Greenwood Christian (1-3, 0-1) at Patrick Henry Academy (4-0, 1-0)
The Hawks head down to Estill to take on Patrick Henry Academy, a team that has steamrolled its way to a 4-0 record in 2023. The key to their early success has been their big play, quick strike offense. They have scored four times outside of 50 yards, twice through the air and twice on the ground. Casen Goff and Holden Poole will have to play excellent football, particularly against play-action in order for the Hawks to pull this one out.
Offensively, Kade Heaton has already nearly doubled his touchdown output from last season. The only problem is that all 11 of his passing touchdowns have come to wideout Owen Whittington. The two have been electric together, hooking up for 165 yards per game. The Hawks will have to be very efficient on offense to keep pace with the Patriots.
Prediction: Coach Rooney has the Hawks playing well, but they have had a rough schedule to open up the season. They continue to improve each week, but the improvement won’t be enough to overcome the Patriots, final score 49-28.
Christ Church (2-2) at Calhoun Falls (2-1)
The fourth-ranked Cavaliers make the trip to Calhoun Falls this year. In spite of their 2-2 record, the defending Class A state champs are playing solid football. Their offense is led by senior running back Deshaun Reeder, who averages over 150 yards per game. The Northwestern commit continues to impress with his shiftiness and ability to hit the hole at full speed.
The Flashes overcame their losing streak earlier this season and have a good stable of athletes. The lack of depth has been their Achilles heel (shout out Aaron Rodgers) and it will be an issue in this game.
Prediction: This one got ugly in a hurry last year. Fortunately, the Flashes are much improved from 2022, but it won’t be enough to pull off the upset Friday night. Cavaliers big, 55-13.
Dixie (0-3) at McCormick (1-3)
It’s been a tough start for Dixie, losing by a combined score of 153-68 in their first three games. All of those losses have come to teams in higher classifications. They were competitive against Liberty, but still gave up 48 points and lost by two scores.
The Chiefs are fresh off Coach Collier’s first win as their head coach and look to continue that momentum as they begin region play. Markese Stevens will be back under center looking for Dre Thomas down the field and we may even have a Cam Durant sighting on offense.
Prediction: The first region game for both teams is shaping up to be a good one. Both teams will be looking for a win to start region play, especially given the gauntlet their region is. Look for the Chiefs to put the game away late, 28-14.
St. Joseph’s (4-0) at Ware Shoals (1-2)
The Hornets had their homecoming spoiled last week by West Oak and have their hands full this week when St. Joe’s comes to town. The Knights have outscored their opponents 157-20, largely thanks to an opportunistic defense that has forced seven takeaways in just four games so far.
Ware Shoals will need to lean on Justice Lomax and the run game. More importantly, they will need to take care of the football if they hope to come out victorious.
Prediction: The third-ranked Knights look poised to make a run at a title in 2023 and the Hornets won’t have much of an answer for the first of three private schools in their region. Knights over the Hornets 49-6.
Crescent (3-0) at Abbeville (3-1)
Abbeville’s magical ride came to an end last week against a stacked Westside team. While Crescent is no Westside, they are a very good 3A football team and the Panthers will have to play better than they did last week to pull out a win.
There may not be 10 total passes thrown in the entire game. Both games feature prolific rushing attacks and will lean heavily on them Friday night.
Prediction: Crescent’s record looks better than they may really be given their victories are over a rebuilding Pickens program with a first-year head coach, 1A Dixie, and Fountain Inn, a team in just their second year of varsity football. The Panthers are still smarting from the loss last week. Look for Panthers head coach Jamie Nickles to rally the troops and right the ship. Panthers tame the Tigers, 35-14.
Evans (1-2) at Strom Thurmond (2-1)
A good ole fashioned CSRA border battle will be breaking out in the Peach Fields Friday night. The Rebels have garnered much talk since adding standout receivers Braylon Staley, a Tennessee commit, and Demarius Tolen to the fold. It has certainly opened up Coach Webb’s playbook and the Rebels will definitely be looking down the field against Evans.
The Knights have not played particularly well so far in 2023. Their lone win was a one-point nailbiter against crosstown rival Greenbrier and they opened up the season with a loss to North Augusta.
Prediction: Look for Braylon Staley to have a monster game in this one and Rebels roll, 42-21.
Belton-Honea Path (3-0) at Emerald (0-3)
The Vikings have been right in all three games they have played so far, losing by a combined seven points in those three games. They just have not found a way to win and that type of thing can turn into a snowball if you’re not careful. They should have quarterback Key Holloway and running back Christian Foster available again this week, which will be a huge help for their offense.
The Bears have arguably the best running back in the state in Marquise Henderson and the junior is setting the state on fire. He accounts for more than half of the team’s yardage and doesn’t play a lot in the second half of ballgames.
Prediction: BHP appears to be on a collision course with Chapman and Clinton in the 3A Upper State title picture. Henderson, just a junior, already has more than a dozen offers to his credit and for good reason. Look for Henderson to take another second half off. Bears roll, 45-21.
Laurens (0-4) at Union County (0-3)
It’s a battle of winless teams and both will be clawing, scratching and fighting to get that first win. Neither team has been particularly competitive so far in 2023, making this an interesting game.
Prediction: Don’t expect a lot of fireworks in this one. Laurens picks up their first win of the season and downs Union County 21-14.
Greenwood (2-2) at T.L. Hanna (3-1)
The Eagles are coming off a shocking loss to North Augusta which came on the heels of a huge upset of Dorman. Tank Gary had a great game, but the Eagles were unable to pull out the victory. They are going to need Gary and quarterback Triston Lewis to have a good game if they want to beat a tough Hanna team.
The Yellow Jackets have tallied victories over Boiling Springs, Greenville and Wren. Their only loss was to Westside, a team making a strong case for a title early on.
Prediction: The Eagles will need to play a much cleaner game than they did last week if they have any hope of beating T.L. Hanna. The Yellow Jackets take this one, 31-17.