We’ve finally made it to the final week of the regular season, and there is still a ton to play for this Friday. Five games in this preview to get to before the start of the playoffs, so let’s dive in.
Riverside @ Spartanburg
The Spartanburg Vikings are literally and metaphorically licking their wounds following a 42-7 loss at Byrnes last week. Spartanburg’s only points came from a pick-six on the Rebels first drive of the game, and the offense was shut out. The Vikings were without RB Trenton Lynch on the offensive side of the ball, and the result was only 61 yards rushing and 100 total yards in the game. RB Ruben Landrum took the most carries with 8 attempts and 41 yards.
Spartanburg also suffered more injuries on the defensive side of the ball, and injuries will play a factor again this week at home against the Riverside Warriors. Riverside got an overtime win against Boiling Springs last week in dramatic fashion. The Warriors tied the game in the final seconds to force overtime, scored on the first possession of overtime and stopped the Bulldogs on 4th and goal from the two yard line to secure the win.
Warriors dual-threat QB Gideon Merhib will be a challenge for a depleted Vikings defense to slow down, but the Spartanburg offense should have more time to operate without fast Byrnes defenders running them down.
Byrnes @ Boiling Springs
Byrnes has won three of its last four games, including last Friday night’s 42-7 win at home against Spartanburg. RB Tre Segarra was named Broad River Electrifying Player of the Week for his performance, carrying the ball 17 times for 255 yards and four touchdowns as well as catching three passes for 27 yards. After missing the week prior with an injury, Segarra looked just like his old self to lift the Rebels ahead of Spartanburg for fourth place in the region, and in position for a first round bye with another win at Boiling Springs this Friday.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs will look to avoid three straight losses going into the playoffs with a win this Friday. The last time the Bulldogs played was a heart-breaking overtime loss at Riverside last week in a game that they led in the fourth quarter. QB Imri Logan threw two touchdowns through the air while RB Izael Johnson paced the ground game with 6 carries for a team-high 77 yards and a touchdown.
In the current layout of the playoffs, Byrnes can put the finishing touches on a first round bye in the Division 1 playoffs with a win. Meanwhile, Boiling Springs is safely in the playoffs but will more than likely be facing an away game in the first round next week. A win can help bring them back home for the first round instead, but the Bulldogs might also need help elsewhere.
Dorman @ Eastside
The Dorman Cavaliers blanked Gaffney last week 20-0 to grab a share of the lead in Region 2 with just one game to go, and a head-to-head win over the Indians all but locked up a first round playoff bye for the Cavaliers. Now with an outside shot at the top-seed in the bracket, Dorman still has to get by the Eastside Eagles on the road this Friday.
Dorman’s rush defense was the dominant force in the game last week against Gaffney. The Cavaliers held Gaffney runners to 76 yards and no touchdowns, and flipped the field multiple times as well. Dorman picked off three passes as the Indians showed more of a pass-first offense than they have in the past. Cavaliers DB Ja’Bez Thomas notched two of those interceptions, and also had a 15-yard running play on the offensive side to support leading rusher Nick Means in his touchdown-scoring, 103 yard night.
The Eastside Eagles got their first win in region play last week with a 42-0 victory at home against Wade Hampton that saw QB Peyton Schrader go off. Schrader was 11-13 through the air for 146 yards and two passing touchdowns, and also was the Eagles’ leading rusher with 12 carries for 110 yards and three touchdowns. In all, Eastside was able to have a great offensive night with nearly 400 total yards in the blowout, and the defense not allowing a point and forcing five turnovers from the Generals.
Wade Hampton @ Gaffney
Gaffney will look to bounce back from its shutout loss last week with the Wade Hampton Generals at home this Friday night. The Indians threw 29 passes in the game, well over the team’s average of 19 pass attempts per game, but it wasn’t enough as a five-game winning streak came to an end 20-0 at Dorman.
Three interceptions ended up hurting Gaffney the most, QB Banks Bouton threw for 226 yards on 17-29 passing. His primary target was WR Chas Smith, who caught nine of those passes for 155 yards. The Indians’ typically stout rushing attack was held in check by the Cavaliers, only going for 51 yards in the game and no touchdowns. The loss more than likely takes Gaffney out of the picture for a bye in the Division 2 playoffs, but still will be at home in the first round next week.
Wade Hampton lost last week to Eastside 42-0. They are 0-9 this season and have been outscored 354-78 this season.
Daniel @ Greer
The Greer Yellow Jackets come off their bye with their final home game of the season against a high-powered Daniel Lions squad. Last season these teams met in what was supposed to be the final game of the regular season to decide the region title, and resulted in a 48-21 Lions win at Daniel. The stakes of this week’s game aren’t quite that high, but a Greer win more than likely will create a three-way tie.
The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 in Region 2-4A and 4-5 overall, with their lone region loss coming on the road against Seneca two weeks ago 42-13. They have been led all year long by junior RB Calvin McCoy, who has racked up 1,167 yards on the season in 9 games with 15 touchdowns, averaging about 130 yards per game. The offense exploded in the midst of a four-game winning streak in the middle of the season, and will have to have a big night against Daniel on Friday night.
The Daniel Lions have had a fantastic season at 8-1 overall and 5-0 in region play. The Lions lone loss this year came at home to Stratford and have wins over Clinton, J.L. Mann, and Seneca. Sophomore QB Jace Grass has completed 63% of his passes for 2,353 yards and 28 touchdowns to just 1 interception. His top target is sophomore WR Trey Wimbley who has caught 11 of Grass’ 28 touchdowns.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login