Dorman @ Greenwood
Dorman lost to Georgia power Grayson last week, and now turn its attention ahead to a road game against the Greenwood Eagles. Dorman fell behind early and were shut out of the end zone last Friday in a 53-0 loss. In a change from Week 0, QB Makorean Anderson got the majority of the playing time behind center going 11-25 with 96 yards and an interception.
Greenwood played its first game of the season in Week 1 after a season-opening off week with a road game at Beaufort and taking a 37-18 win. The Eagles have moved up to 5A in this offseason’s realignment, and join Region 1 with other Greenville and Anderson area schools. In 2023, the Eagles finished 5-5 in the regular season including a 10-7 road win at Dorman, and the season ended with a blowout loss to Northwestern in the 4A state playoffs.
The Cavaliers will look to reestablish a strong running presence that propelled them to a season-opening win over Greenville, but the starting quarterback position seems to be up for grabs this week.
Greenville @ Gaffney
Gaffney took a Week 0 bye after a previous opponent backed out, then started 2024 with a bang in a road overtime win against the JL Mann Patriots. Led by our Broad River Electric Electrifying Player of the Week Andrew Ruppe who had 6 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, blocked a punt, and scored two rushing touchdowns including the eventual game-winning two point conversion.
Gaffney also got big offensive performances across the board in the 42-40 win, as QB Jayvon Gillmore was 15-30 for 277 yards and three touchdowns, with 174 of those yards and one touchdown of those going to WR Jamarcus Smith. Gaffney’s prolific rushing attack behind RB Jaden McDowell was largely ineffective against the Patriots, with McDowell rushing 10 times for just 35 yards and one score.
Now the Indians’ home opener comes two weeks later than anticipated against the Greenville Red Raiders, who are off to a slow 0-2 start with losses to Dorman and Riverside. Greenville was hit hard with roster departures after a change at head coach over the offseason, and haven’t yet been able to recapture the play that took them deep in the 4A state playoffs last season.
Hillcrest @ Greer
The Greer Yellow Jackets will look for its first win of the season again this Friday night in another tough non-region matchup with the Hillcrest Rams. Hillcrest made a run to the Upper State semifinals in 5A last year, with a playoff win over Byrnes and regular season wins over Boiling Springs and Greer.
The Yellow Jackets were the victim of a BHP team last Friday that regularly features a monster offense and is a state title contender, losing 37-7. RB Nick Holmes punched it into the end zone for the first Greer touchdown of the year late in the game, and finished with 124 yards in the game to go with the score.
Hillcrest is 2-0 with a closer 16-0 decision at Laurens and a dominant 55-20 win at home against Clover. Greer will have to be ready in the trenches defensively, as Hillcrest ran the ball for 352 yards in their win last week.
