Week 2 Midlands Game Balls
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The third week of the high school season in the Midlands saw a group of quarterbacks continue to shine, three running backs have their biggest nights of the season, three defensive players have standout performances and a kicker that nailed…
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Continue ReadingThe third week of the high school season in the Midlands saw a group of quarterbacks continue to shine, three running backs have their biggest nights of the season, three defensive players have standout performances and a kicker that nailed a game-winner as time expired.
Here are the Game Balls for this week.
Brady Albro Brady Albro 5'10" | 190 lbs | QB Chapin | 2025 State SC QB, Chapin – The junior quarterback threw four touchdown passes in the Eagles 38-7 victory over Spring Valley. Chapin is 2-1 in the young season and Albro has been the catalyst for the offensive efforts.
Drake Braddock Drake Braddock 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Gilbert | 2024 State SC QB, Gilbert – Braddock (pictured) threw touchdowns of 21, 74, 22, 23 and 21 yards to lead the Indians to a 49-35 win over South Aiken. Braddock was 15-of-21 for 328 yards. Gilbert historically has been a primary running team but if Braddock continues these types of performances, defense will not be able to focus on running back Jaylen Jay.
AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC QB, Irmo – Brand is a regular in this column as he’s started the 2023 season as one of the best quarterbacks in the state. But this time it was in a 42-0 win over previously unbeaten River Bluff. Brand scored on a 33-yard run and added touchdown passes of 32, 28, 29 and 35 yards. He finished the night 11-of-14 for 154 yards.
KenMane Brunson RB, Saluda – The Tigers remained undefeated, and Brunson is one of the main reasons why. He helped Saluda to a 25-0 victory over Ninety-Six with three touchdown runs of 1, 41 and 59 yards. He finished with 187 yards on 20 carries.
Tyler Chavis Tyler Chavis 6'2" | 145 lbs | K Lexington | 2024 SC K, Lexington – The Wildcats faced a 24-7 deficit in the fourth quarter, but Chavis capped the 18-point rally with a 28-yard field goal as time expired to give Lexington the 25-24 win over Stratford. Chavis has proven to be a weapon this season in handling all the kicking duties. He averaged 39.3 yards on four punts as well.
Mondo Domenech DB, White Knoll – A lot of times, the Timberwolves defense gets overlooked due to the numbers the offense is putting up. But they’ve been just as impressive in the early season. In a 42-15 win over Colleton County, Domecech had five solo tackles, one assists a sack and a tackle for loss to keep Colleton County off the scoreboard in the first three quarters.
Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC WR, Gray Collegiate – Lockett is turning into one of the biggest playmakers in the Midlands. In a 52-14 win over Hammond, the senior hauled in four passes for 133 yards and touchdowns of 29 and 64 yards. He also added an interception that set up another score. In the last two weeks, Lockett has 12 receptions for 380 yards and six touchdowns.
Trey Neil LB, Airport – This is the second time in three games that the Eagles have kept their opponent out of the end zone. This one was a 10-2 win over Lamar. The senior linebacker finished with eight solo tackles, four assists, one sack, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
John Peeples John Peeples 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Sumter | 2025 State SC RB, Sumter – The Gamecocks have dominated three opponents this season and Peeples has created a good 1-2 punch in the backfield with fellow running back Kam Fortune. In a 50-15 win over Goose Creek, Peeple ran for 102 yards and four touchdowns.
Will Wilson Will Wilson 6'1" | 220 lbs | QB Richland Northeast | 2025 State SC QB, Richland Northeast – Wilson had his biggest night of the season to lead the Cavaliers to a 44-43 victory over Keenan. He ran for 279 yards and five touchdowns on 16 carries. He also was 7-of-14 for 69 yards passing as RNE picked up its first win of the season.
Azarian Yates Azarian Yates 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Crestwood | 2024 State SC RB, Crestwood – The Knights offense is averaging over 52 points per game and while Javion Martin Javion Martin 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Crestwood | 2024 State SC gets a lot of attention, Yates has been good all season. He scored four touchdowns and ran for 140 yards in a 49-7 win over Andrew Jackson. He has 272 yards on the season.