Week 3 Midlands/CSRA Players to Watch

This week, a lot of teams will be playing the fourth game of the season and that means region play is right around the corner. We've seen some trends and gotten a little better feel for what to expect.   We're going to break down some of the key players that will play huge roles in games across the Midlands and CSRA areas for Week 3 of the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820699' first='Brayden' last='Price'] QB, North Central    The Knights will be traveling to Mid-Carolina and it's another opportunity for Price to showcase his arm and his legs. The junior is a true dual-threat quarterback that can hurt defenses in both the passing game and running game. [player_tooltip player_id='1823266' first='Zayden' last='Burch'] has been his favorite target in the first three-game stretch where North Central is averaging 33 points per game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821244' first='Tristan' last='Young'] DE/LB, Lugoff-Elgin   The Demons junior has already amassed 38 tackles and eight tackles for loss on the season. He's been in double figure tackles for each game this season and is coming off a 13-tackle, three tackles for loss performance against Darlington. He also knocked down two passes. He's disruptive and can make plays in the backfield as well as near the line of scrimmage. [player_tooltip player_id='1823864' first='Jace' last='Coleman'] has 10 tackles for loss, and this pair is going to be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the season. They play an Aiken team that has rushed for 488 yards in three games.   [player_tooltip player_id='1054957' first='Gray' last='Kitchings'] LB, Aiken   Aiken will be hosting a Lugoff-Elgin team that has been able to throw it fairly well in the early going and that will give Kitchings an opportunity to apply pressure to the quarterback. The junior has 21 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks so far this season. In total, the Green Hornets have 14 sacks in three games. Kitchings will pair with [player_tooltip player_id='1467819' first='Brandon' last='Poston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1840755' first='Malik' last='Cuyler'] to force the Demons into quick throws.     [player_tooltip player_id='1822187' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] RB, Keenan   We don't like to repeat a player in multiple weeks but what O'Neal accomplished this past week deserves special mention. The junior set a new school record with 426 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Battery Creek. He carried the ball on 34 of the 35 rushing attempts. It's almost no secret O'Neal is getting the ball. He has 79 of the Raiders 87 rushing attempts this season and has 683 yards, an average of over 8 yards per carry. That's a heavy workload but O'Neal has seemed durable.    Michael Ford DB, Blythewood   Ford and the Bengals defense is the next in line to try and slow down O'Neal. Nine players are in double figure tackles already with Ford leading the way with 21 stops and four tackles for loss. He has two sacks, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery to his credit. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1822062' first='Jeremy' last='Harris'] is going to help try and control the Kennan running game, but Ford will be the last line of defense to prevent long runs. Blythewood has allowed at least 27 points in each game, so they need to try and lower that number this week.   Kaylin Culp DB, Fairfield Central   The Griffins allowed 40 points in the season-opening loss to Ridge View but thanks to Culp and company, they've pitched back-to-back shutouts. This week, they get Lewisville to try and keep the streak going. Culp has been a pleasant surprise as a freshman, and he's stepped right into a large role on the defense. He has 22 tackles and an interception in three games. Culp is 5-foot-10, 165 points and isn't afraid to step into a big moment.   [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth'] DE, Dutch Fork   We knew Wuerth would be a force when he transferred in from Georgia and he's shown why Florida State and Penn State are the most recent to offer. He leads the Silver Foxes defense with 12 tackles and has four tackles for loss and three sacks in just two games. He is 6-foot-3, 270 pounds and is as chiseled as any high school junior you will see. He has Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] playing the opposite end so teams have to pick their poison when facing the defending Class 5A, Division I state champions.    [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] QB, Gray Collegiate   Waller will need to have a huge game with Dutch Fork coming to town. He's been consistent in running a balanced offense, but this will need his best effort this Friday. Waller has thrown for 245 yards and a touchdown in two games. He proved last season he can make all the throws, but he will need to pick it up a notch this week. He will be facing one of the best pass rushing teams in the state so making good decisions and keeping the ball out of harms way will be critical.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings'] DL and Braden Goldsborough LB, Irmo   We knew coming into the season, this Irmo defense would be good and they haven't disappointed. Goldsborough and Jenning have been at the forefront of that discussion. Jennings has been an anchor on the defensive front with 20 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. Goldsborough is the leading tackler with 28 stops as he cleans up anything that might get past that Yellow Jackets defensive line. They will play a Carolina Forest team that loves to run the football with [player_tooltip player_id='1148537' first='Jaryn' last='Fox'] this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='591391' first='Blake' last='Betette'] WR, AC Flora   We knew Betette would be a nice addition to this high scoring Falcons team but he might have exceeded our expectations. He's the leading receiver so far with nine catches for 94 yards. He scored three touchdowns in the Falcons win last week. He's also helped the running game with 33 yards on eight attempts. He's also playing in the secondary and he has an interception and four tackles. The Falcons are getting into the meat of their schedule and Betette will be counted on even more for an offense averaging 40 points per game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824044' first='Bryson' last='Crawford'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1821681' first='Brandon' last='Wallace'] RB, Fox Creek   It's only been a two-game sample size, but Crawford and Wallace have formed a nice 1-2 punch for the Predators. Both juniors are averaging over 10 yards per carry with Crawford leading the way with 188 yards on 14 attempts. He's added four touchdowns into the mix. Wallace is not far behind with 163 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts. Fox Creek will eventually need to throw it but for now, they're going to lean on their two backs to carry the bulk of the load.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823102' first='Shaheed' last='Williams'] WR, Strom Thurmond   Williams and company head to North Augusta for one of the marquee matchups in the state this week. Williams has five receptions for 130 yards and three touchdowns and that ability to throw the ball has aided a rushing attack that has four players with at least 55 yards in the first two games. Williams has added an interception and four tackles on defense. The Rebels will be facing their toughest test in the Yellow Jackets this week.    [player_tooltip player_id='1267282' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger'] WR/DB, Orangeburg-Wilkinson   Haltiwanger transferred in during the offseason and has fit right into what the Bruins like to do. He is one their top pass-catchers and he doubles as a shutdown defensive back. He displayed those same attributes at Hammond a season ago. Haltiwanger is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and attacks the football in the air. He gives O-W another dimension and a team that was already extremely talented.   [player_tooltip player_id='1513514' first='Navier' last='Boykin'] RB/LB Camden   The Bulldogs are off to a 3-0 start and the powerful, nifty running of Boykin is one of the main reasons why. He's coming off a 140-yard, two touchdown performance in a victory over Hartsville. That gives him 330 yards on the season and five touchdowns. What we like most about Boykin is he can beat you on the outside, but he also doesn't mind getting the tough yards between the tackles. He's versatile and can even be used in the short passing game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822155' first='Jaiden' last='Brown'] LB, Ridge View   The Blazers can make a case for having the toughest schedule thus far as they've gone toe-to-toe with defending state champions the past two weeks. Brown is one of the main clogs on defense that has kept Ridge View within striking distance both weeks. The senior has 11 tackles and four tackles for loss to go along with two sacks. This defense is fast and plays to that strength with Brown right in the middle of things most of the time. Things don't get any easier this week with a talented, undefeated, ranked Camden team coming to campus.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] WR and [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns'] QB, South Aiken   McLeod (pictured) is coming off a spectacular contest in which he had nine receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown in a loss to North Augusta. But he's been doing that all season. In three games, the junior has 24 catches for 386 yards and three scores. Burns has been the trigger man for most of that production. Burns has thrown for 701 yards and seven touchdowns in an offense that has thrown it double the number of rushing attempts so far this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592632' first='Da'Shan' last='Scriven'] DB, Crestwood   The Knights have been impressive and are allowing just 11 points per game. Scriven has three interceptions this season, two coming last week in the victory over Kingstree. Scriven has done a little bit of everything in his career at Crestwood but seems to have settled into being a lockdown cornerback in his senior season. He's 5-foot-9, 165 pounds that can run with anyone and has a quick change of direction.      [player_tooltip player_id='1817005' first='Reggie' last='Shannon'] RB, Sumter   The Gamecocks have already rushed for nearly 1,000 yards on the season and Shannon is leading the way with 371 yards and seven touchdowns on 40 attempts. He's coming off his most impressive performance of the season in a win over Myrtle Beach. Shannon ran for 245 yards and four touchdowns as Sumter scored nine rushing touchdowns in the game. Sumter had a void in the backfield due to graduation, but Shannon has stepped nicely into the role as the lead back.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820309' first='Andrew' last='Northcutt'] LB, Pelion   The Panthers defense has been stellar this season and Northcutt is right in the middle of it all. The senior is second on the team with 16 tackles, a tackle for loss and half a sack. Pelion has a lot of team speed and Northcutt gives them some toughness in the middle that has made it tough for teams to run the football effectively. The Panthers have their toughest test to take this week as they travel to an undefeated Swansea.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822445' first='Davis' last='Livingston'] OL, Swansea   The Tigers are off to a 3-0 start thanks to a punishing running game. Livingston has been a huge part of that as he's been forced to play three different positions up front due to injuries and he's fit in nicely at each spot. This past week, he graded out at 87 percent with two knockdowns and one pancake block.

This week, a lot of teams will be playing the fourth game of the season and that means region play is right around the corner. We've seen some trends and gotten a little better feel for what to expect.