Midlands and CSRA Week 2 Games to Watch

Now that the calendar has flipped to September, we're starting to see trends, teams and players starting to carve out their niche for the 2025 season. Hard to believe but we will see region play begin for some teams in two short weeks.   But it's Week 2 of the season and we scoured for the best games across the Midlands and CSRA region.   Here are five games that we feel might have a greater impact now and later in the season for the players involved.   BARNWELL AT BAMBERG-EHRHARDT   Last year: Barnwell 21-7   Players to Watch: B – [player_tooltip player_id='1819832' first='Jayden' last='Peeples'] (RB/LB) Josiah Gibson (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1819827' first='Henri' last='Creech'] (LB/TE) Jackson Beningfield (OL/DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1603960' first='Damahjai' last='Devoe'] (WR/DB); B-H – [player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw'] (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1217173' first='Rakeem' last='Walker'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='816740' first='Marcus' last='Cann'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1817744' first='Chris' last='Washington'] (DB)   We all know Barnwell wants to run the football – they've thrown six passes in two games – and Peeples has taken control of what is going to be a talented backfield. But so Peeples is averaging over 13 yards per carry and has 281 yards and four touchdowns on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1817436' first='Nehemiah' last='Brown'] is just as talented and has 119 yards in his first two games. The Warhorses defense has been spectacular through two games by allowing just 14 but the challenge gets a little tougher this week. The Red Raiders have only allowed 14 points this season as well and have scored 95 points in two games. Walker and [player_tooltip player_id='1822054' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] will be keys at linebacker in trying to slow the Barnwell wishbone attack. McGraw is coming off a 192-yard effort last week. Brian McMillan will have to make key plays from his quarterback spot to give B-H a second option.   ABBEVILLE AT BATESBURG-LEESVILLE   Last year: Batesburg-Leesville 37-35   Players to Watch A – [player_tooltip player_id='1700046' first='Darius' last='Riley'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1816946' first='Collins' last='Brown'] (RB)  [player_tooltip player_id='1822461' first='Jaylen' last='Baylor'] (ATH) ; B-L – [player_tooltip player_id='1267286' first='Amadre' last='Wooden'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1592414' first='KD' last='Whitt'] (ATH) Resse Boehnke (QB) Drew Centrella (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1820482' first='Robert' last='Matthews'] (DE)   Abbeville is coming off a loss, which is rare for the defending Class A champions. But they lost to Batesburg-Leesville last season before rolling off 11 wins in a row before winning another state championship. The Panthers rushed for 279 yards with Riley leading the charge with 104 yards while Collins, Mi'Darius Burton and [player_tooltip player_id='1816951' first='Jaden' last='Baylor'] each scored rushing touchdowns. The Panthers did lose one key component to the running game when [player_tooltip player_id='1818281' first='Jamerion' last='Williams'] went out with an injury. He's expected to miss four to eight weeks. Batesburg-Leesville got a spectacular debut from Boehnke, who was making his first varsity start last week and he threw four touchdowns, two to Whitt (pictured), one to Wooden and one to [player_tooltip player_id='1820478' first='Jerimiah' last='Merritt'], another two-way standout. The defense limited Wagener-Salley to 97 yards with [player_tooltip player_id='1820475' first='Jayden' last='Waters'] playing well.      RIDGE VIEW AT DUTCH FORK   Last year: Dutch Fork 38-0   Players to Watch: RV – [player_tooltip player_id='1350429' first='Ashton' last='Chapman'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1819595' first='Jourdin' last='Mack'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1822155' first='Jaiden' last='Brown'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1537475' first='D'Juan' last='Franklin'] (LB); DF – [player_tooltip player_id='1818103' first='Kyle' last='Henry'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1734522' first='Mario' last='Anderson'] (DB)   Ridge View went toe-to-toe with Northwestern last week and that was even after losing quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] to injury during the game. Chapman stepped in and more than held his own by throwing for 168 yards and a touchdown and an interception. He's going to be the guy now and his poise and leadership was evident for a sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'] is going to help at running back as the junior has 221 yards on the season. Ridge View will need Brown and Franklin to be active against the Silver Foxes and a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='1819600' first='Blair' last='Allen'] will help as well. Dutch Fork used a powerful running game last week in its season opener to pull away from Spartanburg late. Henry led the way with 102 yards and Isaac Shine (96 yards) and [player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin'] (78 yards) helped the Silver Foxes rush for 341 yards. If Walker and Salters have their way defensively, it could be a long night for Ridge View. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario'] give Dutch Fork a very disruptive presence up front against a quarterback making his first varsity start.   MIDLAND VALLEY AT LEXINGTON   Last year: Lexington 25-14   Players to Watch: MV – [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1824066' first='Brayden' last='Gerard'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1821367' first='Triston' last='Garrett'] (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1506464' first='Charles' last='Richardson'] (DB); L – [player_tooltip player_id='1817400' first='Markel' last='Byrd'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1820755' first='Nigel' last='Lewis'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1676328' first='Isaiah' last='Saxon'] (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1820744' first='William' last='Brooks'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1823318' first='Lawson' last='Ott'] (DB)   Midland Valley has already knocked off two Class 5A programs and will look to make the Wildcats the third victim before region begins in two weeks. Geter has been spectacular at quarterback and has accounted for seven total touchdowns to go along with 769 passing yards and 135 rushing. [player_tooltip player_id='1820474' first='Preston' last='Smith'] has home run ability in the running game as well. Gleaton already has 16 receptions for 286 yards but [player_tooltip player_id='1824045' first='Jaylen' last='Washington'] (111 yards) and [player_tooltip player_id='1614255' first='Allen' last='Cummings'] (105 yards) make for a talented trio of wide receivers. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1639651' first='Bryston' last='Newton'] and Gerard are a force when paired together. They will look to harass and confuse Lexington freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1848408' first='Easton' last='Crocker'] into quick decisions. Crocker was forced into action after an injury and he's more than held his own with the assistance of Byrd and Lewis. The Wildcats are young on defense and will need the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1820758' first='Cam' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1312555' first='Keegan' last='Coffman'] to help Saxon and crew out against an explosive Mustangs offense.   NATION FORD AT RIVER BLUFF   Last year: River Bluff 35-30   Players to Watch: NF – [player_tooltip player_id='1592521' first='Kason' last='Canupp'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1821733' first='Jayden' last='Scott'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1672904' first='Logan' last='Thames'] (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1821314' first='Joey' last='Reagan'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1824005' first='Jamison' last='Valentine'] (DB); RB – [player_tooltip player_id='1422592' first='Caleb' last='Pinkney'] (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='1824104' first='Reece' last='Huffstetler'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1592250' first='Hayden' last='Myers'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1344583' first='Brayden' last='Moore'] (QB)   Canupp has started the season by putting up video game numbers. The senior has thrown for 663 yards and seven touchdowns and has added 217 yards rushing, topping the 100-yard mark in his first two games since transferring from Rock Hill. Canupp has found a favorite target in Scott, who has 18 receptions for 359 yards already. The Falcons only won once last season, and they've matched that already this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1635014' first='Malachi' last='Drayton'] could be more of a factor as a physical, downhill runner. Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1816794' first='Tyler' last='Mack'] will be a key against a tough Gators defense. River Bluff recorded a shutout last week by limiting Brookland-Cayce to 191 total yards and intercepting three passes. Caleb Renwick turned one of those interceptions into a pick-six. Huffstetler and Josiah Robinson each had eight tackles in the victory. Myers has 199 yards rushing in two games and Carter has caught 10 passes for 153 yards.

Now that the calendar has flipped to September, we're starting to see trends, teams and players starting to carve out their niche for the 2025 season. Hard to believe but we will see region play begin for some teams in two short weeks.