THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Because of Hurricane Florence, high school football season week 10 is not the end of the regular season.

It will provide a resolution for Chronicle Country teams vying for region titles and higher playoff positions.

Over at “Fort Knox”, archrivals Brookland-Cayce and Airport will battle for the second time this season. This time, a share or the outright Region 5-4A title is at stake. Should North Augusta lose to Midland Valley, the winner of Bearcats vs. Eagles would be the region champion. B-C will earn the top seed in the region with a win.

Airport can finish first with a win and North Augusta loss - or second with a win and North Augusta win.

A loss could drop the Eagles to third place.

The last time Airport and B-C faced off, the Bearcats won 36-14. Fumbles doomed Airport’s chances of an upset. Lexington High has homefield advantage in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs against River Bluff.

The winner finishes 2nd behind Dutch Fork in Region 5-5A.

At W.C. Hawkins Stadium, Irmo has an opportunity to win the Region 4-4A title with a win over undefeated Sumter. If the Yellow Jackets defeat their head coach Reggie Kennedy’s former team and Blythewood loses to Spring Valley, they can claim the region title.

Fans can watch the contest on Columbia state WACH 57 (1250 on Spectrum).

TMQB TEAM OF THE WEEK -

Gray Collegiate

Over the past year, the football team has seen its boys’ basketball team win a state title and volleyball, softball, and cross-country earn state titles. It was their turn this past Thursday in clinching the Region 3-2A title with the 35-6 win over Eau Claire.

TMQB PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Julian Jackson Jr. (Gray Collegiate)

Three touches, 3 touchdowns for the War Eagle senior in his team’s fourth straight victory.

WEEK 9 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Nanders Lawrence (Airport) - 178 rushing yards, TD Brandon Caughman (Airport) - 192 passing yards, 2 TDs James Wells (Chapin) - 10 tackles Josh Strickland (Gilbert) - 134 passing yards, 2 TDs Matt Reed (Gilbert) - 5 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TDs Cody Temples (Gilbert) - 112 rushing yards, TD Cal Herndon (Lexington) - 185 total yards Akeem Nicholas (Lexington) - 117 yards, TD Logan Cripe (Lexington) - 11 tackles Braden Walker (River Bluff) - 190 rushing yards, TD Antonio Walker (River Bluff) - 124 rushing yards, TD Aveon Walker (White Knoll) - 95 rushing yards, TD; 108 passing yards, TD Lorick Michael (White Knoll) - 13 tackles Jajuan Johnson (White Knoll) - 11 tackles

SHRINE BOWL BOUND

Defensive end Kameron Stewart and safety Hugh Ryan of 2-time defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork and linebacker and Clemson University commit Greg Williams of Swansea were named to the 2018 South Carolina Shrine Bowl team.

This year’s game is set for Dec. 15 at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg.

BY THE NUMBERS

Dutch Fork has won 19 consecutive games, both region and overall, and 16 straight road games. The Silver Foxes have outscored their opponents 427-63. They are 14-2 all-time against White Knoll and have won the last eight meetings. Dutch Fork wide receiver Gage Zirke has 1,020 receiving yards and 11 TDs...White Knoll quarterback Aveon Smith has rushed for 1,026 yards and 14 TDs and thrown for 1,277 yards and 14 TDs...Gray Collegiate Academy quarterback Hunter Helms has thrown for 2,251 yards and 16 touchdowns... Gilbert holds a 31-9 lead in the series and has won the last 8 meetings.