We are only two weeks away from the start of the high school football playoffs but until then there are many big region games left to play. let’s take a look at the matchups from the 2A/3A games in our local listening area.
Carolina @ Broome
Carolina playoff hopes were pretty much squashed last Friday night against Blue Ridge when they fell 49-0. Now they will try to avoid another year of not winning a game inside region play but will have to go up against a loaded Broome team to do it.
Broome is fresh off a bye week last week but remains unbeaten in region play and will need a win again this week to keep them at the top of the region and a chance to win a region title.
Broome is the far superior team in this matchup and that should show on Friday night as I expect them to win big. The only challenge is they must not look ahead to next week’s big game against Chapman because that loss of focus can cause any team to lose. But I just don’t see that being the case as Broome is very well coached by Lynn Fleming and I expect them to be focused and simply take care of business.
Chapman @ Blue Ridge
As mentioned Blue Ridge is feeling good after a dominating victory against Carolina last week where they won 49-0, which has helped push them into the playoff picture. The Fighting Tigers will look to build off their win and have their first win streak of the season.
Chapman is coming off another dominating region win against Travelers Rest last week as they won by a final score of 56-0. That win keeps them at the top of the region standings and in position to win another region title.
The Panthers like Broome are in a similar situation where they simply cannot overlook their opponents at the possible region title game next week against Broome. I do not think that will be a problem for the Panthers for the same reasons that I don’t see it being a problem for Broome. I look for the Panthers to dominate this football game and then give us what we all want a region title showdown next week between Broome and Chapman!
Chesnee @ 96
The Chesnee Eagles bounced back from their loss a couple of weeks ago against Abbeville to defeat Blacksburg by a final score of 54-13. The Eagles continued to trend in the right direction and have shown the ability to bounce back after a loss and not allow it to snowball.
96 is also putting together a solid season as they are unbeaten in the region and will look to remain that way to set up a region title game against Abbeville next week.
96 inside region play is averaging 44 points per game and is allowing just 24 ppg so offensively they have been rolling since the second-half game against the Landrum Cardinals, this will be a tough test for Chesnee’s defense. Overall, I look for the Eagles to have their opportunities in this game but right now I am leaning towards 96 winning it.
Landrum @ Liberty
The Landrum Cardinals suffered another loss inside region play last week as they fell to Abbeville 49-0. The Cardinals have their back against the wall and their playoffs pretty much begin now, they simply have to have this game, or missing the postseason is in their future.
Liberty is currently holding onto the final playoff spot in the region as the fourth seed and is 1-2 inside region play with their only win coming against Blacksburg. Last week they fell to 96 by a final score of 56-39, so this game is crucial for Liberty as well because a loss could put them in danger of missing out of the playoffs.
I look for Landrum to take care of business in this game and set them up with a shot to make the playoffs next week, I believe the Cardinals find their grove offensively that they were in right before region play began and I think they have themselves a good night and get into the win column inside the region.
Emerald @ Union
The Union County Yellow Jackets are coming off a bye week, in their last game against Chester they lost by a final score of 60-0. Union is another team that is in desperate need to win a game to give them a chance for the playoffs.
Emerald is equally as desperate for a win not just inside the reason but they are looking for their first win all year. This is the game that both teams absolutely need as I feel the winner of it will make the playoffs.
Both teams have really had their struggles on both sides of the ball but for both teams, their struggles have been on defense Union is allowing 49 points per game and Emerald is allowing over 30 points per game.
Union to win this game must create some turnovers and make some adjustments defensively to string together some stops. Emerald has not been explosive on offense this year as they only average 18 points per game, so this should be one of the less potent offenses they have faced this year. I am leaning toward Union to win this game I believe throughout the year they are the more tested team.
