Gaffney 28 Boiling Springs 22 (OT)
All preseason long, the talk was that this game would be the de facto region 2-5A championship. That rang true as the #2 ranked Indians and #10 Bulldogs squared off in front of a nearly full house in Bulldog Stadium Friday night.
Boiling Springs drew first blood on their opening drive when Lincoln Huskey connected with running back Ry’Shaun Morgan on 4th down for a 4 yard touchdown. Things continued going the Bulldogs’ way as both teams exchanged punts. Things finally began to swing Gaffney’s way with the first of 2 huge plays involving Jamarcus Smith in the first half. Kyle Patterson boomed a punt that was downed at the Gaffney 1 yardline. The very next play, Indian QB Jayvon Gilmore delivered a bomb to Smith for a 99 yard TD pass to tie the game at 7 with just under 6 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Boiling Springs got decent field position thanks to a Gaffney penalty on the ensuing kickoff that led to a 37 yard fieldgoal try that was missed, setting in motion a tale of several missed opportunities. Gilmore threw an interception following the missed fiedgoal, but nothing came of it as the Bulldogs ended up turning the ball over on downs at the Gaffney 30 early in the 2nd quarter. That turnover led to Gilmore’s 2nd big TD pass of the night – this one just a quick out to Shane Davidson, who shed a tackle and broke 64 yards for the score. A botched snap on the PAT resulted in the Indians picking up a 2 point conversion to go up 15-7 with 10:20 to go in the half.
Boiling Springs’ offense was unable to answer, but thanks to another pick, they got another crack at it from Gaffney’s 6, this time capitalizing on a Javen Chhim TD run to cut the deficit to just a point. It did not take very long for that deficit to be re-stretched by a 99 yard kickoff return by Jamarcus Smith that made it 22-14 with a little over 6 minutes to play in the half.
The second half was a story of two offenses struggling and 2 defenses having a field day. Gaffney was shut down for the remainder of regulation, while Boiling Springs found a spark late. Gilmore for Gaffney was ejected in the 2nd half, along with a coach for Boiling Springs, after a scuffle on the Boiling Springs sidelines. According to SCHSL rules the ejection comes with a one game suspension that could disqualify Gilmore from next week’s game vs the Spartanburg Vikings. Gaffney is expected to appeal that suspension.
Lincoln Huskey connected with Kyle Patterson from 4 yards out and added a 2 point conversion to tie it at 22 with 4:31 to play in the game. In the end, the Bulldogs squandered a late opportunity with good field position, and this game went to overtime.
Opting to go on offense first, the Bulldogs faced a 3rd and goal from the Gaffney 4 and ran an option pitch play. The toss was fumbled and recovered by the Indians, who instead of kicking a fieldgoal to end it right then and there, brought the offense out. Either way the game ended in a flash with who else but Jamarcus Smith taking it 10 yards to the house for a walkoff touchdown.
Gilmore finished the night 13 for 21 passing with 282 yards. Jamarcus Smith tallied 119 yards on 5 catches with a touchdown to go with 7 rushes for 70 yards and the winning TD.
On the Boiling Springs side of things, Lincoln Huskey finished 18 for 36 with 112 passing yards and a touchdown. Tyvion Hall and Gavin Calhoun each tallied 5 tackles while Ry’Shaun Morgan and Kuron Nesbitt each had an interception.
The Bulldogs will look to rebound next week on the road at Eastside while Gaffney hosts Spartanburg.
Speaking of Spartanburg and Eastside…
Vikings 49 Eagles 6
While Eastside was undefeated coming into this matchup, they were seemingly bound to lose this game. Take nothing away from Spartanburg. The Vikings dominated in the way they were supposed to. They far outmatched the Eagles in depth, size, and speed – and it showed. This game was over before the halfway mark of the 1st quarter. The Vikings led 42-0 at halftime, and the 3rd and 4th quarter were played with a running clock.
Running Back Trenton Lynch led the way for Spartan High with 13 carries for 169 yards, one of which was a 46 yard run to convert a 3rd and 42, also adding in a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Trey Burke ws 5 for 9 with 176 yards to 6 different receivers in double figures, including TD passes to Zy Williams-Bonds and Chris Sutton. Elijah Roseburgh logged a pick six in the win for Spartanburg as well.
The Vikings will hit the road for a big battle next week with the #2 Gaffney Indians with a 7:30 kickoff.
Dorman 24 Riverside 13
In one of the more intriguing matchups on the slate, the Cavaliers made the trip over to Greer to take on a Riverside squad that just is not the old homecoming opponent they used to have a reputation for being. As a matter of fact, that team has a couple of studs on it such as wide receivers Mikkel Skinner and Jaiden “Speedy” Taylor. They were 3-0 on the season coming in and looking for a chance to play spoiler with an upset to open their debut in region 2-5A.
Things started off well for the Warriors, as they took the lead 6-0 after capitalizing on a Cavalier fumble near midfield with a 10 yard strike from QB Gideon Merhib to Connor Sobowleski. The PA was wide left, but the 6-0 lead held until the 10:32 mark of the 2nd quarter.
On 3rd and goal, Dorman QB Makorean “Mak” Anderson called his own number and scampered in from a yard out on a read option. The PAT gave the Cavs a 1 point lead and they never looked back from there, scoring 10 unanswered and re-upping the ante with a late score with a little over a minute to play in the game.
Makorean Anderson finished 15-23 with 180 yards and a TD through the air. Running back Nick Means carried the ball 19 times for 78 yards while Enahjay Fowler ran it 12 times for 42 yards and a touchdown.
The Cavaliers host the Byrnes Rebels in the clear choice for the biggest game next week with a 7:30 kickoff.
Speaking of Byrnes…
Rebels 52 Wade Hampton 0
Huge win for the Rebels that cannot be understated. They responded well to a tough loss to Greer last week, did what they needed to in the worst way, and did so in the very best way – by dominating an opponent they both needed to and were supposed to smash. That can only help to instill some confidence and also bring a sense of relief for the Rebel faithful, as they know that at the very minimum, they won’t go winless and they will at least have a region win. But, obviously, if you are Reggie Shaw or anyone in the Rebel community, you’re on the same page in wanting more, and you should.
With a key rivalry matchup coming with playoff seeding implications, no doubt the Rebels will be looking to build on success rather than rest on the laurels of getting the first win monkey off their back.
Greer 63 Berea 0
The story here is similar to Byrnes. Greer did not need this win like people need air and water to live and breathe. But, they did need to follow up the big win last week with a performance that shows they weren’t still on a high from their first win over Byrnes in 24 years against a Berea team that, though undefeated, was still a team Greer outmatched just as badly as Spartanburg did Eastside.
Yellow Jacket QB Kaden Rowland went 13 for 14 through the air with 165 yards and a touchdown. Max Hannon pulled in 5 of those passes for 62 yards and a score while Mikey Williams also tabbed 5 receptions for 54 yards. Chance Todd had the lone other receiving score with 3 snags for 56 yards. Nick Holmes was limited to just 54 rushing yards, but those included a pair of touchdowns. Miron’tae Harris and Ty Breeze combined for 217 yards on 16 carries.
With back to back wins in their pocket, and sitting at 1-0 in region 2-4A, Greer will host the Travelers Rest Devildogs next week with a 7:30 kick at Historic Dooley Field.
Woodruff 45 Chesnee 28
In quite possibly the wildest game of the night, the Wolverines had to rely on depth and their run game to wear down the Eagles so that they could pull away late.
Woodruff scored first with 4:59 to play in the first quarter on a 1-yard TD run by Aiden Gisbson. Chesnee answered early in the 2nd stanza with a 32 yard TD strike from Kjay Proctor to Braylon Blanton. The Wolverines went right down the field and struck back with another Gibson TD run, this from 8 yards out. Chesnee tied it at 14 before a 39 yard Joshua Ruiz fieldgoal gave Woodruff a 17-14 lead at the intermission.
Chesnee reclaimed the lead with 8:30 to go in the 3rd courtesy of a 2nd connection from Proctor to Blanton to make it 21-17. But, that would be all the points the eagles could muster until the waning seconds of the game. In the interim, the Wolverines scored 28 unanswered to run away with the win.
Proctor finished the night a perfect 4 for 4 with 127 yards and three passing TDs. Evan Lawter was 7-12 with 87 passing yards. Braylon Blanton came up with 4 receptions for 112 yards and 2 TDs while Paul Martin also logged a 31 yard touchdown on his lone reception of the night. Jayden Williams was the lone Eagle rusher over 50 yards, tallying 68 on 4 carries.
TJ Morris was 8 of 14 with 94 passing yards. But, it was Aiden Gibson that stole the show for Woodruff. He had 30 carries for 221 yards and 5 touchdowns, which tied a school record for most in a single game. Jalen Roberson also had a rushing TD for the Wolverines with 2 attempts for 59 yards. Hunter West was the leading receiver with 3 snags for 65 yards.
The Wolverines will host the Wren Hurricanes next while Chesnee is on bye before opening region play with Blacksburg on October 4th.
Powdersville 40 Broome 21
In what has become an annual tradition – often semiannual with a playoff matchup, the Centurions played host to the Patriots in a matchup that is always met with some interest.
Sadly, this one was not as close as the score would lead you to believe.
Powdersville took a 7-0 lead on a 42 yard TD run with 5:59 to play in the first, and led 7-0 heading into the 2nd period. At the half, the Pats led 21-7, and in the 2nd half, they pulled away.
Broome QB Jameson Dearybury went 16 for 26 passing with 162 yards and a TD. That touchdown was to Tre’Sean Suber, who caught 7 balls for 89 yards to go with the score. Ty’Qwon Booker was the leading rusher with 17 attempts for 153 yards and 2 TDs.
Broome hosts Blacksburg next week in their final non-region contest with a 7:30 kick.
MVP 42 Asheville School 21
In a last-minute schedule change, the Stars opted to cross the border and head to Asheville to take on the undefeated Asheville School Blues – a private school in, well, Asheville.. That is honestly a big step up in strength of schedule from American Leadership, who they were originally set to take on. Despite that, the Stars continued to roll with ease as they have all season so far.
Quarterback Bryson Drummond was over 50 percent completion percentage, going 12 for 23 with 210 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jaylen McGill continued to shine in the ground game, running for 143 yards on 16 touches with a TD. TJ Gassoway also added a rushing score on 9 carries for 66 yards. The Stars’ leading receiving threat was KD Hainsworth with 6 catches for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Mountain View Prep will be on bye next week ahead of their region opener on the road at Union on October 4th.
Elsewhere in 3A, Union fell to Chester 54-12 while Chapman dropped a rockfight with Christ Church 14-7.
Landrum 48 West Oak 0
The Cardinals continued to roll with a dominant performance against the West Oak Warriors. Cardinal quarterback Ty Foster slung the ball 23 times, completing 15 passes for 224 yards and 5 touchdowns. Titus Poore had a balanced night, hauling in 5 receptions for 77 yards and a TD while also running the ball 5 times for 11 yards and a score. Aiden Kelly added 14 touches for 147 yards and a touchdown while Micah McClintock and Aj Lindsey combined for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns on 8 catches. Kirby Gentry also had a TD in his lone snag of the game from 13 yards out.
Landrum, now with 4 straight victories under their belt and a 4-1 overall record, will close non-region on the road next week with the Blue Ridge Tigers.
Related
