Ground game critical to Bearcats’ success

A look at the keys to victory for the top games in the Midlands this week:

BROOKLAND-CAYCE AT MIDLAND VALLEY – The Bearcats proved to themselves Monday night what they need to do to win – do not turn the ball over and give it to No. 6 and No. 24 all night. Senior running backs A.J. Brown and Charles Balkcom will either carry the Bearcats to the playoffs with a ground game or watch as the Bearcats pass away their chances.

CAMDEN AT DREHER – Excellent matchup that will put one of these teams in the driver’s seat as they move toward a contest with Chapin down the road. The Bulldogs need to run the football effectively, and keep Blue Devil quarterback Avery Armstrong from hurting them with his legs.

DUTCH FORK AT BLYTHEWOOD – The Bengals need to improve the passing game from the previous two weeks to make their ground game more effective against a good Dutch Fork defense, which took a hit against Ridge View on Tuesday.

NORTH AUGUSTA AT WHITE KNOLL – The Timberwolves need to stop the ground game. North Augusta is down to zero quarterbacks and will have a fill-in from another position. Ground defense with pressure from the edge on the quarterback will make this a win for the Timberwolves.

RIVER BLUFF AT LEXINGTON – This is the time for the Wildcats’ defense to step it up. They will face the most dangerous athlete they’ve seen this season in River Bluff’s Brandon Tillmon, and preventing him from hurting them on zone-read keeps, along with no offensive turnovers, will give them the edge in their Homecoming contest.