Week 0 Picks

It really is hard to believe that another season is here.  Seems like it gets here quicker every year, yet sometimes it seems like it takes forever. This year marks my 22nd season covering high school football here in the upstate. I started fresh out of high school covering Lockhart High School for the Union Daily Times. Never did I imagine I would go from covering an 8 man football team on Thursday nights, to talking and writing about sports for a living.  It is truly a dream come true.

There is nothing like the start of a high school football season. So many storylines, so may unknowns and always so much excitement. Every team with hopes of going all the way to state and every player dreaming of being a hometown hero.  Nothing purer in the game than being under those Friday Night Lights and the smell of a musty old locker room.  Here is to hoping we have multiple state title teams in our area and that your team is on of them!

Byrnes vs TL Hanna

The Rebels are no doubt excited about the 2025 season. Not only do they have one of the best returning running backs in the state, they finally get to play a home game.  The all new Nixon Field will open tonight and from what I have seen the place is amazing. The place will not doubt be pack and loud for the Rebels who played all of their games on the road last year.

This Byrnes team has the potential to look like Byrnes teams of old with an explosive offense and a scary defense. I like this teams speed. They are going to give a lot of teams fits this year.  Trey Segarra is the man. Look for him to have a huge year this year.

The question tonight is can the Rebels keep the emotions in check with all the excitement that will be surrounding them with the renovated stadium opening up? I think they will.

Pick: Byrnes

Woodruff vs Clinton

One of the teams a lot of folks are really high on this year are the Woodruff Wolverines.  They should be.  Woodruff returns a lot of players from a really good team last year including Aiden Gibson.  Lots of talent at the skill positions and a defense that can show out.  The big question is QB. When that is a question at the high school level it can often spell trouble. However, the Wolverines have had two guys battle it out this summer for the starting job.  Coach Sloan knows how to coach up a QB, and with the talent around whoever it ends up being this season, they are in a good spot.

Clinton is of course the defending class 2A Champ and should have a really good shot at repeating in 2025.  But tonight they start 0-1.

Pick- Woodruff

I like Boiling Springs to beat Greer, and a lot of others this year.

Broome and Chapman open with two real tough opponents in BHP and Daniel respectively. I think BHP and Daniel both win.

I don’t really know what to expect from Greenville this year but I like Dorman to be improved.  Give me Dorman in a close one.

I like Gaffney to win tonight over Independence and a lot this year.

Union will look better this year but will lose tonight to a bigger Newberry team.

I like Landurm to go on the road and beat Walhalla.

I like Pendleton to pull out a win versus Chesnee.

So excited for this new season and cannot wait to see what all happens here in week zero. In the end though remember that these are kids and we as adults need to do all we can to make sure that they are having the time of their lives.  Win or lose we support our teams and show what it means to win with grace and lose with dignity.  I hope that all these players have wonderful seasons and go on the be huge successes in life whether it is on the field or off.  Here is to a great 2025 high school football season!!