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Takeaways from Week Three
Dutch Fork has some issues with their passing game, mainly that it is non-existent. When starter Aliam Appler went down to injury, the drop off was off of a cliff. Fortunately for the Silver Foxes, they have a solid running back and an offensive line that can plow a row. However, lining up said running back at Wildcats and letting him take hits every play is taking it’s tole. They executed 38 plays against Creekside this weekend and 22 of them were running plays. In their 11 pass attempts, they gained just 12 yards. The defense is as strong as ever. I love the way they fly to the football from the linebacker and secondary positions and their front line keeps people honest. Still,they are going to need to get Appler back and get some semblance of a passing game if they are going to cut through their schedule unscathed. It’s almost like there’s blood in the water and believe me, the sharks on the schedule can smell it.
Gray Collegiate may have had the biggest drop off of any team in the Midlands. Offensively, this team is very competitive but their defense went off the same cliff Dutch Fork’s passing game did. They simply can’t stop other offenses. This weekend, they faced a tough SouthAtlanta team with two division one running back prospects and they failed that test. Again, the offense wasn’t bad, but this team must find some defense if they want to win their region this season.
The Gilbert Indians are, perhaps, the best team in the Midlands. I will be the first to admit, I didn’t think they would be able to stop South Aiken’s Terrance Smith, but they limited his damage and their two-headed monster at running back ate up 396 yards and six touchdowns between them. I do think they will need to develope some passing threat eventually this season but until someone stops their running backs, keep running the rock. They did pass 7 times for 70 yards but their running backs are averaging 10 and 12 yards per carry, so,they will throw when they need to but don’t expect the ball in the air a lot.
River Bluff continues to get better and better each week. Sophomore quarterback Parker Murray completed 5 passes in just 7 attempts and three of those completions were touchdowns. One, in partiuclar, was a bullet on a line to Stephen Collier that demonstrated the high velocity that this kid can sling the ball. Defensively, the Gators continue to get better, as well. They are going to cause some proplems for some teams when region play begins.
Ridge View’s offense got a little better this week against Lower Richland but the “thank you” notes need to be sent to the Blazers’ defense. These guys have played excellent these first three weeks and are the reason the Blazers have a chance in any game they play.
Midlands SCISA teams are worth the price of admission this year. Ben Lippen is exciting to watch and they have some defensive players that would be starting on most public school teams here in the Midlands. Cardinal Newman has an explosive offense and the best back in SCISA and they are just fun to watch. Hammond is, again, going to be the team to beat. They travelled to Gaffney to take on the defending State 5A Champions and played them to a 14-7 loss in which Gaffney scored the winning touchdown in under 2 minutes to play. Keep in mind, this is the team that beat Dutch Fork a few months back. Heathwood Hall has a freshman quarterback that is putting up impressive numers and I think this team is going to keep getting better. My point is, the SCISA teams in Columbia are a pretty good Friday Night ticket if you like high school football.
