Week 8 is here and the season is flying by. Might need some hot chocolate at the games tonight it is going to be a little chilly sitting in those stands tonight. Don’t forget a jacket.
Boiling Springs rebounded nicely last week and put a whooping on Wade Hampton. Spartanburg came out a little rusty after the two week layoff and struggled some on offense but took care of business in the City Rivalry knocking off Dorman.
Coming into this season we all had fairly high expectations of both of these teams expecting them both to finish near the top of region 2 5A. So far these teams have lived up to these expectations. Boiling Springs has one loss a tough overtime loss to Gaffney, and Spartanburg’s lone loss was at the hands of defending state champ Dutch Fork. I like both of these teams and think the both have some tremendous strengths.
For Boiling Springs its obviously their great quarterback Lincoln Huskey. He has passed for over 1,000 yards this year and is one of the best qbs in the area. He can make things happen with his big arm and his legs. Spartanburg will have to account for his ability to make big throws but also is ability to run at all times.
For the Vikings the strength of this team is the linebackers. Led by Shrine Bowler Cam Smith the middle of this Spartanburg defense is one of the best linebacker units in the state. They will be tasked with containing Huskey tonight.
This games as all the ingredients to be a really good game with major playoff implications. The winner is in a great spot to get a first round bye.
The Union Yellow Jackets got their 2nd win of the season last week and their first region win since October of 2021. Tonight they get a Chapman Panther team that has obviously seen their struggles this season with a 1-6 record. The Panthers fell last week to MVP 27-9. It was a close game for a long while but MVP was able to pull away late.
Union’s strength is running the football and they are a run heavy team. In the win last week against Broome the Jackets only competed one pass and only attempted a couple more over the course of the game. Chapman has has some issues stopping the run at times this year so this could play into Union’s hands.
For the Panthers if they can stop the run and get Union to turn it over giving the Panthers short fields they can win tonight. There are also some external favors that work in Chapman’s favor tonight. The Fair is in town and its homecoming week in Union. In my memory the Jackets seem to struggle with the fair in town. But this is a different team that needs to relax and have fun and forget about the outside noise and pressures you feel when on that field at Union County Stadium.
Pick: Union
Another really big game in our area tonight MVP will host Woodruff at Newberry College tonight for homecoming for the Stars. This game is likely for the region title. Both teams undefeated coming in and both have looked really good all season. Both have some great athletes on both sides of the ball and have the ability to put up some points. It could be a fun one tonight.
I do worry about Woodruff though. With their bye week last week on top of the other weeks off the Wolverines haven’t played football in a month. We saw last week what a two week layoff can do to teams what about one longer than that?
For MVP this is their first really big test as a team. Woodruff has some athletes that can match up. I don’t think they have quite enough though.
Pick: MVP
Other Picks:
I like Byrnes over Eastside tonight. I think the Rebel offense is a little better than Eastside.
Dorman should have no trouble with Wade Hampton
I think Gaffney will find some offense tonight and roll Riverside.
I will take Seneca tonight over Greer
Chesnee over Liberty.
I also think that Landrum and Clinton has the chance to be a pretty good game tonight Clinton likes to run it and Landrum has quite a bit of success in the passing game this year. AJ Lindsay has looked really good and is in the top 4 passers on the HawkLaw Stat sheet on our website. If the can hit Clinton over the top a couple times tonight the Cardinals can upset Clinton. However the best defense is keeping the Cardinal offense off the field by grinding it out on the ground and keeping the offense off the field. Give me Clinnon in a close one.
Have fun at the games tonight everyone. Don’t forget to tune in to Victory Formation after the games to find out what all happened and Join me and Mitch Saturday morning starting at 8:00 live from Sully’s Steamers for the Saturday Sports Report we will talk to some coaches and recap it all! Stay warm and drink a hot chocolate for me!
