Region play is here. The games finally matter. It really is the best time of the year. We are fortunate to have some of the best regions in this state in our area. The next few weeks should really be a lot of fun. I went 5-1 last week to bring my overall record to 26-10 on the season. Let’s see what this week has in store.
Spartanburg at Byrnes-Spartanburg Nutrition Game of the Week
Time for the Vikings to open up the playbook. They have been extremely careful in the first half of the season with Raheim Jeter after he injured his shoulder in the preseason. Time to go 100%. This is a huge game for both teams that could determine the region champion or playoff seeding down the road.
Byrnes offense is good, but the defense is going to have to find a way to get some stops. This could end up being a shootout.
Riverside at Dorman-
Riverside is a team that other teams usually schedule for homecoming. They have been a team that everyone expects to beat and beat easily. I remember when I played we had our easiest week of practice Riverside week. This year Riverside is 6-0 and have garnered some attention. The thing for me is in this 6 wins who have they played? I mean no offense by this but in all honesty other homecoming teams. However, that is a step up for the Warriors who are definitely a program on the rise. Usually they lose most of those games. Are they ready to take the next step?
Dorman has had their struggles but looked good last week against Ridge View. Damarius Foster ran the ball for 269 yards carrying the ball nearly 30 times. If Dorman can run the ball like that they can beat a lot of teams.
Pick-Dorman
Union at Clinton-
The Yellow Jackets have had their struggles this season both on and off the field. The Covid shutdown at the beginning of the year really hurt the Jackets. They have played three really good football games but have come up on the short end of all of those games. After a week off last week to regroup what will the Jackets look like? The defense will have to find a way to stop the run because that is what Clinton will want to do.
The Red Devils are good. They are really looking like the old Clinton. Home field advantage is a real thing over there too. I like this Clinton team and their chances in this region.
Pick-Clinton
Chapman at Woodruff-
I got to see the Wolverines in person last week when they took on Greer. The first half was very entertaining and Greer pulled away in the 2nd half. Big plays hurt Woodruff last week and that is not what you want heading into a game with the Chapman Panthers, who love big plays. I like the sophomore that Woodruff had a qb last week and rumor is that Carson Tucker could make a return to the field this year after injuring his hip in week one. Could this be the week? I couldn’t think of a better time.
Chapman has lost two games in the first half of the season and it has been a long time since the Panthers have done that. In fact a real long time. But this team is still at the top of the class. As long as Drew Settle is at the helm this team has a chance.
High Scoring.
Pick-Chapman
Other Picks:
Give me Gaffney to open region play with a win over Boiling Springs.
Chesnee will get their first win of the season over Legion Academy out of Rock Hill who has yet to score a point all season long.
Greer has been able to find something in the running game the last couple of weeks but
I don’t think it will be enough to knock off Greenville this week. I like the Red Raiders.
