Week Zero Players To Watch In The Catawba River Region

Are you ready for some football?   After a long, hot summer, Week Zero kicks off Friday night with some star-studded matchups that will draw some eyes not just locally, but around the state.    Here's a look at 33 players who you'll want to know about from all around the Catawba River Region:   [player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] | QB | Clover   Shealey begins his junior campaign on Friday against Chambers out of Charlotte at home. Look for him to help keep the Blue Eagles offense on schedule in the quick passing game. We also expect him to make some plays with his feet when the opportunity presents itself.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734584' first='Brandon' last='Smith'] | DB | Clover   The leader of the Blue Eagles' secondary looks to get his senior year started off right on Friday. He had 46 tackles and three interceptions in 2024, and will look to increase that number with his athletic ability and ability to patrol the middle of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603999' first='Caleb' last='Feaster'] | RB | Chester   Feaster will be a part of a new offensive attack for the Cyclones as they open the 2025 season against Lancaster at home. The Cycs will transition to a Wing-T option offense, and he fits the build for <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-chester-cyclones/">the scheme with his ability to be physical and break off long runs</a>. That will be especially helpful when breaking in a new quarterback in Jackson Wilburn.   Casey Fikis | LB | Catawba Ridge   Fikis is one of the leaders of a loaded Copperheads' defense, who collected second team All-Region honors for his performance in 2024. He is a well rounded linebacker who can stop the run and play coverage and he'll look to get his senior year off to a good start on the road against Chapin on Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon'] | QB | South Pointe   McMillon kicks off his senior year across the state line in Charlotte as the Stallions will take on traditional power Hough at Bank of America Stadium in the Keep Pounding Kickoff Classic (4 p.m. kick). We've heard that McMillon has slimmed down this offseason, and that should pay dividends with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-south-pointe-stallions/">the plethora of receivers he'll have to throw to</a> and being able to create downfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='595706' first='Darrell' last='Harrison'] | DL | Northwestern   Harrison transferred from York to the Trojans this summer. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2026-rankings-breaking-down-the-defensive-line-2/">We've noted last week during our 2026 rankings update about his ability to rush the passer</a> and affect plays with his speed, and that will be vital as Northwestern will look to fill the void left by all four seniors from the 2024 state championship team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen'] | QB | Central   Louallen returns for his junior season for the Eagles, and is the straw that stirs the drink for the offense. He is a dynamic playmaker through the air and with his feet. He will have his two leading rushers back with him in [player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short']. They will look to build on an <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-central-eagles/">excellent 2024 campaign</a>, as they kick off the 2025 season against Lewisville.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824427' first='Grady' last='Stone'] | RB | Clover   Stone is one of the best returning rushers in the Catawba River Region, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/2025-preview-clover-blue-eagles/">he will be one of the main stars for the Blue Eagle offense</a>. He rushed for almost 1,000 yards last year and his workload will increase beginning in the 2025 opener against Chambers on Friday night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267211' first='Gray' last='Patterson'] | LB | Fort Mill   The UNC-Charlotte commit <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-fort-mill-yellow-jackets/">wasn't fully healthy during the 2024 season</a>, but he's back and ready to roll for his senior season. He'll be a mainstay for the Yellow Jackets' defense as they kick off the 2025 season at home against Ballantyne Ridge. He'll also have his counterpart, [player_tooltip player_id='1394975' first='Joseph' last='Duey'] back with him at linebacker, and they'll look to make life difficult for opposing offenses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819627' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] | ATH | South Pointe   The No. 1 player in the PRZ Class of 2026 rankings heads into his senior season, and is one of the leaders for a loaded South Pointe roster in 2025. We expect the Stallions will likely use him on both sides of the ball at receiver and defensive back. Either way, he'll be effective with his size and athletic ability and it comes as the Stallions face a tough non-region slate to open the year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1404968' first='Jackson' last='Hill'] | DL | Clover   The All-Region performer for the Blue Eagles' defensive line returns for his junior season. He can affect the game as an effective pass rusher and can get into the backfield quickly. He had 15 tackles for loss in 2024, and we will be interested to see how he's grown during the offseason as they kick off the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267330' first='Jacorreun' last='Howze'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] | ATH | Lewisville   Howze is a dynamic playmaker for the Lions, and he'll be impactful in all three phases of the game – he's <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-lewisville-lions/">a guy that they'll want to get the ball in his hands</a>. He had well over 60 tackles on defense in 2024, and we anticipate that number will be close to, if not exceeding his total from last year beginning this Friday night as the Lions hit the road to face Central on Friday night. Strong is another elite playmaker along with his teammate Howze for the Lions. He heads into his senior year with the ability to affect the game in all three phases. His athletic ability is fun to watch and we'll be interested to see how teams try to plan for the duo in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734628' first='Jason' last='Horton'] | QB | Rock Hill   Horton transferred to Rock Hill from Cardinal Newman and has the keys to the Bearcats' offense in 2025. From what we saw this summer, he has a strong arm and he can get the ball to his receivers, which includes [player_tooltip player_id='1676087' first='Kamron' last='Wilson'], who we anticipate could have a big year <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-rock-hill-bearcats/">under new coach Leon Boulware </a>beginning Friday night at District 3 Stadium against River Bluff.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734419' first='Josh' last='Singleton'] DB and [player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden'] LB | Northwestern   Singleton and McFadden will be <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-preview-northwestern-trojans/">two of the leaders on the Trojans' defense in 2025</a>. Singleton had 27 tackles at corner while McFadden had 23 tackles and five pass breakups at linebacker. Singleton (pictured above) has offers from Charleston Southern and Virginia Tech, and while McFadden doesn't have any currently, we have a feeling a big senior year could catapult him to where colleges will take a hard look at him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins'] | WR | South Pointe   Watkins transferred to South Pointe from cross town rival Rock Hill this spring. And the Stallions gained a dynamic, speedy receiver who can make plays on the outside and make people miss in space. He's only a junior, and we'll be interested to see how teams will try and defend him, especially with a tough non-region slate beginning with Hough on Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1635381' first='Kaleb' last='Wright'] | LB | Rock Hill   Wright is a tackling machine for the Bearcats, and we expect that to continue heading into 2025. He can read and diagnose plays quickly and get into the backfield and make tackles. We heard that he was involved in tackles in last week's scrimmage against Spring Valley.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] | WR | Northwestern   Vance is the leader in the Trojans' receiving room, and he knows that the guys that are coming in now will be looking to him for direction and support. And his play is a good example to follow as he had 1126 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024. He is committed to Lafayette College (Pa.) and we expect him to have a huge senior season.   Mark Blakeney | RB | Catawba Ridge   Blakeney is one of the expected leaders in the Copperheads' offense and as Catawba Ridge looks to figure out their quarterback situation, he figures to carry a good bit of the load and we'll be interested to see how it develops through the first few weeks.   [player_tooltip player_id='284136' first='Miles' last='Wilson'] | DL | South Pointe   Wilson heads into his senior season as one of the main cogs for the Stallions' defensive front. He can rush the passer well and clog up run lanes, and he'll look to get things off to a solid start in a big matchup against Hough in Charlotte on Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1088328' first='Nigel' last='Lightner'] | DB | Rock Hill   Rock Hill coach Leon Boulware has <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/five-unsung-heroes-to-watch-in-catawba-river-region/">high expectations of Lightner heading into 2025</a>. He's a sure tackler in space and can come up quickly to make plays in pass defense once the ball is snapped. His leadership and athletic ability will be put on display beginning Friday at home against River Bluff    [player_tooltip player_id='1149056' first='Quinn' last='Kelly'] | QB | Fort Mill   The Yellow Jackets return their starting quarterback from last year, but they'll have a new offensive scheme. And getting the timing down with Kelly at quarterback will be key as he will look to get the ball to his playmakers in space.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] | ATH | Indian Land   The University of South Carolina commit is a dynamic two-way player who can change the game in an instant. If he lines up at receiver, he can outrun defenders for the score and if he lines up on defense, he can quickly diagnose what the offense is going to do to make plays. Patterson's senior campaign begins Friday night against York.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] | LB | Northwestern   The Texas A&M commit returns to the middle of the Trojans' defense, and will look to affect offenses in the same manner in which he did in 2024. He had 7.5 tackles for loss last year and was all over the ball when a play needed to be made.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592333' first='Tayshon' last='Freeman'] | QB | York   Freeman is a tall, lanky quarterback who can make plays on the run and make people miss in space. We will be interested to see how the Cougars will use him in 2025 – whether it's on designed quarterback keepers or in the pocket on pass plays.    [player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] | DL | Chester   Radford is one of the best defensive lineman in the state, and he can disrupt a team's opposing offense at any time with his size and length on the ball. The senior will look to make his mark as they open the season against Lancaster at home.   [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] | QB | Northwestern   Means has the keys to the Trojans' offense after the graduation of senior quarterback Finley Polk. In what we've heard during the preseason, Means is a dual threat guy who can make plays with his feet and his arm and that could spell trouble for opponents who want to focus on one area of his game. The junior will get a significant test on Friday night in the Upstate as the Trojans pay a visit to Spartanburg.

Are you ready for some football?