Week 8 CSRA Players To Watch

With several CSRA teams looking to squeeze in four games in two weeks, the final month of the regular season will be a test in stamina and team depth.   This will offer the opportunity for potential newcomers to emerge as Players to Watch. Here's a lot of current players, some of whom are playing their second game this week.   JaMarey Bonaparte and [player_tooltip player_id='1530765' first='Darius' last='Walker'], RBs Aiken   The sophomore tandem received the bulk of the carries against Brookland-Cayce. Bonaparte shared much of the workload with senior Tre'vron Washington in the first half. While Bonaparte accounted for both of the Hornets' touchdowns in the second half, including a 31-yard touchdown run, Walker got the majority of the touches in the second half. Guards Daylan Hazel (6-foot 3, 260 pounds) and Brayden Ward (6-foot 2, 240 pounds), center Jamari Holmes and tackles Damien McIntash (6-feet, 250 pounds) and Trey Reed (6-feet, 350 pounds) are a junior-laden group whose strength is run blocking. They look to build upon the second half success against a Midland Valley team which has allowed 33 points a game and is coming off a 35-28 heartbreaker at Gilbert.    Luke Groseclose P Aiken   The junior punter turned a potential mishap for the Hornets into a scoring opportunity. Down 47-0, he mishandled the snap and looked to avoid tackles by rushing to the sidelines. As he headed out of points, Groseclose threw across his body towards a teammate downfield. It bounced off one Hornet and into a crowd where it was grabbed by tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1274484' first='Zion' last='Lewie']. He was able to run up to the Brookland-Cayce 36 for the first down.  Two plays later, Bonaparte scored on a 31-yard touchdown run.   [player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair'] RB Strom Thurmond   The senior tailback carried the Mustangs' offense with a season-high 244 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Gilbert.  McNair's yardage was 74 yards more than his combined total the previous four games. Midland Valley can only hope McNair can continue to take advantage of having a cohesive, prodigious offensive line with guards Demarque Ford and Cameron Criscillis, tackles Jonathan Dunbar and Matthew Derudder and centers Christian Fail and Sean Tiedman. Facing a winless Aiken team should provide an opportunity for further improvement.    Nick Grant, Hakeem Lawrence and  [player_tooltip player_id='1734528' first='Toian' last='Nabriat'], WRs all of North Augusta   With the status of Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown'] (broken collarbone) uncertain, the Yellow Jackets have worked to develop new targets for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman']. The trio has helped to maintain the offensive balance with the consistent running provided by [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe']. Grant had three receptions and a touchdown in North Augusta's last game on Sept. 20 against Gilbert. Thursday's game against Airport could show if the Yellow Jackets' wide receivers got more cohesive with Tillman during the three weeks of inactivity.   Zamien Capers, QB Wagener-Salley   Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='605527' first='Jaquel' last='Holman'] of Blackville-Hilda was not the only productive number 4 on the field last week in the matchup with the War Eagles. The sophomore shared time at quarterback with Honest Howell and Quentin Sims. Despite the 50-6 loss, Capers drew praise from head coach Blaze Gillespie for his toughness and resiliency while also rushing for 115 yards. He'll get another defensive test Friday against a Ridge Spring-Monetta team which has held five straight opponents under double digits.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360154' first='Namair' last='Anderson'], DB Blackville-Hilda   Speaking of playmakers on Blackville-Hilda, the 6-foot, 175-pound senior is as quick and productive as a wide receiver than his assigned position. Against Wagener-Salley, he scored two touchdowns on a reception and punt return in the span of 91 seconds. His breakaway speed and elusiveness has started to attract coaches and keeps teams from exclusively targeting Holman and quarterback Samari Williams. This Friday, Blackville-Hilda plays host to a Calhoun County team which is allowing 27.5 points per game and is coming off a shutout loss to Hunter-Kinard-Tyler.    [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'], QB Barnwell   The senior quarterback has played with a steady hand and nimble feet in leading the Warhorses to a 6-1 record. He now faces a Hurricanes' team which defeated them 33-7. Austin threw for 242 yards, but was intercepted three times and he was held to -4 rushing yards. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] and Desmond Mathis accounted for two of the picks and are back for the rematch along with team leader [player_tooltip player_id='1656629' first='Tyler' last='Davis']. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='809743' first='Mandrell' last='Sanders'] leads the team with 50 tackles and 5.5 sacks.    De'Arie Kinard and Braylon Smith, both DL, and Bam Robinson, ATH, all of Ridge Spring-Monetta   The Trojans' defense has been instrumental in the team's four-game winning streak. In fact, they've held their last five opponents under double digits. The play upfront with Kinard and Smith helped Ridge Spring-Monetta defeat Williston-Elko 8-7. Kinard had a team-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble and Smith had six tackles, recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal. Robinson provided pressure on the quarterback with 2.5 sacks, two hurries and a forced fumble. They could find themselves even more active against Wagener-Salley which could utilize as many as three players at quarterback.   Wytravious Dugar ATH and Shaheed Williams LB both of Strom Thurmond   The sophomore athlete and junior linebacker helped the Rebels hold American Leadership Academy to 12 total yards. Dugar led the team with six tackles and Williams had an interception and a touchdown run in the 53-0 victory. They face a Pelion team which has been outscored 91-8 in their last two losses. The Panthers could use a big game from defensive back Colin Willams, who had two touchdowns on special teams and one of three interceptions in the 27-12 win over Eau Claire.

With several CSRA teams looking to squeeze in four games in two weeks, the final month of the regular season will be a test in stamina and team depth.