There were some interesting results in week zero of the football season. We saw some things we expected but also saw some things that were actually down right shocking.
Two things really stood out to me in week zero and that was the low scoring in the Woodruff/Chapman game and the way that Gaffney was dominated by South Pointe.
I am not shocked at all that Woodruff won, in fact I picked them to get it done, but the fact that a Woodruff/Chapman game went to overtime and only had a total of 20 points scored is wild to me. Both of these teams have had stellar offense over the last few years and have put up some bi numbers. Let’s see how these offenses improve over the next few weeks, but could defense be the new name of the game for these two teams?
South Pointe really dominated Gaffney. If you followed that game you know the Stallions really took it to the Indians. I saw a lot of folks this week panicking about Gaffney, let’s hold off on that a little bit. South Pointe is really good and Gaffney is young. I think the Indians can get it together.
Here are this weeks picks.
Broome at Chesnee-GOTW presented by Phillips and Lawing Fuel
Both teams lost last week. Broome ran into a good Powdersville team and Chesnee had a back and forth affair with the Blue Ridge Tigers. This game is interesting to me. Chesnee can obviously run the football and the Broome offense showed some promise late last week. This could be another back and forth game and the question will be which defense can stop the run and make a stand when it counts.
Pick: Broome
Gaffney at Union
The Highway 18 Rivalry is one of my favorite games of the year. I have tons of great memories of this game both at Union County Stadium and at the Old Reservation. There were some epic matchups back in the day including the 2000 matchup where Joe Montgomery said he wasn’t scared to kick to Roscoe Crosby. He must have gotten scared after Crosby returned the opening kick for a touchdown because they didn’t kick it to him anymore.
The rivalry has been a little one-sided in recent history with the Jackets last win coming in the Steve Taneyhill era at Union County.
I think Gaffney comes out angry about what happened last week and Union County may see the brunt of that. I do think this game will be closer than if you would have asked me about it last week. The Jackets are going try to rely on the short passing game and running the football. That likely plays right into the hands of the Indians.
Pick: Gaffney
Spartanburg vs Dutch Fork
Spartanburg played a different kind of football team last week. Quite possibly the best football team I’ve ever seen from top to bottom. This week it doesn’t get much easier. The Silver Foxes have been the cream of the crop in SC high school football for several years now. People are saying this years Dutch Fork team is “a little down.” What does that mean for a team that has been just dominate, outside of their title game loss to Gaffney last year? Are they just the second or third best team in the state? Tom Knotts is a great coach. This team is still good even if they are a little down. This game though feels more like a real measuring stick type test for the Vikings. Are they ready to compete for the 5A title??
Chapman at Byrnes
Chapman struggled to score last week. Byrnes did not. The Rebel offense put up big numbers in a lop-sided win over Brookland-Cayce. Chapman should have their qb back tonight but I am not sure one player can make a big enough difference to get Chapman over this hump.
Pick: Byrnes
Other Picks:
I will take:
Hillcrest over Greer.
Mauldin over Boiling Springs
Landrum will start 1-0 with a win over Berea
Dorman will roll North Augusta
And I have Woodruff rolling over upstart Fountain Inn.
Fun games tonight cannot wait to kick this week off!!
