Spring Valley sophomore voted Midlands high school football Player of Week
The first week of the high school football regular season is in the books.
The votes are in, and Spring Valley’s Kavion Dawson won the vote for The State’s Midlands High School Football Player of the Week.
Thanks for all who voted. There will be a new poll on Monday. Coaches can send nominees to Lou Bezjak at lbezjak@thestate.com
Player of the Week Nominees
Bubba Alexander, RB/LB, Hammond: Junior carried it seven times for 84 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he had four tackles and a QB pressure in the win over Christ Church.
Dee Arrington, WR, Irmo: Sophomore caught three passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Oceanside Collegiate.
Heyward Belser, LB, Heathwood Hall: Sophomore had 19 tackles (3 for loss) in 14-0 win over Hannah-Pamplico.
Zaimain Bennett, OL/DL North Central: Senior played every snap on offense and defense in the win over Great Falls. He finished with 11 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Kenton Caldwell, QB, Newberry: In just one half, the senior was 8-of-10 passing for 202 yards, four touchdowns and 78 yards rushing, three touchdowns in a win over Union County.
Jai Chuniesingh, WR, Pelion: In just one half, senior had six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns in win over Williston-Elko.
Kavion Dawson, DB, Spring Valley: Sophomore had seven tackles (2 for loss), a sack and two interceptions in an overtime win over Richland Northeast.
Tyler Edwards, DE, Camden: Senior had six tackles (four for loss) and a forced fumble in the win over White Knoll.
Gavin Kovac, K/P, Lexington: Kovac averaged 45 yards on his five punts with two downed inside the 10-yard line. He also had three of his four kickoffs go for touchbacks in the win over Gilbert.
Hunter O’Neal, RB, Keenan: Junior had 27 carries for 183 yards and two touchdowns in win over Dreher.
Rondrecus Peterson. RB/LB, Columbia: Senior had six carries for 77 yards and a TD on offense. On the defensive side, he had 11 total tackles (one for loss) and two sacks in an overtime win over CA Johnson.
Shamil Saadiq, WR, Lugoff-Elgin: Senior had six catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Lower Richland.
James Veasey, QB, Blythewood: Junior was 19-of-28 for 193 yards passing, a TD and rushed 17 times for 115 yards and two TDs in a win over Nation Ford.
Nasir Walker, DE, AC Flora: Walker had three tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in a win over Westwood.
This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 1:53 PM.
