CRR Defenders Look To Slow Down Talented Skill Guys In Week 1

The long wait is over.   The 2026 season is here across the Palmetto State and there are high-quality matchups across the board in the Catawba River Region. And as we took a look at the slate of games to get things going, we wanted to put our focus on some of the playmakers on defense who have an opportunity to make a statement against a talented group of skill guys as they seek to get things started on the right foot.   Andrew Jackson's Group of Linebackers With A Speedy Week 1 Test   [player_tooltip player_id='1312528' first='Braylen' last='Harley'] was the Volunteers third leading tackler in 2025, and now he and Jay'Caden Miller-Anthony will be counted on as leaders to make tackles in the hole and be physical when the ball comes their way. They've already shown an ability to do that and they can play in coverage out in the open field.   Friday night's opener against Cheraw features star running back [player_tooltip player_id='1321038' first='Justyn' last='Joint'] who had over 1,400 yards last year and hit a top speed at the Carolinas Coaches Combine earlier this spring. Joint along with [player_tooltip player_id='1271257' first='Nick' last='Gordon'] who can catch and create matchup problems will be guys that both Harvey and Miller-Anthony will be aware of.   Catawba Ridge's Leaders Have The Chance To Shine   The Copperheads are led on the back end by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1608770' first='Tyler' last='Robinson'] who is committed to play for West Georgia in 2027. Teams did not throw his way in 2025, and we don't see a reason that won't continue heading into 2026. And of course, Boston College commit [player_tooltip player_id='1603727' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] is back to anchor things on the defensive line with his speed and quickness off the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1809182' first='Tyler' last='Gindoff'] will be on the second level, and he can tackle in space.   They'll have a solid test in Week 1 at home against Blythewood as starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1426578' first='James' last='Veasey'] returns for his senior season along with junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1540721' first='Landyn' last='Strong'] who is a physical, downhill runner.   Revamped Rock Hill Defense Looks To Send A Message In The Midlands   The Bearcats added plenty of talent through the transfer window, which includes [player_tooltip player_id='1615102' first='Jay'Sean' last='Culp'] on the defensive line from Lewisville, who has numerous Power Four offers including Florida State. [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins'] who is committed to James Madison comes over from South Pointe at defensive back and will likely contribute on offense as well with his skill set, and special teams as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1822773' first='Varr' last='Thompson'] made the jump to Rock Hill from Chester and is expected to contribute on the defensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] (pictured above) is with the Bearcats for his senior year with his ability to disrupt the passing game.   We haven't even mentioned some of the other returning talent with [player_tooltip player_id='1816894' first='Myles' last='Brooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1088328' first='Nigel' last='Lightner'] who will be active in the secondary. When you look at the Bearcats on paper, there's no denying they have talent. And that talent will be put to the test on Friday night against Irmo, a team that finished as the runner-up in the Class 5A-DII title game to the Bearcats' rival, Northwestern. [player_tooltip player_id='1856841' first='Britton' last='Davis'] appears to be the expected starter for the Yellow Jackets. He'll have [player_tooltip player_id='1467834' first='Jay' last='Eady'] at receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='1675598' first='Tai' last='Phillips'] who transferred in from the Tar Heel.    This will be a game that many around the state will have their eyes on.   Talented Northwestern Defense Begins Title Defense Against Defending Tar Heel State Champs   [player_tooltip player_id='1113328' first='Bron'Zeir' last='Nicholson'] is back up front for the Trojans defensive line, and he clogged up run lanes last year with his size and physicality. They will be solid at linebacker with [player_tooltip player_id='1823343' first='Malik' last='Darby'] back after a 2025 campaign that saw him record 23.5 tackles for loss along with [player_tooltip player_id='1301735' first='Dash' last='Holley'] who splashed on the scene as a freshman with 20 total tackles, including a pick-six against Nation Ford last year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1283361' first='Jaylon' last='Richardson'] will anchor things in the secondary and teams probably won't throw it much his way, considering he had eight pass breakups and two interceptions. The Charleston Southern commit is hard to throw against. And the Trojans added [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] to the fold this past offseason, as he was the leading tackler for South Pointe. The Wofford commit is active in recognizing plays and getting in the backfield and making sure tackles. It will be interesting to see how the Trojans utilize him as the season progresses. Keep an eye on Zay Ratliff who also came over from South Pointe, who is expected to contribute at corner.   The Trojans open the season at home on Friday against Hough, who won the state championship in North Carolina in 2025, and has a team full of athletes including wide receiver Jahmere Anderson who is committed to Western Carolina and has a running back who turned a corner in 2025 in Jamarion Morrison.   South Pointe Looks To Generate Pressure On Explosive Offense From The Midlands    The defending 4A state champions will begin their title defense with talent returning on the defensive front, led by Clemson commit [player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman'] who is explosive and can defeat blocks quickly and has a motor that is always running. If you get too focused on trying to block Tillman, [player_tooltip player_id='2254211' first='Josh' last='McClure'] can move at defensive end and disrupt an entire game plan. [player_tooltip player_id='1819631' first='Ty'Quan' last='Brice'] will lead things at linebacker, as he had over 30 tackles in 2025. They also have some transfer additions from Charlotte with [player_tooltip player_id='422544' first='Jamil' last='Watson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1134792' first='Jaden' last='Dixon'] to help a secondary that has talent returning to include [player_tooltip player_id='1809702' first='Amari' last='Dogan'].   They will face another talented squad from the Midlands in Ridge View, led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] who is a dual-threat quarterback. He'll have plenty of skill around him to throw to, including receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1603911' first='Isaiah' last='Small'] who is committed to Mercer.

The long wait is over.