GSPD Week 2 Games to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not every game on Friday will be a matchup between defending state champs or one of the oldest rivalries in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Grand Strand/Pee Dee will be home to a lot of intensity this week, as some try to starting positioning themselves for region play and others trying to right the ship. Around the zone, the matchups driven by the players on both sides give us reason to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the five games we're most intrigued in seeing in Week 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>GEORGETOWN-JOHNSONVILLE&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year: Johnsonville 24-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch: GT - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734397' first='Trenton' last='Parker']</strong> (ATH) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738860' first='Antonio' last='Deas']</strong> (DL/RB) <strong>Savion McNeil</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825340' first='Keon' last='Blunt']</strong> (OL/DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816431' first='Damajah' last='Smith']</strong> (DL); JVL - <strong>Jaiden McFadden</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664624' first='Ja'Mere' last='Ross']</strong> (RB/WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822707' first='Zaghe' last='Davis']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738847' first='Jason' last='Brigham']</strong> (OL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822705' first='Dylan' last='Smith']</strong> (TE/DE)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable: We mentioned the players above because this is going to quickly become a ball-control game between these two squads. The Flashes are going to rotate carries somewhat between McFadden, Davis and Ross and if the dudes up front like Brigham and Smith can establish some dominance, it could mean a third straight win to open the season for the first time since 2021 for Johnsonville. Meanwhile, Georgetown might have the more explosive rushing option. As we saw two weeks ago, the Bulldogs have no issue feeding Parker over and over and over again. He had 353 all-purpose yards against Kingstree in Week 0 but then was held in check (minus a 25-yard touchdown run) against Andrews last Friday. If Johnsonville jams the running lanes, it'll put more pressure on <strong>Mike Johnson</strong> - Georgetown's sophomore quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CONWAY-CHERAW&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year: Conway 20-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch: CON - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399640' first='Noah' last='Legg']</strong> (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371931' first='Jordan' last='Jenkins']</strong> (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816981' first='Jacob' last='Johnson']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820934' first='Javon' last='Smalls']</strong> (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818290' first='Christian' last='Byrd']</strong> (DB); CHE - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172365' first='Crawford' last='Poole']</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422635' first='Anthony' last='Strong']</strong> (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781859' first='Kadin' last='Thomas']</strong> (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321038' first='Justyn' last='Joint']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271257' first='Nick' last='Gordon']</strong> (ATH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable: Another year of experience makes the Braves a likely favorite in this game even though they're about to play a game up three classes. But in all honesty, it was probably the case last year, too. Still, Legg took over down the stretch and played like the budding star he might be. He linked up with Jenkins for a 93-yard touchdown pass and then pushed the Tigers into the lead with a 10-yard run. This time around, Cheraw will need to not only take an early lead, but keep its foot on the gas. Joint, Thomas, Gordon and the rest of the offense need to apply the type of pressure that keeps Conway from simply trying to grind out clock with Johnson, the freshman tailback the Tigers have already handed the ball to 24 times in two games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SUMTER-MYRTLE BEACH&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year: Sumter 42-25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch: SUM - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson']</strong> (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1179928' first='Bryce' last='Allen']</strong> (DB) <strong>Tymaries Thompson-Durant</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664563' first='Nayshaun' last='Brown']</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819523' first='Cameron' last='Bradley']</strong> (DL); MB - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267229' first='Antonio' last='Brown']</strong> (LB/RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816754' first='Tyree' last='Cauthen']</strong> (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395042' first='Malachi' last='Gethers']</strong> (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823730' first='Michael' last='Cohen']</strong> (RB) <strong>Tanner Gaddy</strong> (QB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable: As much Myrtle Beach wants to get the ball into the hands of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664545' first='JJ' last='Brown']</strong> Week 1 proved the Seahawks have a lot more options than in years past. In fact, [player_tooltip player_id='1603757' first='Amare' last='Brown'] and Cohen went ham in the win at West Florence on Friday. That also means that Gaddy hasn't locked into just his top receiver. For the Gamecocks, roster losses from graduations and transfers didn't hurt, but Richardson is still able to move the ball effectively. Even in the 22-point loss to White Knoll, he put up a long scamper. But one thing is clear, Sumter's defense behind Thompson-Durant and Brown is trying to absorb a lot more pressure after the Gamecocks lost a pair of 1,000-yard tailbacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CAMDEN-HARTSVILLE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year: Camden 22-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch: CAM - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354590' first='Greyson' last='Rimpf']</strong> (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1513514' first='Navier' last='Boykin']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165092' first='Tylin' last='Drakeford']</strong> (WR/DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720755' first='Jaden' last='Manning']</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1772703' first='Bernard' last='Green']</strong> (WR); HART - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615056' first='Ford' last='Wallace']</strong> (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672833' first='Trace' last='Hillian']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672848' first='CJ' last='Hickmon']</strong> (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551561' first='Aaden' last='Starnes']</strong> (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639746' first='Chris' last='Price']</strong> (DL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable: Even if these two teams stunk, we'd pay attention to this one. We've got 10 decades of history to prove it would still likely be a good game. But these two teams do not stink. What we can also tell you is that the outcomes will be determined in the trenches. Hartsville will need to find ways to get Hillian and fellow tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592473' first='Kylif' last='Miller']</strong> some space before first contact while also keeping pressure off Ford. That's because defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1662325' first='Dontrell' last='Wilson'] and Manning are going to be trying to get into the backfield early and often. Wallace struggled some when Carolina Forest was able to apply that pressure, but if can get some clean passes off, Hartsville has the speed to keep pace with one of Class 4A's other top programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NORTHWESTERN-SOUTH FLORENCE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year: Northwestern 48-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch: NW - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means']</strong> (QB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance']</strong> (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820783' first='Quay' last='Mobley']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins']</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden']</strong> (LB); SF - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson']</strong> (QB, pictured) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422638' first='Cam' last='James']</strong> (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639826' first='JayAun' last='Perkins']</strong> (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon']</strong> (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592462' first='Willie' last='Kennedy']</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable: A year ago this time, the Trojans were already sort of clicking while the Bruins were still finding their way. Clearly, both paths ended with the squads hoisting state championship trophies in December. There's also a reason both squads are contenders to do the same this time around. Watkins was a national recruit who is now committed to Texas A&amp;M. Vance is making the transition to Means looking awfully smooth. And offensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820779' first='Nasir' last='Hannah']</strong> are holding down the fort up front. South, meanwhile, is coming off an eye-opening win at Summerville in which defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267265' first='Amare' last='Reaves']</strong> showed he's still pretty darn good and this defense as a whole might be the best the Bruins have had during this impressive four-year run. Kennedy, Gordon and others like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743671' first='Gerkiem' last='Hall']</strong> aren't shying away from the ultra-competitive non-region slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->