Bettis Herlong Stadium is set to host the 77th all-time matchup between the Ninety Six Wildcats and Saluda Tigers this Friday night. The series is all knotted up 38-38 with two ties and both teams will be looking for a statement win early in the 2023 season.
The Tigers sit at 2-0 after impressive victories over Mid-Carolina and Ridge Spring-Monetta. Likewise, the Wildcats sit at 2-0 after a gritty victory over Emerald and big win over Ware Shoals.
The Tigers are winners of the past three matchups and six of the last seven. Prior to that, however, the Wildcats won 17 straight against their rivals down the river.
Friday’s matchup sets up to be another excellent one in the long history between these schools, a history that dates back to 1925. Both teams have piled on points early on. The Tigers are putting up 47.5 points per game so far this season and the Wildcats are scoring 41 points per game. Both teams have explosive playmakers who can turn any play into a highlight reel touchdown. Both teams have opportunistic defenses eager to make their opponents pay for the slightest mistake.
The Tigers have youth all over the field and their offense will run through their three-headed backfield of Kenmane Brunson, Kyree Etheredge, and Brayden Williams. Once the defense is focused on the rushing attack, signal-caller Drew Arant can look to the outside for big play threats Jaylen Nick and Vic Gaines.
The Wildcats got suddenly much younger in their Week 0 victory over the Emerald Vikings when star quarterback Braden Mitchell went down with a lower leg injury. Enter sophomore Carver Davis. He looked very capable handling the Wildcat offense, taking over in a 21-21 game against Emerald and leading a second half dismantling of Ware Shoals last week. Davis will look to lean on Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week Zay King and an explosive running game to lay the groundwork for wide receiver Ladarion Waldrop and emerging star Jaiden Hackett.
Defensively, J.T. Lott will easily be the most disruptive player on the field Friday night and the junior will likely find his way into the Wildcat backfield with some regularity. Brunson will have his hands full at linebacker trying to contain the Wildcat rushing attack, but the senior has proven himself more than capable at filling gaps and stuffing the run in his farewell tour. The Tigers have top-shelf speed in their defensive backfield and will make it difficult for Davis and the Wildcats to push the ball down the field through the air.
The Wildcats will look to Waldrop and Hackett to not only take the top off the Saluda defense, but also to keep the Tiger offense from doing the same. It will take more than great coverage on the outside and the Wildcats will need pressure generated up front from Bryson Childs and J’Nivous Oliver if they want to shut down a very potent Saluda offense. Look for senior Evan Adams to be more involved on both sides of the football.
Fans left no doubt that this game is the game of the week and it will live up to the billing and then some. We have seen thrilling overtime victories (and heartbreaking overtime losses) and late fourth quarter defensive stands to secure wins. No overtime at Bettis Herlong Stadium Friday night, but it will go down to the last team with the ball. Saluda edges Ninety Six at home, 35-28.