By: Cole Bryson
Season openers are behind us. We were able to learn several things from our games in this area, but it is also important to be careful not to overreact at some of the scores as well. The Vikings of Spartanburg are 1-0 on the season and will get to face the 0-1 Greer Yellowjackets this Friday night. Spartanburg is coming off of a win over Nation Ford in a game where there were many turnovers, but the Vikings will face a much tougher opponent this Friday, even though they are going down a classification. Greer is coming off a loss to Byrnes in a game where Greer rushed for over 300 yards. This Week 1 matchup will be determined on if Spartanburg can stop the heavy rushing attack of the Greer Yellowjackets. Spartanburg scored a lot of their points Friday off of turnovers, so their offense must get rolling this Friday. I think Greer squeaks out a close one at home and gives the Vikings there first loss of the season.
The Gaffney Indians open the 2018 season on the road at Greenwood. Gaffney brings back a lot of talent and will be all Greenwood wants. Traditionally, Greenwood has a tough team with size and speed, but Gaffney has more raw talent. This will be a close game in the 1st half, but Gaffney will pull away in the 2nd half off of a few big plays to break the game open. Greenwood will have to pride itself in stopping the balanced attack from Gaffney offense. Peanut Kirby gives the Indians a great rushing threat that Greenwood will need to contain early. Gaffney gets to 1-0 on the season as they win by two touchdowns.
The Byrnes Rebels are coming off of a solid win over Greer, and get another home this Friday as they face the Trojans of Northwestern. Northwestern will be able to move the ball between the twenties on Byrnes, but I believe the Rebels will stiffen in the red-zone when they need to. The big story here is Byrnes is without star RB Harris. This does give Northwestern a slight advantage, but Byrnes is the more well-rounded team. I like Byrnes to win by a comfortable margin, maybe pulling away late in the game.
Boiling Springs will open their 2018 season on the road at Westside. The Rams of Anderson County are a tougher out in the opening game than what Boiling Springs has had in previous years. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a home opener since 2011, when they were defeated by rival Gaffney. The Bulldogs are led by QB Aaron Thomas, a 6’2 junior who will be getting his first start on a Friday night. Bobby James comes into the program as the new DC, but the biggest question remains on the offensive line. This will be a tough test for both teams. Boiling Springs will be the more talented team, but Westside will present a tough challenge as well. I like the Bulldogs to take another season opener in a close game Friday night.
Week 1 is here and we are learning more and more about the teams that we cover. For more coverage on these games and many more, tune into the Saturday Sports Report this Saturday as we will be live from McDonalds of Greer.
