Upstate Midseason Report

Halfway home.   While it might seem like the football season has a long way to go in the Palmetto State, we're more than halfway to the playoffs as this week begins.   So, what have we learned?   A lot, actually, particularly in the Upstate. At the top of the standings, it seems like business as usual as some traditional powerhouses are right back where they usually are. But how they got there has looked a little difference in some cases.   In the Upstate, a lot of keys to success this season have come down to one of the biggest truths in football: if you can run the ball and stop the run, you'll generally do pretty well. That's certainly been the case, as the area has a ton of workhorse backs who are piling up big numbers, and outstanding defensive linemen and linebackers who are trying to keep them from doing it.   The way the first half of the season has played out has set the stage for an exciting second half. Here's a look at a few of the things we've seen in the first half, and what we're expecting going forward.     BIGGEST SURPRISES   Dorman's re-emergence in Region II-5A - The region is loaded, and the Cavaliers are a good team. But not many realized just how good before the season. Tweaks to the offense have paid off huge for the Cavaliers, and [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] is one of the biggest beneficiaries, racking up 660 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. But the Cavaliers are getting it done with defense, too. [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] is the name that everyone knows, but [player_tooltip player_id='1708614' first='Jabez' last='Thomas'] has been lights-out, and is a turnover machine. [player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby'] anchors the middle, and up front [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'], [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1664615' first='Zavion' last='Meadows'] have been terrorizing opponents' backfields.    Daniel continues dominance - A ton of talent lost to graduation and a new QB raised a bunch of questions in the offseason. The Lions have responded by doing just what you'd expect from Daniel. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='1094520' first='Jace' last='Grass'] has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1467841' first='Trey' last='Wimbley'] has half of those TD catches and more than 450 yards receiving. A by-committee group at RB is getting it done to the tune of more than 700 yards and 11 scores, and five Lions have more than 25 tackles, led by wrecking ball [player_tooltip player_id='1592598' first='Cade' last='Spencer'], who has 53 stops, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two blocked punts.   BHP doesn't miss a beat - Yes, the Bears have a great system in place. Yes, there's very much a next-man-up mentality. But when the missing man is the most prolific offensive player in school history, you might expect a little fall-off. Not at BHP. [player_tooltip player_id='1730056' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] has continued an outstanding career at QB, with more than 1,200 yards of offense already. He's got more than 300 of that on the ground, where the Bears have quietly gone about racking up 1,300 yards early in the season, led by MJ Earle with 389 yards and eight scores. [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] has more than 400 receiving yards, and KJ Miles, [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] (pictured), and Ty Dubose lead a defense that's surrendering just more than 7 points per game, with shutouts in their last two.     ZONE'S BEST   [player_tooltip player_id='1790589' first='Muntu' last='Brown'] RB, Wren - Brown has been a workhorse for the Hurricanes, and he just seems to get better as a game goes on. In Wren's win over Woodruff in Week 5, he carried 27 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns - and that's right in line with his averages, pushing him over 100 carries, 800 yards, and 11 scores on the season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1654910' first='Makorean' last='Anderson-Wallington'] QB, Mountain View Prep - There's efficient, and then there's what Anderson-Wallington has been able to do for the Stars. He completes more than 80 percent of his passes, and he's thrown for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs against just one interception. He's also got more than 600 yards and 12 scores on the ground, and he's done it all in not a whole lot of time, as the Stars' starters are often limited to a half of action.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] RB, Spartanburg - Lynch is the Vikings' leader on offense, but the way he's done it is what will catch your eye. He's a guy who's got plenty of between-the-tackles power and enough speed to break long runs, but he's also patient and more than happy to take what the defense is giving. He's put up more than 800 yards, and that includes the Vikings' three games against defensive standouts Northwestern, Dutch Fork, and Gaffney.   [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] QB, Greenwood - Lewis has a ton of athleticism and is a dual-threat guy. He's also a gunslinger. Lewis has thrown for more than 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns for the Eagles, while adding 415 yards and six scores on the ground, both of which lead the team. He puts the Eagles in good positions, and it doesn't seem like there's a play he can't make.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyon' last='Ratchford'] LB, Gaffney - Ratchford is, plain and simple, one of the best players on a very good defense. He's got 40 tackles, an interception, a pass deflection, and three tackles for loss for the Indians, who also use his huge frame in the passing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1604062' first='Jacobi' last='Fuller'] RB, Byrnes - They're not exactly complementary RBs, or a change of pace exactly. Both are fast, both are strong, both can run you over. It's more of a "fresh legs" situation for two of the most dynamic backs in the Upstate, and they've combined for more than 700 yards on the ground and 10 touchdowns. Both also contribute in the passing game, and Fuller is an excellent kick returner.   SECOND-HALF PREDICTIONS   Woodruff makes a run - The Wolverines have just one loss on the schedule, a setback against Wren. They've got a bunch of good pieces at every level, particularly on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] is one of the top backs in the state, and is just as dangerous receiving out of the backfield as he is in the running game. [player_tooltip player_id='1395078' first='Kam' last='Taylor'] is a field-stretcher and a big time matchup problem at TE. On the defensive side, [player_tooltip player_id='1592408' first='Shaun' last='Graybill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823653' first='Jalen' last='Roberson'] have led the way, and the Wolverines already have 40 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. A region showdown with MVP is around the corner, but the Wolverines look primed to go deep in the playoffs.   A bunch of guys threaten 1,500 yards on the ground - Several players we've already listed have a good shot to get to the 1,500 rushing yards mark, and likely beyond. But that's just scratching the surface. Guys like Seneca's [player_tooltip player_id='1667450' first='Amari' last='Verner'] and Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='1303770' first='Jamijae' last='Karim'] are in favorable situations to reach the mark. [player_tooltip player_id='1823372' first='Mack' last='Rambo'] at St. Joseph's and [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] at Christ Church are both capable of explosive games, and QB [player_tooltip player_id='1581467' first='Brooks' last='Dow'] and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1619372' first='Will' last='Stone'] look capable of a 1,500/1,000 backfield for the Blue Flame.    Class A showdowns loom - One of the surprises of the first half of the season might well bleed into one of the storylines for the second half. Ware Shoals and Dixie seem to be on a collision course in Region I-A, with both sets of Hornets playing well. Ware Shoals is undefeated behind talented QB [player_tooltip player_id='1821508' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'], who leads the team in rushing and passing, and by Tyrell Cunningham who has five interceptions to rank among the state's leaders. Dixie, meanwhile, has just one loss on the year. They're led by [player_tooltip player_id='1267345' first='Brandon' last='Nance'], who's got nearly 600 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns so far. They'll meet in Week 8, and then each will play Abbeville down the stretch.   Clinton comes back to form - The defending 2A champions might seem a little off their game early in the season, but look a little closer at the schedule. A one-score loss to Woodruff. A loss to a very good Newberry team, expected to be a 3A challenger. A loss to Daniel. There are a lot of teams, particularly 2A teams, who would be 0-3 in that situation. The Red Devils are still very good. [player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook'] leads the way on the ground with more than 600 yards, but Clinton is showing their usual balance, with two rushers over 250 yards and two more over 150 behind Cook. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1165512' first='Chris' last='Boyd'] leads the way with more than 50 stops, but seven Red Devils in total have more than 24. Clinton is deep and their system makes them a challenge to prepare for. But more than that, they're better because of the schedule they've played.   UNDERCLASSMEN TO THE FRONT   [player_tooltip player_id='1615026' first='Jeremiah' last='Hunter'] WR, Seneca - Hunter isn't just one of the best sophomore WR in the state. He's one of the best targets, period. He's got plenty of speed, but he also knows how to use his body to create separation and opportunities, and he's off to a fantastic start in a year and a half at the varsity level.    Sentell Hall DB, Spartanburg - Hall is one of several sophomores who are already contributing heavily for the Vikings. He's got track star speed, he's a good tackler, and he covers well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819506' first='Devon' last='Brown'] RB, Broome - Brown is the heir apparent to [player_tooltip player_id='1592026' first='Tyqwon' last='Booker'] as the Centurions' lead back, and he's done a bunch of good things already. With Booker as a workhorse, Broome has been able to bring Brown along slowly and use him as a change-of-pace or as a breather for Booker. He's shown plenty of ability, and he'll have fresh legs down the stretch and into the remainder of his career.   Nas Angram DB, Byrnes - Angram is quietly making his mark as a sophomore on a defense full of seniors. He's got 21 tackles and an interception already, and is the kind of player who seems tailor-made for the way Byrnes wants to play.

Halfway home.