This week’s top games, picks as Week 3 begins for Midlands football teams
Week 3 kicks off in the Midlands on Friday and includes a Monday night contest between Chapin and Newberry.
Here is a look at top matchups and picks for this week’s games.
Top Midlands Matchups
A look at some of the games to keep an eye on for Week 3
Brookland-Cayce at Chapman: Chapman is ranked third and BC ranked fifth in the latest Class 3A polls released this week. B-C defeated Blythewood, 14-3, in its opener last week. Jordan Wise had 10 catches for 122 yards last week for B-C. Chapman quarterback Drew Settle has thrown for 734 yards in the Panthers first two games. DJ Black leads the team with 15 catches and 298 yards.
▪ Bezjak’s Prediction: Chapman
Keenan at CA Johnson: Keenan won its season opener last week against Dreher, 32-21. Senior running back Marquece Williams rushed for 232 yards and a TD for the Raiders. CAJ has won two straight after a season-opening loss to Wade Hampton. CAJ’s Dawan Rice has six rushing touchdowns over the last two games.
▪ Bezjak’s Prediction: Keenan
Lower Richland at AC Flora: Lower Richland is off to a 3-0 start and is ranked No. 9 in Class 3A. The Diamond Hornets have a strong running game led by Lamarion Pearson (384 yards, 3 TDs) and Jeremy Barney (254 yards, 7 TDs). Quarterback Robert Adams has thrown for 445 yards and four touchdowns. AC Flora is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and didn’t play last week. The Falcons opened the season with a win over 5A Sumter on Aug. 26. AC Flora forced five turnovers and held Sumter to 125 yards in the 13-0 win.
▪ Bezjak’s Prediction: AC Flora
Ridge View at Gray Collegiate: Marquee matchup in the Midlands this week between two undefeated teams ranked in their classifications. Ridge View is No. 5 in Class 5A and Gray is No. 2 in Class 2A. Gray Collegiate running back and Georgia State commit KZ Adams has rushed for 554 yards and seven touchdowns, and Zach Glenn leads the War Eagles with 54 tackles. Ridge View quarterback and SC State commit Andre Washington has completed 75.5% of his passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns. Zion Agnew leads the team with 11 catches for 199 yards and two TDs. Game will be played at Midlands Sports Complex.
▪ Bezjak’s Prediction: Ridge View
Chapin at Newberry: Game moved to Monday, will be WACH Fox Sonic Rivals game of the week and be shown on WACH Fox 57.2 and www.wach.com. Chapin is ranked No. 8 in Class 5A and Newberry tied for No. 9 in Class 2A. Chapin running back and NC State commit Bennett Galloway leads the team with 232 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Appalachian State commit Zavier Short leads Chapin with nine catches for 170 yards and six total touchdowns. KJ Robinson leads Newberry with 230 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
▪ Bezjak’s Prediction: Chapin
This week’s schedule, picks
All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
Friday
Airport at Lexington
Bezjak’s Prediction: Lexington
Blythewood at Richland Northeast
Bezjak’s Prediction: Blythewood
Camden at Lakewood
Bezjak’s Prediction: Camden
Cardinal Newman at Heathwood Hall
Bezjak’s Prediction: Heathwood Hall
Crestwood at Irmo
Bezjak’s Prediction: Irmo
Eau Claire at Denmark-Olar
Bezjak’s Prediction: Eau Claire
First Baptist at Ben Lippen
Bezjak’s Prediction: First Baptist
Gilbert at Hartsville
Bezjak’s Prediction: Hartsville
Hammond at Charlotte Country Day (NC)
Bezjak’s Prediction; Hammond
Newberry Academy at Palmetto Christian
Bezjak’s Prediction: Palmetto Christian
Westwood at Fairfield Central
Bezjak’s Prediction: Fairfield Central
WW King at Richard Winn
Bezjak’s Prediction: Richard Winn
Sept. 13
Chapin at Newberry, 7 p.m.
Bezjak’s Prediction: Chapin
Games canceled: Camden at St. John’s (DC); Gilbert at Wagener-Salley; Gilbert at Dillon; Mid-Carolina at Batesburg-Leesville; Dreher at Aiken; Blythewood at North Central; Pelion at Whitmire; Lugoff-Elgin at South Florence; Spring Valley at Richland Northeast; Clinton at Swansea; Dreher at Mid-Carolina; River Bluff at Berkeley
Last Week: 13-11
Season totals: 45-19
This story was originally published September 9, 2021 at 12:07 PM.
