Week 10 Playoff Ramifications - CSRA/Midlands

It's not only Halloween week but it's the close of the regular season with games on Thursday and Friday this week to close things out. There will be region championships and playoff seeding at stake this week across the entire state.   We know a lot of stars in all these games, but you never know when someone will come out of nowhere to make an impression. That's what we're here to try to break down for you.   We look at five games across the Midlands and CSRA that have a lot at stake. We pick one player that normally doesn't get the headlines that could potentially be a game-changer this week and as we move into November.   DUTCH FORK AT IRMO   Up For Grabs: It's certainly way more than bragging rights. The winner claims the Region 4-5A championship and a lot of momentum going into the playoffs. Both the Silver Foxes and Yellow Jackets are in the running to be No. 1 seeds in their respective playoff brackets.   Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1818103' first='Kyle' last='Henry'] RB, Dutch Fork   The battle in the trenches in this one will be monumental – the Silver Foxes have [player_tooltip player_id='1592665' first='Jordan' last='Roseborough'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'] on the offensive line and Irmo will counter with [player_tooltip player_id='1734510' first='Major' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816905' first='Bryson' last='Moore'] on the defensive front. Dutch Fork has [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario'] on the defensive line, and the Yellow Jackets will try to slow them with [player_tooltip player_id='1267313' first='Vernen' last='Hairens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209335' first='Kieron' last='Vauls']. Dutch Fork hasn't run the ball as effectively in years past, but Henry is coming off a 136-yard performance and is the leading rusher with 432 yards on the season. If he's able to help move the sticks, that will be key for the Silver Foxes.    LEXINGTON AT RIVER BLUFF   Up For Grabs: Dutch Fork and Irmo will finish in the top two spots and White Knoll has secured the No. 3 spot. The winner of this game will finish fourth with the loser in fifth place. All these teams will make the playoffs.   Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1818414' first='Josiah' last='Robinson'] LB, River Bluff   Robinson is the Gators leading tackler and will try to keep a Wildcats offense at bay for a third straight week. Lexington has only scored six points in losses to Dutch Fork and White Knoll coming in. Robinson has 84 tackles on the season with 10.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble. If he plays well along with [player_tooltip player_id='1824102' first='Mason' last='Stewart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824104' first='Reece' last='Huffstetler'], that usually bodes well for River Bluff.    CAMDEN AT AC FLORA   Up For Grabs: This one is simple – the winner secures second place in Region 3-4A. South Pointe has already claimed the region title, but the Bulldogs and Falcons are battling for playoff seeding.   Player to Watch: Jaylin Simmons RB, AC Flora   We often talk about the Falcons passing offense with [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] having thrown for 2,260 yards and 25 touchdowns but it might be Simmons that is the key in this battle. The junior is the leading rusher with 615 yards and nine touchdowns, and he has two performances this season with over 100 yards. If he can run well behind the Falcons line led by [player_tooltip player_id='1639708' first='Brett' last='Epps'], it could take some of the pressure off the passing attack.    SWANSEA AT NEWBERRY   Up For Grabs: If Newberry wins, they will win the Region 4-3A championship. But a Swansea victory and a Silver Bluff win over Fox Creek will make it a three-way tie. If Swansea wins and Silver Bluff loses, the Tigers claim the region title.   Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1974816' first='Sincere' last='Glymph'] QB, Newberry   Glymph might not factor into this game at all if starting signal-caller [player_tooltip player_id='1267234' first='Kenton' last='Caldwell'] returns this week, but Glymph showed he was more than capable willing in for Caldwell in a win over Keenan. The freshman was 13-of-15 for 132 yards and touchdown, and he added 98 yards rushing and another score. Caldwell is the one that has made this Bulldogs team go this season with over 40 touchdowns accounted for but if can't go, it seems like Glymph could be up for the challenge.   SALUDA AT BATESBURG-LEESVILLE   Up For Grabs: If Strom Thurmond defeats Ninety-Six, they win the Region 2-2A title and the battle between the Tigers and Panthers will be for second place. The Panthers will claim second place by themselves with a win. If Saluda wins, they will be in second and B-L third.     Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1592414' first='KD' last='Whitt'] ATH, Batesburg-Leesville   We all know what [player_tooltip player_id='1267286' first='Amadre' last='Wooden'] has done in becoming the Panthers all-time leading rusher, but Whitt (pictured) is a threat nearly every time he touches the ball. Whitt has touchdowns via receiving, rushing, special teams and defensively. The senior is the leading receiver with 30 catches for 545 yards and 10 touchdowns, he's added 209 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just 11 carries, he has two kickoff returns and a punt return for scores and he's added three interceptions.    OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1708197' first='Jai' last='Chuniesingh'] WR, Pelion – The senior is closing in on 1,000-yard season and likely will go over that mark before it's all said and done. He has 48 receptions for 904 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. He gets to add to those numbers this week against American Leadership Academy.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824184' first='Terrell' last='Golson'] ATH, CA Johnson – The junior has done it on both sides of the ball for the Hornets. He has 30 tackles. 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker position. On offense, he's the leading rusher with 651 yards and six touchdowns.     [player_tooltip player_id='1664603' first='Ahmadre' last='Ricks'] LB, Crestwood – The Knights will be going for their sixth win of the season against Lakewood and Ricks will be a key defensively. The junior leads the team with 78 tackles and has a sack and an interception this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820348' first='Kaden' last='Diggs'] QB, Fairfield Central – The Griffins have a balanced rushing attack with Diggs leading the way with 410 yards and four touchdowns while splitting time at quarterback with [player_tooltip player_id='1821811' first='Kamauri' last='Jones']. Diggs has thrown for 532 yards and four touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1623307' first='Xavier' last='Wright'] QB, Gray Collegiate – The freshman has continued to impress with the more reps he's received. He's thrown for 1,298 yards and 17 touchdowns with just one interception. He's added 180 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the seven games he's played in. The War Eagles will be comfortable with Wright or [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] under center as we end the regular season.     BJ Ashford LB, Eau Claire – The senior leads the Shamrocks with 91 tackles and nine tackles for loss. He has one sack and three forced fumbles for a resurgent Eau Claire team that has won five games for the first time since 1992. If they defeat Mid-Carolina this week, they will finish with a winning record and a potential home playoff game.

It's not only Halloween week but it's the close of the regular season with games on Thursday and Friday this week to close things out. There will be region championships and playoff seeding at stake this week across the entire state.