2022 Non-Region Games to Watch: The CSRA

Ian Guerin March 10, 2022 @ 05:00 PM

That early wave of talent we saw from the CSRA last season was just the beginning. The squads along the western side of the state are rising right along each other, a product of youth development and competition across the board. Now, some of those kids with elementary and middle school highlight reels are competing in the high school ranks. It’s led us to this, a whole bunch of really interesting non-region games that will build momentum right into region play and beyond. Coincidentally, we start on the opposite side of the state - where a squad from the CSRS proves it has no fear of playing a Class 5A road game - and continue all the way to a potential Class 2A title game preview. Silver Bluff at Socastee (Aug. 26) Bulldogs quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="91161" first="Maleik" last="Williams"] and tailback [player_tooltip player_id="91348" first="Traevon" last="Dunbar"] will make the trek from one side of the state to the other to play a team three classifications higher when Silver Bluff heads to Socastee in Week 1 of the regular season. By that point, Braves head coach Ben Hampton will have had plenty of time to build what is an improving Socastee roster - one that includes rising junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="139313" first="Rocco" last="Wojcik"] and offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="262688" first="Dylan" last="Breese"]. Saluda at Ridge Spring-Monetta (Aug. 26) With three players each ranked in the Class of 2023, and a few more in the lower classes, Saluda and Ridge Spring-Monetta have some flash and some brawn. The potential match-up in the trenches between [player_tooltip player_id="262680" first="Melvin" last="Minick III"] and Trojans senior [player_tooltip player_id="91139" first="Kanaan" last="Ligons"] could be a big one for recruiters. Meanwhile, Saluda speedsters [player_tooltip player_id="262551" first="Zion" last="Wright"] and [player_tooltip player_id="262674" first="Tyleke" last="Mathis"] could each reach the end zone in this one, as could Ridge Spring-Monetta’s [player_tooltip player_id="91147" first="Nehemiah" last="Brooks"] and [player_tooltip player_id="263159" first="Ty’Quavious" last="Adams"]. We haven’t even mentioned RSM’s [player_tooltip player_id="91353" first="Jamarious" last="Lockett"], who will be one of Class 1A’s top two-way threats in 2022. Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Barnwell (Sept. 2) Buckle up for what will have to be considered the best non-region game of the week. Bamberg-Ehrhardt and former defensive coordinator turned first-year head coach Corey Crosby will be absolutely loaded. Two of the team’s best offensive weapons in Gage Boykin and Kenneth Grant return from season-ending injuries, and potential top-flight receiver Chanston Crosby (Corey’s son) could be lighting things up as a sophomore. Barnwell’s own offensive firepower has been well documented, with rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id="124455" first="Clay" last="Pender"] and [player_tooltip player_id="262552" first="Tyler" last="J Smith"] appearing to be locks for numerous statewide awards. Westwood at Midland Valley (Sept. 16) The Mustangs start the year with four games against either teams from the SCHSL Class 2A rankings or squads from Georgia who had losing records a year ago. The Week 4 home game against Westwood, though, should be considered a good litmus test for how far Midland Valley has come inside Class 4A. [player_tooltip player_id="231445" first="Joenathan" last="Peeples"] and [player_tooltip player_id="272716" first="Andon" last="Hawkins"] and TJ McElmurray and the rest of the Mustangs would love to show they can beat a team that finished second in a Class 4A region a year ago. Barnwell at Silver Bluff (Sept. 23) It wouldn’t be that big of a stretch of the imagination to think this could be a Class 2A title game preview. By this point, Dunbar and Williams should be rolling for Silver Bluff. Meanwhile, Pender and Smith should be solidified by the development of sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="272720" first="Cameron" last="Austin"] and a budding offensive line around talented offensive tackle Slaton Ragsdale. If either team runs away with this one, expect them to grab a firm hold of the state’s top ranking in the media polls just prior to region play.