Week 1 Games to Watch in the CSRA

The fastest four months of the year are upon us again, and we're wasting zero time pressing the pedal all the way down to the floor in the Central Savannah River Area.   The opening week slate features several matchups that don't carry region title or playoff implications, and they don't need them - these matchups are strong enough just based off of who's playing who that any add-ons are unnecessary.   Some of these feel like playoff matchups, and some of them used to be. Some used to be region matchups, and others used to be marquee non-region games closer to the season's midpoint.   Regardless, they're all here now in Week 1.   Buckle in, because the Weekend of Champions will be here before we know it. And here in the CSRA, these matchups make state championship weekend feel even closer.   DENMARK-OLAR at BLACKVILLE-HILDA (Class A RV) (Thursday)   The 2026 prep football season officially kicks off Thursday night in Blackville with the latest installment in a long-standing series between former region rivals. Blackville-Hilda enters the season with a lot of momentum, both from a strong finish to last season and from an offseason of additions like new head coach Dwayne Garrick plus talented Barnwell transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1819832' first='Jayden' last='Peeples'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1603960' first='Damahjai' last='Devoe'] at the skill positions. Last year's meeting, a blowout win by Blackville-Hilda, halted an 0-4 start to the year and propelled the Fighting Hawks to a 6-6 campaign, while it was yet another hurtful blow to Denmark-Olar in a difficult year. The Vikings are junior-heavy, with quarterback/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1824848' first='Nyheem' last='Brimfield'] serving as the team's leader. He's returning from injury and is eager to make up for lost time, with [player_tooltip player_id='1817626' first='Cornelius' last='Hammond'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817627' first='Blake' last='Brown'] as his top protectors and familiar faces in [player_tooltip player_id='1817630' first='Travine' last='Felder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821778' first='Dilan' last='Hammonds'] back as rushing and receiving targets. [player_tooltip player_id='1856509' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'] returns to the Blackville-Hilda backfield, and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1856558' first='Bralen' last='Coleman'] and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1856574' first='Kaleb' last='Brooks'] lead a loaded group of young talent looking to notch one final chapter in Blackville-Hilda history with Barnwell County consolidation upcoming.   NORTH AUGUSTA (Class 4A No. 8) at STROM THURMOND (Class 2A No. 1)   One of the CSRA's Game of the Year candidates takes place on the season's first Friday, an earlier spot on the schedule than usual for one of the area's most tradition-rich and physical rivalries. The series has always been a good one, but the intensity has steadily increased since returning as a near-annual fixture in the last decade. Strom Thurmond enters the season as Class 2A's top-ranked team and its defending state champion, and North Augusta would love nothing more than to spoil the Rebels' home opener. Both teams return a ton of talent from a year ago, and the key matchup should be the Strom Thurmond offensive line, led by returners [player_tooltip player_id='2129235' first='Hezekiah' last='East'] (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='1820537' first='John' last='Laster'] at tackle and center, respectively, against a ferocious North Augusta defensive front featuring [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'] [player_tooltip player_id='1811094' first='Josh' last='Simpkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1839899' first='Dez' last='Davis'] ready to wreak havoc. North Augusta's defense is an elite group on all three levels and is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1811107' first='Javon' last='Ryans'] at middle linebacker, and trying to solve that group will be an old friend in new Strom Thurmond quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] following his transfer. On the flip side, [player_tooltip player_id='1819537' first='Collin' last='Tillman'] gets the QB1 snaps for the Jackets after splitting them with Hillary, and he'll reunite in the starting backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='1827171' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'] at running back. [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] is Strom Thurmond's leading rusher, and wildcard [player_tooltip player_id='1818416' first='Zy' last='Rouse'] should have opportunities to impact the game from a variety of positions. New Strom Thurmond defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='654821' first='Mekhi' last='Quiller'] wasted little time announcing his presence with a massive hit on the first play in the Rebels' jamboree, and he'll certainly be looking to make a similar quick impact in this one.   ABBEVILLE (Class A No. 3) at SALUDA (Class 2A No. 10)   Much like the previous game, this one feels like it should be played a lot later in the season - and, for a stretch there, it was pretty much a mid- to late-November staple as both teams made deep playoff runs in Class 2A. Realignment has obviously changed that, and it's hard to believe this will be their first meeting since the state semifinals in 2022. Both had "down" seasons by their lofty standards a year ago, and both are eager to get back to the type of double-digit-win seasons they consider to be their floor, not their ceiling. The run game will be a ton of fun to watch, with [player_tooltip player_id='1818281' first='Jamearion' last='Williams'] coming back to lead an Abbeville attack that seems to always have a fresh back to hand the ball, and [player_tooltip player_id='1823625' first='Tristan' last='Daniels'] will get plenty of attention every time Saluda's offense is on the field. Supplying some of that attention will be [player_tooltip player_id='1822462' first='Zach' last='Jordan'] at linebacker for the Panthers, while the Tigers' [player_tooltip player_id='1823631' first='Jahmeer' last='Myers'] will be a focal point at tight end and as an edge rusher. [player_tooltip player_id='1909406' first='Avery' last='Coyle'] takes the reins of the Saluda offense following his transfer from Lexington, and his first test as a Tiger will be a big one.   BAMBERG-EHRHARDT (Class A No. 2) at HUNTER-KINARD-TYLER (Class A RV)   The "November in August" theme continues with this matchup between a pair of Class A powers. Bamberg-Ehrhardt isn't easing its way into its state title defense by any means, as up first is a Hunter-Kinard-Tyler program that's always loaded with explosive playmakers. And that's a good thing for Bamberg-Ehrhardt, which will have far too much on its plate this week to entertain any talk of a repeat. [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='McMillan'] is back for year two as starting quarterback for the Red Raiders, and several of his top targets from last year's 4,225-yard, 47-touchdown passing campaign return in the forms of [player_tooltip player_id='1214316' first='Ant' last='Williams'] (53 catches, 1,338 yards, 18 touchdowns), [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] (41 catches, 1,008 yards, 10 touchdowns), [player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain'] (34 catches, 811 yards, five touchdowns) and [player_tooltip player_id='1217173' first='Rakeem' last='Walker'] (21 catches, 545 yards, nine touchdowns). [player_tooltip player_id='1819953' first='Pierre' last='Fuller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822459' first='Simeon' last='Bamberg'] are leaders up front for Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and testing them right away will be a Hunter-Kinard-Tyler defensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1811059' first='De'Nyrion' last='Cave'] back after an All-Region season that included 37 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Two-way linemen Treshawn Washington and Demari Hook are promising youngsters for the Trojans, and they'll look to create plenty of time for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1824353' first='Keiondre' last='Bell'] to pick up where he left off during a big 2025 season. [player_tooltip player_id='1809016' first='Josiah' last='Ross'] is his top target, and they may be in touch even more frequently in this matchup.   MIDLAND VALLEY at LEXINGTON   These two teams met in a classic last year, won by Midland Valley during its 3-0 start to the season, but neither team could capitalize on a well-played game and instead both stumbled to disappointing finishes. Both will be ready to show how much they've improved since then, though Midland Valley probably wouldn't mind replicating last year's performance. [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] continued his red-hot start to the year by throwing for 301 yards and two scores, [player_tooltip player_id='1824045' first='Jaylen' last='Washington'] caught five balls for 115 yards and both touchdowns, and [player_tooltip player_id='1615063' first='Preston' last='Smith'] rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries. They're all back, and that didn't even include leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] or X-factor [player_tooltip player_id='1824057' first='Terrance' last='Smith'] on the outside. Lexington has grown up a lot since last year, and a senior-heavy offensive line returns to make life easier for [player_tooltip player_id='1848408' first='Easton' last='Crocker'] at quarterback after being thrown into the fire last year as a freshman. Receivers [player_tooltip player_id='2205159' first='Victor' last='Kaczenski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1893389' first='Ian' last='Danson'] will also help in that regard, so long as they can find open space with talented defensive backs like [player_tooltip player_id='1824068' first='Jayden' last='Franklin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821367' first='Triston' last='Garrett'] lurking in the secondary.   SILVER BLUFF at SOUTH AIKEN   Here's a good chance at a bounce-back for both teams after disappointing defeats at last week's Aiken County Jamboree. Luckily for both, neither outcome actually counts, but this one does. Both defenses should come into this one feeling like they have something to prove after some poor tackling performances last week, and both will have to be better in that regard considering the skill-position players they're facing. Former Silver Bluff All-State running back [player_tooltip player_id='1654810' first='Drelyn' last='Brown'] is now at South Aiken, and he'll be looking to follow behind a young-but-experienced T-Breds offensive line against his former team after being bottled up by Chapin at the jamboree. His transfer opened the door for some RB1 carries for [player_tooltip player_id='1820957' first='Dorian' last='Jones'] for the Bulldogs, and he showed plenty of spark and a menacing burst last week. Silver Bluff graduated a ton of seniors this summer, but the Bulldogs do have some veteran returners like linebacker/tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1820961' first='Vincent' last='Aiken'] and defensive end/tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1823576' first='Trevone' last='Parker'] in addition to Jones. The South Aiken defense will look to force Silver Bluff into uncomfortable passing situations, which is where young star defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='1615072' first='Levar' last='Gilchrist'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1840728' first='Jaydon' last='Moore'] could feast. All-State lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1172344' first='Ray' last='Harris'] leads the defense, and All-State receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] is due for a big night after he and returning starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns'] couldn't connect on anything downfield at the jamboree.   LAKESIDE (Ga.) at AIKEN   The time is now for Aiken's seniors to bring some long-awaited wins home for the Hornets, who learned a lot of tough lessons last season after opening with back-to-back wins and then finishing the year with still only those two wins. The Hornets know they have plenty of talent, particularly in their senior and sophomore classes, and now they need to prove they know what it takes to finish off victories. The run game was the focal point last year for Aiken's offense, which used a variety of backs and still will be able to do the same with leaders like senior [player_tooltip player_id='1530765' first='Darius' last='Walker'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1840730' first='Michael' last='Francis'] shouldering the load. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1853105' first='Tanner' last='Padgett'] has had a strong offseason, and he's got a couple of big, athletic targets in [player_tooltip player_id='1840715' first='Tarrant' last='McKenzie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1614255' first='Allen' last='Cummings'] at receiver. Aiken has some tone-setters on its lines, with [player_tooltip player_id='1840771' first='Darrenton' last='Jones'] leading on offense and the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1467819' first='Brandon' last='Poston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1840750' first='Jayden' last='Merriweather'] supplying the pressure on defense. Their presence may create some opportunities for a secondary that features veterans [player_tooltip player_id='1840661' first='Jordan' last='Cannon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1054957' first='Gray' last='Kitchings'] as its leaders.   FOX CREEK at ORANGEBURG-WILKINSON (Class 2A RV)   This matchup was a good litmus test last year for both programs five games into the season, with Orangeburg-Wilkinson prevailing in a slugfest that showed Fox Creek it could hang in a physical contest. That will be tested again right out of the gate, as Orangeburg-Wilkinson returns some beef on the lines with a trio of All-Region selections in [player_tooltip player_id='1820132' first='Kristopher' last='Darby'] [player_tooltip player_id='1820131' first='Jackson' last='Glenn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822640' first='Jayden' last='Lambright'] up front, with [player_tooltip player_id='2137612' first='Kamaury' last='Little'] showing the potential to earn some honors of his own. [player_tooltip player_id='2257102' first='Brenden' last='Peoples'] is back at quarterback for the Bruins after throwing for 29 touchdowns against only five interceptions last year, and while the Bruins lost a lot at the skill positions one of their returners is Zy'Quan Williams who ran for 117 yards and a touchdown in this matchup last year. The Bruins did a good job last year of limiting Fox Creek record-setting running back [player_tooltip player_id='1824044' first='Bryson' last='Crawford'] to only 59 yards, but he did find the end zone twice. Aside from him, the Predators don't return a ton on offense and will be banking on some JV call-ups like quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1818518' first='Julian' last='Abro'] and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1817236' first='Lucas' last='Joye'] to build on the success they had at that level last season.

The fastest four months of the year are upon us again, and we're wasting zero time pressing the pedal all the way down to the floor in the Central Savannah River Area.