2nd Round West Playoff Preview: Key Players

Taking a quick look at some key 2nd Round Playoff Games in the Western part of North Carolina, we'll take a look at some matchups and some key players to watch!   4A West - Independence at Hough   This is a highly anticipated game in Charlotte, as these two teams have been highly regarded in the city this season. Independence Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='828612' first='Justin' last='Little'] and Hough Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='371459' first='Trey' last='Blakeney'] face off in a high-level battle of talented and accomplished signal callers. Both of these players have a track record of playing well in big playoff games in the past, and protecting the football will be huge.   Independence wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1251856' first='Brian' last='Crowder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='516340' first='Sadat' last='Grant'] going up against a talented Hough secondary in [player_tooltip player_id='284097' first='Samari' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='1303824' first='Morgan' last='Linton'], Karmel Quick, and Reggie Rainer will be a fun matchup to watch all night long.   On the lines of scrimmage, Hough Center [player_tooltip player_id='321268' first='Kiande' last='Marsh'] going against Independence Defensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='287358' first='Bryce' last='Lee'] will be a fun battle. Conversely, Hough has a talented interior defensive lineman in Chris Hilliard going against a college-level player in [player_tooltip player_id='1357097' first='Sidiq' last='Cabaniss-Ali'] who has committed to Johnson C. Smith University. Other key players for Hough include running back [player_tooltip player_id='905224' first='Jycen' last='Anciso'], Gardner-Webb commit WR [player_tooltip player_id='1303790' first='Sean' last='Brady'], highly-recruited WR [player_tooltip player_id='945238' first='Tyran' last='Evans'], LB/Edge [player_tooltip player_id='1551671' first='Cameron' last='Cyr'], and K/P [player_tooltip player_id='1538689' first='Kandler' last='Happe'].   For Independence, RB [player_tooltip player_id='1124842' first='Jayden' last='Jones'] will be a major factor with over 2000 yards rushing on the season. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='771231' first='Dallas' last='Brannon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1283725' first='Camden' last='Martin'] must play some of their best football of the season. DB [player_tooltip player_id='1332108' first='Ricky' last='Myers Jr']. is a blossoming talent who will have a chance on a big stage to blossom.   3A Kings Mountain at JM Robinson   A JM Robinson team who some say has not played a tough overall schedule gets a good test in a talented Kings Mountain team this Friday Night. I am attending this game, and am excited to see a number of key players on both sides.   As JM Robinson likes to spread it around, QB Jon Bissonette will have to be on point with his accuracy and timing, as the Kings Mountain defense has some key players to watch. The two I am especially excited to see are Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='664451' first='Antonio' last='Armstrong'] and Defensive Lineman Thomas Fair. Both players were selected to the Queen City Senior Bowl, and have the ability to make game-changing plays.   JM Robinson also has some excellent skill talent in wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1053572' first='Brian' last='Rowe'], [player_tooltip player_id='741365' first='Dominic' last='Testa'], and [player_tooltip player_id='892819' first='Xavier' last='Burnett']. Laramey Watson and [player_tooltip player_id='1394839' first='Ennis' last='Stiles'] provide balance in running the ball behind a big offensive line led by tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1570618' first='Tristen' last='Brown']. Kings Mountain has some talented offensive players as well - Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1600470' first='TJ' last='Armstrong'] is really coming into his own as a junior, and that has opened up even more running lanes for talented running back [player_tooltip player_id='1295076' first='Josiah' last='Hill']. Wide Receiver William Vaughn has seen his recruiting absolutely take off like a rocket in his junior year, with double-digit Division 1 offers, and he is supported by a very good slot receiver in [player_tooltip player_id='947154' first='Jayden' last='Gash'], and a freshman to watch in [player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens'].   Two defenders to watch for JM Robinson are Defensive Tackle [player_tooltip player_id='861458' first='Aiden' last='Black'], who has great quickness off the football, and Linebacker Nick White who can explode off the edge as a pass rusher, and play as an off-ball linebacker as well.   4A West - Palisades at Charlotte Catholic   Here are some quick thoughts - Palisades, some key players to watch:   LB [player_tooltip player_id='851805' first='Kendric' last='Davis'] - Shrine Bowl Selection, Committed To East Carolina - A game-changer, fast to the football, and can cover in the passing game. Three Down Linebacker   LB Jasha Brown - Queen City Senior Bowl Selection - A major sleeper from a recruiting perspective, can fly to the football and has very good size   DB Nick Rankin - A player who is poised to become one of the best defensive backs in the metro area - has made game-altering plays already as a sophomore   RB [player_tooltip player_id='1251873' first='Fedayeen' last='Turner'] - Potential big-play threat with the ball in his hands on special teams or in the backfield, excellent speed   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1357127' first='William' last='Vernon'] - Big and strong run-stopper in the middle of the Pumas defense who will have his hands full with the Catholic running game   Key Players To Watch For Charlotte Catholic   QB [player_tooltip player_id='354210' first='Charlie' last='Smith'] - Doesn't throw as much as he used to, however, he has shown he can make the big throws in the clutch   RB Jake Anderson - The main workhorse in the Cougars running game - he is a steady chains mover, which is what the Cougars love to do   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1360493' first='Conor' last='Clendenin'] - Queen City Senior Bowl Selection - strong run blocker and one of the leaders up front on the line of scrimmage   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1228881' first='Thomas' last='Wakefield'] - Has a dominant mindset and loves to run the football. Big & strong people mover who sets a physical tone   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1368127' first='Dominic' last='Basrawala'] - One of the best Cougar players on defense, excellent size, and can stop the run as well as pass rush with the best of them   3A West - Ashbrook at South Point   Ashbrook Green Wave Key Players   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1246060' first='Caleb' last='Gordon'] - Fast and strong with an incredible nose for the football - will have to be nasty and take on the dive and quarterback against the Redbone option   DL Jeremiah Pagan - Committed to Lenoir-Rhyne, a big-time interior lineman who will be tough to move for the South Point Offensive Line in the running game   QB [player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain'] - Dual-threat sophomore quarterback will have to protect the football in probably the biggest game he has ever played in   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='270423' first='JJ' last='Gordon'] - The senior has stepped up big with some catches at wide receiver, but can also contribute on special teams and on defense   OL Jonathon Moore - Big and strong people mover who fires off the football - the Green Wave will run behind him all night long   South Point Red Raiders Key Players   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1277021' first='Patrick' last='Blee'] - The man that stirs the drink in the Redbone Option attack will have a heavy workload on his hands as always   LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1357076' first='Chanyce' last='Ford'] - East/West All-Star Game selection will run hard on offense and hit hard on defense, its that simple   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1257011' first='Andrew' last='Wright'] - Talented interior lineman can get nasty when coming off the football and also has the skill to pass protect when needed   TE/DEF Peyton McCarn - Important player when South Point needs to throw the ball - at 6'4 he can affect the passing game on both sides of the ball

Taking a quick look at some key 2nd Round Playoff Games in the Western part of North Carolina, we'll take a look at some matchups and some key players to watch!