Here are five observations or things that stood out in the second week of high school football in the Midlands:
Region 5-5A more than just Dutch Fork
Coming into the season, everyone knew Dutch Fork was the class of Region 5-5A.
But there were a lot of question marks with the other four teams in the season. Through three weeks, River Bluff, Lexington, Chapin and White Knoll are a combined 12-1.
River Bluff and Lexington might be the biggest surprises of that group. The Gators (3-0) already have surpassed last year’s win total and scored more than 60 points in two of those victories.
Lexington knocked off unbeaten Gilbert on Friday and has allowed just 21 points over its last 10 quarters.
river bluff tweet
Dutch Fork’s defense
Speaking of Dutch Fork, the Silver Foxes offense gets plenty of accolades but their defense isn’t too shabby either.
Dutch Fork has recorded back-to-back shutouts and given up a total of 175 yards combined in wins over Spring Valley and Irmo.
Spring Valley’s adjustments
After last week’s 63-0 loss to Dutch Fork, Spring Valley coach Robin Bacon knew he needed to make adjustments.
One of Bacon’s adjustments was to make sure his best players were on the field, and that meant playing some both ways. Isaiah Miller and Anthony Wilson, defensive starters, played their share of offense in the 49-35 win over Brookland-Cayce.
Miller rushed for 98 yards and scored three first-half touchdowns, while Wilson ran for 39 yards and a TD.
“Last week, I didn’t play a lot of our better guys both ways because I thought we were thin in some areas,” Bacon said. “I unleashed some of those guys like Isaiah and Anthony. And man what a game.”
Watch: Spring Valley’s Isaiah Miller runs for 3 TDs in win over Brookland-CayceSpring Valley running back Isaiah Miller scored three first-half touchdowns in 49-35 win over Brookland-Cayce.
Flora snaps skid
It was a long time coming for Collin Drafts and the A.C. Flora football program.
The Falcons snapped their 13-game losing streak and won their first game since 2016 with the 45-12 win over Columbia.
It probably won’t be Flora’s only win as the Falcons could get on a roll and be contenders in a wide-open Region 4-4A race.
Matt Jamison tweet
Fairfield Central’s streak in jeopardy
Since 2008, Fairfield Central has won at least seven games and has five 10-plus win seasons during that time.
The Griffins’ streak might be in jeopardy as they are 0-3 for the first time since 2002. Fairfield Central has played a tough nonregion schedule and still has games against Westwood and Newberry left.
But coach Demetrius Davis hopes the tough nonregion schedule helpswhen his young team begins region play later this month. Fairfield returned just four starters and has a freshman at quarterback.
Top Performers
Jaylon Boyd, RB, Blythewood – Senior rushed for 218 yards and four TDs in win over Fairfield Central.
Ahmon Green, QB, Westwood – Was 21-of-37 for 237 yards and four TDs in win over Lower Richland
Jackson Muschamp, QB, Hammond – Junior was 12-of-17 passing for 247 yards, three TDs and also rushed for 42 yards and TD.
Kyser Samuel, WR, Gray Collegiate – Caught 13 passes for 247 yards and two TDs in loss to Dreher.
Da Washington, RB, Dreher – Carried it 31 times for 208 yards and TD in win over Gray Collegiate.
Ahmorae Wilmore, RB, Newberry – Rushed for 215 yards and two TDs, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter against Batesburg-Leesville.
How Midlands Top 10 Fared
1. Dutch Fork (2-0) – Defeated Irmo, 58-0
2. (tie) Hammond (3-0) – Defeated Ben Lippen, 42-7
2. (tie) Gilbert (2-1) – Lost to Lexington, 21-14
4. Westwood (3-0) – Defeated Lower Richland, 40-12
5. Brookland-Cayce (2-1) – Lost to Spring Valley, 49-35
6. Lexington (3-0) – Defeated Gilbert, 21-14
7. River Bluff (3-0) – Defeated Pelion 65-6
8. Spring Valley (1-1) – Defeated Brookland-Cayce, 49-35
9. Chapin (2-0) – Defeated Lugoff-Elgin, 27-4
10. White Knoll (2-1) – Defeated Keenan, 49-20
This Week’s Schedule
Thursday
Ridge View at Northwestern
Dreher vs. Eau Claire at District Stadium at Keenan
Friday
Aiken at White Knoll
Airport at Gilbert
Batesburg-Leesville at Mid-Carolina
Ben Lippen at First Baptist CA Johnson at Keenan
Cardinal Newman at Augusta Christian
Dorchester Academy at Northside Christian Dutch Fork at Boiling Springs Eau Claire at Dreher
Fairfield Central at Calhoun County
Irmo at Brookland-Cayce
Laurence Manning at Heathwood Hall
Lower Richland vs. Wilson at Benedict College Lugoff-Elgin at River Bluff
Newberry at Chapin
North Augusta at Blythewood
North Central at Lamar
Oceanside vs. Gray Collegiate at S.C. State
Palmetto at WW King
Pinewood Prep at Hammond
Richard Winn at Beaufort Academy
Richland Northeast at Spring Valley
Saluda at Pelion
South Aiken at Lexington
Swansea at Wade Hampton (H)
September 1, 2018 | State, The: Web Edition Articles (Columbia, SC)
Author/Byline: Lou Bezjak, The State | Section: prep_football