CSRA Mid-Season Report Card

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason chase is now officially on for Central Savannah River Area teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region play begins in earnest this week for nearly every team within the zone, and the schedule from here on out is littered with big-time matchups carrying high stakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area's 4A region should produce must-watch games every week, the defending state champions from both 2A and Class A look more than ready to make another deep run, and they both should see some familiar competition as the games grow even more important.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CHECKING IN ON THOSE QUARTERBACKS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We teased during the summer that this could be the CSRA's deepest and most talented QB crop in generations, and through five weeks of the season it looks like that assessment was right on the money.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of right on the money, that's where Midland Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] continues to put the football. He's off to another hot start to the season, passing for 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns. And that's a number that could be a good bit higher if he weren't running all over opponents to the tune of an additional 492 yards and 10 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiken High's [player_tooltip player_id='1820316' first='Tanner' last='Padgett'] (997 yards, seven touchdowns to three interceptions) has already exceeded last year's yardage total in Aiken's more pass-happy offense, while across town [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns'] (556 yards, nine touchdowns to two picks) hasn't needed to put it in the air as much because he and the 4-1 T-Breds aren't having to play as much catch-up this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1819537' first='Collin' last='Tillman'] continues to prove he can get the North Augusta offense into the end zone either as a rusher or a passer, and former teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] has bounced back from a tough season opener to show signs of why he earned co-QB1 snaps before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1909406' first='Avery' last='Coyle'] and the Saluda offense are lighting up the scoreboard to the rune of 46.5 points per game, with Coyle capitalizing on a deadly run game to punish defenses further. At Wagener-Salley, [player_tooltip player_id='1822723' first='Zamien' last='Capers'] took over the QB spot so he could have the ball as often as possible, only to produce an aerial attack (753 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions) beyond what most were likely expecting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='McMillan'] has the Bamberg-Ehrhardt offense look just as unstoppable as it was last year, and the Red Raiders are showing no signs of slowing down once region play begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's been a surprise from the zone, it's been [player_tooltip player_id='1818944' first='Zyviaire' last='Denny'] from Ridge Spring-Monetta. Denny wasn't part of much preseason chatter, but all it took was one look at the 6-foot-4 sophomore at the Aiken County Jamboree to know he was capable of putting points on the board. He's already thrown for 952 yards and seven touchdowns without a pick, and he should only get more comfortable in command of the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SKILLS THAT KILLS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naturally, big numbers from the quarterbacks means the same for the skill position players, but we're going to start with one of the most productive backs in the state playing for one of its most dominant teams to date. That would be [player_tooltip player_id='1819832' first='Jayden' last='Peeples'] at undefeated Blackville-Hilda, which is steamrolling opponents by an average of just under 39 points per game thanks in large part to his 936 yards and 12 touchdowns on 11.9 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expectations were high for Peeples after missing a big chunk of last season due to injury, and the former Barnwell Warhorse has exceeded them. [player_tooltip player_id='1615063' first='Preston' last='Smith'] of Midland Valley is on track for a huge junior season of his own, already racking up 650 yards and nine touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1827171' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'] is always a big game waiting to happen for North Augusta, and the same can be said for [player_tooltip player_id='1823625' first='Tristan' last='Daniels'] at Saluda. [player_tooltip player_id='1654810' first='Drelyn' last='Brown'] has settled in nicely at South Aiken to the tune of 477 yards and eight touchdowns on 9.5 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At Strom Thurmond, [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1818416' first='Zy' last='Rouse'] are splitting carries somewhat evenly with great results, and [player_tooltip player_id='2342533' first='Preston' last='Holmes'] has made the most of his chances with the ball in his hands. Aiken's multi-back attack has largely been the [player_tooltip player_id='1840730' first='Michael' last='Francis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1530765' first='Darius' last='Walker'] show, with Walker turning into a touchdown merchant for the Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the zone's wide receiver groups are showing off their depth and playmaking ability, with the Bamberg-Ehrhardt trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1214316' first='Ant' last='Williams'] [player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] giving McMillan plenty of options for his touchdown passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] [player_tooltip player_id='1821370' first='Kaleb' last='Hester'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825509' first='Lyric' last='Robinson'] lead Midland Valley's receiver group with a combined 878 yards and five touchdowns, while the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1648648' first='Kymani' last='Denny'] and <strong>Wesley Scott</strong> at Ridge Spring-Monetta has produced 765 yards and six scores. [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'] hasn't minded the attention of being Wagener-Salley's top target, putting up 370 yards and five touchdowns, and the same can be said for [player_tooltip player_id='1162969' first='Jakari' last='Gordon'] (219 yards) at Strom Thurmond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>DEFENDERS JOINING THE PARTY</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of known commodities on the defensive side of the ball in the zone, which we'll get into in further detail a little later. Some others have made an impact either as new starters taking on bigger roles, or returners who have just been asked to do a little bit more than before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zi'Yon East</strong> at Aiken is an example of the former, as the sophomore linebacker has already accumulated 47 total tackles with three sacks. And [player_tooltip player_id='1822579' first='De'Arie' last='Kinard'] of Ridge Spring-Monetta represents the latter, with 44 total tackles to his credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1821367' first='Triston' last='Garrett'] (42 total tackles) and sophomore Braylon Fuller (39) are challenging junior [player_tooltip player_id='1508020' first='Issack' last='Staley'] (65) for the top tackler crown at Midland Valley that Staley wore a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='1840755' first='Malik' last='Cuyler'] leads the Aiken defense with five sacks, with [player_tooltip player_id='1467819' first='Brandon' last='Poston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1840750' first='Jayden' last='Merriweather'] always lurking, and <strong>Dezmere Jackson</strong> (2.5 sacks) is trying to chase down [player_tooltip player_id='1172344' first='Ray' last='Harris'] (four) for South Aiken's sack lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>MUST-SEE REGION MATCHUPS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>North Augusta at Irmo, October 2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the biggest date to circle in the zone before the season started, and there's no reason to erase it now. This one should decide the Region V-4A title, and North Augusta is already off to a 1-0 start after beating Aiken last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'] [player_tooltip player_id='1839899' first='Dez' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819540' first='Joshua' last='Simpkins'] will look to overpower a stout Irmo offensive line to slow down a high-powered attack. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1811107' first='Javon' last='Ryans'] will have Irmo's attention on every snap, as will [player_tooltip player_id='2209663' first='Dallas' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822105' first='Akeam' last='Williams'] in the secondary. If it's a close game, special teams could be the difference-maker, and North Augusta knows it can rely on <strong>Jacob DeGennaro</strong> at kicker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blackville-Hilda at Wagener-Salley, October 2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These longtime rivals are on a collision course for Region IV-A frontrunner status in the league opener. Both are 5-0 heading into big games this coming week, and getting that first win out of the way could make it feel like a downhill sprint into the postseason. The Blackville-Hilda defense has been unyielding to start the year, with [player_tooltip player_id='1856575' first='Jordan' last='Dash'] [player_tooltip player_id='1820088' first='Joseph' last='Lott'] <strong>Chayce Hallingquest</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1856784' first='Terrion' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820086' first='Jasiah' last='Gibson'] spending plenty of time in the opposing backfield. All of those big leads have forced opponents into uncomfortable passing situations, and [player_tooltip player_id='1856574' first='Kaleb' last='Brooks'] has profited by becoming one of the state's leaders in interceptions. Avoid him, and you're dealing with [player_tooltip player_id='1603960' first='Damahjai' last='Devoe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820087' first='Josh' last='Epps'], which could just as easily end the same way. Wagener-Salley's defense can generate turnovers in bunches, too, with linebackers like [player_tooltip player_id='1519361' first='Kaleb' last='Landy'] and <strong>Riley Salley</strong> applying pressure and forcing fumbles. <strong>Quentin Kearse</strong> is looking to hit anything that moves, <strong>EJ Daniels</strong> and <strong>Jacoby Milhouse</strong> can be a nightmare coming off the edge, and Capers has intercepted more passes (three) than he's thrown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ridge Spring-Monetta at CA Johnson, October 23</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one has track-meet potential in the Region II-A race, which very well could be decided in this game. Ridge Spring-Monetta has scored at least 26 points in all four games to date and has already won a couple of shootouts, which this game could become. The Denny-to-Denny connection has been a big one so far this season, while Scott and [player_tooltip player_id='1604020' first='Jaiden' last='Holloway'] have also done their fair share of damage at receiver. Kinard's ability in the run game could be the difference-maker, not to mention his abilities as the defense's top tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Strom Thurmond, October 30</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the pick for a potential region-title clincher assuming Strom Thurmond handles business the week before against Saluda, which is never a guarantee in that longtime local rivalry. The Strom Thurmond offense has done a lot of good things so far this season, but in this matchup we're going to focus squarely on the defense. The Rebels have only allowed 43 points so far this season, and we're sure they don't intend to give up a whole lot more. [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] (pictured) is leading the way in tackles, while [player_tooltip player_id='1824925' first='Taylor' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1671490' first='Jaivaughn' last='Bellamy'] are out front in the tackles for loss department. Dugar, Rouse, [player_tooltip player_id='654821' first='Mekhi' last='Quiller'] and BJ Creswell have kept the Strom Thurmond secondary a no-fly zone, and [player_tooltip player_id='1823108' first='Gregory' last='Moore Jr'] can make plays anywhere on the field from his linebacker spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>South Aiken at Aiken, October 30</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We talked some about wide receivers above but saved the guys from these two teams for this section, because this matchup features several of them who have played a big role for resurgent programs. In addition to strong run games, the defenses will have to deal with poised quarterbacks and talented receivers. On the Aiken side, [player_tooltip player_id='1614255' first='Allen' last='Cummings'] is enjoying his return back home, and his addition plus the continued growth of speedster [player_tooltip player_id='1840740' first='Stephan' last='Pope'] gives [player_tooltip player_id='1840715' first='Tarrant' last='McKenzie'] more room to operate than a year ago. South Aiken's [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] likely feels the same way as McKenzie. The T-Breds' all-time leader in every receiving category has plenty of help thanks to the emergence of <strong>Blake Goodman</strong>, the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1816698' first='Zayland' last='Johnson'] at tight end and the big-play potential of [player_tooltip player_id='1825011' first='Deon' last='Simpkins'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->