CSRA And Midlands Week 0 Games To Watch

New hope abounds as we officially kick off the 2025 season with a large slate of Week 0 games. The Midlands and CRSA regions are going to be the home to several top-notch matchups not only this week but all season long.   We will do our best to give you some things to watch as you head out to the games this week. This is the start. We're excited as the players and coaches are.   Let's check out the best from Week 0.   WESTWOOD AT AC FLORA (THURSDAY)   Stephen Burris will make his debut as the Redhawks in a special Thursday night kickoff to the season. He will have a great start on the offensive side of things with [player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter'] at quarterback and the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] at running back. The defense will count on senior linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1821210' first='Michael' last='Hunt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1823829' first='Jamel' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1792160' first='Donte' last='Davis'] to spearhead things on that side of the ball.   The Falcons should feature one of the more high-octane offenses in the state. We know about [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] and his band of receivers, but success might ultimately depend on the guys up front. [player_tooltip player_id='1639708' first='Brett' last='Epps'], [player_tooltip player_id='1822540' first='Prince' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1153356' first='Ashton' last='Thompson'] lead the group and must protect Wentzky and open running lanes for the backs. Lineback [player_tooltip player_id='1603712' first='Jordan' last='Davis'] is going to lead a revamped defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1592609' first='Azel' last='Banag'] locks down the secondary and [player_tooltip player_id='1820034' first='Isaiah' last='Watson'] and Cayden Brown will lead the charge up front on defense.     LEXINGTON AT GILBERT   The crosstown rivals will again battle to open the season. Lexington has a new coach in Stewart Young. He's going to have an experienced quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='1823324' first='Avery' last='Coyle'], receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1820755' first='Nigel' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823321' first='Sawyer' last='Headley'] and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1820748' first='Wesley' last='Gorsage'] to lead the offensive attack. The Wildcats will be young and inexperienced defensively, but linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1820744' first='William' last='Brooks'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1676328' first='Isaiah' last='Saxon'] could be solid pieces to build around.   Gilbert on the other hand returns a wealth of experience on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] is a headhunter in the secondary and [player_tooltip player_id='1054176' first='Grayson' last='Gunter'] is steady at linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1734578' first='Demarion' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1734581' first='RJ' last='Kearse'] will join Meetze in the secondary while [player_tooltip player_id='1819914' first='Logan' last='Taylor'] is set to help Gunter at linebacker. The Indians offense is going to have some question marks, especially early. [player_tooltip player_id='1393774' first='Kaden' last='Kingery'] will be the new starting quarterback and Jirarya Staley is likely to move into the top running back role. [player_tooltip player_id='1809066' first='Chandler' last='Guthrie'] came on strong at the end of last season and could be the top wide receiver.   KEENAN AT DREHER   Keenan is turning to converted wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1818235' first='Jamauri' last='Johnson'] to take over the quarterbacking duties in 2025. He's going to have a 1,000-yard rusher to hand it too in [player_tooltip player_id='1822187' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] but he must find a go-to receiver among [player_tooltip player_id='1664508' first='Jordan' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1664646' first='Deion' last='Hollis'] and Marcus Simpson among others. [player_tooltip player_id='1603881' first='Darius' last='Dixon'] is back at linebacker and leads a defense that will count on the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1822186' first='Jaemon' last='Benson'] and X'Zavier Collins in the secondary.   Dreher will be making a choice between [player_tooltip player_id='1820928' first='Chris' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823546' first='Walker' last='Rowe'] at quarterback but whoever wins that battle will have talented [player_tooltip player_id='1592244' first='BJ' last='Mack'] at running back. Baker was injured early last season but has looked good this summer and preseason. The Blue Devils have an experienced offensive line that will be led by [player_tooltip player_id='1820923' first='Chanson' last='Evans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1818909' first='Aiden' last='Holmes'] (pictured). The defense will be young but have talent in Joseph Pohlman and D'Vion Carter in the secondary. Cortez Gilmore could have a huge season at defensive end.   RICHLAND NORTHEAST AT SPRING VALLEY   Richland Northeast lost a ton of offensive production when [player_tooltip player_id='1259789' first='Will' last='Wilson'], a four-year starter, graduated and enrolled at NC State. It might end up being a mix of Kamarion Willingham and [player_tooltip player_id='1820269' first='Isaac' last='Austin'] to try and fill those shoes. The return of wide receivers Isaiah Smalls, [player_tooltip player_id='1822460' first='Jaden' last='Moody'] and Malichi Farmer will help.  Jerrell Turner showed promise in the secondary a season ago. Miles Galloway and Dennis Rogers will anchor the defensive front.   The Vikings will be looking to snap a 24-game losing streak under first-year coach Norman Washington. [player_tooltip player_id='477819' first='Dylan' last='Redden'], the starter last season, and [player_tooltip player_id='1818455' first='Ahmad' last='Williams'] will likely share the quarterback duties. Redden can also contribute as a defensive back. Taylor Dukes and [player_tooltip player_id='1823796' first='Shymiek' last='Reid'] might have to be two-way players for the Vikings in the trenches. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1821195' first='Brent' last='Mills'] has been impressive as well.   CAMDEN AT WHITE KNOLL   This one on paper could be billed as Camden's [player_tooltip player_id='1165092' first='Tylin' last='Drakeford'] vs White Knoll [player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi'] but there's so much more to look at. Drakeford and Geronomi will both be featured offensively and will be counted heavily on the defensive side of things. It's the other players that might determine the outcome.   Grayson Rimpf saw time last year for Camden and is expected to be better at quarterback this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1822669' first='Worth' last='Thomasson'] and Ryan Lawson will be keys on the offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1513514' first='Navier' last='Boykin'] could end up being the leading rusher. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1662325' first='Dontrell' last='Wilson'] is one of the best in the state at the line of scrimmage. Khamrin Holman is back in the secondary.   White Knoll will be breaking in a new quarterback in Jhais McKiever but he has talent around him. [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'] is back and healthy and that gives McKiever a go-to running back to turn too. Ryan Mobley could be a key at receiver. Defense might be where the Timberwolves are better early in the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1592362' first='Josue' last='Esiki'] looks like a formidable linebacker in the middle and he's joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1764304' first='Jeremy' last='Cokley'] on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='1824733' first='James' last='Smith'] returns in the secondary after missing all last season due to injury.   THIS AND THAT   COLUMBIA AT CA JOHNSON – Columbia won five games a season ago and look to continue an upward trend. Running back Tyquan Sanders will try to ease the pressure on Darius Cunningham, who will be a first-year starter at quarterback. Damarion Wilson will anchor the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1816883' first='Stacey' last='Isaac'] will be starting at quarterback for the Green Hornets after not playing in 2024.   CATAWBA RIDGE AT CHAPIN – Both teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks so it will be interesting to see who is ahead in the arms race as of right now. The Cooperheads will likely choose between Brady Compton and [player_tooltip player_id='1824265' first='Will' last='Griggs']. The home-standing Eagles will go with [player_tooltip player_id='1824014' first='Jay' last='Stoker'] if all goes as expected.     MANNING AT CRESTWOOD – Crestwood is going to turn the signal-calling duties over to [player_tooltip player_id='1816441' first='Marek' last='Yates'], a sophomore. He's got a lively arm and is already about 6-foot. [player_tooltip player_id='1823496' first='Jayden' last='Martin'] will give him a good target to throw too. The Knights will need to find a way to slow [player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty'], a two-way standout for the Monarchs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1856798' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1856799' first='Blackville-Hilda' last='']' last=''] AT BARNWELL – A year after playing for a state championship, the Warhorses must replace one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history. [player_tooltip player_id='1603960' first='Damahjai' last='Devoe'] and Josiah Gibson will both see time and contribute heavily this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1856798' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1856799' first='Blackville-Hilda' last='']' last=''] also must replace Jaquel Holman, who is now at South Carolina. Expect the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1652552' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1856575' first='Jordan' last='Dash'] to try and carry the load early.   LOWER RICHLAND AT LUGOFF-ELGIN – The Diamond Hornets will be senior-heavy and have two standouts in [player_tooltip player_id='1267324' first='Ophir' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823906' first='Daniel' last='Gee'] at linebacker. Transfer running back [player_tooltip player_id='1356028' first='Solomon' last='Kelson'] will lead the offense. The Demons will counter with a deep and talented offense that features [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1267277' first='Shamil' last='Saadiq'] at receiver.      THOMSON (GA) AT NORTH AUGUSTA – [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] is set to have an explosive senior season and if he does, the Yellow Jackets will be a force to be reckoned with. [player_tooltip player_id='1819537' first='Collin' last='Tillman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] might split time at quarterback. Thomson opened the season with a 7-0 win over Evans (GA).   FAIRFIELD CENTRAL AT RIDGE VIEW – Let's face it – the Blazers are going to be fun to watch offensively. The key might be how well [player_tooltip player_id='1825081' first='James' last='Ross'], [player_tooltip player_id='1656657' first='Joseph' last='Braveboy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1719469' first='Jordan' last='Senior'] play along the offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1820348' first='Kaden' last='Diggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821811' first='Kamauri' last='Jones'] will lead a revamped Griffins offense.   MID-CAROLINA AT SWANSEA – [player_tooltip player_id='756588' first='William' last='Geddis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822446' first='Jerel' last='Wine'] are a formidable duo for a Tigers defense that should be as good as a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id='1823532' first='Montieth' last='Brown'] will try to lead the Rebels offense.

New hope abounds as we officially kick off the 2025 season with a large slate of Week 0 games. The Midlands and CRSA regions are going to be the home to several top-notch matchups not only this week but all season long.