Catawba River Region Skill Guys Look To Continue Impact In Week 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 3 in the Catawba River Region offers some intrigue with some teams that are riding an early hot streak and will now be tasked with taking the next step on the road this week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are dynamic running backs and quarterbacks who can sling it around as well as some active defensive linemen and linebackers whose teams will want to know where they are at all times. That will be key for the offenses that will look to continue their rhythm as we continue to progress through the non-region schedule to kick off the long holiday weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Can Lancaster continue the explosiveness offensively on the road in the Upstate?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1876769' first='Shakeem' last='Witherspoon'] </strong>found the end zone <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/witherspoons-star-performance-leads-lancaster-to-win-over-york/">twice last week in the win over York</a>, and showcased lightning speed in the process. Keep an eye on <strong>David Blamon</strong>, as he is another young guy for the Bruins that can get you the tough yards and help keep the offense on schedule. The man who keeps things rolling offensively for the Bruins is quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823856' first='Zy'Quarious' last='Clinton']</strong>, who will look to manage things well and keep the offense on schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bruins will face their biggest challenge so far on Friday night at Gaffney, who also comes into the game 2-0, who has a loaded defensive front led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] </strong>who forced a fumble in last week's win over JL Mann. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1869156' first='Javion' last='Hall']</strong>, who made an interception last week. If the Bruins are put into some must pass situations, they'll need to be aware of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Continuing the balance for the Trojans against defensive Lowcountry front</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] </strong>put on a show in the Queen City on Saturday in the Trojans' <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/northwestern-routs-indian-land-in-keep-pounding-classic/">52-7 rout of Indian Land at Bank of America Stadium last Saturday</a>. He ran for 100 yards and one touchdown on the ground while throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Another weapon in the run game was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823352' first='Daylen' last='Shankle'] </strong>who led the Trojans in rushing with 121 yards and one touchdown. If you get too caught up in the run game, Northwestern can certainly present challenges in defending the pass game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff'] </strong>had 9 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns against the Warriors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1718680' first='Payton' last='Vining']</strong> had 78 yards and one touchdown on a deep ball that was a thing of beauty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1765902' first='Bryce' last='Clemons'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1844950' first='Antonio' last='Waring'] </strong>will look to generate pressure on Means and the Trojans offense as the Stratford Knights will make the three-hour trip to Rock Hill on Friday night and try to pull off a massive upset at District Three Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Bearcats look to keep building their offensive rhythm on a long trip to the Lowcountry</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bearcats quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816896' first='Jonah' last='Young'] </strong>was efficient, throwing for 120 yards and one touchdown in Rock Hill's 52-7 win over Ashley Ridge as they are off to a 2-0 start. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816894' first='Myles' last='Brooks'] </strong>is always a speedster at receiver as he had two catches for 153 yards, both for touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822769' first='Jalen' last='Culp'] </strong>(pictured above) threw the ball around a little bit at quarterback and was effective, throwing for 112 yards and one touchdown. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088328' first='Nigel' last='Lightner'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] </strong>as well at the receiver spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Hill will make a three-hour bus ride to Hilton Head to face the Seahawks, who beat the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/bigger-seahawks-land-biggest-blows-to-win-bout-with-red-raiders/">defending state champs in Bamberg-Ehrhardt last week</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Indian Land looks for rebound against talented Butler team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'] </strong>and the Warriors will look to recapture their rhythm after a tough loss to the Trojans last Saturday in Charlotte. They may have found a weapon at the running back position with <strong>Kylan Foye </strong>who had a long 80-yard touchdown. Combine that with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822507' first='Kenneth' last='Wilson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044503' first='Maxwell' last='Curry'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820001' first='Christian' last='Hunt'] </strong>and you've got an offense that is a threat to score at anytime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elyejah Jackson</strong> is averaging 10 tackles per game and <strong>Miles Lacroix </strong>averages 8.5 tackles per game in the first two games for the Bulldogs out of Charlotte, along with <strong>Matthew Shields </strong>who is averaging 7 tackles per game and will need to be accounted for in the Warriors offensive game plan this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Can Central Pageland keep their against a talented Andrew Jackson defense?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zee Allen </strong>ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns in their season opener against Lewisville 49-21 win two weeks ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen'] </strong>threw for two touchdowns, while also throwing for one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817468' first='Dylan' last='Tomberlin'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817469' first='Aidan' last='Welch'] </strong>are the two guys to watch in the secondary, but they are a threat in the passing game with their ability to play both ways.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Volunteers are led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1312528' first='Braylen' last='Harley'] [player_tooltip player_id='1822644' first='Jacayden' last='Miller Anthony'] </strong>and <strong>Caden Bowers </strong>who are the leading tacklers so far this year. They held an explosive Cheraw offense to 12 points to open the season two weeks ago and North Central to 6 points last week and will look to slow down the Eagles in what should be a fun one in Chesterfield County on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->