Week 6 Recap

Gaffney 20 Byrnes 17

In the last non-region tuneup for both of these two bitter old rivals, questions may have been raised about Byrnes after Gaffney absolutely dominated this game. The Indians outgained the Rebels 371 total yards to 261. Gaffney pounded most of those out on the ground, amassing 268 yards on 51 rushing attempts, led by running back Amire White (16 carries, 82 yards) and quarterback Corey Taylor (15 rushes, 70 yards, two touchdowns). The Rebels tallied just over 100 rushing yards, of course led by Tre Segarra with 14 carries for 83 yards to go with four receptions for 48.

The Indians shut the Rebels out in the first half, taking a 14-0 lead to the break, and added on on their first series of the second half when Taylor ran for a 20 yard score to stretch it to 20-0. But, the Rebels came storming back, breaking the goose egg with a 35 yard Ashton Cathcart field goal followed by a 29 yard pick six by Cameron Nash.

Early in the fourth period, Byrnes cut the deficit to three when quarterback Gideon Merhib connected with Nic Watson on fourth down for a 22 yard touchdown, capping an 11-play 79 yard drive. In the waning moments, Byrnes forced a turnover on downs at their own three yard line and got some momentum with a couple of huge penalties. In the end, the game came down to a hail mary, which Merhib threw short of the endzone, batted down inside the five to help Gaffney hang on for the win — their seventh of the last nine as well as their third straight in the series.

The good news for the Rebels is that as concerning as the two losses they have had in non-region are, Byrnes is still a favorite to potentially run the table in their region these next five weeks. For Gaffney, this is a huge test passed after they let their last one go two weeks ago against Dorman. The Indians may also be in a position to run the table to the region title. But, time will tell.

Next week, Gaffney travels to Wade Hampton while Byrnes is at Hillcrest.

Dorman 48 Sumter 35

In another tough test to close out their non-region slate, the Cavaliers made the trek down below Columbia to take on the Sumter Gamecocks, who marched 81 yards for a touchdown on their opening series.

The Cavs did their best to replicate that, traveling 80 yards on six plays to equalize on a 22 yard TD run by Nick Means, and after Braeydon Carson came up with a sack to force a punt, it was blocked. In the ruckus that followed, Tylan Edwards fell on the live ball in the endzone for a score, putting Dorman up 14-7, but that would not last long as the Gamecocks responded with a 68 yard touchdown drive.

On their ensuing possession, Dorman reclaimed the lead on a Cooper Patterson six yard QB keeper, making for a 21-14 Cavalier edge at the half, which they built on on their first drive of the second stanza with a 65 yard drive capped by a 38 yard strike from Patterson to Anthony Peaks. But, Sumter came storming back with 14 unanswered. In the end, it was two big plays that made the difference — a 77 yard touchdown scamper from Nick Means and a fumble on the ensuing kickoff that Dorman recovered at the Sumter 11 yard line (which Means later capitalized on with a 6-yard TD rush).

The Cavs stretched it to a three score game from there thanks to a turnover on downs and a 32 yard strike from Patterson to Daishion Watkins-Hymes. Sumter would find the endzone once more, but it would not be enough as the Cavaliers came out of non-region 5-0.

Nick Means was the MVP for the Cavaliers with 295 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries as well as three receptions for 24 yards. Patterson went 10 off 18 passing for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Watkins-Hymes hauled in four passes for 119 yards and a pair of scores.

Dorman is back on the road next week to take on Fort Mill in their 2-5A opener.

Spartanburg 39 Charlotte Latin 34

This game was a strange one, with the Vikings up 27-0 early in the third quarter. But, the Hawks roared back with 14 unanswered. From there the two sides traded blows. Aryan Desai, who came in for Chris Colin, went 7 for 7 passing with 111 yards and two touchdowns — both of which proved to be huge. Charlotte Latin scored 14 unanswered after recovering an onside kick late in the game, but the Vikings were able to hang on.

The real story is that Spartanburg running back Trenton Lynch surpassed both Mike Wannamaker and Stephen Davis for third and second all time in rushing yards in Spartanburg High School history. Lynch rushed for 262 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown, bringing him within 175 of Carnie Norris’ school record 4,172 yards accumulated between 1975 and 1978.

Prior to exiting, Colin completed 11 of 17 passes for 144 yards and a score. In addition to his run game, Lynch also hauled in four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. Skyler Douglas was the leading receiver for the Vikings with three catches for 85 yards and a pair of TDs. BJ Dawkins also made an impact with seven snags for 70 yards while Tre’Gan Mickler caught three passes for 52. Spartanburg put up 505 yards of total offense in the win, which was fairly balanced at 250 rushing and 255 passing.

Spartanburg’s non-region schedule wraps with the Vikings at 2-3 on the season. Now, the focus shifts to hosting Rock Hill next, who just suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Ridge View.

Elsewhere in 5A, Boiling Springs was on a bye this week, but will now open their region slate with the first of back to back trips to District Three Stadium in Rock Hill. The Bulldogs will face off against Northwestern this coming week and Rock Hill the next.

Laurens 34 Greer 6

The Greer offense that has been so potent this season was absolutely dumbfounded by the Raiders. The Jackets failed to find the endzone and Calvin McCoy was held to just over 100 rushing yards while quarterback Xavier Sammett completed eight of his 19 passes for just 45 yards. Zay Moseley was his leading target, hauling in four passes for 22 yards while McCoy also added two catches for 17 yards.

The Greer defense surrendered 389 yards of total offense — 230 on the ground as Laurens dominated their way to the win with twenty unanswered points after Greer drew first blood on a 23 yard field goal. The Jackets’ only other points came on a 32 yarder midway through the third quarter, which Laurens answered with 14 unanswered.

Greer will travel up Wade Hampton Boulevard and over to Sirrine Stadium next week to take on the Greenville Red Raiders in their region opener.

Riverside 28 Broome 13

The Centurions are still in search of their first victory of the season. This was one of their best offensive showing since before QB Brayden Simpson went down with an injury.

Broome tallied 287 total yards, most of which came on the ground. Cam McGill toted the rock 30 times for 157 yards and a touchdown. Corley Turner, who started the season as one of the key receivers for the Centurions and is now in the quarterback role, went 6-17 through the air for 60 yards and a score. Mario Garcia pulled down that lone passing touchdown, a nine yard strike to go with seven carries for 37 yards. Bryson Martin was also in double figures on the ground with one rush for 22 yards.

Broome and Union, who was beaten 49-6 by Lancaster, will do battle next week in a game where one of the two will come away with their first win of the season.

Chapman 47 Wade Hampton 0

The Panthers are 6-0 — and at this point all doubt should be gone that this team is a threat to win region 3-3A. They once again convincingly beat an opponent they were vastly more talented than with a very lopsided number, picking up their first-ever win over Wade Hampton (they were previously 0-4 in the series).

Ashton Moore went 19 for 24 through the air with 250 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those TDs were to Keilon Tucker, who hauled in seven passes for 67 yards. Seven Chapman pass catchers logged double digit yardage, including Kham Von with two snags for 42 yards. Von also ran for a pair of scores on seven carries for 30 yards while Teagan Cantrell led the ground game with 60 yards and two TDs on 17 touches.

The Panthers open region play with Blue Ridge on the road next week.

Speaking of Blue Ridge..

Chesnee 35 Blue Ridge 19

For all the talk about the three-headed monster at Dorman (albeit they were down one head with no Carter Nash tonight), Chesnee has just as dangerous a trio of playmakers in the run game. The Eagles offense is nothing short of old school smashmouth football — although a modified form of it that operates from the shotgun. They impose their will up front and ram the ball down their opponent’s throats with the running back duo of the elusive/physical Brymier Miller and the speedy Marquez Franklin.

It was winning the war up front and the contributions of both of those backs that led to a nice win for the Eagles on their homecoming night. Brymier Miller led the charge with 130 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries as well as three receptions for 30 yards. Marquez Franklin rushed for 76 yards and a score on 10 touches. Quarterback Evan Reece-Lawter tallied 46 yards on 11 rushing attempts in addition to completing five of seven passes for 73 yards.

Chesnee’s defensive front deserves some credit as well. With a beleaguered offensive line, Blue Ridge QB Holden Powell was forced to leave the pocket and pressured a lot. He still completed 19 of 38 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. But he was sacked twice and picked off once. Chesnee forced a couple of turnovers on downs as well. In all they scored three touchdowns off turnovers, but take those away as well as the ‘garbage time’ score the Tigers put up and the Eagles still win.

Chesnee is showing themselves more and more to be a possible threat in an already insane region. They will get a huge chance to make a statement next week as they travel up Highway 11 to North Greenville University for their first region matchup against the MVP Stars, who were on bye this week.

Blacksburg 25 Landrum 14

This was a brutal loss for the Cardinals. There is no other way to say it. They held a 14-0 lead at the half. But were blanked in the second stanza while surrendering 25 unanswered.

The Cardinals will look to rebound next week, but it will not be easy as they go to Willie Varner Stadium to face the Woodruff Wolverines, who were on bye this week.