Just two weeks to go in the regular season, and we have a trio of very important games in 5A. No Greer this week as they are on their bye, but there should be three competitive contests this Friday. Let’s dive in.
Spartanburg @ Byrnes
Both Spartanburg and Byrnes are coming off of wins last week, but aren’t quite carrying all the good vibes they would hope for going into this week’s game.
The Vikings took down Boiling Springs 21-7 on the road last week, and the defense only allowed three points. Spartanburg’s defense hunkered down in the red zone, keeping the Bulldogs threats in front of them and limiting big plays. However, RB Trenton Lynch suffered an injury late, and his status for Friday is up in the air. Lynch has contributed 87% of the Vikings rushing yards in 2025, and should he not go for Spartanburg there will might have to be a scheme change.
On the other side, the Rebels just got by the Eastside Eagles in a 18-6 win. RB Tre Segarra did not play in the win, and newly-elevated starting QB Walker Burdette left with a concussion giving way to Caine Rogers to enter and lead to a win. The Byrnes defense allowed just over 200 total yards in the game and forced four turnovers to keep the Eagles at bay. WR Choo Choo Harris has established himself as one of the best wideouts in the upstate, and should be a major thorn in the side of the Spartanburg defense this week.
Gaffney @ Dorman
A massive game in Roebuck between two teams with region championship hopes this season is this Friday as the Gaffney Indians meet the Dorman Cavaliers. Gaffney picked up its fifth consecutive win at home against the Riverside Warriors by a final score of 49-20. The Indians jumped all over Riverside with 35 first half points, finishing with 460 total yards and QB Banks Bouton running for 96 yards, going 9-10 through the air for 145 yards and three total touchdowns. In the Gaffney win streak averaging 35.8 points per game with victories of Boiling Springs, Spartanburg, Eastside, Byrnes and Riverside.
The Dorman Cavaliers are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in region play after bouncing back nicely with a 52-7 win against Wade Hampton. With a win this Friday, Dorman could put itself in a position to win a share of the region title by also winning its finale at Eastside on Halloween. RB Nick Means has racked up 14 touchdowns and 931 yards in 8 games this season, and has been the motor that has led the Cavs in its wins.
The two teams enter pretty similarly built, as defenses that are fast and physical and offenses that are run-first and strong on the offensive line. The offensive line for the Indians and defensive line for the Cavaliers will be a key matchup in deciding this game.
Boiling Springs @ Riverside
The Boiling Springs Bulldogs will look to bounce back on the road against Riverside after being held out of the end zone last week in a 21-7 loss to Spartanburg. The decision now makes Boiling Springs 4-4 on the season with two weeks left and 2-3 in region play, tied with the team they are set to play this week.
QB Imri Logan was the leading rusher for Boiling Springs last week, going for 60 yards on 14 carries. Logan passed for 89 yards on 12-23 passing, and his top target was senior WR Grayson Crowe hauling in five passes for 41 yards. The Bulldogs are barely clinging on to a home playoff game as the bracket currently lays out, but a loss to Riverside could change that if the Warriors end up on top.
In Riverside’s 49-20 loss at Gaffney last week, the Warriors were still able to find success on offense. Dual threat QB Gideon Merhib was 13-30 for 162 yards passing and a touchdown, and added 21 carries for 143 yards and two total touchdowns. The Warriors are in a safe position at the moment to be in the Division 2 playoffs but if they don’t keep winning and teams behind them do that can shake things up.
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