Week two was headlined by lightening delays and late nights. We got all the games in except for Union and Gaffney so overall it wasn’t that bad. Hopefully the weather stays good tonight and we can play on time and get done at a decent hour. Im getting old I can’t be staying out that late anymore.
Week two provides some more interesting matchups and some fun games across our listening area.
Spartanburg at Broome
Game of the Week- Presented by Carter Ridgeway Farm Bureau
Spartanburg lost a heart-breaker last week to 5A power Dutch Fork on a last second field goal. The Vikings were visible crushed by the loss as the ball sailed through the uprights. As they look back on the game, however, they should be encouraged by what transpired. They were the better team and if one or two plays goes he other way the Vikings win. That’s the way the game goes sometimes. The best team doesn’t always win. One thing for sure, Dutch Fork knows the Vikings are for real and so will others 5A teams.
Last week Broome had a big win over cross town rival Chesnee. It looks as if Broome may have found their offense that we all thought they would have this year. Can they make it work against Spartanburg’s defense?
Both teams have been dealing with some illness this week to some key players but hopefully they all get to play and it won’t effect the outcome of the game.
Both of these teams have great running attacks, but will Spartanburg’s size along the defensive front give Broome trouble? Is the Broome secondary ready for Dantin and Moore?
Landrum vs St Joes
Last week Landrum got a big win over the Berea Bulldogs to open the season. The running game was wrong for the Cardinals and running back Colton Link was named the Fox Sports Spartanburg Player of the week with ten carries with 175 yards and three touchdowns carrying the Cards to a 34-3 win.
This week the Cardinals open their home slate with former region foe St Joseph. Last year the Cardinals were probably one play away from knocking off St. Joes and just a couple of plays from running through the region undefeated.
I like the Cardinal’s running game to get going early in this game. If they can get going early I think they can have a good night and move to 2-0 on the season.
Pick-Landrum
Gaffney vs Hammond
This game is interesting to me. One of the top SCISA teams vs the reigning 5A State Champs. Hammond plays by a different set of rules as a private school, similar to those some SCSHL teams are allowed to play by, they recruit.
Gaffney has some injury issues as we noted last week, but some of those may have been helped by not playing last week after their game vs Union was cancelled with time left in the 1st quarter.
I think Gaffney does win this football game but I’m interested to see if Hammond can keep it close. Hammond has had some great athlete recently including several D1 players. Will be watching this score closely.
Pick: Gaffney
Union vs York–
They Yellow Jackets had a great drive that led to a touchdown last week in the opening quarter vs Gaffney and were in the midst of a second good drive before the lightening halted the Jackets. I have been impressed with the Jackets in the first two weeks of the season. MJ Porter and Khristian Means have been some particularly bright spots for Union County in the first two games. Porter had a long touchdown catch of over 90 yards vs Newberry and had a big “Moss” style touchdown against the Indians. Means is a big kid who can catch, run, and run-over defenders.
York is a talented team who will look to really run the football. Coach Thompson described their quarterback as a “Lamar Jackson” type quarterback. In the first week Union had a few struggles stopping a running QB but eventually settled in and got the stops they needed.
The Jacket faithful will be out in full force tonight after having their game cancelled last week. They could be a factor.
Pick: Union
Other Picks:
Woodruff over JL Mann
I think Greer gets their first win of the season against Blue Ridge
Dorman will roll Greenwood
I will take Chesnee to get their first win of the season over Walhalla
Chapman and Boiling Springs is a fun friendly rivalry. Both teams really need a win. But only one can get it. I’ll take Chapman in a close one.
Byrnes and their offense are off to a hot start. The Rebels seem to be firing on all cylinders and I think they will roll Greenville tonight.
There are my picks for week two. Let’s hope the weather cooperates tonight and we get a normal Friday night. Don’t forget about Victory Formation immediately following Viking Football on Fox Sports Spartanburg until midnight, breakdowns of ever game!
