Week 4 Prep Football Preview Capsules
Sep. 7—Aiken (0-3) at Clinton (3-0)
Last time they played
Clinton defeated Aiken 49-13 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
Continued improvement is going to be key for an Aiken team that's loaded with youth. The Hornets had some positives to build on despite an ugly final score last week against Class AA No. 9 Strom Thurmond, and plenty of things they can look to improve on before beginning Region 4-AAAA play. The passing game continues to show the ability to beat teams deep, as the Luke Jones-to-Jameat Williams combination was productive once again last week. However, the Rebels picked off Jones three times, and the Hornets will need to take better care of the football against Class AAA No. 3 Clinton. Williams was also the Hornets' leading rusher last week, but without a 45-yard gain the team was held to 62 yards on 19 other carries. The defense limited Strom Thurmond to 3.5 yards per carry, but the Hornets will have to be ready for a punishing Clinton run game — the Red Devils are averaging 291.3 yards per game on the ground so far this season.
Harlem (2-1) at Midland Valley (3-0)
Last time they played
Harlem defeated Midland Valley 28-7 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
This will be an important game mentally for Midland Valley, which has proven through three weeks that it can handle whatever physical challenge is thrown the Mustangs' way. This week they made their debut in the Class AAAA rankings at No. 10, and Friday night they have a chance to do something that has never been done in program history — start the season 4-0. The last two weeks they've performed in rivalry-type atmospheres against Strom Thurmond and Silver Bluff, and they've shown each week that they can close out games. The next challenge comes from Harlem dual-threat Ethan Evangelista, who is the Bulldogs' leading passer and rusher. Harlem will have to try to slow down the Mustangs' powerful rushing game, and quarterback Preston Butler continues to impress as he gains experience. That makes the offense even more dangerous, so Baylor Davis and the Bulldogs' defense will have to be at their best to get stops in the backfield.
North Augusta (2-1) at Greenwood (2-1)
Last time they played
Greenwood defeated North Augusta 21-14 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
North Augusta will face a familiar-looking opponent in Greenwood, the No. 7 team in Class AAAA. The Eagles are strong up front and run the ball well, and they have a stout defense that should come into this game with a lot of confidence after stifling Class AAAAA powerhouse Dorman in a 10-7 win last Friday. North Augusta's offense can't afford to get bogged down, and the Jackets will count on Corey Tillman, Michael Doe and Beans Hunt to continue to show improvement behind that veteran offensive line. The defense got the job done in last week's 27-17 win over Lakeside, and Bryce Tillman and Deondre Baskett continue to impress up front. Should it be a tight game late, look for reigning Aiken Standard Player of the Week Jack Stevens to give the Jackets confidence they'll get at least three points out of a drive.
South Aiken (0-3) at River Bluff (2-1)
Last time they played
River Bluff defeated South Aiken 35-28 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
South Aiken played with more fire and turned in an improved performance in last week's loss to Class AAA No. 6 Gilbert, which is a step in the right direction for the T-Breds. After getting bullied last year by the Indians' run game, this time the T-Breds' run defense did a better job. They'll need to show more improvement this week against a River Bluff team that's big up front and can move the ball well. Quarterback Terrence Smith had another big night both as a passer and as a runner, going for a total of 355 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Jevon Edwards missed another game due to injury and remains a game-time decision, but A'keem Walcott had a good night against Gilbert with 94 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. The T-Breds' offensive line will be challenged again, and they'll face a River Bluff defense feeling like it has something to prove after last week's blowout loss to Class AAAA No. 6 Irmo.
Orangeburg-Wilkinson (0-2) at Barnwell (1-2)
Last time they played
Barnwell defeated Orangeburg-Wilkinson 33-20 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
Barnwell is looking for a bounce-back performance after a pair of close losses to Blackville-Hilda and Bamberg-Ehrhardt. The Warhorses' offense was held without a score until Cameron Austin ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to Bamberg-Ehrhardt. Austin went 14-for-24 passing for 160 yards and an interception, and he was also the Warhorses' leading rusher with 69 yards and the touchdown on 14 carries. Other than him, though, the Warhorses rushed for 13 yards on seven carries. Barnwell will look for more balanced contributions this week against an Orangeburg-Wilkinson team that has allowed 110 points in losses to Class AAAAA White Knoll and Class AAAA No. 1 South Florence. The Bruins also haven't scored yet this season, and up next is a stout Barnwell defense led by Lex Thomas and Jeremiah Eady.
Blackville-Hilda (3-0) at Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2-1)
Last time they played
Bamberg-Ehrhardt defeated Blackville-Hilda 28-20 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
On the surface this looks like a matchup of power (Bamberg-Ehrhardt) versus speed (Blackville-Hilda), but the Fighting Hawks have proved so far this season that they've got a lot more strength than their size suggests. Blackville-Hilda checks in to the Class A poll this week at No. 10, and former No. 1 Bamberg-Ehrhardt is No. 6. The Red Raiders did a good job of slowing down Barnwell in last week's 17-7 win, but they'll have to be at their best when it comes to tackling because the Hawks have so many home-run threats on offense. No one yet has been able to stop Blackville-Hilda running back Jaquel Holman, who will have the full attention of a traditionally-tough Bamberg-Ehrhardt defense. Too many eyes on Holman, though, leaves Tamari Daniels and Jamarien Priester free to burn the defense. Blackville-Hilda pitched a shutout last week against Allendale-Fairfax, and the hard-hitting Hawks will face a big test against Bamberg-Ehrhardt's stable of backs and bruising offensive line.
Swansea (0-2) at Wagener-Salley (2-0)
Last time they played
Swansea defeated Wagener-Salley 34-30 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
The key for Wagener-Salley this week is to just keep doing the things that have the War Eagles at 2-0 to start the season and not try to overdo it and get away from their strengths just because there's a Class AAA team with a much larger roster on the opposite sideline. The Tigers have been beat up in their first two games by Class AAAA Airport and Class AAAAA River Bluff, and now they'll face a young Class A War Eagles team that showed improvement in last week's 26-20 win over Class AA Lake Marion. The War Eagles played better on the offensive line, and their young skill position players did a better job as blockers. The defensive front played well, highlighted by double-digit tackle nights by Aiden Stroman and Dakota Vargas. Stroman also rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another score, and he continues to turn in strong performances despite a recent ankle injury.
Branchville (2-0) at Williston-Elko (0-2)
Last time they played
Branchville defeated Williston-Elko 56-36 on Sept. 9, 2022.
Keys to the game
Williston-Elko is coming off a bye after its 0-2 start, and the Blue Devils have had the opportunity to work on cutting down on their mistakes leading up to this game against Branchville. The Blue Devils showed some positives in their Aug. 25 loss to Class AA Edisto, and they competed hard despite facing a fourth-quarter deficit. Joc'Quise Washington had a big night running the football, Tylan Parker had some success through the air, and Willie Brown had a strong performance both as a receiver and as a defensive back. The Blue Devils will have to clean up the run defense a bit after allowing 241 yards on 24 carries by Edisto. Up next is a Branchville team that has averaged 40.5 points per game in wins over SCISA schools Dorchester Academy and Colleton Prep Academy.
