Week 11 Midlands Games And Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is going to be a limited schedule for Midland teams this week but that doesn't mean we don't have some high priority matchups. Several will determine region championships while others will have direct impacts on playoff seeding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at six of the top games this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Irmo (9-0, 4-0) at Dutch Fork (8-0, 4-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are big-time matchups then there are big-time matchups. This one falls into the latter with the Region IV-5A at stake. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']</strong> and his host of skill players that include WRs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller']</strong> and RBs <strong>Anton Jones</strong> will try to conquer the defending Class 5A champions. Brand has over 10,000 career yards and will have to be the catalyst that solves a Silver Foxes defense that has allowed just 31 points on the season. DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant']</strong> and <strong>Ethan Gamble</strong> will try to do the same to the Dutch Fork offense. Defensive backs <strong>Matthew Blocker</strong>, <strong>Terin Bowman</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604012' first='Jamar' last='Grissett']</strong> must be up to the challenge for an offense that threw for over 400 yards last week. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing']</strong> had his career-high last week with those 400 yards and reached the 2,000-yard mark in the win. His top two targets are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360308' first='Boykin' last='Bickley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013047' first='KJ' last='Smith']</strong>. But don't discount what RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson']</strong> brings to the table. The senior has rushed for over 570 yards on just 82 carries, but he's also added 25 receptions for 301 yards. LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith']</strong> just committed to South Carolina this week and leads a group that has been special all season. Smith might get the headlines but it's a group effort that also includes defensive linemen <strong>Daniel Williams</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574071' first='Carl' last='Fulmer']</strong>, linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters']</strong> and defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions']</strong>, who's committed to West Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sumter (9-0, 5-0) at Ridge View (6-3, 5-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one will decide the Region V-5A championship. The Gamecocks have won eight of nine games by at least 17 points and haven't been challenged since the second game of the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson']</strong> leads an offense that is averaging nearly 50 points per game. He has 938 yards passing and another 693 rushing and has accounted for 19 touchdowns. <strong>Kam Fortune</strong> (1,031 yards, 15 TDs) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples']</strong> (929 yards and 21 TDs) form a powerful 1-2 punch out of the backfield. <strong>Christopher Bentley</strong> is the top receiver with 404 yards and five touchdown catches. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359132' first='Jeremiah' last='Burson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='876560' first='Tymaries' last='Thompson-DuRant']</strong> lead a defense that has been lights out with the first unit still in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers have won five in a row to set up this showdown. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard']</strong> has steadily improved and is nearing the 2,000-mark on passing yards for the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson']</strong> keeps emerging as a playmaker as his three touchdowns last week (two receiving, one punt return) accounted for all the scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter']</strong> is another weapon, and the return of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron']</strong> can only help the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian']</strong> leads the ground attack. If Ridge View can slow Sumter's offense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157942' first='Cleve' last='Tellery']</strong> and <strong>Darryl Spencer</strong> will need big games. <strong>Jordan Outen</strong> and <strong>Markeith Thomas</strong> will also need to make a huge impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Batesburg-Leesville (9-0, 4-0) at Strom Thurmond (6-2, 3-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers got over one hurdle against Saluda last week but still need to defeat Strom Thurmond to claim the outright Region II-2A championship and first unbeaten regular season since 2000. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472383' first='Christian' last='Burkett'], John Sawyer</strong> and <strong>Gabe Johnson</strong> lead a defense that is playing lights out right now. Add a couple of secondary players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592414' first='KD' last='Whitt']</strong> and <strong>Clarence Springs</strong> and it's one of the reasons the Panthers are still undefeated. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267286' first='Amadre' last='Wooden']</strong> is a workhorse and had over 30 carries last week. QB <strong>Tanner Watkins</strong> rebounded from an early interception to have another fine game behind the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615063' first='Preston' last='Smith']</strong> and the offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels will try to use the legs of <strong>Deonte Phillips</strong>, <strong>Cam Blacks</strong> and <strong>Trenquilis Mathis</strong> to keep the chains moving. Junior QB <strong>Bri'shaun Lee</strong> will also have to make plays against the solid B-L defense. Strom Thurmond has a couple of rising stars in sophomore DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar']</strong> and freshman LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] </strong>on the defensive side of things. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249754' first='Josh' last='Merriweather']</strong> and <strong>Bryston Coleman</strong> provide experience and a nose for the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mid-Carolina (5-4, 2-1) at Fairfield Central (8-1,3-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-Carolina has a bevy of running backs with <strong>Ryker Woolstenhulme</strong>, <strong>Keshon Williams</strong>, <strong>Josiah Woods</strong> and <strong>Brice Ruff</strong> leading the way. QB <strong>Ty Floyd</strong> runs the show, and it will be smart to try and keep the Griffins offense off the field. They could force a 3-way tie for the Region III-2A title with a win while Fairfield Central will win it outright with a victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012718' first='TyDarion' last='Grier']</strong> (pictured) leads an explosive offense with 1,373 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. <strong>Kaden Diggs</strong> has thrown for 497 yards and rushed for 389 yards. <strong>Jayden Boyd</strong> and <strong>Jalen Squirewell</strong> are dangerous at receiver. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578741' first='Chauncery' last='Turner']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592601' first='Douglas' last='McCloud']</strong> lead a defense that has gotten better each week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River Bluff (7-2, 2-2) at Lexington (5-4, 1-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators lost to Dutch Fork last week and while it's no shame in that, they allowed over 400 yards passing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360145' first='Aaron' last='Griffin']</strong> will be key to getting that straightened out this week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578721' first='Blaine' last='Fender'] </strong>and <strong>Grant Lindler</strong> will need to slow down the Wildcats rushing attack. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray']</strong> and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592250' first='Hayden' last='Myers']</strong> will try to give the offense some needed momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are coming off a loss to White Knoll and need a win for playoff seeding. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836316' first='Matthew' last='McAulay']</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249786' first='Artem' last='Kalinkin']</strong> and <strong>Bennett Watford</strong> will key a defense that is looking to rebound after allowing 35 points last week. QB <strong>Brennan Connor</strong> will need a big game in leading the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White Knoll (5-4, 1-3) at Chapin (4-5, 0-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Timberwolves can vault all the way to a third-place finish in Region IV-5A with a win and River Bluff loss. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong> had a big game last week and will need to do the same against the Eagles. Offensive linemen <strong>Hayden Hohlwein</strong> and <strong>Donovan Sims</strong> will lead the way up front. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings']</strong> and <strong>Caleb Caughman</strong> will need to play well in trying to contain a high-scoring Chapin offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> has thrown for 2,253 yards and 20 touchdowns for Chapin despite missing some time. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149052' first='Khalen' last='Bostick']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey']</strong> are the top two targets. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360369' first='Gavin' last='Stam']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360035' first='Tanner' last='Short']</strong> must become a huge presence if the Eagles hope to slow down a physical White Knoll offense. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->