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West Columbia (SC) The dress rehearsals for the 2022 football season are this week with the jamboress around town and today, I take a look at the players to watch in these match ups. While everyone will tell you these games mean nothing, you can’t tell that to these players and it shows by the way they stand out.
AUN AND MCKAY CLASSIC
CHAPIN
FRIDAY AUGUST 12TH
6:30 IRMO AT MID CAROLINA
Irmo – All eyes will be on sophomore QB Aj Brand (6’1,185) as he takes the reigns of the Jackets offense. Defensively, watch out for LB Xavier Montgomery (6’2,220).
Mid Carolina – TE/DE Michael Lindler (6’1,220) is one of the most under rated players in the Midlands. He’s aggressive and punishing whether he’s blocking, carrying the ball or tackling. One exciting player to watch is WR/DB AJ Jackson (5’9,165) who is shifty, quick and speedy with the ball in his hands.
7:30 NEWBERRY AT SPRING VALLEY
Newberry – WR/DB Shaquile Good (6’0,160) is perhaps the best athlete on the Newberry team. He’s a ball hawk on defense and dangerous after the catch on offense.
Spring Valley – Keep an eye on DB Jordan Chestnut (6’0, 170) and a player I’m very interested in seeing is first year player WR/TE Kendell Williams (6’5,220), who is a star basketball player for the Vikings.
8:30 WESTWOOD AT GRAY COLLEGIATE
Westwood – QB Dylan O’Neal (5’10,180) will take the reigns for the Redhawks’ offense and he has a solid WR to throw to in Noah “Duece” Jennings (6’1,170). Defensively, one of my top 2025 guys is DE Deekante Mack (6’3,235).
Gray – I’m excited to see junior QB Riley Staton (6’3,195) throwing the football but even more excited to see the sophomore duo at running back with Caleb Ford (5’10,220) and BJ Montgomery (5’9,170).
9:00 FAIRFIELD CENTRAL AT CHAPIN
Fairfield Central – The Griffins are loaded in skills positions this year and the one to watch is DB Donovan Watkins (5’10,170), who is my #37 overall player in the Midlands. Another interesting one will be their freshman quarterback, Cam McMillon (6’2, 185),my first player to watch on the 2026 Watch List.
Chapin – Max Drag (6’5,225) will be the one to watch for this Chapin team, but I’m also looking forward to watching LB Nolan Beerman (6’0,175) and DB Adam Bass (6’2, 188). All three of those guys are in my Midlands Top 100.
