Who shined brightest in Midlands as high school football season kicked off?
If this week was any indication, the 2021 high school football season could be in for a crazy, unpredictable year.
There were cancellations throughout the state because of COVID-19 and some teams having multiple opponents not be able to play. Then there was Chapin at Airport, a game that was called about an hour from kickoff while teams were stretching on the field.
Weather also played a role Friday night in some parts of the state. Lower Richland had to endure a two-hour rain delay before resuming. The Diamond Hornets went on to win 40-7 over Aiken.
Clover headlines upsets
Gray Collegiate’s 26-6 win over Camden definitely was a surprise, but it wasn’t the only intriguing result in the state. Ridge Spring-Monetta snapped an 0-for-22 string against Batesburg-Leesville with a 19-14 win over the Panthers. But the biggest upset came when Clover defeated Dorman, ranked No. 4 in Class 5A, 20-7 in one of the biggest wins statewide in several years.
Dutch Fork’s running attack
It’s no secret coach Tom Knotts likes to throw the ball at Dutch Fork High School, but one of the strengths of this year’s team might be the running game. The Silver Foxes ran for 456 yards as a team against Wren in the 70-8 win victory Friday. The rushing yards were 32 off the school record set in 2012 against Lexington.
Walt Wilson era off to good start at RNE
Walt Wilson is no stranger to rebuilding projects in his stops as head coach over the years. So far, Wilson’s latest reclamation project at Richland Northeast is off to a good start. The Cavaliers went on the road to beat Darlington 29-7 for the school’s first victory in 2018. The opponents and schedule will get tougher as the season goes along, but participation is up in the program and who knows what one win might do to build the confidence for this season.
Midlands Week 0 Game Balls
A look at some of the area high school student-athletes who shined in Friday night’s games:
▪ Andre Washington, QB, Ridge View: Senior signal caller was 13-of-19 for 223 yards, four touchdowns and also ran for 73 yards and a TD in 40-20 win over Westwood in the first game at Ridge View’s new stadium.
▪ Andre and Apollos Cook, River Bluff: Father-son duo came through in River Bluff’s 28-7 win over Lugoff-Elgin. With head coach Blair Hardin having to miss the game, assistant Andre Cook led the Gators to the win. Apollos caught two TD passes and had a special teams score.
▪ DQ Smith, QB, Spring Valley: Smith was 18 of 27 through the air for 223 yards and also rushed for 80 yards in the 23-0 win over White Knoll.
▪ Gray Collegiate defense: War Eagles held Camden to 193 yards and no touchdowns in the 26-6 win. Camden averaged more than 40 points and 423 yards per game last season.
▪ Jarvis Green, RB, Dutch Fork: Junior rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns in 70-8 win over Wren.
▪ Jonah McCary, QB, Saluda: Quarterback threw for 198 yards and a TD, and ran for a score in the 52-20 win over Strom Thurmond.
▪ Justin Ansley, RB, Heathwood Hall: Senior rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns in win over Spartanburg Christian.
▪ KZ Adams, RB, Gray Collegiate: Georgia State commit rushed for 170 yards, three touchdowns and also did a solid job at defensive back in the win over Camden.
▪ Lamarion Pearson, RB, Lower Richland: Rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns in 40-7 win over Aiken.
▪ The Richland Northeast Cavailiers: When you haven’t won a game since 2018, the whole team gets a game ball.
Next week’s 5 games to watch
▪ Abbeville at Newberry: Heavyweight matchup for Class 2A powerhouses.
▪ Dutch Fork at Gaffney: Has potential to be game of the year for the state.
▪ Lugoff-Elgin at Camden: Wateree River Rivalry resumes after last year’s shortened season prevented the game from happening.
▪ Oceanside Collegiate at Gray Collegiate: Gray gets another strong test in matchup with sister school.
▪ Spring Valley at River Bluff: Matchup of two teams ranked in The State’s Top 10 power rankings.
This story was originally published August 21, 2021 at 10:19 AM.
