Wrapping up spring practice in the Midlands

Here’s my spring wrap for the Midlands:

MOST IMPRESSIVE TEAMS

Class 5A

BLYTHEWOOD: The Bengals were impressive with determined focus and great participations.

Strength: Defense, led by linebackers Micah Byrd-Brown and Cassious Garner, along with a strong secondary. Offensively, skills are strong led by running back Kyle Wright and quarterback Jordan Adams.

Weakness: Youth and Inexperience on the offensive line.

Prediction: Second or third in Region 5

LEXINGTON: The Wildcdats looked better in their second week of workouts, and finished with a strong final day of practice.

Strength: Offensive and defensive fronts best in the Midlands. Speed at skills positions.

Weakness: Linebacker group is inexperienced, and lack of depth throughout skills spots.

Prediction: First or second in Region 5

Class 4A

RIDGE VIEW: The Blazers are fired up and probably were the most enthusiastic group of all the teams in the Midlands.

Strength: Defensively, up front and in the secondary, this team is strong. Offensive skills are impressive.

Weakness: Question marks in the trenches.

Prediction: Third or fourth in Region 4

AIRPORT: Eagles looked strong across the board and will, again, be the fastest team on turf in most of their matchups.

Strength: Team speed, quarterback play, solid offensive line and excellent non-QB offensive skills positions.

Weakness: Linebacker corps and lack of depth overall.

Prediction: Second in Region 4

Class 3A

BROOKLAND-CAYCE: Strong workouts by the Bearcats and hard work toward getting in shape for summer workouts.

Strength: Offensive skills positions, particularly at running back and wide receivers. Defensive front.

Weakness: Offensive line needs some work after losing key players to graduation.

Prediction: Second in Region 5

SWANSEA: Under new coaching staff led by Greg Wright, this team lives and operates on tradition and talent. They have serious attrition to overcome.

Strength: Offensive line with three veteran starters back in Jarrett Sandy, Tyler May, and Marquise Sease. Linebacker group will be strong.

Weakness: Inexperience at quarterback and replacing a game-changing impact player.

Prediction: Third or fourth in Region 5

Class 2A

GRAY COLLEGIATE ACADEMY: Moving up to 2A in their first year as a non-at-large team, the War Eagles looked impressive.

Strength: Experience at quarterback with Bryce Fields and the playmaking ability of wide receiver Chylon Thomas.

Weakness: Overall depth will become an issue in some nonregion games against bigger foes.

Prediction: Second or third in Region 3

MIDLANDS SPRING TOP 10

1. Lexington

2. Blythewood

3. Dutch Fork

4. Ridge View

5. Airport

6. White Knoll

7. Richland Northeast

8. Irmo

9. A.C. Flora

10. Brookland-Cayce

This story was originally published May 29, 2016 at 10:05 PM with the headline "Wrapping up spring practice in the Midlands."