Boiling Springs @ Dorman
The one inter-county game that was canceled by Helene in late-September is now back on the schedule in the form of a first-round 5A Division 1 playoff game in Roebuck between the 6-3 Bulldogs and 6-3 Cavaliers.
Dorman earned hosting duties by finishing in fourth-place in Region 2, one of the automatic bid spots, and riding a three-game winning streak going into the playoffs. The Cavaliers have wins over Wade Hampton, Gaffney, and Eastside before a final week bye to prepare for Boiling Springs this week. During the win streak, the Cavaliers defense have allowed just 14 points and are playing some of its best of the season, punctuated by the 9-7 win over Gaffney.
Boiling Springs on the other hand will be coming into the playoffs looking to prove they can win ‘the big one’ in a year with heightened expectations and a strong non-region start. The Bulldogs are 2-2 against teams that finished the regular season with winning records, the two wins being against Greer (6-4) and Riverside (5-4) and losses to Gaffney (8-1) and Spartanburg (7-2).
They will get another winning team in Dorman that brings a tough defensive front, but Boiling Springs could have some big matchup advantages especially in its big-bodied wide receivers. Dorman’s ability to pressure QB Lincoln Husky will dictate this game.
Lexington @ Byrnes
The Byrnes Rebels have won four of its last six going into the playoffs, with one loss coming by one score on the road against Gaffney. The Rebels also had a bye last week headed into the playoffs, and as of this writing still have not confirmed a venue for this Friday’s game. Byrnes has played every game at the field of the opponent this season due to renovations at Nixon Field.
Good news for the Rebels is that they got RB Tre Segarra back from injury in the last game of the regular season at Boiling Springs, where he carried 19 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns and also had four catches for 38 yards and another touchdown. His versatility and talent changes the dynamic of the Byrnes offense, and puts two fast and smart players in the backfield next to QB Zy Landrum if that’s where Byrnes decides to go at quarterback.
The Lexington Wildcats went 5-5 this season overall and 1-4 in the brutal Region 4 of 5A with state title contenders Dutch Fork, Irmo, and River Bluff, and games with other non-region contenders like Greenwood and Midland Valley. The Wildcats are entering the playoffs on a three-game losing streak to Dutch Fork, White Knoll, and River Bluff, scoring just 24 points in that stretch.
Fountain Inn @ Greer
The Greer Yellow Jackets took care of business at home last week against last-place Travelers Rest in a 51-0 win, launching them into the playoffs as a second-place team and #6 overall seed in 4A. This week the Yellow Jackets take on Fountain Inn in the first round of the playoffs.
Greer held the Devildogs to just 98 yards of offense and a shutout, while the starters were able to be pulled early with a 30-0 halftime lead. RB Nick Holmes found the endzone in his nine carries and 49 yards, and TE Brock Diggins scored a touchdown as well to go with three catches and 97 yards. WR Mikey Williams took a punt to the house, and backup QB Dawson Fowler only needed to pass eight times, going 5-8 for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the win. QB Ty Breeze is another option to play against Fountain Inn, and don’t be surprised to see both in the game this Friday with long-time starter Kaden Rowland out for the year.
The Fountain Inn Fury are 6-4 this season, and went 2-3 in Region 1 for a fourth place finish. The Fury took Woodruff down to the wire in August, falling on a game-winning field goal as time expired to lose by 3, and have wins over Laurens and Southside in region play as well as Mauldin, Carolina, St. Joseph’s, and Liberty in non-region play.
The six-win mark for Fountain Inn marks the most wins in a season and first winning campaign in the third-year program’s existence. Greer should feel good about a win, but the backup quarterback factor could loom large if the Yellow Jackets aren’t prepared.
