Week 4 Recap

Gaffney 34 Boiling Springs 7

It has been a wild week in the seat of Cherokee County. Jayvon Gilmore unenrolled from GHS and also ended up re-opening his college recruitment after having been committed to Arkansas for over a year. That meant that the reins of the offense went solely to Banks Bouton. Through the course of the first month of the season, there was an ongoing quarterback battle and the prevailing thought was that by the time the first week of region play rolled around, they would have settled on one of the 2. That became true – albeit by force. The ongoing drama would beg the question as to whether or not the team would be focused and ready to go – especially when you factor in Boiling Springs’ strength on the defensive side of the ball. But, if there was any question, it was answered quickly.

Gaffney dominated this game from wire to wire. Sure, the scoreboard was close for a while, with the Indians leading 13-0 at the half. But, it could have been so much worse for the Bulldogs. The Indians had 4 touchdowns taken off the board over penalties – which continue to be a huge problem for them that frankly does not look to be something that will fix as the season goes along. They also came up with 4 interceptions in this game. The turnovers got things to the point where BSHS starting QB Josh Kahl was benched for Imri Logan, who scored the Bulldogs’ lone touchdown – an 18 yard run with just over 5 minutes to play in the game.

In essence, the question from this game is not so much about Gaffney as it is Boiling Springs. The Bulldogs’ offense continues to be inconsistent while their defense got worn down tonight. Can BSHS put together a complete game on both sides of the ball against an opponent that tests them? Next week, they have a chance to get back on track and find a rhythm as they take on Eastside at home, possibly with Jeremiah Favorite back from injury.

On the flipside, can Gaffney keep it going as they travel down highway 29 to take on Spartanburg next week at Viking Stadium?

Dorman 31 Riverside 3

The Riverside Warriors’ program turnaround over the last few seasons has been remarkable. With talent such as Mikkel Skinner, they have been interesting. But, this year, they have taken a step back more towards the Riverside that we used to know (as Gotye’s ‘Somebody that I Used to Know’ pops into my head..). They have some nice pieces. Junior Quarterback Gideon Merhib, Senior Running Back Speedy Taylor, and his fellow tailback Junior Keyon Knowles, Senior Cornerback Somad Eady. But, despite that talent, they were completely outmatched by the Dorman Cavaliers.

The Cavs kept the Warriors on their own side of the 50 with a party in the backfield for most of the first half. Riverside never crossed their own 25 yard line until halfway through the 2nd quarter, and never got past the 50 until the waning moments of the first half. Naturally, with the field position flipped in their favor, Dorman took advantage and jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The rest of the way, the Cavaliers outscored the Warriors 10-3. Riverside turned the ball over on downs three times and the Dorman defense also came up with 2 interceptions to help keep the Warriors out of the game. Likely the biggest takeaway is the fact Meek Slydell threw 2 touchdown passes in the game – the first two of the season by the Cavs. Dorman also had all three of their quarterbacks – Slydell, Cooper Patterson, and Jabez Thomas, get several snaps in the game.

With the Cavs sitting at 1-0 in the region, Dorman will set their sights on trying to win the first rivalry game with Byrnes at the new Nixon Field in a week.

Byrnes 45 Wade Hampton 3

The Rebels scored the first 45 points in this game. That is about all you need to know. It was a rout quickly, with a 21 point outburst in the first quarter. Tre Segarra got things started by capping a 9 play 75 yard drive with a 2 yard TD run. Jacobi Fuller ran another in from 10 yards out, and later on Segarra found paydirt again – this time on a 21 yard TD reception.

Segarra had one more TD in the game – a 51 yard scamper early in the 2nd quarter, while Caine Rogers had one more touchdown pass that went for 2 yards to Jackson Buckley.

Byrnes had 21 first downs to Wade Hampton’s 3 and amassed 447 yards of total offense compared to the Generals’ 66 yards. Segarra notched 75 yards on 4 rushing attempts and Rogers was 13 for 18 passing with 181 yards. Choo Harris was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 56 yards.

Spartanburg 48 Eastside 34

In a long and yellow hankie-riddled night (both squads combined for 29 penalties for 289 yards), it was the Vikings that got the better of the Eagles in Taylors. Trenton Lynch, who Mark Hodge claimed to be holding back over the tough non-region slate they Vikings played, was a key factor in this game, accounting for 5 touchdowns – three rushing and 2 receiving.

The Vikes trailed early on in this game, taking a 7-0 deficit into the 2nd quarter before things devolved into a back and forth where the Eagles still were able to hold a 21-17 advantage at the half. Spartanburg eventually put the game away in the third quarter with 21 unanswered points in spite of being outscored 13-10 in the final 12 minutes.

The total offense was almost even – the Vikings having tallied 468 yards to Eastside’s 461. 362 of the Eagles’ yards came on the ground, led by the combo of Lucas Tankersley (21 carries for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns) and Peyton Schrader (15 rushing attempts for 75 yards and a pair of scores). Trenton Lynch put up 208 yards on 18 touches to lead Spartanburg. That was balanced well by a solid passing game from Trey Burke – 22 of 26 for 266 yards and three scores.

Spartanburg will look to make it three straight wins this coming Friday night as they host the Gaffney Indians.

Greer 56 Berea 0

The Yellow Jackets are in the win column. They opened their region 2-4A slate in the shadow of the water tower with the Berea Bulldogs, who were also winless coming in. Calvin McCoy was huge in the Jackets’ blanking of Berea, tallying 223 yards and 5 TDs on 16 touches. Dawson Fowler also completed 50 percent of his passes (9 for 18) for 126 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Sammet also had a touchdown pass in a 2-3 night with 36 yards to go with his 73 rushing yards and touchdown on 5 touches. Zay Moseley and Noel Sitton each had a receiving score, combining for 82 yards on 6 snags. Tucker Hudson was the leading pass catcher, hauling in 4 balls for 64 yards.

The Yellow Jackets offense put up 386 yards on the ground and 162 through the air in the shutout, as their defense held the Bulldogs to just 42 yards and 7 first downs.

Greer will now look to go to 2-0 in the region, going on the road to Travelers Rest next week.

Broome 53 Powdersville 39

The Centurions might have completely changed the trajectory of their season on Friday night by winning what was a close game until they pulled away against an opponent they are more than familiar with over the last few years – the Powdersville Patriots.

Jameson Dearybury lit up the scoreboard and the stat sheets with 372 passing yards – part of a 628 total yard offensive explosion. He was 25 for 29 with three touchdowns and a pick. Tyqwon Booker ran the ball at will, notching 238 yards and a pair of scores as well as converting a pair of two point conversions on 37 carries. Reece Waugerman hauled in 11 of Dearybury’s passes for 134 yards and a TD while also running for another score. Asher Littlejohn had a score on 11 snags for 134 yards, and Brayden Simpson also got in on the party with a TD and 84 yards on 6 receptions.

Broome, now with a 2nd win under their belt, will look to make it back to back wins this coming Friday as they go to take on the Blacksburg Wildcats in their final non-region contest.

Woodruff 52 Chesnee 17

In the annual Battle of Highway 221, it was the Wolverines that controlled the game from wire to wire at WL Varner Stadium. Woodruff scored 21 points in both the 1st and third quarters to propel them to the win. Aidan Gibson ran for 3 touchdowns in a 14 carry, 154 yard effort. Mykel added two more rushing scores in a 108 yard night on 4 touches. Junior quarterback Connor Davis did not break the 100 passing yard mark, instead going 7 of 14 for 98 yards and a touchdown that came on a 24 yard shot to Rhylan Renfrow. Kayden Barnaby led the passing attack with 2 catches for 44 yards.

On the Chesnee side of things, Evan Reece-Lawter completed 8 of 11 passes for 122 yards. Braylon Blanton was his top target, hauling in 6 balls for 87 yards. In the ground game, Blake Cochran was the lone Eagle to surpass 50 yards, running 8 times for 54 yards and a touchdown. Taven Pasaro also had a score on 4 touches for 22 yards.

Chesnee will take a bye week this Friday before they open their region 1-2A slate on the road at Blacksburg on October 3rd. Woodruff’s non-region schedule wraps up this coming Friday at Wren.

Christ Church 48 Chapman 20

Don’t let the score fool you. This game was not at all as close as it appears. To put it in perspective, the Panthers once trailed 35-7 late in the 2nd half.

Bryson Cothran did not break the 100 passing yard mark, finishing with 92 and a touchdown on 11 completions in 16 attempts. Freshman Ashton Moore also had a TD as part of a 6-11, 79 yard night.

Jyssiah Copeland was held to just under 100 rushing yards, ending up with 99 and a score on 7 carries. Caden St. Charles was the leading receiver with 82 yards and a TD on 8 catches. Keilon Tucker also added a score on 4 snags for 24 yards.

The Panthers’ quest to find the win column will continue next week as they wrap up non-region play with the Belton-Honea Path Bears.

** Elsewhere in 3A, Union fell 55-36 at Chester and MVP defeated Anderson Christian 51-6. Union hosts Clinton next week while Mountain View Prep will be off.**

In the 2A ranks, Landrum suffered a 36-16 setback at West Oak. They will return home next week to face the Blue Ridge Tigers.