubiquitous on the field for the Trojans. Whether making stops at the goal line or rushing into the backfield to make a shoestring tackle for a loss, Stroman was a spark for the defense. He finished with 14 tackles and goes against a Ridge Spring-Monetta team that is averaging just 13.5 points per game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592558' first='Jabarius' last='Brunson'] LB, Ridge Springs-Monetta   The senior middle linebacker anchors the Trojan defense with a team-high 83 tackles and three sacks on the season. A week earlier against Wagener-Salley, he tallied 17 tackles, a sack and forced fumble. He faces a run-dominant Hunter-Kinard-Tyler team which pounds away with [player_tooltip player_id='1575294' first='Omarion' last='Holman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1822793' first='Darion' last='Stroman'].     [player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown'] WR, North Augusta   The Shrine Bowl selection was welcomed back by the Yellow Jackets after missing over two months with a broken collarbone. In the second quarter against Aiken, he took the slant pass from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] and took off for a 55-yard touchdown. He finished with four receptions for 86 yards. Brown's return comes just in time for the Yellow Jackets who are locked in a battle for first place in Region 4-4A with Gray Collegiate. Before the Nov. 8 showdown, they face a Midland Valley team which has won three straight games.   [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe'] RB, North Augusta   The All-State junior is seemingly getting stronger each week for the Yellow Jackets. In a span of five games, he rushed for four touchdowns twice and 259 yards in two wins over Airport and Aiken. This puts him over the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive year. It's also helped Doe to have a fully healthy offensive line with tackles  [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'], Brigs Watkins, and [player_tooltip player_id='1766913' first='Seth' last='Short'], center [player_tooltip player_id='1839906' first='John' last='Burke'] and guards [player_tooltip player_id='1819540' first='Joshua' last='Simpkins'], Ethan Fitzgerald, and Cesar Grant. They go against an improved Midland Valley team led upfront by Jordyn Smith.    Alex Powell, LB, North Augusta   The senior linebacker has had a stellar season for the Yellow Jackets. Against Aiken, he had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. Powell has played a key role for a defense which has allowed an average of 15 points a game and shut out Brookland-Cayce in the second half of a 56-28 victory.    [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] QB, Midland Valley   The Mustangs have gone with a two-quarterback system with Geter and senior Preston Butler. The 6-foot 1, 185-pound sophomore has made the most of his time during their 3-game winning streak. He's accounted for 158 total yards and three touchdowns in the last two games. A player who has emerged as a target for either quarterback is Montez McMillan. It will be a challenge against a North Augusta team whose defensive front of [player_tooltip player_id='1214944' first='Davion' last='Mckinnis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1254097' first='Deondre' last='Baskett'], [player_tooltip player_id='1839966' first='CJ' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'].    [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] QB, Barnwell   The senior has thrown for 1,153 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 553 yards and 13 scores this season. His play has the Warhorses a victory away from winning the Region 5-2A title. They close out the season against Whale Branch, who are coming off a 38-21 loss to Hampton County. It was the Warriors' third-highest point total of the season. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1788390' first='Tony' last='Broxton'] leads the team with 33 tackles and three sacks.   Logan Sturkie LB, Barnwell   The senior linebacker is a force on both sides of the football. He has 17 receptions for 306 yards and three touchdowns on offense and 21 tackles and three sacks from the linebacker position.    [player_tooltip player_id='766728' first='Drelyn' last='Brown'] RB, Silver Bluff   The junior tailback rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 56-26 win over Swansea. It lifted Silver Bluff to its first win of the season. It looks to clinch a playoff berth out of Region 4-3A with a win against an injury-riddled Fox Creek.    [player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] RB, South Aiken   The All-State senior has rushed for 441 yards and three touchdowns in the last three games. He had the game-winning touchdown in the 35-28 victory over Gilbert on Oct. 22 and rushed for 263 yards four days later against Midland Valley. He's currently at 1,662 yards and 17 touchdowns and looks to add to that number against winless Aiken.

The after effects of Hurricane Helene continue to be felt by the S.C. High School League.