Week 1 was a lot of fun. We had some great football games and a few blowouts. Couple of things didn’t got as expected for some teams, but went really well for some others. This weeks games promise to bring more excitement and drama as always. Once again I am excited about Friday night and all that is has to offer.
Chapman at Boiling Springs-Game of the Week
Both teams had terrific week ones. Chapman go off to a slow start but made a terrific comeback aided by six Byrnes turnovers to claim a 17-14 win over the 5A Rebels. The Bulldogs went over to Mauldin and laid the smackdown on the Mavericks with a 55-0 beating.
Chapman’s defense is obviously pretty good. Paired with the offensive weapons they have, if they can get it all going at one time they are going to be a really dangerous football team all season long. They won’t see many defenses as fast as they saw last week against Byrnes the rest of the year. Those folks in Inman are getting real excited about this team again, and they should. This defense is going to be really tested again this week. If the offense can establish a solid running game I think the Panthers will win.
What Boiling Springs did last week to Mauldin shocked a lot of people. To be honest, Ive felt like this was coming. Lincoln Husky was amazing and had what may be his real breakout game. Husky is talented, we saw that last year, but he has put in the work this offseason and has taken a big step forward. This team just keeps getting better. If this game comes down to a shootout Boiling Springs has got to feel good with Husky at the helm.
Boiling Springs is hungry. They really want this win, but I think Chapman is going to be able to dominate up front and run the football. I think that will be the difference. However if this thing gets into a shootout I can really see it going the other way.
Pick-Chapman
Broome at Spartanburg
These schools are separated by just a few short miles and to me is a fun friendly rivalry that I am glad these two coaches got together and made happen. Last years game wasn’t very fun but I think this year could be really different.
Broome has looked really good in the first two weeks knocking off Powdersville and Chesnee. The big guys on the offensive line for the Centurions looked really good last week and are really going to be a problem for a lot of teams down the road. Not to mention the two monStars they have behind them in KBB and McGill. Those guys are just special.
Spartanburg shocked the world last week with a win over Dutch Fork on the road which almost nobody ever does. The win is definitely a signature win for Coach Mark Hodge and the Vikings who were coming off a disappointing performance the week before against South Pointe. This defense, led by Cam Smith, is awesome. They are so fast and seem to be ready for anything. The offense however still has a ton of work to do. This could be a good week for them to try and find that momentum.
KBB and McGill playing in this game this year, they didn’t last year due to injury, makes a big difference. That will make the score a lot closer than last years blowout win. This game could be interesting late.
Greenville at Byrnes
The Rebels will be at home for the first time in 2023 as they host the Red Raiders. The Rebels are surely very disappointed in the outcome of their game last week in which they had a 14-0 lead before turning the ball over 6 times in route to a loss to Chapman.
The Rebels have way too much talent to play like that. This team had all the potential in the world with so many playmakers all over the field. They have got to find a way to get the ball in the hands of some of those outstanding playmakers.
Greenville is no pushover they are coming off a loss in week 1 after beating Dorman is week zero. The Raiders have some big guys up front and some speedy playmakers.
I don’t think it will be enough though because I think Byrnes comes out angry and wanting to prove a point.
Pick-Byrnes
South Pointe at Gaffney
This is good measuring stick game for both of these teams. South Pointe is 2-0 with wins over Rock Hill and Spartanburg, while the Indians are 1-1 with a loss to Crest and a thumping of Union County last week. I think we get a good gage of where both these teams are after this one.
South Pointe’s defensive line looked really good in week zero but they didn’t look really deep. If they aren’t that could really be problem against Gaffney’s physicality. The Stallions offense wasn’t all that impressive either against Spartanburg defense, but after last week I am not sure if that is on them or how good the Vikings are.
This game will be a lot better than last years contest. I also think it will have a different outcome. Hard to win at Gaffney.
Pick-Gaffney
Other Picks:
Chesnee over Walhalla
Dorman over Greenwood
Greer over Blue Ridge
York over Union
JL Mann over Woodruff
St Joes over Landrum
Should be another fun week and I can’t wait to see how it all shakes out. Happy Labor Day Weekend!
