Midlands Class 5A Action: Week Nine

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5A REGION 4

Everyone in this region is in action this week and here is the breakdown.

IRMO (1-1) is at LUGOFF-ELGIN (0-2) and this is a pivotal game for both teams, more so for Lugoff-Elgin. They need a win to stay in contention for a playoff spot in this region. A win by Irmo here will almost assure them of at least a fourth place finish in the region, with only Sumter remaining on the schedule. Lugoff-Elgin, with a loss, will be effectively put out of a shot at the playoffs. The Demons defense has been playing strong but their offense is lethargic, scoring just 15 points per game average. IMPACT PLAYERS IN THIS GAME: Ethan Hix, LB, Lugoff-Elgin; Kaseem Vauls, DE, Irmo

SPRING VALLEY (1-1) is in a non-conference game against WHITE KNOLL and the game is meaningless for each. Next week, however, the Vikings will return against Sumter and then finish with Blythewood. Assuming they go 1-1 in those two games to finish 2-2 in the region, a win by Irmo over Lugoff-Elgin gives them the edge over Spring Valley in any tie-breaker because the Jackets beat the Vikings head to head. IMPACT PLAYERS IN THIS GAME: DQ Smith, QB, Spring Valley; TJ Peebles, RB, White Knoll

SUMTER IS 1-0 in region play with a 58-6 win over Lugoff-Elgin. BLYTHEWOOD is also 1-0 with a win over Irmo. This game is going to probably produce the region winner. The loser will still have a shot at the 2^nd spot depending on their finish. Blythewood’s offense has been playing better the past few weeks but this Sumter defense has given up an average of just 8 points per game. IMPACT PLAYERS IN THIS GAME: Justus Boone, DE, Sumter; Brandon Edwards, RB/LB, Blythewood

PROJECTIONS:

1. SUMTER
2. BLYTHEWOOD
3. IRMO
4. SPRING VALLEY
5. LUGOFF-ELGIN

5A REGION 5

The DUTCH FORK Silver Foxes are 2-0 in region play and have outscored their two region foes, Chapin and River Bluff, 104-10. LEXINGTON is 1-0 in region with an impressive win over White Knoll two weeks ago. Let’s not pretend anything here. Dutch Fork is going to win this region unscathed. The key in this game is for Lexington to get out of the game healthy. To save a lopsided loss, the Cats could try to control the clock with their ground game but with no passing attack to balance the offense it will be difficult to mount a strong attack against the Silver Fox defense.  IMPACT PLAYERS IN THIS GAME: Ty Olenchuk, QB, Dutch Fork; Levi Gulasa, LB, Lexington

RIVER BLUFF is 0-1 in region, losing to Dutch Fork last week. CHAPIN is 1-0 after an exciting finish against White Knoll. This game is a very important game for each of these teams. 2^nd place in the region is going to come down to these two teams and Lexington. A win here gives the winner an inside track to that 2^nd place finish. IMPACT PLAYERS IN THIS GAME: Braden Walker, RB, River Bluff; Roger Pedroni, QB, Chapin

WHITE KNOLL is 0-2 in region and hosting Spring Valley in a non-conference game.

PROJECTIONS

1. DUTCH FORK
2. RIVER BLUFF
3. LEXINGTON
4. CHAPIN
5. WHITE KNOLL