Baxter’s Blitz: Midlands Class 3A

Related Articles

Monday Morning Quarterback: Round 1 State Playoffs

November 7, 2022

2022 All-Midlands Players of the Year Awards

November 1, 2022

Friday Night Feats: Week Eleven

October 29, 2022

The top Midlands 3A teams appear to be
the ones I expected to be there back in the preseason. Camden is off to a 2-0
mark after holding off 5A Lugoff-Elgin 33-20. Gilbert for the second straight
week put up 50+  points on the board with
a high octane offense. Unfortunately, they also have given up 83 points in
those two games, a statistic that will need to be repaired. Right now, there is
a wide gap between these two teams and the rest of the Midlands 3A, with the closest
to them being Fairfield-Central, who is 1-1 after knocking off Lancaster Friday
night.

REGION 3-3A

Newberry and Mid-Carolina are amongst
upstate teams Union County, Clinton, Emerald and Woodruff. Newberry was man
handled by Abbeville Friday night and show that there has been a drop off over
the past two seasons in this program’s ferocity. Mid-Carolina has shown improvement
but lost to Chapin35-20 on Friday.  I don’t
think either of these teams will threated for the region crown, which will
probably go to either Union County or Woodruff.

REGION 4-3A

Camden is the team that may challenge
defending state champion Chester for this region, but I think more than likely
is a 2^nd placer here. Fairfield Central has a chance to be a playoff
team but it will be crowded in the middle of the pack here. Keenan will have to
see much improvement if they are going to content for a 4^th place
finish and a playoff spot. They were mauled by Irmo on Friday night.

REGION 5-3A

Gilbert, Swansea and Pelion are the teams
competing against Strom Thurmond, and Edisto for this region. While I like the offensive
fire power that Gilbert has shows in the first two weeks, their defense must
tighten up to win this region. Strom Thurmond is strong enough defensively to
make them a favorite, along with the Indians for this region. I believe Swansea
could be grab a playoff spot in this region but they will need to rapidly
improve before region play and get out of their 0-2 slump. They lost to Lower
Richland, closely, last week but were crushed by 2A Gray Collegiate this past
Friday. Pelion’s loss to Calhoun County in a 27-0 shut out is reason for big
concern for the Panthers.

My Midlands Class 3A Standings right
now

1. Camden
2. Gilbert
3. Fairfield-Central
4. Newberry
5. Swansea
6. Pelion
7. Keenan
8. Mid-Carolina