Week 8 CSRA/Midlands Players To Watch

We're staring down three weeks remaining in the regular season and it's now time for the top players to start making more of a mark. We've already seen it in the last couple of weeks, and we expect the same over the closing weeks of the regular season.     We have several key games across the CSRA and Midlands area this week and we're going to take a look at the names you need to know not just this week but also going forward.   Isaac Stanley LB and [player_tooltip player_id='1639651' first='Bryston' last='Newton'] LB/DE Midland Valley   The Mustangs came up short in a 21-14 setback to Gilbert on Friday, but it was not the fault of Stanley and Newton. The Indians were predominately a running team and that allowed Stanley to contribute 16 tackles and a sack. Newton was just as disruptive with 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and two sacks. Midland Valley now goes on the road against Aiken to try and get back on the winning side of things.   [player_tooltip player_id='1840728' first='Jaydon' last='Moore'] DB, Aiken   Moore is just a freshman, but he's been a pleasant surprise so far. In the 20-19 loss to Brookland-Cayce, he returned an interception 82 yards for a score. He has 22 tackles, two tackles for loss and four interceptions on the season. He's not afraid to cover the other team's best receiver and doesn't mind being left on an island. He gets another chance against a pass-happy Midland Valley team this week.   Javonte Brown LB, Sumter   The Gamecocks are coming off a bye week but have a tough Blythewood team before a showdown with Ridge View in two weeks. Brown leads the defense with 45 tackles and has 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. He will be a key down the stretch and will be a huge key for how Sunter is able to defend the impressive offenses they will see in the upcoming playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820542' first='Johnny' last='Young'] LB, Blythewood   Young played well in a 21-7 loss to West Florence, recording 10 tackles. That gives him 42 tackles on the season with five tackles for loss, a sack and a blocked field goal. The Bengals have lost three of four and things don't get any easier with Sumter and Ridge View remaining on the schedule. Young is going to need a strong finish to his senior season to help Blythewood battle for playoff seeding.   Khristian McQueen LB, Keenan   The freshman burst onto the scene and had his best game last Friday with 12 tackles. He's played three games on the varsity level now and has a total of 24 tackles in those three games. That has taken some of the pressure off [player_tooltip player_id='1603881' first='Darius' last='Dixon'], who has 97 tackles on the season. The Raiders have lost five in a row and will need solid efforts this week against Fox Creek to try and get back on the winning side of things.   [player_tooltip player_id='1825146' first='Kamal' last='Grant'] DL Fox Creek   Grant is another youngster who has had a solid season. The sophomore has 34 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. But the Predators won five straight to open the season but have lost the last two games. They still face Keenan (this Friday), Swansea and Silver Bluff so they will need Grant to stay active down the stretch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816473' first='Evan' last='Simmons'] LB, Brookland-Cayce   Simmons has played well for the Bearcats, and he led the defensive effort in the 20-19 win over Aiken with 10 tackles. He has 82 tackles on the year with two tackles for loss, a sack, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery. Brookland-Cayce travels to Gilbert in a key region game where both teams are in desperate need of a win.   Kitt McLauchlin QB, Gilbert   The Indians have used at least four players at quarterback and right now, McLauchlin gives them the best option in the passing game. [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] handle running it out of the Wildcat as well as playing defense. McLauchlin needs to be productive down the stretch with Brookland-Cayce, Airport and Gray Collegiate still on the schedule.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615072' first='Levar' last='Gilchrist'] DB, South Aiken   Gilchrist came up with 11 tackles in the last game out for the Thoroughbreds, which came in a 17-14 win over Gilbert on October 3. The sophomore has been very active with 61 tackles on the season. The Region 4-4A standings are bundled with Gray Collegiate at the top and that's who South Aiken has this week. Gilchrist will have a tall task with a precise War Eagles passing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='816750' first='Kaleb' last='Berry'] WR/DB, Gray Collegiate   Berry has missed several games with an injury but if he comes back near 100 percent for the postseason, that gives Gray Collegiate another threat at wide receiver along with [player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt']. Berry caught a TD pass last week and getting him back at full strength will be key for a potential state title run.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823904' first='Maurice' last='Horry'] DL, Lower Richland   The Diamond Hornets put on a masterful defensive performance in a 28-13 win over Wilson last week and Horry, the junior, was a huge part of it. Horry finished with five tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries in the victory. If Lower Richland can get that type of production consistently, it will be a key moving forward. Horry now has 37 tackles for the year with 14.5 tackles for loss.    [player_tooltip player_id='402489' first='Davon' last='Toney'] LB/DB, Ridge View   We've talked a lot about this Blazers defense and how their speed is giving opposing offenses trouble and that was on display in a 26-0 shutout over Lugoff-Elgin. They limited the Demons to 132 yards of total offense - 100 yards rushing and 32 passing. Toney has 23 tackles, five tackles for loss and a fumble recovery on the season and he was right in the mix against L-E. The Blazers get West Florence this coming Friday with a showdown with Sumter in two weeks that will likely determine the region title.    [player_tooltip player_id='1817107' first='Dwight' last='Lewis'] DB, Lugoff-Elgin   The senior was all over the field in the loss to Ridge View last week with 15 total tackles and a tackle for loss. That pushes his season totals to 51 tackles with four tackles for loss. The more Lewis gets involved; it will help leading tackler [player_tooltip player_id='1823864' first='Jace' last='Coleman'] in the final two regular season games with Westwood and Spring Valley.   Quentin McGill RB, Westwood   McGill stepped in for an injured [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] last week and he scored twice in a 31-0 win over Spring Valley. If Rios comes back along with [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] and pairs with McGill, the Redhawks will have a complete running attack for the playoffs. Westwood still has Lugoff-Elgin, West Florence and Suter remaining so those three backs could pay huge dividends.     [player_tooltip player_id='1399629' first='JR' last='Kinard'] RB, Chapin   When Kinard transferred to Chapin from Northside Christian, he didn't think he would be winless after seven weeks. Kinard had 260 yards rushing going into the game with Lexington last week, but he was expecting much bigger things when he transferred. The Eagles are missing nearly every skill position player from last season due to transfer or graduation and have struggled, scoring one touchdown or less in five of the seven losses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818414' first='Josiah' last='Robinson'] LB, River Bluff   The Gators have lost two straight to begin region play and finish with a closing three weeks against Chapin, Dutch Fork and Lexington. Robinson has gained a ton of experience and is improving each week. The sophomore has 49 tackles and seven tackles for loss. His play will be instrumental down the stretch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] LB, Dutch Fork   Tom Knotts mentioned this week that Salters has not had the senior season he expected but after missing some time due to injury, He had five tackles and a key fumble recovery to help the Silver Foxes to a 41-24 win over White Knoll last week. Salters is a three-year starter and emotional leader for the Dutch Fork defense and if his play improves over the final three weeks, that's a good sign as the Silver Foxes look to go for a four-peat.     [player_tooltip player_id='1817400' first='Markel' last='Byrd'] RB, Lexington   Byrd rushed for 94 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns in a 29-7 win over Chapon last week. The Wildcats have [player_tooltip player_id='1909406' first='Avery' last='Coyle'] back at quarterback with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1848408' first='Easton' last='Crocker'] still playing a role so the more Byrd carries the running game, the better Lexington will be to close the season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1823459' first='Jahmauri' last='Davis'] DB, White Knoll   Davis came out of the Dutch Fork game with seven tackles and a tackle for loss in the 41-24 setback, but it was only the second loss of the season for the Timberwolves. They must shake that loss off quickly as they pay a visit to top-ranked Irmo this week. The Yellow Jackets have scored at least 35 points in every game this season and are coming off a 56-point performance. Davis will be counted on heavily again this week.    [player_tooltip player_id='1820288' first='Branden' last='Goldsborough'] LB, Irmo   The senior had eight tackles last week against River Bluff and now has a team-leading 62 tackles on the season. The Yellow Jackets offense gets a lot of attention, but the defense has allowed just 14 points in the last two weeks and seems to be rounding into form. Irmo has a closing three-game schedule of White Knoll, Chapin and Dutch Fork to see if they close out an unbeaten regular season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1720755' first='Jaden' last='Manning'] LB, Camden   The Bulldogs are coming off a bye and look to close strong against York, Lancaster and AC Flora. Manning has 36 tackles in six games and plays a physical brand that will be necessary in the postseason. Manning is grouped with [player_tooltip player_id='1790873' first='Evan' last='Presbot'], Kham Holman and [player_tooltip player_id='1817459' first='Tyler' last='Edwards'] that will make it difficult for teams to have much success against Camden.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820529' first='Bryston' last='Coleman'] LB/DB, Strom Thurmond   Coleman is the Rebels leading tackler with 45 stops, eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Strom Thurmond is allowing just over 16 points a game and are undefeated in Region 2-2A and are undefeated with games against Pelion, Saluda and Ninety Six remaining. Strom Thurmond has three games where they've allowed one score or less so when Coleman and the defense plays well, the Rebels are hard to deal with.   [player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker'] DB/WR, Fairfield Central   The Griffins just allowed over 400 yards rushing in a loss to Chester so going back to basics will be key. Walker has been a key with 49 tackles; an interception and five passes defended in six games. The defense had played well for the most part and they will look to close out the season this week against Eau Claire and the season finale against Columbia to get things back in order.

We're staring down three weeks remaining in the regular season and it's now time for the top players to start making more of a mark. We've already seen it in the last couple of weeks, and we expect the same over the closing weeks of the regular season.