Predicting best teams and players in Class 4A Region 4
IN THE COMING weeks, we’ll take a look at the Midlands football conferences, starting with Class 4A Region 4.
PRESEASON TEAM PREDICTIONS
1. Dutch Fork: The Foxes lost a lot of talent but have several impact players and competition at quarterback, including a transfer from out of state. That could make a difference.
2. Westwood: Team has holes to fill on defense but have solid skills on the offensive side and are big up front.
3. Blythewood: The Bengals have a talent-rich roster and experience at quarterback.
4. Ridge View Blazers: They will be overlooked early but are loaded with talent, especially at quarterback.
5. Spring Valley: The Vikings have rebuilding to do, but the secondary is as good as any in the Midlands.
6. Lugoff-Elgin: Will be much improved, and you will be able to see quickly that this is a different product on the field.
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Stephen Davis, LB/S, Dutch Fork: One of the best in the Class of 2016, Davis needs to be an impact player on both sides for the Foxes to be successful.
2. Ryan Lee, QB, Spring Valley: He makes the Vikings’ bus roll. Will be the impact player on offense.
3. Andrew Plante, RB, Westwood: He will be heavily relied on this year as the Red Hawks try to rebuild on both sides.
4. David Israel, QB, Blythewood: Offensive success will hinge on his play.
5. Dinichie Ashe, DB, Ridge View: Junior defensive back is one of the best cover guys in the Midlands.
6. Alec DeBoer, WR, Dutch Fork: DeBoer is an impact player for the Foxes on offense and on special teams.
7. Gunnar Catoe, WR, Lugoff-Elgin: Overlooked because of his size, might be one of the best athletes in the Midlands.
8. Trae Churn, WR, Blythewood: Has a chance to have a huge impact in this region.
9. Shaun Moore, S, Spring Valley: Might be the biggest sleeper in the region; big, strong, fast, and physical and can play both sides of the ball for the Vikings.
10. Jayden Brunson, WR, Blythewood: Impressed the coaches so much at the SCV All-State Combine playing CB, he is a natural athlete who could be a big impact player for the Bengals as a sophomore.