Getting close to playoff time for Chesterfield athletes

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Chesterfield – As the calendar flips to October, it can only mean one thing. The fall sports playoff season is ever so close.

Chesterfield High’s fall sports teams are in the midst of region play, looking to earn an automatic spot in the Class AA state playoffs. All signs point to Chesterfield being well-represented in the postseason.

The cross country teams have had a busy fall while competing in a host of meets in their preparation for the region and county championships.

Leading the way for the girls team is veteran runner Kinsley Lowe, who looks to earn all-state honors at the state meet in early November. Kinsley Hardwick has been a solid No. 2 runner and Amrie Lowe is a consistent performer among the top five.

Others competing well this fall include Kaylee Leonard, Briley Bristow and Cadence Mignogna.

Anchoring the boys efforts is Nicholas Daw, with Gabriel Cox and Dawson Harper among the top three runners for most of the season. Others who can compete for a top five spot include Levi Sullican, Rhett Leviner, Matthew Bullard and Jesse Dixon.

About midway through the region schedule, the girls volleyball team is in position for a top three finish in the league standings. Chesterfield went 5-3 in region contests through Oct. 3.

The team has solid veteran leadership with a bevy of seniors on the roster. Seniors include Hailey Boan, Marah Brock, Temia Chapman, Michaela Lisenby, Kai Pace, Kendall Brock and Arianna Vanderpool.

Rounding out the 2024 roster are juniors Boey Graves, Katherine Johnson and Allison Lloyd, along with freshman Reagan Rivers.

The Chesterfield football team got off to a blazing start in the non-region schedule this season. Under first-year head coach Matt Quinn, the Rams went 5-0 in the non-region portion of the schedule, which included a season-opening win over two time state finalist Johnsonville.

The Rams opened region play on Oct. 4 and tasted defeat for the first time in a 40-35 loss to North Central. Chesterfield has remaining region games against Andrew Jackson, Buford, Cheraw and Central over the rest of October.

Junior quarterback Bryce Adams continues to lead the Rams offensively.

In front of Adams is an offensive line unit that returns intact from a year ago. That unit consists of tackles Porter Kearns and Caiden Mungo, guards Xavier Rivers and Maqwan Blount, and center Taje Diggs. Rivers is a fourth-year varsity starter.

Playmakers offensively early on include Jacquavis Clark, TJ McBride and Terrell Robinson. Derrick Lockhart has been a force on defense, along with Jaden Wallace and Sincere Hubbard.