5 things we learned, stars who shined, how Midlands Top 10 fared in Week 2
Here are five observations or things that stood out in the second week of high school football in the Midlands:
Dutch Fork makes statement
Dutch Fork showed why it’s the favorite to win another Class 5A championship with a 63-0 win over a good Spring Valley team.
The Silver Foxes were disappointed they couldn’t play Mallard Creek last week when the game was canceled by rain. It didn’t show, however.
Receiver Jalin Hyatt made his case for play-of-the year with a one-handed catch that was No. 7 on ESPN SportCenter’s Top 10 plays. The Silver Foxes put up 563 yards of offense and gave up just 120.
The Silver Foxes have scored more than 50 points in six of their last 15 games and get Irmo next week.
Eau Claire, River Bluff off to 2-0 starts
Eau Claire and River Bluff are two of the surprises in the Midlands through the first two weeks.
After winning just two games combined over the past two seasons, Eau Claire is off to a 2-0 start following its 14-0 win over Hunter-Kinard-Tyler. It’s the Shamrocks’ first 2-0 start since 2006 and first time they shut out an opponent since beating CA Johnson, 19-0 in 2010.
River Bluff already has equaled its win total from last season following its 31-0 win over Richland Northeast. It’s the Gators’ first 2-0 start and only teh second shutout since the school opened in 2014.
River Bluff’s other shutout came against Columbia in 2015.
Blythewood waits to hear word on Patten
Blythewood quarterback Quinton Patten left Friday’s game against Westwood in the first half with a leg injury and was on crutches on the sideline in the second half.
Blythewood coach Jason Seidel said Saturday they won’t find out the extent of his injury until Monday. Patten is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the Midlands and just picked up offers from Charlotte and Coastal Carolina this week. He missed several games last season with an injury.
King Ford would take over at QB if Patten misses any games. He came in for Patten on Friday and gained more confidence as the game continued.
Nail-biting finish for Heathwood Hall
Heathwood Hall snapped its 10-game losing streak and did it on the game’s final play.
The Highlanders stopped Wilson Hall on a fake extra point attempt in overtime for the 13-12 win. It was Heathwood’s first win since its opener last year against Oakbrook Prep and first for new coach Danny Lewis.
White Knoll’s Smith shines
It’s only two weeks but White Knoll quarterback Aveon Smith is living up to the praise coach Dean Howell had before the start of the season.
Through two games, the junior has amassed 697 yards of offense and accounted for nine touchdowns. He is on pace to rush for more than 1,000 yards and pass for more than 1,000 yards this season.
Top Performers
Azarius Adams, RB, Gray Collegate – Freshman rushed for 213 yards and three TDs in win over Swansea.
Rico Dorsey, WR, Ben Lippen – Caught six passes for 144 yards and TD and also had 64-yard punt return for touchdown.
Kendrell Flowers, RB, Irmo – Wake Forest commit had 220 all-purpose yards and four TDs against Keenan.
Nathaniel Henderson, QB and Desmond Martin, WR, C.A. Johnson – Henderson was 6-of-9 for 300 yards and five touchdowns. Martin had 230 of those yards on four catches, three going for TDs.
Akeem Nicholas, RB, Lexington – Rushed for 193 yards in win over Dreher. Second straight 100-yard game.
Matt Reed, WR, Gilbert – Caught 11 passes for 238 yards and three TDs in win over Batesburg-Leesville. As a team Gilbert had 656 yards of offense.
Aveon Smith, QB, White Knoll – 13-of-20 passing for 195 yards and two scores. Rushed for 154 yards and two TDs in win over Colleton. Second straight game off 100-plus rushing and passing yards
Andre Wilson, RB/WR Hammond – Caught nine passes for 160 yards and had 95-yard kickoff return for a TD.
How Midlands Top 10 Fared
1. Dutch Fork (1-0) – Defeated Spring Valley, 63-0
2. Hammond (2-0) – Defeated Trinity-Byrnes, 49-24
3. Gilbert (2-0) – Defeated Batesburg-Leesville, 54-6
4. Spring Valley (0-1) – Lost to Dutch Fork, 63-0
5. Westwood (2-0) – Defeated Blythewood, 18-7
6. Brookland-Cayce (2-0) – Defeated Airport, 32-14
7. Lexington (2-0) – Defeated Dreher, 16-7
8. Blythewood (1-1) – Lost to Westwood, 18-7
9. Newberry (0-1) – Lost to Abbeville, 49-0
10. River Bluff (2-0) – Defeated Richland Northeast, 31-0
This Week’s Schedule
All games at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Columbia vs AC Flora at Benedict College
Fox Creek vs. CA Johnson at Keenan Stadium
Friday
Airport at Swansea
Batesburg-Leesville at Newberry
Blythewood at Fairfield Central
Brookland-Cayce at Spring Valley
Chapin at Lugoff-Elgin
Dreher vs. Gray Collegiate at Benedict College
Faith-Ridge Christian at Richard Winn
Gilbert at Lexington
Hammond at Ben Lippen
Hartsville at Camden
Heathwood Hall at Cardinal Newman
Irmo at Dutch Fork
Keenan at White Knoll
Lower Richland at Westwood
McBee at North Central
Mid-Carolina at Saluda
Northside Christian at Greenwood Christian
Pelion at River Bluff
Richland Northeast at Crestwood
St. John’s at WW King
Wagener-Salley at Eau Claire at Keenan Stadium
This story was originally published August 25, 2018 at 11:35 AM.