Week 4 Catawba River Region Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region play is here for some teams in the Catawba River Region, and now is the time to be at the top of their game to position themselves well for a potential postseason run come the end of October. Here are 14 players you'll want to keep your eye on as we kick off the second phase of the season this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff'] </strong>| WR | South Pointe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ratliff had nine receptions for 118 yards and one touchdown in last week's win over Northwestern. He is one of the leaders of the Stallions receiving core and figures to be a focal point as they begin region play this Friday on the road against AC Flora.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short'] </strong>| RB | Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Short had 12 carries for 230 yards and four touchdowns to go along with three receptions for 33 yards in the Eagles' 35-28 win over West Stanly last week. <strong>Jakari Holloman </strong>had 11 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles to go along with a 77-yard touchdown reception. The Eagles will look to keep their momentum going this week as they travel to Blacksburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823340' first='Nigel' last='Smith'] </strong>| RB | Northwestern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith had 116 yards rushing and one touchdown for the Trojans in their loss to the Stallions last week. <strong>Jonathan Spuregon </strong>had two catches for 23 yards. The offense will look to get back on track on the road in their region opener against Nation Ford this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267330' first='Jacorreun' last='Howze'] </strong>| ATH | Lewisville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howze is an impact player for the Lions, and he's someone that Andrew Jackson will need to be aware of heading into Friday. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/late-defensive-stand-lifts-fairfield-central-over-lewisville/">Even though the Lions lost to Fairfield Central</a>, he had 9 catches for 106 yards along with 30 yards rushing and one touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394975' first='Joseph' last='Duey']</strong> | LB | Fort Mill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duey (pictured above) has been an impact player for the Yellow Jackets defensively, and that was evident in last week's 38-7 win over Lancaster as he finished with 14 tackles. The Jackets are off to their best start since 1983, and will look to keep things going in a huge rivalry showdown against Catawba Ridge to open region play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149056' first='Quinn' last='Kelly']</strong> | QB | Fort Mill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly has been one of the key contributors for the Jackets over the first few weeks of the season, and last week against Lancaster was no different as he continues to thrive under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Brett Storey. He went 10-for-12, 123 yards and three touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820447' first='Noah' last='Hardy']</strong> | K | Fort Mill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hardy knocked through a 52 yard field goal, and had 4 touchbacks in the win last week. He is a real weapon for the Jackets on special teams and could be a difference maker as they open region play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824427' first='Grady' last='Stone']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823062' first='Jaytwon' last='Croom'] </strong>| RB | Clover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stone and Croom were instrumental in the Blue Eagles' 47-0 win over rival York last Friday. Stone ran for 91 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown, while Croom ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns. They'll look to build on their performance against Rock Hill on the road this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827423' first='Rhyan' last='Watson'] </strong>| ATH | Clover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watson had four total tackles while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823059' first='Amanti' last='Francis'] </strong>had three tackles as well in the shutout win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404968' first='Jackson' last='Hill'] </strong>had one tackle for a loss and will look to build on it against a tough Bearcats team on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->