Armstrong, Blue Devils are ones to watch

Here is a look at several Midlands teams that will impact their respective regions:

Dreher

The Blue Devils are going to have a very competitive region, with Chapin, A.C. Flora, and Lower Richland showing improvement. But the Devils will build on their playoff appearance from last season with solid skills players and pray for solid play in the trenches.

Impact player: Avery Armstrong, QB

Prediction: Playoff appearance, top three in region

Brookland-Cayce

The Bearcats won six games last season and will hope to spring off that for 2015. They have the top set of running backs in the Midlands and will be stout defensively. The key for this team is going to be the quarterback position, where they will either succeed or suffer.

Impact player: Charles Balkom, RB

Prediction: Playoff appearance, top three in region

Batesburg-Leesville

The Panthers will have a slight rebuilding effort in progress, but this team will continue to be explosive on offense as long as their key players are in action. Defensively, they will be strong in the trenches and could make a run at the 2A crown again.

Impact player: Terrance Wilson, RB

Prediction: Region winner or runner-up

Spring Valley

The Vikings are under new leadership with Robin Bacon, and they return impressive talent to this roster. The question is, as with so many others, can they get it done in the trenches. They have the backs in this flexbone to be dangerous.

Impact player: Ryan Lee, QB

Prediction: Third- or fourth-place finish in region

Irmo

The Yellow Jackets won two games in 2014. But there were at least five games lost by fewer than 7 points. This is coach Reggie Kennedy’s second season, and this team looked improved on defense in the spring. Look for them to be a noise-maker in Region V-4A.

Impact player: This is a young team awaiting a leader

Prediction: Top three in Region V-4A

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 10:38 PM.