In this week’s SK Media Game of the Week presented by Mitchell Enterprises, two teams who share the same mascot are set to tangle in a fierce region contest that will have great impact on playoff seeding. Ware Shoals and Dixie have played each other a total of 70 times, with Ware Shoals holding the edge over Dixie 46-24. However, for the past five seasons, the Battle of the Hornets has belonged to Dixie, who last lost to Ware Shoals in 2019 by a score of 41-13.
Despite their 2-3 record, it is obvious that Ware Shoals head coach Chris Dodson has flipped a switch in his team’s mindset. Ware Shoals led for the majority of the games against Blacksburg and Ninety Six before ultimately being defeated, even with key players out in both games. Since the Landrum game, Ware Shoals has won two in a row in convincing fashion against Towns County (Ga.) and McCormick.
Dixie, who sits at 5-1, was having an historic season until their most recent game against Whitmire. Dixie, a heavy favorite coming into the game, fell 38-18 and trailed 30-0 at halftime. Dixie will be looking to take out their frustration on anything in front of them and they will need to play much better than last week if they hope to stay in the thick of the race for the region title.
Both teams have superstars on offense who can break a big play at any time. Ware Shoals wideout Jayce Medlin currently has 574 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns through five games, leading the Lakelands area in both categories for receivers. On the Dixie side, running back Brandon Nance has rushed for over 100 yards in every game but one, cementing himself as one of the top running backs in the area. Nance and Medlin both play cornerback on defense as well.
Both teams also have dynamic quarterbacks at the controls of their respective offenses. For Ware Shoals, Jayden Johnson is getting it done with his arms and his legs. He has thrown for 780 yards and rushed for 442 yards and five touchdowns, leading the team in both categories. Medlin is his favorite target, but he has additional weapons in Brayden Madden and Tyrell Cunningham. For Dixie, Dallas Dotson has come in and provided stability under center that allows the offense to get the ball in Nance’s hands as often as possible. Dotson is a threat through the air or on the ground, but will also see a lot of reps on the defensive side of the ball. With defenses focusing so much attention on Nance, Staylon Johnson and Leland Sanders have been able to find a lot of space on the outside and is a deep threat in the passing game.
As if things could not get any more similar, both teams have a steady dose of backs that are going to take the load off of their stars. Jayden Martin and Kenny Mullins have both succeeded in providing another threat in the backfield to take the attention away from Dotson and Nance. Jace Stewart and Altavis Evans, who is currently playing in his first season of varsity football, are both starting to heat up heading into region play. Despite missing games, both Evans and Stewart have eclipsed the 300-yard-mark on the ground through five games.
Judging from Ware Shoals’ rushing attack, it is safe to assume that Dixie linebacker Tae Donald is going to have his hands full Friday night. Donald is the clear leader of a defense that has struggled at times this year, but expect a lot of things to be cleaned up this week compared to last. Dotson, Nance and safety Will Carter will have to contain Medlin and crew through the air as well.
Stewart is also a force to be reckoned with on defense. In their most recent game against McCormick, he racked up 11 total tackles, five tackles-for-loss and two sacks. Pair him with Trent Dyal, who recently made the transition from linebacker to defensive line, and Ware Shoals has themselves a good duo bringing pressure every play. It is going to be on the Dixie offensive line, led by center Emmanuel Harris, to allow the primarily-run offense to flow smoothly.
Prediction: While Ware Shoals is currently on a hot streak and is having an improved season, Dixie is going to be very motivated following last week’s contest. Medlin and Nance both have a normal day in the office with 100 yards for each, but an interception late in the game seals the deal for Dixie.
Final Score: Dixie 26, Ware Shoals 20