Midlands Lower Classification Players To Watch For Week 4

There are well over 200 football-playing schools that are a part of the SCHSL and sometimes the lower classifications don't receive the same type of attention as the larger classifications.   But it's our goal and mission to find as many players as possible, regardless of where they play.   While we're still early in the season, we decided to not look at teams from Class 5A or 4A. We compiled a list of the three smallest classifications and tried to bring some light to the success we've seen from players that you might not hear about every Friday night.     We understand it's not a complete list, but we feel good about the players we've highlighted in this week's Players to Watch in the Midlands region.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360306' first='Bennett' last='Plane'] ATH, Brookland-Cayce   The Bearcats have struggled and are off to a 0-3 start but it's no fault of Plane. The senior has been good in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams. He's the leading receiver with 13 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns. He's added 12 tackles and a tackle for loss on the defensive side. He's one of the primary return guys and pulled off a fake punt for a touchdown earlier in the season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1772703' first='Bernard' last='Green'] WR/DB, Camden   We seriously might be making an understatement when we say Green is a big play waiting to happen. If you don't believe us, his numbers very well backs us up. He's carried the ball seven times for 78 yards and is averaging 30 yards per reception – seven catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns on the season. The Bulldogs are likely to find several ways to get the ball into Green's hands going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817667' first='Mikale' last='Katio'] LB, Lower Richland   The Diamond Hornets had to rebuild the defense and one of the key areas was linebacker. So far, Katio has stepped right in and filled the void of the three senior starters from a season ago. He has 18 total tackles and two tackles for loss. But more importantly, he's added leadership and a calming presence on a team that had to rebuild the defense.    It's a small sample size but Wofford has been one of the most productive backs in the first third of the season. The senior has 570 yards and six touchdowns and has proven to be a workhorse after splitting times last season.   He's also shown his versatility by catching four passes out of the backfield. That might not seem like a lot, but that's good enough to be tied for the team lead. He runs iwth a purpose and make make defenders miss or he can run right through them. As long as Wofford keeps churning out chunk plays, Crestwood is going to be a dangerous team to face.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822644' first='Jacayden' last='Miller Anthony'] DE/LB, Andrew Jackson   The Volunteers graduated a large senior class last season, and Miller Anthony has stepped right into a starring role. The senior is fast, quick and gets to the football in a hurry. That has allowed him to compile 27 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack through the first two games of the season. He's going to flirt with more than doubling the 46 tackles he had a season ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='2106788' first='Nycari' last='Kinard'] ATH, Columbia   We've seen Kinard in person this season and he came away with the game-sealing interception at the goal line in that one. There is a lot to like when you watch him play on both sides of the ball. He is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and plays like it. He's going to win most jump ball situations, and he can cover a lot of yards in a short amount of time. Kinard has great hands and is becoming a better route runner. He just turned 15 so he's still learning but the ceiling is high for the sophomore.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818235' first='Jamauri' last='Johnson'] WR [player_tooltip player_id='1664508' first='Jordan' last='Wilson'] WR and Marcus Simpson Jr WR, Keenan   The Raiders off to a 3-0 start and one of the reasons why is this trio of receivers. They have combined for 37 receptions for 776 yards and six touchdowns. Wilson is the statistical leader with 14 catches for 367 yards and two scores. Simpson leads the way with three touchdowns and 257 yards on 13 receptions. Johnson is more of a safety valve with 10 catches for 152 yards and touchdown, but he is apt to break one at any time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820128' first='Elijah' last='Davis'] RB, [player_tooltip player_id='1822635' first='Tyrene' last='Tyler'] RB, [player_tooltip player_id='2257102' first='Brenden' last='Peoples'] RB, Orangeburg-Wilkinson   The Bruins have only played twice (2-0) but this trio of backs have proven they're an equal threat with each of them over 100 yards on the season. Davis has the most carries (12) and yards (122) with Peoples having the most touchdowns (2) on eight carries and 111 yards. Tyler has reached 112 yards on four carries that includes a 90-yard scoring run. With the rotation they have, they can stay fresh and give the defense different styles to prepare for.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson'] RB, [player_tooltip player_id='1618829' first='Brady' last='Cottingham'] RB, [player_tooltip player_id='1816590' first='Will' last='Green'] RB, Pelion   The Panthers trio of backs have become one of the bigger threats in the Midlands. They have combined to rush for 698 yards in three games. Jackson and Cottingham are neck and neck with Jackson sitting at 276 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. He's more of a slasher and can outrun a lot of defenders. Cottingham (pictured above) is more of a bruiser and does a lot of his damage between the tackles in going for 264 yards and three scores in 28 carries. Green is a change of pace guy with 158 yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816246' first='Carter' last='Bennett'] WR, CA Johnson   We've been singing the praises of the Green Hornets team since the preseason and Bennett is making us look good. He's leading the way with 10 receptions for 218 yards while partnering with [player_tooltip player_id='1467850' first='Elijah' last='Harper'] as two of the better sophomore pass catchers in the state.  His route running is smooth and he's able to get in and out of breaks quickly. He's only going to get better but he's pretty good already.    [player_tooltip player_id='1953815' first='Malachi' last='Jackson'] ATH, Clear Dot   The Bats are off to a 1-2 start in just their second varsity season but it's not because of the play of Jackson. The junior has rushed for 341 yards with two touchdowns, thrown for 100 yards and a touchdown as the backup quarterback and caught a pass for another 20 yards. He has six tackles defensively and rarely comes off the field.     Josh Smith ATH, Eau Claire   The Shamrocks are 2-1 and coming off a 70-0 victory on the road against Burke. Smith has been one of the better players in the early going and he's doing it at receiver, defensive back and spot duty at quarterback. He has an interception and is making plays whenever his number is called. The senior is 6-foot-1, 165 pounds and seems to have a knack for being around the football.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822401' first='Landon' last='Wulf'] WR/DB, Whitmire   The Wolverines senior has opened the 2026 season on a mission. He has 11 receptions for 324 yards (29.5 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. He's become the favorite target of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1825124' first='Kaden' last='Malpass'] as evident that he has over half of the catches on the season. Wulf has also been a menace on defense with 12 tackles, eight passes defended and a fumble recovery.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816746' first='Kenyan' last='Douglas'] RB, Fairfield Central   The Griffins played twice last week – Monday and Friday – but that didn't slow Douglas in the least. In fact, Douglas saved his best for Friday night when he rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Manning. That pushes Douglas's season total to 432 yards and seven touchdowns.   Caleb Egbon RB/LB, North Central   Egbon was a name we didn't know much about a month ago, but the freshman has made his mark in the first three games of his career. His calling card is defense, and he leads the Knights with 17 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He contributes on offense at running back. Egbon is compact and packs a wallop when he's making a tackle or running the ball.

There are well over 200 football-playing schools that are a part of the SCHSL and sometimes the lower classifications don't receive the same type of attention as the larger classifications.