Midseason Report: CSRA

Graduation contributed to a share of talent losses in the CSRA.   Running backs Jevon Edwards (South Aiken) and Jaquel Holman (Blackville-Hilda) and quarterbacks Chanston Crosby (Bamberg-Ehrhardt) and Cameron Austin (Barnwell) were among last year's top seniors.   Their importance is clearly seen in the struggles of those respective programs this season.   Bamberg-Ehrhardt is the exception and have exceeded expectations. The offense could have taken a step back with the graduation of Crosby and offensive lineman Tristian Jenkins.   Instead, the Red Raiders are rolling with new starter [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='Mcmillan'] at quarterback. They also still have the versatile [player_tooltip player_id='816740' first='Marcus' last='Cann'] and a supporting cast which appears ready to shine.   There's North Augusta which has maintained its success level in matching last year's mark at this time. It helps having a couple of the Palmetto State's top players on both sides of the football in running back [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] and offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'].   Hunter-Kinard-Tyler has utilized sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1820254' first='Kaleb' last='Johnson'] with [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'] in place of an injured [player_tooltip player_id='1822793' first='Darion' last='Stroman']. [player_tooltip player_id='1822796' first='Jaleil' last='Way'] has handled the quarterback duties and has a promising target in Tre Felder.   Other CSRA programs like Midland Valley, Strom Thurmond and Aiken are seeking to reach that high level again. Each opened the season in promising fashion and as they enter region play, will look to maintain that success.   BIGGEST SURPRISES   Edisto   The Cougars have already surpassed their win total from last year. They also own the only over .500 record in Region V-2A. Trans Chisolm and Michael Myers have split time at quarterback. Their main targets are wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1818718' first='Makye' last='Salley'], who also has 41 tackles on defense, and [player_tooltip player_id='1817446' first='Saiquan' last='Johnson'] (20 receptions, 425 yards, six touchdowns; 25 tackles, four interceptions on defense). Senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1822800' first='Jamon' last='Boatwright'] is the linchpen of the offensive line. When Chisolm or Myers are not running out of the pocket, [player_tooltip player_id='1820285' first='Zyron' last='Wiliiams'] is an effective ball-carrier and pass catcher. Williams and Jahmir Wright also play cornerback with middle linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='797161' first='Zechariah' last='Jamison'] patrolling the middle of the field.   Silver Bluff   The 3-3 Bulldogs have already surpassed their win total from last season. Quarterback Trellis Riley is a dangerous duel threat and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1654810' first='Drelyn' last='Brown'] can score from any position from the field. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1820953' first='Keyaideen' last='Williams'] has stepped up in the leadership department upfront with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'].   [player_tooltip player_id='1823102' first='Shaheed' last='Williams'] WR, Strom Thurmond   The senior wideout has emerged as a top target for the Rebels alongside [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins']. Working with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820528' first='Bri'Shaun' last='Lee'], he's already quintupled his career numbers this season. Through five games, Williams has a team-leading 18 receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns. He's also contributed on defense with two interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1054957' first='Gray' last='Kitchings'] LB Aiken   The Thoroughbreds have already matched their combined win total from the previous three seasons. A big reason is a sack-happy defense which has pressured the quarterback through five games. Leading the attack is Kitchings with three of the team's 15 sacks through four games. He also leads the team with 26 tackles, 6.5 for loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824044' first='Bryson' last='Crawford'] RB Fox Creek   The Predators are 5-0 for the first time since the 2011 season. A big reason is the production of their first-year starting running back. In five games, Crawford has rushed for 551 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 5-foot 8 and 175 pounds, he's a battering ram going through the line of scrimmage. An initial tackler is often challenged to slow Crawford down. His stocky build along with lower body strength allows him to bounce off tackles. Crawford also possesses deceptive speed once he breaks into the open field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='Mcmillan'] QB Bamberg-Ehrhardt   The junior clearly used his time wisely behind Chanston Crosby. A wide receiver and safety last season, he's kickstarted the Red Raider offense into full gear. For the season, Mcmillan has threw for 1,590 yards and 22 touchdowns. As a team, they are averaging 43 points a contest led by McMillan. Against Calhoun County, he threw for 433 yards and five touchdowns. He possesses a strong arm with an ability to throw long and accurately even on the run. McMillan also remains a quick defender from the safety position.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822792' first='Pierre' last='Fogle'] OL Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   The 6-foot 4, 295-pound senior tackle is an enforcer on both sides of the ball. Last year's Region III-A Offensive Lineman of the Year, he tallied 20 pancake blocks and allowed just one sack. His presence on the defensive line with tackle Taezon Sprinkle, end De'Myrion Cave and   [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] WR South Aiken   The junior has emerged as a top threat for first-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns']. Through five games, he had 33 receptions for 470 yards and five touchdowns. At 6-foot 3 and 205 pounds, he's a physical prototype deep threat with the speed to run past defenders. McLeod is also problematic close to the goal line where he gets open with quick slants.    ZONE'S BEST   [player_tooltip player_id='1820528' first='Bri'Shaun' last='Lee'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] RB, both of Strom Thurmond   The 6-foot 2, 170-pound senior has accounted for 10 touchdowns for the Rebels this season. He possesses upper body strength and 4.63 speed, making him a dual threat out of the pocket. The Rebels also utilizes his talents at wide receiver. As for Phillips, he's best described by head coach Andrew Webb as the "heart and soul" of the team. His presence throughout a game is seen on both sides of the football. When Phillips is not the leading ball-carrier, he's active making stops at outside linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] QB Midland Valley   The 6-foot 1, 185-pound junior has settled into the leader's role for the Mustangs. Geter surpassed 1,000 passing yards in leading them to a 3-0 record to open the season. He rallied Midland Valley to victories in two of them. For the season, he's already accounted for 12 touchdowns, nine passing and three rushing.   [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] RB, [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'] OL, [player_tooltip player_id='1214944' first='Davion' last='McKinnis'] DL, and [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'] DL, all of North Augusta.   The 5-foot 9, 185-pound senior tailback is the front-runner for first-half CSRA Most Valuable Player. A 329-yard effort to with three touchdowns in a loss to Gray Collegiate helped him surpass 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive year. With Colin Tillman and [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] sharing the quarterback duties, Doe has provided the offensive consistency and stability needed for the Yellow Jackets. Leading the blocking upfront is the 6-foot 5, 345-pound Gaston. Whether at left tackle or guard, “Big Mac” uses brute strength to overpower smaller defensive lineman. This can be seen in a HUDL video where he simultaneously knocked down two defenders. He's already committed to Liberty. The return of McKinnis from Silver Bluff has refortified the Yellow Jackets' defensive line. A Touchstone Energy Bowl All-Star selection, he and Jones provide upfront pressure without fully utilizing blitzing schemes with linebackers.    SECOND HALF PREDICTIONS   Despite losing to Gray Collegiate Academy, North Augusta still finds itself in position to finish no lower than second in Region IV-4A.   A healthy Yellow Jackets' starting lineup will be favorite to win their final four games. However, an intriguing Oct. 31 matchup to end the season looms with Midland Valley. Sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] has emerged as a prime target for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] and the sophomore backfield of [player_tooltip player_id='1820474' first='Preston' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824057' first='Terrance' last='Smith'] provides balance to the offense.   Before facing North Augusta, Midland Valley meets a dangerous South Aiken team. Sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns'] has immediately stepped in to lead the offense. He's formed a strong rapport with wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'], Zay'lynn Hightower and [player_tooltip player_id='1820075' first='Keon' last='Raysor'] to the tune of 14 combined touchdowns.   The defense has held its own with [player_tooltip player_id='1172344' first='Ray' last='Harris'] upfront leading the team with 10 tackles for loss. When [player_tooltip player_id='1822589' first='Connor' last='Hamilton'] gets let loose from the secondary, he's a leading tackler on defense.   Strom Thurmond opens Region II-2A play this Friday at Batesburg-Leesville. The winner gets an early hold of first place in the region.   The Region III-A title could come down to a battle of "Trojans" Halloween Night in Monetta. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler and Ridge Spring-Monetta have four of its five remaining games against the same four teams whose combined record are 2-18.   Defense has served as the calling card for Ridge Spring-Monetta. The senior linebacking tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1592013' first='Akiem' last='Mills'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592558' first='Jabarius' last='Brunson'] set the tone as the team's leading tacklers. They also have a combined total of 24.50 tackles for loss.   Senior defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1820069' first='Bryce' last='Smith'] is a bull in the middle of the field. He has the ability to quickly disrupt offenses in the backfield with sheer strength.   Bamberg-Ehrhardt is the clear front-runner in Region IV-A. The Red Raiders are the lone team over .500 in the region and are playing even more dominant than last year's 10-3 squad.   Junior Charles [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] has helped [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='Mcmillan'] ease into the starting role. Nearly half of his receptions (24) are for touchdowns (11) to go with 667 receiving yards. The running back by committee with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw'] (634 rushing yards, five touchdowns) and [player_tooltip player_id='816740' first='Marcus' last='Cann'] (275 rushing yards, five touchdowns) has enabled Bamberg-Ehrhardt to average 47 points a game.   UNDERCLASSMEN TO THE FRONT   [player_tooltip player_id='1840728' first='Jaydon' last='Moore'] RB Aiken   Playing a key role is their versatile freshman who announced his arrival not on offense but defense. Moore accounted for two interceptions in the 44-0 win over Airport to open the season and has three on the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns'] QB and Kaeleb O'Berry RB South Aiken   The sophomore has stepped in seamlessly in replacing three-year starter Tucker Bryan. Through five games, he's completed 75-of-141 passes for 958 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Burns has a quick release and can throw from many angles. He makes quick reads and is always keeping his head upfield for receivers. Fellow sophomore O'Berry has rushed for 100-plus yards in two of the last three games. A low to the ground runner, he's difficult to bring down with a single tackler despite his size.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817745' first='Saveon' last='Bamberg'] DL Bamberg-Ehrhardt   The 5-foot 8, 225-pound nose guard and center has made a quick impact on both sides of the football. A first-year starter, his blocking has protected new starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='Mcmillan'] and enabled the offense to average 47 points a contest. On defense, he's produced four sacks for a group holding opponents to 8.6 points a contest.'   [player_tooltip player_id='1820254' first='Kaleb' last='Johnson'] RB Hunter-Kinard-Tyler   The sophomore is the latest Trojan to emerge out of the backfield. He has replaced an injured [player_tooltip player_id='1822793' first='Darion' last='Stroman'] the past two weeks. He had a breakout game against Lake Marion   [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] RB Strom Thurmond   As a freshman, he caught the coaching staff's attention with his play at middle linebacker. This season, he's always provided a boost at running back for the Rebels. At 5-foot 11 and 170 pounds, Wigfall is elusive and has shown glimpses of becoming the next impact running back out of Region 4-4A.

Graduation contributed to a share of talent losses in the CSRA.