Week 9 Midlands Games To Watch

Some Midlands teams are taking an unexpected bye following the S.C. High School League's decision to extend the season by a week.   While that's true for Region 4-5A, teams in lower classifications are coming for region titles and higher seeding in the playoffs. Week Nine has such Games to Watch:   Strom Thurmond (5-1, 2-0) at Saluda (6-0, 2-0)   A share of first place in Region II-2A is on the line. The Rebels have outscored their last two opponents 108-6 and have an energetic, aggressive linebacking corps with juniors Deonte Phillips and Bryant Cranston, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] and freshman Kagan Wigfall. Senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1249754' first='Josh' last='Merriweather'] and sophomore Jayden Merriweather provide a wall upfront making it difficult for teams to establish the run. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] has four pass breakups and two interceptions to lead the Rebels. Offensively, Quarterback Brishaun Lee has completed 30-61 passes for 452 yards and six touchdowns to go with two rushing touchdowns. Strom Thurmond's running game is dominated by three players in Phillips, Tranquillus Mathis and Cam Blacks who account for half of the team's 22 rushing scores. The Tigers are coming off a 33-7 win over Ninety-Six in which all-purpose junior [player_tooltip player_id='617664' first='Brayden' last='Williams'] rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns and a receiving score. He leads the team in rushing (610 yards, eight touchdowns) and passing (415 yards, five touchdowns) and also has two receiving scores. Drew Arant manages the quarterback duties when Williams is lined up elsewhere. Wide receiver Victavis Gaines leads the team with 13 receptions for 238 yards and three touchdowns.     West Florence (5-3, 2-2) at Westwood  (5-3, 3-1)   The Redhawks still have an outside shot of winning a share of the Region V-5A title. They are coming off a 30-24 victory over Lugoff-Elgin decided on an 8-yard touchdown run by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter']. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] had a game-high 228 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1700055' first='Uriah' last='Lofton'] is both a lead blocker and a target for Carrington. The defensive front with DJ Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1267288' first='Elijah' last='Williams'] can create havoc upfront and the secondary with Justin Washington, [player_tooltip player_id='1422637' first='Corey' last='Murphy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith'] have proven they can hold their own against teams with elite wide receivers. The Knights have dropped two of their last three games. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1013062' first='Keshawn' last='Johnson'] is a “triple threat” with his running, passing and even punting the football. The Knights will look to bounce back defensively after the 41-16 loss to Ridge View with Victor Tabb and [player_tooltip player_id='1415772' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1165145' first='Clayton' last='Folse'] and Thomas Moore.    Keenan (6-3, 2-1) at Newberry (3-3, 1-0)   The winner puts itself in the driver's seat for the Region IV-3A title. The Raiders' offense has posted 44 points in two straight games, holding opponents to an average of 14.5 points per game. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1360203' first='Desmond' last='Washington'] surpassed 2,000 yards on the season to go with 15 passing touchdowns, 209 rushing yards and five scores. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1578683' first='Nykeim' last='McNeil'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578660' first='Tyheim' last='McNeil'] are the top targets both downfield and even lining up in the backfield. Lead running back [player_tooltip player_id='1422608' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] is coming off a 137-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Fox Creek and 158 yards shy of 1,000 yards. Interim head coach Jarrett Neely praised the leadership of linebacker Ty'quez Taylor. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1253913' first='Titus' last='Bowman'] and Warren Bailey provides the pressure upfront and the secondary is rich in experience with seniors Corey Williams, Gary Gowens  and Jaziah Maia. The Bulldogs are playing just their second game in four weeks due to Hurricane Helene. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1267234' first='Kenton' last='Caldwell'] accounted for four touchdowns in the 47-0 victory over Fox Creek on Oct. 10. He shares duties with Bryce Satterwhite and have a speedy wide receiving group with University of South Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='816735' first='Jamel' last='Howse'], Cash Brown, Caleb Levy and [player_tooltip player_id='1254060' first='Isaiah' last='Glymph'].     Battery Creek (3-4, 1-1) at Orangeburg-Wilkinson (6-2, 2-0)   The Bruins are a win away from playing for their first region title since 1996. Freshman quarterback Brendon Peoples has thrown for 726 yards and seven touchdowns in six games. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1361647' first='Derrick' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126113' first='Jordan' last='Avinger'] lead the running attack behind an offensive line with Touchstone Energy Cooperative selection [player_tooltip player_id='1360170' first='David' last='Blanchard'].  Linebacker Derrick Neal sparks the team defense with 67 tackles and is coming off a 13-tackle, two-sack performance against North Charleston. He's joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1820110' first='Demonta' last='Sistrunk'] at inside linebacker. The secondary can smother opponents with [player_tooltip player_id='1555337' first='Zion' last='Howell'], Tyrene Taylor, and Mark Bell. The Dolphins have dropped three of their last five games, two by shutout. Senior cornerback Derrick Smalls is a dangerous kick returner as seen with his two punt returns for touchdowns against North Charleston on Oct. 4. Wide receiver Ty'juan Simmons is another playmaker in space and someone quarterback Chase Olsen can target.     Gilbert (3-3, 2-1) at Airport (1-5, 1-2)   Both teams will be playing their second game in four days. The Indians had won two straight games in dramatic fashion before Tuesday's 35-28 loss to South Aiken. Quarterback Cooper James played with poise and confidence in those comeback wins, especially in the fourth quarter. He has a six-touchdown performance in the 50-49 victory. The backfield of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] (pictured) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] can make plays running and catching the football. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding'] is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative South team selection who possesses solid hands and a consistent blocker upfront. Junior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] is often in the vicinity to make tackles or defend a pass and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] and Knox McFarland patrol the middle of the field. The Eagles have given up an average of 51 points in their last three games. Freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1467834' first='Jay' last='Eady'] is the team's leading rusher to go with his passing yards. Kendrick Pearson has the second-most carries and [player_tooltip player_id='1157959' first='Avery' last='Jones'], Richard Harley and [player_tooltip player_id='1819890' first='Isahia' last='Clemons'] lead the wide receiving corps. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1158030' first='Bryant' last='Cherry'] is always on the attack and has shown the ability to force turnovers. Fellow linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1157982' first='Montrelle' last='Keys'] is a Touchdown Energy Cooperative South team selection who leads the team in interceptions.

Some Midlands teams are taking an unexpected bye following the S.C. High School League's decision to extend the season by a week.