Playoff Ramifications Abound for Week 10 on the Coast

With so much on the line in terms of playoff seedings, a lot of teams on the coast have no choice but to open the playbooks and get the absolute best out of their players in Week 10.   That goes for the stars we already know and the ones we're less familiar with alike.   The intrigue of the final Thursday/Friday of the regular season comes in three forms. We've got programs attempting to win region titles. Still others know they're playoff-bound but could use a little better postseason standing. And others are very much on the outside looking in but trying to punch their ticket.   Add it all up, and the vitality of teams in November will be made or missed during this final week of October. We're going to look at five different matchups, tell you what's at stake and break down one player who normally doesn't get a lot of headlines from each who could be the deciding factor.   HEATHWOOD HALL AT NORTHWOOD ACADEMY   Up For Grabs: Northwood is current alone in first place, but one-loss Heathwood Hall and Hammond are a game back. A Heathwood Hall win would force a three-way tie atop the division.   Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1734610' first='Aydan' last='Hogan'] WR, Northwood Academy   On top of his cutting, in addition to his deep routes, and just as crucial as his motor is that Hogan has displayed excellent combinations of his footwork and ability to high-point the ball or catch it away from his body. The Charleston Southern commitment takes serious heat off tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1683039' first='Kaven' last='Ford'] and is heading into Friday's regular-season finale against Heathwood Hall with 52 receptions for 738 yards and seven touchdowns for an offense that's also about to have a 1,000-yard rusher this season. The next touchdown he scores will be the 20th of his career. And anything he does against could prevent a possible three-way tie in the region.     ANDREWS AT PHILIP SIMMONS   Up For Grabs: Andrews is attempting to force a three-way tie between these two and Timberland atop Region VI-2A with a victory, something that would have the calculators cranking for point differential. Andrews previously lost to Timberland by 14, but it won't take all that much of a Yellow Jackets' win to queue up something goofy.   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1816415' first='Diavante' last='Irving'] DB, Philip Simmons   Initially listed as a corner on the roster, Irving has morphed into something else entirely from time to time for the Iron Horses. He has no issue lining up as an additional edge rusher. There, he can turn the opposing play back inside, make the stop or - like we saw last week against Timberland - chase down plays that go the other direction. The junior already has 51 tackles and 10 tackles for loss this year. And while he's not a spy in the strictest sense of the word, the matchup between him and top-shelf Andrews ball carrier [player_tooltip player_id='1395098' first='AJ' last='Lee'] on Thursday is an interesting and meaningful player vs. player storyline.    DARLINGTON AT WILSON   Up For Grabs: With 21 teams contending for 16 playoffs spots, there's very little wiggle room for either squad. The Tigers are sitting slightly nicer heading into the regular-season finale, but both teams are within striking distance of punching their ticket, especially if Darlington can pull off the victory.    Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1823880' first='Christian' last='Charles'] LB, Darlington    With Darlington's offense struggling at times this year, the defense is going to have to step back up to the plate after a rough showing against Crestwood last week. Charles has already exceeded 50 tackles this season, and while that's fine and good, he's going to need to create some havoc from his linebacker spot, too. From breaking up passes to getting behind the line of scrimmage to creating some turnovers on ball carriers, this is where the Falcons will need him to be at his best. Otherwise, Wilson quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734485' first='Tristen' last='Howard'] could have his way.     OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE AT ORANGEBURG-WILKINSON   Up For Grabs: The winner of this one will be the Region VI-3A champ, no more questions asked. The Bruins will be trying to defend not only their home turf, but also an undefeated record from the first nine games. Oceanside will be attempting to set up an even better playoff position that puts it in a spot to win a third straight state title.    Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1824234' first='Tyler' last='Garner'] WR, Oceanside Collegiate   Orangeburg-Wilkinson is going to throw the house at the Landsharks' receiving corps while still trying to contain [player_tooltip player_id='1821532' first='Zakhi' last='Muncey'] out of the backfield. But there are so many bodies to go around. While Terrence Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] will be getting plenty of attention, it might ultimately mean some breathing room for Garner. The third prong of the receiving group should have opportunities to stretch the field.     HARTSVILLE AT SOUTH FLORENCE    Up For Grabs: These two are going to finish first and second in Region V-4A and then have a guaranteed top-three seed in the Lower State bracket of the Class 4A playoffs. If South Florence wins, the Bruins will be the top overall seed; if the Red Foxes pull off what has to be considered an upset, they'll be looking at a likely two or three seed. Either way, this one will craft the entire bracket.    Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1639746' first='Chris' last='Price'] DL, Hartsville (pictured)   There's a reason South Florence's stars have offensive stats that look rather pedestrian for a team so darn loaded. It's called beating up on every like-sized school you play and then giving the back-ups some run. So if [player_tooltip player_id='1422638' first='Cam' last='James'] or Gabe McLaughlin or [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] simply start pounding the run game carry after carry with no regard for bad things happening, this one, too, will be over not long after it starts. That puts the onus on Price to put the Bruins behind the sticks. His 15 tackles for loss this year means he's plenty capable. But he's also going to have to navigate South Florence knowing that, too.     OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1816423' first='Elijah' last='Owens'] RB, Socastee - The replacement starter went for 146 yards and a touchdown in the win over Conway last week. This week, the Braves are facing their 707 rival St. James, and a repeat performance from the freshman would go a long way to solidify Socastee's playoff positioning.   Aedan McCarthy QB, Bluffton - The senior has been electric, but against May River, the Bobcats are assuredly going to get fewer opportunities on offense. McCarthy is going to have to make sure every possession counts, especially since the winner gets the region's second playoff spot.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes'] LB, Kingstree - The Blazers will be hosting Atlantic Collegiate with a home playoff game the following week on the line. Dukes and his teammates have been in a number of dog fights already this years, and ACA is likely bringing another one to town.    [player_tooltip player_id='1304767' first='Larkin' last='Powell'] QB, Johnsonville - After falling in the de facto Region VI-A championship game to Carvers Bay last week, the Flashes need to rebound quick against Latta in the contest that will determine second place. Expect Powell to be zipping passes to his receivers early in that one.

With so much on the line in terms of playoff seedings, a lot of teams on the coast have no choice but to open the playbooks and get the absolute best out of their players in Week 10.