Prep Capsules: Bulldogs, Rebels clash for region championship

Oct. 20—Strom Thurmond (6-2, 3-0 Region 3-AA) at Silver Bluff (4-4, 3-0 Region 3-AA)

Last time they played

Strom Thurmond defeated Silver Bluff 35-20 on Sept. 4, 2015.

Keys to the game

The Region 3-AA championship is at stake for two teams on hot streaks — seventh-ranked Strom Thurmond has won six consecutive games, while Silver Bluff has won four of its last five. Both defenses have been outstanding, so it could be difficult for two well-balanced offenses to get into a rhythm. Strom Thurmond has moved the ball through the air well since Quan Edmond's return, and the Rebels can grind out drives if they have to with their hard-nosed rushing attack. Silver Bluff has continued to develop its versatility, with Maleik Williams expertly playing the role of distributor, and the Bulldogs have done a good job of getting their playmakers involved with a chance to be dynamic in space. Both teams have been building confidence over the last several weeks, including matching perfect starts to region play. To wear the league crown, one will have to play a complete, mistake-free game.

Midland Valley (5-3, 2-0 Region 4-AAAA) at South Aiken (2-6, 1-1 Region 4-AAAA)

Last time they played

South Aiken defeated Midland Valley 30-8 on Oct. 29, 2021.

Keys to the game

Both teams enter this game coming off of blowout victories (Midland Valley 70-33 over Aiken and South Aiken 62-21 over Airport), so there's plenty of confidence — and plenty on the line. A Midland Valley win would, should North Augusta take care of business against Airport, set up a Region 4-AAAA championship game next week between the Mustangs and Yellow Jackets. South Aiken can end those dreams, however, and stake its claim to second place in the league with a win. Both teams will be looking to continue running the ball with great success. Midland Valley rushed for over 400 yards and eight touchdowns against Aiken, and rnning back Traevon Dunbar's return has made TJ McElmurray and Joenathan Peeples even more dangerous. South Aiken still boasts two of the state's most prolific runners this season in Terrence Smith and Jevon Edwards, and Smith last week played perhaps his best game yet at quarterback.

Blackville-Hilda (1-7, 1-4 Region 4-A) at Williston-Elko (1-7, 0-4 Region 4-A)

Last time they played

Blackville-Hilda defeated Williston-Elko 14-0 on Sept. 17, 2021.

Keys to the game

Longtime county rivals meet in a matchup of teams that have had to weather plenty of adversity this season. Blackville-Hilda continues to fight through injuries that have hurt a roster already weakened before the season began, and Williston-Elko has taken its lumps while undergoing a rebuild. Still, the Blue Devils are coming into this week with confidence after knocking off Whitmire a week ago in non-region play. In that game, the Blue Devils broke off big runs at key times and put points on the board at the beginning and end of the game to seal the win. Blackville-Hilda was without several of its top playmakers last week against Calhoun County and was still within one score before a late Saints touchdown. Neither team has quit this season despite the bumps and bruises, so this one's just going to come down to whichever one executes its game plan better.

Lexington (7-1, 3-0 Region 4-AAAAA) at Aiken (1-7, 1-2 Region 4-AAAA)

Last time they played

Lexington defeated Aiken 50-40 on Oct. 25, 2013.

Keys to the game

Aiken's mental mistakes continued in last week's blowout loss to Midland Valley, and the Hornets made things even worse on themselves by not being able to stop the Mustangs' rushing attack. Aiken will face an even bigger challenge this week in non-region play against Lexington, Class AAAAA's third-ranked team. The Wildcats have an explosive offense with star running back Jonah Norris that averages more than 37 points per game. Aiken will counter with its passing attack and big-play receivers Braylon Staley and Demarius Tolen.

Airport (2-7, 0-3 Region 4-AAAA) at North Augusta (3-5, 2-0 Region 4-AAAA)

Last time they played

North Augusta defeated Airport 50-10 on Oct. 8, 2021.

Keys to the game

North Augusta had a bye week last week to heal some bruises and get prepped for Airport, which is already out of the playoff hunt. With a win the Yellow Jackets can, depending on what Midland Valley does against South Aiken, either win Region 4-AAAA or set up a winner-take-all finale against the Mustangs. North Augusta's defense has been a turnover machine in recent weeks, and the Jackets should have more opportunities this week against an Airport offense that has struggled to score despite the playmaking abilities of wide receiver Apollos Cook, a Duke commit. North Augusta's powerful offense should have success against an Airport defense that allowed 438 yards last week, with a majority of that coming in the first half.

Fox Creek (2-6, 1-2 Region 3-AA) at Saluda (6-2, 1-2 Region 3-AA)

Last time they played

Saluda defeated Fox Creek 50-7 on Oct. 18, 2019.

Keys to the game

Fox Creek will have to be ready to bounce back after a tough loss to Batesburg-Leesville a week ago. Lining up across the field will be a Saluda team stinging from back-to-back losses to Strom Thurmond and Silver Bluff that caused the Tigers to stumble from the No. 1 ranking in Class AA. The Predators will have to be prepared to stop a Saluda offense that can move the ball well with the run or pass, depending on however the defense lines up, and Saluda will likely be looking to get anything going offensively after two straight tough weeks.

Woodland (8-0, 2-0 Region 6-AA) at Barnwell (8-0, 2-0 Region 6-AA)

Last time they played

Barnwell defeated Woodland 22-13 on Nov. 12, 2021, in the second round of the Class AA playoffs.

Keys to the game

One of the biggest matchups in the state this week pits second-ranked Barnwell against fourth-ranked Woodland in a matchup of Region 6-AA's two 2-0 teams. Barnwell rolled again in last week's win over winless Ridgeland-Hardeeville, rushing for 10.1 yards per carry with six touchdowns while Cameron Austin was a near-perfect 8-for-9 passing for 122 yards and two scores. This will be a much bigger test against a Woodland team that came from behind to beat Wade Hampton a week ago. Suderian Harrison is one of the state's top dual-threat quarterbacks, while 6-foot-7, 330-pound Kam Pringle is ranked as one of the nation's elite offensive tackles. Woodland's offense did most of its work on the ground last week, so the Warhorses will have to be sound tacklers to avoid big gainers.

Ridge Spring-Monetta (2-6, 2-2 Region 4-A) at Calhoun County (7-1, 4-0 Region 4-A)

Last time they played

Calhoun County defeated Ridge Spring-Monetta 30-28 on Oct. 8, 2021.

Keys to the game

Ridge Spring-Monetta will need to cash in on the opportunities the Trojans get this week after coming up empty-handed too many times in last week's loss to county rival Wagener-Salley. RS-M moved the ball well at times in that game, especially with quarterback James Bosket's running, but turnovers cut too many drives short as the Trojans only ended up with a first-quarter field goal. They've got to start getting the little things right, especially against a Calhoun County team that's undefeated in region play. The Saints were in a battle last week with Blackville-Hilda, but Justen Brunson had another big game and finished it off with a score. RS-M can't let itself be beat by long scoring plays.

Denmark-Olar (5-2, 3-1 Region 4-A) at Wagener-Salley (5-3, 4-0 Region 4-A)

Last time they played

Denmark-Olar defeated Wagener-Salley 50-42 on Oct. 8, 2021.

Keys to the game

Wagener-Salley's defense played a great game and forced several turnovers in last week's win over Ridge Spring-Monetta, and an even better performance will be necessary against a Denmark-Olar offense that averages 37 points per game with senior playmakers Keithan Washington and Chris Sanders operating behind an improved offensive line. The War Eagles responded well to the challenge in the trenches last week and will need to do so again, and they will again be counting on players to step up on a shorthanded roster. Cameron Davis and the War Eagles' offense are capable of scoring a lot of points in a hurry, and the defense has allowed a total of 16 points over the last three wins.