It felt like that offseason took forever. I am so glad that the high school football season is here! It’s week zero and man do we have some great game to kick off the season.
A new season alway brings such excitement as we anticipate what times will be good and what new names we will learn. This year as normal there are a lot of new kids we will learn about in the coming weeks but we also have some new coaches in our area, including at a place where that hasn’t happened in like 4 decades.
Woodruff at Chapman-Game of the Week-Presented by Home Run Nutrition
These two cross-county opponents are no longer in the same region, so they have to get together in the non region portion of the schedule in 2022. These two teams have had some epic matchups over the last several years and this one could be no different.
Chapman has had one of the greatest runs of quarterbacks of any team in our area over the last decade. This year they will be looking for the next in that line. Big shoes to fill can Coleman Gray be the “next man up” for the Panthers.
Gray will have to deal with a Woodruff defense led by very good defense end Ty Ellis. Ellis has the ability to get in the backfield and disrupt the new Chapman quarterback but Gray may possibly have the speed and ability to run and get away from the Woodruff pressure.
Woodruff will want to run the ball, but they do have an experienced 3 year starter at QB in Carson Tucker, who has shown the ability to make plays with his arm and legs.
This game is a great test for both teams and could be a good one. I am going to give the Panthers the edge because it is in Inman.
Pick: Chapman
Broome vs Powdersville
Powdersville broke the heart of the Centurions last year in the playoffs eliminating Broome early in the playoffs. Broome is looking for that revenge. Broome will look a little different this year with a very mobile duel threat quarterback. Look for them to be more athletic and put up more points. The question for me is how will the defense look?
Pick: Broome
Union at Newberry
The Jackets had a rough year last year. Covid and other factors left the Jackets with a small roster and coaching staff and several cancelled games. But a 1-7 record was truly a disappointment to the guys from Union.
This year the Jackets will have a different look with senior Quarterback Ben Black who is a more prostyle qb versus the running style qbs they Jackets have put on the field over the last few years.
Also, the defense is very young, especially on the back end.
I will be at the game tonight providing coverage for the station during our wraparound coverage and I have never gone to a game at Newberry that a Yellow Jacket team has won dating back to my junior year where we lost to them in the regular season then finished the season 14-1. For that reason I’m taking the Bulldogs tonight.
Pick: Newberry
Gaffney at South Pointe
Two defending Champs. Gaffney was dominate in 5A in 2021 and South Pointe in 4A.
The Indians lost a lot but they also return one of the best quarterbacks in the state and of course their defense will be really good.
This has the potential to be an epic football game and I wish I was going.
Pick: Gaffney
Dorman vs Greenville
It is a new ERA in District 6. Dave Gutshall is indeed a legend and what he did to build the Dorman Football program into a yearly contender is absolutely remarkable. The impact he made on Dorman and High School Football is enormous.
Coach Gutshall is now retired and there is a new coach in town. Dustin Curtis is the new coach of the Cavaliers and he brings with him some new ideas and a renewed energy.
However, running the football is still going to be the name of the game. It should be anyway. With one of the biggest offensive lines you will find anywhere in high school football you have to play to your strength.
Throwing it could be an issue. I’m interested to see how much Talley has progressed since last year.
Pick: Dorman
Other Picks:
I will take Byrnes over Brookland-Cayce and I don’t think it’s close.
I will take Chesnee to keep the ball away from Blue Ridge and pull out a close win.
I think the Vikings will go to Georgia and pull out a close one over Langston Hughes.
TL Hanna over Boiling Springs
And last but not least I will take the Daniel Lions over Greer.
So pumped for all the games here in week zero. I can’t wait to break them down Friday Night on the Tailgate Show 4:30 and then wrap-around coverage starting at 7pm.
Go Teams!
