What has seen due to covid-19 once again like a marathon regular season has only gone 3 weeks so far.

In such a brief time, however, some Chronicle Country players have built credentials which could lead to post-season award accolades. Perhaps for these standout players maybe even consideration for “Mr. South Carolina Football”:

RB KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - Few will argue with War Eagles’ head coach Adam Holmes’ declaration of the Georgia State-bound senior as the best running back in the state. In 3 games, Adams has rushed for 570 yards and 7 touchdowns. This past week, he accounted for 3 scores and 250 rushing yards in the 42-0 shutout of Legion Collegiate.

Even more impressive is Adams’ performances the previous 2 games against ranked teams Camden and Oceanside Collegiate in higher classifications. Another effort against 4th ranked Class 5A Ridge View can only raise his award credentials.

QB Jayden Bradford, RB Bennett Galloway and WR Zavier Short (all of Chapin) - The number ‘3’ has been the magic number this season for the Eagles. As in their “Big 3” on offense who have all accounted for 3 touchdowns in 2 consecutive games.

A 4-star recruit ranked 94th nationally by 24/7 sports as a sophomore, Bradford already has an offer from the University of South Carolina, North Carolina, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt. In 2 games, he’s thrown for 289 yards and 6 touchdowns.

A 3-star commit ranked 95th nationally among running backs, Galloway is already committed to North Carolina State. The 2nd generation Eagle has rushed for 232 yards and, like Bradford, has 7 touchdowns both rushing and receiving.

Rounding out the “Big 3” is Appalachian State commit Short. A 2020 Lexington Chronicle High School Football Preview Edition cover sharer with Adams, he’s caught 9 passies for 170 yards and 4 touchdowns, rushed for 1 and had a 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Lugoff-Elgin.

WR Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) - As the leading receiver for the 5-time defending Class 5A champions, getting noticed is no problem for the senior Williams. Already offered from South Carolina, Ole Miss and Auburn, Williams is expected to have an increased work load with the transfer of Devin Hyatt. After a quiet Week 0, Williams had 4 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown against 6th ranked JF Byrnes.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - QB Peyton Whitten (Pelion)

The Panthers’ quarterback put on a show at Panther Stadium against Midland Valley. He rushed for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns and threw for 170 yards and 2 scores in the 42-26 win.

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Brookland-Cayce

Playing their 1st game of the season, the Bearcats went on the road and defeated Blythewood 14-3. It was the program’s 3rd win in school history over a Class 5A opponent.

WEEK 2 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Jordan Wise (Brookland-Cayce) - 10 receptions, 122 yards.

Jayden Bradford (Chapin) - 7-8 passing, 114 yards, 3 TDs

Zavier Short (Chapin) - 5 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TDs, 1 kickoff return TD

Bennett Galloway (Chapin) - 152 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Davin Patterson (Dutch Fork) - 267 passing yards, 4 TDs

Landon Danley (Dutch Fork) - 9 tackles

KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - 250 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Alias Woodberry (Gilbert) - 179 rushing yards, TD

Tyler White (Lexington) - 90 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Jacob Osmanski (Pelion) - 75 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 6 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TDs

Hunter Sheppard (River Bluff) - 249 passing yards, 3 TDs

Apollos Cook (River Bluff) - 13 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs

Gray Herring (River Bluff) - 107 rushing yards

Maleah Perry (White Knoll) - 4-4 PATs, 20-yard field goal

Jaquez Frederick (White Knoll) - 2 rushing TDs

Jamari Warthen (White Knoll) - 5 receptions, 107 yards, TD

Austin Cunningham (White Knoll) - 119 passing yards, TD

STREAKS ENDED

Both White Knoll and Lexington put an end to losing streaks dating back to the 2019 season. The Timberwolves’ 31-12 win over Orangeburg-Wilkinson was not only the 1st under new head coach Nick Pelham. It also ended an 8-game skid dating back to Oct. 25, 2019. Ironically, that was the same date as the Wildcats’ last win prior to this past Saturday’s 14-12 win over Gilbert.

STREAKS CONTINUE

Dutch Fork has experienced an emotional rollercoaster the past 2 months. Back in July, former wide receiver Gage Zirke was shot and killed in Ohio. Then, 2 weeks ago, offensive lineman Jack Alkhatib collapsed on the field during practice and later passed away at Prisma Health-Parkridge.

As the time prepared for its 1st contest this past Friday since Alkhatib’s passing, head coach Tom Knotts was treated for heart arrhythmia. It appeared he would miss the game, but indeed was on the sidelines for the 56-25 win over the Rebels.

“This is what I do.. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Knotts said afterwards. “I gave it my all. (Assistant coach Doug) Rivers did a remarkable job and called most of the plays in the first half. He did a great job preparing, and just real pleased with the way the coaches stepped up.”

The victory kept intact 3 streaks for Dutch Fork:

- 52 straight games without a loss

- 51 straight wins over South Carolina teams

- 29 straight road victories

SCHEDULE CHANGES

Another Chronicle Country team will be featured on WACH 57. Chapin’s road game at Newberry has moved to Monday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 pm. It is the Monday edition of Sonic Friday Night Rivals which will air on Channel 1250 on Spectrum.

Another scheduling change has Gilbert traveling to Kellytown to face Hartsville.

QUOTABLES

“I’ve always wanted to play football, but this was the only position my parents would let me play,” - White Knoll placekicker Maleah Perry. A member of the girls’ soccer team, Perry won the kicking job during training camp.

“In this days and age with everything going on with these teenagers, they need good stuff to happen. They need to see the light at the end of the tunnel of ‘Hey, I’m showing back up. Guys, we’ve got 10 guys out today or we’ve got 11 guys or I’ve got to play this position I’ve never played. They need to see good things happen from it and they got to see that today.” - Lexington head football coach Perry Woolbright, whose team had to cancel last week’s game with South Aiken due to covid-19 protocols.