#5 Laurens Academy (3-1) at #1 Richard Winn (3-0)
The Crusaders head to Richard Winn, likely the only 8-man team ever to put players into D1 football in back-to-back years. Richard Winn is a 30-point favorite in this one, but head coach Jolly Doolittle will have Ethan Collins and co. ready to go Friday night.
Prediction: LA will hang around in the first half, but Richard Winn pulls away in the second half. Crusaders cover, but can’t pull off the road win. Richard Winn over Laurens Academy, 56-30.
Augusta Eagles (3-1) at Cambridge (0-2)
The Cougars have been riddled with injuries in their first season back playing football. It will take some time for them to get back in the groove, but they have a nice core of players who are improving each week. Cambridge is definitely doing that.
Prediction: Like most homeschool teams, the Eagles are a bit of an unknown, but they appear to have a decent offense. The Cougars have shown glimpses of what it takes to win games, but they have yet to put it all together. Eagles over Cougars, 48-35.
#5 Greenwood Christian (2-2) at Whitmire (1-2)
The Hawks take on their third SCHSL team in 2024, which bodes well for them since both of their wins are over SCHSL teams. The Wolverines have some players who could pose a problem for Rooney’s Road Dawgs, but the GCS defense has gotten better each week, to the point we feel comfortable that Coach Peeler will indeed survive the season without any stress-related health issues.
Prediction: Leland Reed has been efficient at QB in his first season starting and that has allowed Kade Heaton to be more involved in the offense in other ways. Whitmire keeps it close, but GCS gets the job done on the road, 42-28
McCormick (0-3) at Fox Creek (1-1)
The Chiefs set themselves up with one heck of a nonregion slate in 2024 and the gauntlet continues with an improved Fox Creek team. Markese Stevens will need to have a huge game for the Chiefs to notch the win in this one.
Prediction: The Chiefs continue to get better, but can’t get it done on the road. Predators over Chiefs, 28-14.
Towns Co. (GA) (3-1) at Ware Shoals (0-3)
The Hornets have been impressive so far in 2024, with Jayce Medlin leading the way for them on both offense and defense. Medlin has caught for over 100 yards in all three games so far, and expect nothing less Friday night. Quarterback Jayden Johnson has really settled in and will lead the Hornets to their first victory of the season.
Prediction: Ware Shoals shows they indeed can last four full quarters. Medlin goes for over 100 yards and Jace Stewart adds a touchdown on the ground. Hornets over Indians, 32-20.
North Augusta (2-1) at #2 Strom Thurmond (2-1)
The Yellow Jackets only loss of the season was a one-point defeat by Lexington and they have wins over Thomson (GA) and cross-county rival South Aiken. Michael Doe continues to look impressive on the ground. The Blue Steel defense will have its work cut out stopping the North Augusta running game. The Rebels also have a potent office of their own that can strike from anywhere on the field.
Prediction: Jay Sewell and Bri’Shaun Lee have banner nights for the Rebels and they get revenge for last season’s loss to the Yellow Jackets. Strom Thurmond in a close one, 28-24.
Chester (0-2) at #4 Saluda (2-0)
The Tigers welcome the Cyclones to town in a potential 2A playoff preview. Chester came into 2024 as one of the teams pundits thought could make a run at a title. While they are not off to a banner start, they do have a couple of running backs who can wreak havoc on a defense. Brayden Williams will start his second game at quarterback in place of injured starter Drew Arant, who is expected to be back sometime this season. Tigers’ head coach Stewart Young and offensive coordinator Greg Werner have had another week to work with Williams, who possesses all the tools to be a great QB.
Prediction: The Tigers feel they have been undervalued thus far in 2024 and are on a mission to prove it. This game will tell the tale if they are legitimate title contenders or not. Saluda hands Chester another loss in this one, 35-21.
#2 Abbeville (2-1) at Ninety Six (1-2)
#3 Clinton (2-1) at Chapman (1-2)
The Red Devils are coming off a huge victory over Newberry. In that game, Javen Cook rushed for 235 yards, proving that he is just as good as any running back in the area. The Chapman offense is powerful as usual, despite losing quarterback Coleman Gray to Newberry and wideout Rashawn Cunningham to Charleston Southern. The Red Devils defense should be up to the challenge, provided Brett and Luke Young have found their way back from Whitmire (check out our podcast Scrambled Sports Sit Down this Saturday for the scoop on this and much more!).
Prediction: Did someone say “ground game?” Javen Cook has emerged as one of the top backs in the area and there are at least five other guys who can make an impact behind the gift that keeps on giving: the Red Devil offensive line. Clinton over Chapman, 24-21.
Broome (1-2) at Emerald (2-1)
The Centurions were blown out by BHP and Spartanburg and have a one-possession victory over Chesnee. Broome has had a problem turning the ball over early in 2024, giving the ball away six times in their three games (three interceptions and three fumbles). The Emerald defense struggled against Woodruff, but so has every team that has faced that offense. This game will reveal a lot about the direction of the Emerald program. Can they bounce back from a tough loss or do they succumb to the Emerald of years past and mail it in?
Prediction: The culture seems to be changing at Emerald and this is the game where we get to see it on full display. The Vikings sound the horn on the Centurions and walk away with the victory, 31-21.
Laurens (0-3) at A.C. Flora (2-1)
The Raiders continue to fight an uphill battle, down to their third string quarterback due to injuries as well having other key players questionable heading into Friday. Nehemias Fernandez will have to take over on the ground behind the Raider offensive line who will need to have an improved performance if the Raiders wish to pull this one out. With all of the external factors in play, the Raiders do not have a very good chance of walking away victorious in this one.
Prediction: Much like last week, the inability to throw the ball creates a one-dimensional look for the Falcons to dominate. A.C. Flora over Laurens, 42-21.
Greenwood (1-1) at Lexington (3-0)
The Eagles had an impressive win in Week 1 on the road at Beaufort followed by a disappointing loss last week at home to Dorman. Triston Lewis looked rattled in the pocket against Dorman and the offense never really clicked in the contest. The Eagles defense is stout, but fell prey to some arm tackling against Dorman that cost them at least one score. Lexington has traditionally been a really good team, but close victories over a good North Augusta team and a bad Midland Valley team pose more questions than they answer. It is difficult to tell at this stage exactly how good the Wildcats really are in 2024.
Prediction: The Wildcats lost over 40 touchdowns from last season to graduation and have a young stable of players earning their first minutes as Friday night starters. Eagles head man Chris Liner has always been an excellent game planner and his skills will be on display Friday night in Lexington. Eagles with the upset, 24-21.