Week 9 CSRA Games To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the second straight of “doubleheader” weeks for CSRA teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The revised schedule to make for postponed games due to Hurricane Helene finds those teams in Region 4-4A with two games. Some faired well like North Augusta, while others struggled like Fox Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For other CSRA teams, Week 9 involves key matchups with region and post-season ramifications. Here's a look at those games taking place locally:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brookland-Cayce (2-5, 2-2) at North Augusta (5-1, 3-0)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depending on Tuesday's outcomes, the Yellow Jackets could have an opportunity to maintain its lead in the region. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe']</strong> is closing in on 1,000 yards on the season and backfield mates <strong>Jayden Hatcher</strong> and freshman <strong>Alkaleb Terrell</strong> have emerged to solidify the ground depth. While Shrine Bowl wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown']</strong> is still out, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman']</strong> still has targets at his disposal with <strong>Nick Grant</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734528' first='Toian' last='Nabriat']</strong> and <strong>LJ Tillman</strong>. The offensive line is at full strength with tackles  <strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston']</u>,</strong> <strong>Brigs Watkins,</strong> and <strong>Seth Short</strong>, center <strong>John Burke</strong> and guards <strong>Joshua Simpkins</strong>, <strong>Ethan Fitzgerald,</strong> and <strong>Cesar Grant</strong> now all available. The defensive front has remained a stalwart for the Yellow Jackets with a mix of experience with <strong>Davion McKinnis</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254097' first='Deondre' last='Baskett']</strong> and sophomores <strong>CJ Smith</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones']</strong>. Linebacker <strong>AJ Warren</strong> is active in the middle of the field and defensive back <strong>Zeddy Tillman</strong> could be the next standout family member. Gray Collegiate transfer quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Drevon' last='Dopson']</strong> has provided an offensive boost for the Bearcats. Prior to Tuesday's contest against his former school, the junior had accounted for six touchdowns in two straight games. His mobility and strong arm has opened up opportunities for wide receivers <strong>Jvonn Edwards</strong>,  <strong>David Daniels</strong> and <strong>Deandre Jones</strong> and running back<strong> Jimmy Thompson</strong>. On defense, sophomore defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615051' first='Jabari' last='Corbett'] </strong>has shown an ability to pressure the quarterback. After allowing 50 points in a 1-point loss to Gilbert last Friday, the defense hopes to round into form this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19493754/66f0d2afb753789f5cfb12c9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af3f6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16092449/6713e79e8c1190222c0bd219' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af426"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Midland Valley (2-5, 2-2) at South Aiken (2-4, 0-3)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs will hope to have extended their momentum from the 55-7 rout over Aiken through Tuesday's road matchup at Airport in the 3 p.m. Saturday contest. They have mostly used a two-quarterback system with <strong>Preston Butler </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter']</strong>. Both have shown an ability to get a high number of wide receivers involved as seen in last week's victory over Aiken. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair']</strong> has stepped up his play and has a physically imposing offensive line. All five starters&nbsp;<strong>Demarque Ford</strong>, <strong>Cameron Criscillis</strong>, <strong>Jonathan Dunbar</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Matthew Derudder</strong>, <strong>Christian Fail</strong>, <strong>Sean Tiedman&nbsp;</strong>all average about 6-foot-1 and range in weight between 245 and 300 pounds. On defense, the Mustangs look to continue to get plays from defensive end <strong>Bryston Newton</strong>, who shares the team in lead in tackles at 48 with free safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1506464' first='Charles' last='Richardson']</strong>, linebackers <strong>Mason Gomillion </strong>and <strong>Ja'narre Williams</strong> and defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins']</strong>. The Thoroughbreds hoped to snap a losing streak prior to this “horse race” matchup as they travel to Gilbert Tuesday. All-State running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards']</strong> (1,221 yards, 14 TDs) continues to dominate the offense. Despite the losses, South Aiken has seen its passing game emerge with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1454176' first='Tucker' last='Bryan']</strong> and wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod']</strong> developing a connection. The Thoroughbreds hope for more defensive production as its allowing 33.6 points a contest. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19372174/67132049fd2dd1992d081ebe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af447"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21023112/671277ebbd51c4ef7c32551c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af464"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blackville-Hilda (6-1, 2-0) at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (6-1, 2-0)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the Game of the Week in the CSRA as the Hawks and Trojans battle for first place in Region 3-A. Blackville-Hilda has won the last six minutes and has historically dominated this series except for a six-year period in the 2010s. This year's Hawks have developed into a three-headed monster attack. Shrine Bowl selection and University of South Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605527' first='Jaquel' last='Holman']</strong> &nbsp;(854 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns) is closing in on 1,000 yards on offense and continues to make plays from the flex linebacker position as the team's fourth leading tackler. Quarterback <strong>Shamir Williams </strong>has shown himself to be a dangerous dual threat, especially when defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360154' first='Namair' last='Anderson']</strong> (pictured) is playing at wide receiver. He and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395064' first='Messiah' last='McFadden']</strong> provide a downfield threat to go with the ground game and Anderson provides the ability to return kicks for touchdowns. During the 6-game winning streak, the Hawks have held opponents to 13 points a contest. Conversely, the Trojans have posted back-to-back shutouts and held opponents to an average of 7.1 points per game. Linebackers <strong>John Ross</strong> and <strong>Nykavien Peeples</strong> back up an experienced and physical defensive front led by end <strong>Taizon Sprinkle</strong>. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575294' first='Omarion' last='Holman']</strong> leads the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16298304/6713f883270de34292b51e62' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af481"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16128265/670a9888864ff0418c3d366b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af49d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Swansea (6-2, 1-1) at Fox Creek (4-3, 0-2)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both the Tigers and Predators are coming off region road losses. Swansea was on the losing end of Silver Bluff's first victory of the season by a 56-26 score. Meanwhile, the Predators fell to Keenan 44-14 in a contest, along with the Tigers' loss, shook up the Region II-2A title race. Swansea will hope to get back to its winning formula with running back <strong>Teysean Charley</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='1267270' first='Dante' last='Caldwell']</u>&nbsp;</strong>pounding away on the ground behind offensive linemen<strong> Kevin Sightler</strong> and <strong>Kasiah Harkless-Adams</strong>. Oh the defensive side, the Tigers' linebacking corps of <strong>DJ Green, [player_tooltip player_id='756588' first='William' last='Geddis'], Jeral White and Chase Alley</strong> look for a bounce back game. The same is true for Fox Creek who were unable to get inside the Red Zone at any point against the Raiders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1523586' first='Devonta' last='Holmes']</strong> was mostly quiet offensively, although he did return a kickoff for a touchdown. The Predators' other score came on a 58-yard touchdown pass by <strong>Nathan Owens</strong> to <strong>Mekhi Quiller</strong>. They will also look to get running back <strong>Jayden Bledsoe</strong> more involved offensively and shore up a defense which has allowed 91 points in the past two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17950731/67133357fd2dd1992d083e3e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af4bc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15998528/6713d2178b06510efb2b6d7b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6716c8c9af4d7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->