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GRAY COLLEGIATE AT FAIRFIELD CENTRAL
The Game: This is it. This game will determine the eventual region champion for the 2A-Region 4. There could be a lot of fireworks in this game with two explosive offenses and two quarterbacks who, combined, have thrown for more than 3000 yards and 32 touchdowns this season.
Players to Watch For Gray: QB Riley Staton, WR/DB Zai Offord; LB Blake Croft
Players to Watch for FFC: QB Cameron McMillon; WR/DB Donovan Watkins; WR Tydarion Greer
My Thoughts: Gray started this season out very slow with a vulnerable defense but they have come on strong the past three weeks and are beginning to peak; FFC has had their struggles against better teams and while they are explosive on offense, they are also prone to turning the ball over. The winner of this game will go on to win this region crown.
My Pick: Gray Collegiate.
HAMMOND AT CARDINAL NEWMAN
The Game: Hammond is the clear favorite in SCISA 4A this season, despite a slow start. T?heir losses were to two powerhouse teams including Defending 5A State Champion Gaffney in a close game. Cardinal Newman is 3-3 and the expectations were very high in the preseason for this team.
Players to Watch for Hammond: QB Dylan Richardson; RB Aidan Canzater; DE Connor Stephens
Players to Watch for Cardinal Newman: QB Dylan Skeehan; RB AJ Reyes; DB Braxton Rodgers
My Thoughts: Hammond is a level above every other SCISA team in 4A in my opinion; Cardinal Newman just has not performed to preseason expecatiuons. Two very good quarterbacks in this game but I feel like it is going to be the Hammond defense that is the star of this show.
My Pick: Hammond
RIVER BLUFF AT LEXINGTON
The Game: This is the 5A game a lot of people have been waiting for. The Wildcats are on fire with just one loss on their record against last year’s 4A Semi-Finalist West Florence, who remains unbeaten. River Bluff’s only blemish is to an unbeaten and 5A favorite Dorman.
Players to Watch for River Bluff: QB Parker Murray; RB Cooper Johns; DL AJ Coulter
Players to Watch for Lexington: RB JonahNorris; QB Taiden Mines; LB Christian Sexton
My Thoughts: Lexington is the more explosive team on offense and they can move the ball by land and air. River Bluff has been, for the most part, a one dimensional offense living by the triple option out of the shotgun. They have the ability to throw the football and if they are to win this game, they will need to put the ball in the air at least 15-20 times.
My Pick: Lexington
RIDGE VIEW AT IRMO
The Game: These teams have not played each other a lot but now it is for region play. Ridg View is 5-1 with a loss to Sumter that they should have won. Irmo is 4-2 with losses they had no business losing.
Players to Watch for Ridge View: QB Donnie Tomlin: WR Zion AGnew; LB Myles Brown
Players to Watch for Irmo: QB AJ Brand; RB Erick Tucker; LB Jahlil Favor
My Thoughts: Ridge View is hot right now and their offense is getting better each week as it inches towards preseason hype level. But it is their defense that I love, with three of the Midlands top defensive players LBs Brown and Matthews and DE/LB Josh Saddler. Irmo has the most dynamic athlete on the field with QB AJ Brand but for this team, they lack exposiveness and lack a legitamate weapon that Brand can use. This will be a challenge for the Jackets on both sides of the football, as this team is better than both of the teams to which Irmo lost.
My Pick: Ridge View
The Rest of my Midland picks
Andrew Jackson over Chsterfield
BenLippen over Trinity Collegiate
Blythewood over Nation Ford
Brookland-Cayce over Lower Richland
Buford over North Central
CA Johnson over Great Falls
Camden over Darlington
Dreher over OW
Gilbert over Swansea
Keenan over Columbia
Lakewood over Lake City
Lugoff-Elginover Westwood
Marlboro County over Crestwood
Midland Valley over Airport
Newberry over Mid-Carolina
Saluda over Strom Thurmond
Silver Bluff over Batesburg-Leesville
Sumter over Carolina Forest
