Carolina Academy (3-3, 1-0) at Greenwood Christian (2-5, 0-1)
Rooney’s Road Dogs came up a little short last week against Colleton Prep and they get a chance to right the ship in the friendly confines of Victory Field. They will face a Carolina Academy team that has been up and down so far in 2023. The Bobcats lost last week in overtime to Spartanburg Christian, a team the Hawks thumped 51-28 back in week 2 to give Rooney his first win.
The story of the Hawks season continues to be the Kade Heaton–Owen Whittington connection. The two have hooked up for 881 yards on the season, about 43 percent of the Hawks total offensive output. The two have hooked up for half of the total touchdowns scored by GCS in 2023. But as the Hawks defense goes, so the Hawks go. Senior linebacker Casen Goff and his fellow linebackers Holden Poole and Hamp Davis have to hold the line and have a solid game tackling for the Hawks to come out on top.
Prediction: Rooney’s Road Dogs, like most teams, play with a little extra pep in their step in front of the home crowd. Slow start for the Hawks, but a little halftime motivational talk sparks a big second half. Hawks tame the Bobcats, 35-14.
Southside Christian (2-3, 2-0) at Calhoun Falls (2-4, 0-1)
The Blue Flashes face the last of three private schools in their region, all ranked in the top 10 in the latest media poll, when fifth-ranked Southside Chrsitian comes to town Friday night. It’s a shame we have to talk about these games, but here we are.
The Flashes are having their best season in several years and are led by a group of athletes that have their minds set on bringing some of the former glory back to their hometown. There is no questioning the heart of ballers like Marri Norman and Ken Cade, but they will have an uphill battle on Friday night.
Prediction: The good news is that the Flashes’ final three games are against other 1A public schools. The bad news is that doesn’t start until next week. Sabres over the Flashes, 56-18.
Dixie (2-3, 2-0) at St. Joseph’s (6-1, 2-1)
In spite of last week’s loss to Southside Christian, the Hornets still find themselves in the thick of things in Region 1-1A. They have a couple of big wins over McCormick and Ware Shoals and face the second of the three private schools this week.
Brandon Nance continues to be the catalyst for the Dixie offense and he will have to play that role perfectly on Friday night for the Hornets to come out with a win.
Prediction: Check out the podcast for some thoughts on private schools playing 1A football. Dixie falls to St. Joseph’s 56-21.
Ware Shoals (1-5, 0-3) at Christ Church (4-2, 2-0)
The purple Hornets make the trip up to Christ Church this week. Is there really no other region for these Greenville-area private schools to compete in? We would love to see Justice Lomax put the team on his back and pull off the upset, but the depth of Christ Church will be an issue.
Prediction: The Hornets really need a region win right now, but they will not be able to pick one up this week. Christ Church over Ware Shoals, 63-12.
Chesnee (4-3, 1-0) at Abbeville (5-1, 1-0)
The Chesnee Eagles make the trip to Hite Stadium Friday night. Yes, there will be a football game, but it will definitely have a shadow over it after three Chesnee students were tragically killed in a car crash just hours before last week’s kickoff against Landrum. The Eagles defeated Landrum on Monday after the game was postponed following the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Chesnee community.
Panthers head man Jamie Nickles has the A-Bone rolling like a well-oiled machine once again and it doesn’t look like there will be much to stop it until a few weeks down the road. What typically sets apart Abbeville teams–and what no one ever wants to talk about–is how well they play defense. The 2022 version of the Panther defense was littered with college talent, but the 2023 unit wants to write its own chapter in annals of Abbeville football lore.
Prediction: Panthers take the win over Chesnee, 42-14.
Landrum (4-2, 0-1) at Ninety Six (5-1, 1-0)
This game got a lot more interesting as the week went on. The Wildcats are sporting one of the top defenses in the area and have their eyes on a matchup with Abbeville at the end of the season with the region championship on the line. There were some growing pains as sophomore Carver Davis got comfortable at quarterback after losing star signal caller in the Week 0 win over Emerald. Zay King has been a workhorse in the backfield for the Wildcats and is the only player in 2023 to garner multiple SK Media Player of the Week awards.
And then we started hearing rumors that Mitchell, who has been nursing a knee injury for the past six weeks, would be back under center for this one. That made things a little spicier, in a yummy, lunch at Alicia’s kind of way. And just like that, outside threats Ladarion Waldrop and Jaiden Hackett as well as over-the-middle target Evan Adams become more involved in the offense. Mitchell making his return could mean a long night for Landrum.
Prediction: The return of Braden Mitchell fuels a hungry Wildcat squad and Ninety Six defeatsw Landrum, 45-28
Saluda (5-1, 1-0) at Strom Thurmond (4-2, 1-0)
This is the Mitchell Enterprises Game of the Week! And it WILL be the game of the week, maybe the game of the year! Big time playoff implications in this one! Check out our full preview of this game!
Woodruff (2-5, 0-1) at Emerald (0-6, 0-0)
The Wolverines and the Vikings have had similar story arcs to their 2023 seasons and both need a region win if they hope to make the postseason in a region top-heavy with traditional powerhouses Clinton and Chester. Both squads no doubt have their eyes on a victory over Union County, but the Yellow Jackets are a much improved team and not the “gimme” they were in 2022.
The bottom line for the Vikings is they have to figure out how to win. Last week’s loss to Eastside was not a good one and leaves Emerald with more questions than answers at a time when answers are what’s needed. They have talented playmakers all over the field and just need to figure out a way to put those pieces together to find the win column in 2023.
Prediction: The Wolverines were once one of the premier 3A teams in the Upper State, but they have been a bit down for the last several years. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they are not down enough and steal a win on the road. Wolverines over the Vikings, 28-20.
Laurens (0-7, 0-1) at Riverside (4-3, 1-0)
The Raiders took it on the chin lsat week from Greer to open up region play. The road doesn’t get any easier when they travel to Riverside Friday night.
For the most part, Laurens has failed to be competitive in 2023, which is surprising considering the talent on their roster. This game could be a chance for them to reset, but it will take an all-hands-on-deck effort.
Prediction: Riverside takes this one easily, 42-7.
Greenwood (3-3, 1-0) at Easley (3-3, 1-0)
The Eagles have won more games against Easley than any other program in their history. The Eagles hold a 43-9 record all-time agaisnt the Green Wave and are 17-2 since 2000. The only two losses came under current head coach Chris Liner’s predecessor, Dan Pippin, in 2015 and 2018.
This game is likely to be shortened with both teams relying heavily on the run. Green wave senior running back is a good back, but the Eagles are rolling in with Tank Gary in their backfield. Gary has been one of the top backs in the Lakelands this season.
Prediction: Gary keeps hsi great 2023 campaign rolling and the Eagles continue their domination of Easley, 35-17.