Week 4 Midlands/CSRA Games to Watch

The air is a little bit cooler and we're just past the halfway point of September and it's time for region play to begin in several classifications across the state this week. That means even deeper playoff implications, and we are ready for it.   Including this week, there are seven more weeks in the season, but this Week 4 schedule is loaded with matchups that will make a difference in November. Let's look at seven games in the Midlands and the players that will play key roles as things start to get even more heated in the coming weeks.   South Pointe (3-1) at AC Flora (4-0)   Last year: South Pointe 56-14   Players to Watch: SP - [player_tooltip player_id='1819627' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='1165128' first='RJ' last='Brown'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] (LB/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1817067' first='Joshua' last='McClure'] (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1594865' first='Brysen' last='Ginn'] (LB/DE); ACF – [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1592609' first='Azel' last='Banag'] (DB) Nasir Walker (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1422589' first='Peyton' last='Bishop'] (DE)   Notable: We kick off Region 3-4A with a banger – the Stallions are No. 1 in the latest SC Prep Writers poll, and the Falcons come in at No. 4. South Pointe has played the tougher schedule and played in three games decided by 11 points so they will be battle-tested. They made a switch at quarterback early in the season and the multi-talented Currence has taken the reins and run with it. It might be his supporting cast that makes a difference in this contest. [player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff'] is the top receiver, and he will face an extremely talented secondary. The big story line here is can the Falcons protect Wentzky in the pocket? Burg and [player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman'] (pictured) will bring plenty of pressure. If the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1639708' first='Brett' last='Epps'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1153356' first='Ashton' last='Thompson'] can keep Wentzky clean, the Falcons have enough playmakers in Byrd and [player_tooltip player_id='1592441' first='Charlie' last='Scott'] and several others to make plays downfield. AC Flora has only allowed 31 points this season but this by far will be the toughest test.   Westwood (3-1) at Blythewood (2-2)   Last year: Westwood 7-0   Players to Watch: W – Muhsin Yakubu (K) [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] (RB) Shareef Pitt (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] (RB); B – [player_tooltip player_id='1540721' first='Landyn' last='Strong'] (RB) Ben Hendrix (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1820550' first='Chris' last='Long'] (LB) Marlon Glover (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1734806' first='Ashton' last='Davis'] (K/P)   Notable: This is the first night of the Region 5-5A gauntlet and these two rivals open for the “Battle of the Axe” trophy. A few miles separate these schools so they know each other well. If you look at the stats, these two teams are almost mirror images of each other. Westwood is almost a 50-50 split on offense with two solid backs in Carter and Rios. Defensively, they play the run and pass equally as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1426578' first='James' last='Veasey'] has taken over the quarterback spot for Blythewood and played well in his first season starting. The Bengals have been balanced offensively and there were questions at the beginning of the season about how that would play out. One of the more interesting things in this game is both teams have extremely talented kickers in Yakubu and Davis so it might come down to a special team's play to win it.     Orangeburg-Wilkinson (4-0) at Keenan (2-2)   Last year: Keenan 26-20   Players to Watch: O-W – [player_tooltip player_id='1126113' first='Jordan' last='Avinger'] (RB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1220232' first='Christopher' last='Glover'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1734490' first='Jaylen' last='Dash'] (DB) Brendan Peoples (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1267282' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger'] (ATH); K – [player_tooltip player_id='1603881' first='Darius' last='Dixon'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1673957' first='Conrad' last='Hampton'] (LB/DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1734638' first='Tyreik' last='Davenport-Smith'] (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1278604' first='QuaShaun' last='Hampton'] (OL/DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1818234' first='Ethan' last='Jackson'] (OL/DL)   Notable: The Bruins have quietly taken care of business so far this season. They haven't played the most difficult schedule but the fact they haven't allowed a point this season speaks volumes. Glover and Haltiwanger are two transfers that have made an immediate impact. Haltiwanger has made a huge difference on both sides of the ball. One of the victories was a forfeit so in three games, four receivers are already over 100 yards receiving with Haltiwanger leading the way with 214 yards. Glover has 28 tackles and nine tackles for loss. The Raiders will be O-W's toughest test to take. [player_tooltip player_id='1822187' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] is averaging over 170 yards per game but he's been the primary ball-carrier on over 90 percent of the running plays. If Keenan can find some balance in the running game and open the passing attack, that will free Hunter up to do more damage. Dixon is averaging right at 15 tackles per game.   Gray Collegiate (1-2) at Midland Valley (3-0)   Last year: Midland Valley 2-0 (forfeit)   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton'] (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1824181' first='Caleb' last='Raysor'] (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='473012' first='JP' last='Sweatt'] (LB); MV – [player_tooltip player_id='1820474' first='Preston' last='Smith'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1824057' first='Terrance' last='Smith'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1639651' first='Bryston' last='Newton'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1824066' first='Brayden' last='Gerard'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1508020' first='Issack' last='Staley'] (LB)   Notable: Region 4-4A kicks off tonight and it might be the most competitive 4A region in the state. Both teams have lofty postseason aspirations, and it starts this week. The War Eagles have played a couple of Class 5A heavyweights in James Island and Dutch Fork, but they survived. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] and Williamson will try to pace the offense going forward but don't forget about Gleaton at wide receiver. The senior is averaging over 25 yards per catch and can fly in the open field. The Mustangs had a bye last week but might have wanted to continue playing with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] averaging over 350 yards passing per game. Midland Valley is a 50-50 run-pass balance so it's hard to prepare for them. They have three runners with 149 yards or more and five receivers with 129 yards or more already.   Fairfield Central (3-1) at Newberry (4-0)   Last year: Fairfield Central 49-42   Players to Watch: FC – [player_tooltip player_id='1820348' first='Kaden' last='Diggs'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1820353' first='Antonio' last='Gunn'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1821811' first='Kamauri' last='Jones'] (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='1816746' first='Kenyan' last='Douglas'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker'] (DB/WR); N – [player_tooltip player_id='1850165' first='Kenton' last='Caldwell'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1771835' first='Caleb' last='Johnson'] (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='1771867' first='JaQuan' last='Holliday'] (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1267311' first='Julian' last='Senn'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1771817' first='Cordell' last='Jackson'] (DB)   Notable: Since a season opening loss to Ridge View, the Griffins have won three straight by a combined score of 120-22. That has a lot to do with Gunn and Walker setting the tone defensively, but it also has to do with the offense finding its footing behind the play of Diggs, Jones and Douglas. Diggs takes the bulk of the snaps at quarterback, but Jones has been impressive in spot duty both running and throwing it. Fairfield Central freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1522453' first='Kaylin' last='Culp'] is already a major contributor at safety and is only going to get better. There might not be a quarterback in the state with a better start to the season than Caldwell. He has weapons in [player_tooltip player_id='1099127' first='Jamere' last='Crooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816735' first='Jamel' last='Howse'] and when things break down, he can tuck it and run for yardage. The offense is averaging 49 points per game and hasn't scored less than 41 points so far.   Gilbert (1-2) at North Augusta (4-0)   Last year: North Augusta 37-14   Players to Watch: G – [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] (QB/LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1664620' first='Gavin' last='Elliott'] (DB) Kamari Brown (DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1822424' first='Justice' last='Corley'] (OL); NA – [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1827454' first='Ty' last='Baskett'] (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1827486' first='Dallas' last='Williams'] (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1839890' first='Jacob' last='Degennaro'] (K/P)   Notable: This is another region opener, and Gilbert needs to find an identity offensively. Last week, the Indians alternated Gunter and Meetze at quarterback and those two combined to run for over 180 yards but only threw for 23 yards. They also accounted for 38 of the 45 rushing attempts. If they continue to be one dimensional, region play could be treacherous. The Yellow Jackets on the other hand have blown out four straight opponents with 24 points being the smallest margin of victory.  It's the first time they've won the first four games of the season since 2017. [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'] leads the offensive front that makes plenty of room for Doe and [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] to run. Hillary is playing with confidence and has a talented target in [player_tooltip player_id='1734538' first='Isaiah' last='Smith'] making plays in the passing game.   Dutch Fork (3-1) at Oceanside Collegiate (2-2)   Last year: Dutch Fork 51-0   Players to Watch: DF - [player_tooltip player_id='1818103' first='Kyle' last='Henry'] (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts'] (QB) Braydon Johnson (ATH) [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth'] (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1734522' first='Mario' last='Anderson'] (DB); OC – Tyler Stafford (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1824759' first='Rhys' last='Meredith'] (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1824235' first='Michael' last='Strickler'] (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1821531' first='Joey' last='Harriott'] (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1821532' first='Zakhi' last='Muncey'] (RB)   Notable: Don't look at the score from last season – both teams moved on to win their respective classifications state championships. The Silver Foxes won the Class 5A, Division I title with the Landsharks claiming the Class 3A championship. Don't be surprised if they're both in championship conversation again in December. Knotts seemed to have settled in at quarterback with Dutch Fork averaging 41 points per game. The defense has allowed eight touchdowns but usually gets better as the game goes on. Oceanside Collegiate has played a tough schedule and will need Stafford and Meredith to be disciplined to try to slow down the Silver Foxes offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] will need to have his best game of the season against a pass rush that includes Wuerth and [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] among others.

The air is a little bit cooler and we're just past the halfway point of September and it's time for region play to begin in several classifications across the state this week. That means even deeper playoff implications, and we are ready for it.