Richard Winn Academy (7-0, 4-0) at Laurens Academy (6-2, 3-1)
The Crusaders’ lone region loss came at the hands of Richard Winn by a score of 56-20 back on September 12. Since then, LA has rattled off three straight wins on the strength of a huge season for Garrett Murphy. Murphy has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season along with more than 200 yards and four touchdowns receiving. Sophomore signal caller Ethan Collins has been electric, completing 73 percent of his passes and rushing the ball at nearly 10 yards a clip. Richard Winn quarterback Charlie Bonds has been perfect, having not turned the ball over a single time all season. In concurrence, Bonds has added 12 touchdowns through the air and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Prediction: The Crusaders have put together a great season in 2024, and they will need their best performance of the season to take down Richard Winn. In spite of a strong performance from Murphy, Crusaders fall 49-21.
Palmetto Christian Academy of Charleston (3-3) at Cambridge Academy (0-6)
The Cougars have put together an interesting season. Despite their 0-6 record, they have competed in games and shown flashes that they can be a successful football team. However, even in 8-man, numbers have come back to bite Cambridge in almost every game this season. Maddox Lee, Andrew Wiley and Gentry Phillips have all proven that they are capable of succeeding in football, the only question that remains is can they stay healthy?
Prediction: Lee and Phillips both make big plays, but the Cougars ultimately fall 42-20.
Clarendon Hall (0-8, 0-3) at Greenwood Christian (5-2, 2-1)
The Hawks have been exceptional in 2024 and look to keep the train rolling against a winless Clarendon Hall team. GCS has playmakers all over the field and Leland Reed knows how to get them the ball. Kade Heaton seamlessly made the transition from record-setting quarterback to electric receiver and the team-first mindset has permeated the team. Holden Poole and Cooper Johnson lead a dynamic Hawks defense that has the ability to take over any game.
Prediction: Not much to say about this one. It’s a victory at Victory Field for the Hawks, 55-12.
Calhoun Falls (1-6, 0-3) at Ware Shoals (2-4, 1-1)
The Flashes and Hornets each took heartbreaking losses last week in games they could have won. Thus, both teams are looking to get back on track as soon as possible. Calhoun Falls has an interesting offensive scheme, rotating Christian Richey, Kendraez Tatum and Braylon Patterson at quarterback, and allowing each of them to throw it occasionally. Ware Shoals quarterback Jayden Johnson went down towards the end of the Dixie game, and his health will be vital for the Hornets. Jayce Medlin still leads the Lakelands in receiving yards and touchdowns and Brayden Madden adds another threat on the outside. While Johnson is a threat through the air, he is just as much of a threat on the ground, leading Ware Shoals in rushing yards. Altavis Evans and Jace Stewart are both threats on the ground as well.
Prediction: Ware Shoals is angry about the Dixie loss and the loss to Calhoun Falls last year. Hornets get their revenge behind a monster game from Medlin, 36-6.
Abbeville (5-1, 2-0) at Dixie (6-1, 2-1)
The Panthers have steamrolled through region play thus far, leaving nothing to be desired in the process. Abbeville, per usual, has an assortment of running backs that will slowly punish you all game. Dixie is similar in that sense. Brandon Nance, Jayden Martin and Gabriel Cade will see carries for the Hornets while Karson Norman, Darius Riley, Cam Lee and others will tote the rock for the Panthers. One weakness that Abbeville has shown this season is their secondary and, if Dixie is able to capitalize on their deep shots to Leland Sanders and Staylon Johnson, we may have ourselves a ballgame here.
Prediction: While Dixie has been impressive this season, they are not quite able to pull of the upset in this county rivalry. Abbeville defeats Dixie, 42-28.
McCormick (1-6, 1-1) at Whitmire (2-5, 1-2)
The Chiefs are coming off their first win of the season against Calhoun Falls. McCormick’s Markese Stevens and Quantrell Hearst combined for 393 rushing yards and five touchdowns versus the Flashes, proving what this duo can do when they get hot. Similarly, Whitmire’s Kayshaun Schumpert is capable of taking over a game on his own. The Chiefs defense will have to contain Schumpert in order to pull off a victory in this one. If the defense steps up and Stevens and Hearst can play their game, the Chiefs will be just fine in this one.
Prediction: McCormick stays hot and picks up another win behind a dominant performance by Stevens. Chiefs defeat Whitmire, 38-30.
Blacksburg (3-4, 0-1) at Clinton (5-2, 2-0)
The Red Devils have cruised through region play so far, and don’t expect this one to be any different. While Blacksburg has talent, the Clinton rushing attack will just be too much for the Wildcats to handle. Javen Cook, D.J. Clark, Rhett Gilliam, Kason Copeland and Angelo Cromer will all see the rock. Chris Boyd has started to come into his own, especially on special teams. Boyd posted over 140 return yards and a touchdown against Landrum and Devin Swindler provides another threat for quarterback Tushawan Richardson to get the ball to. However, the Red Devils won’t need many forward passes to pull this one out.
Prediction: Boyd takes the opening kickoff to the house and Clinton rolls past Blacksburg, 49-14.
American Leadership Academy (0-6, 0-2) at Ninety Six (2-6, 1-2)
This has been a rebuilding year for the Wildcats, and there is nothing wrong with that. Despite Ninety Six’s struggles this season, this game will be a good confidence booster heading into next week’s matchup against Strom Thurmond. Zay King, Gabe Hackett and Joe Moore should all see a good amount of carries in this one to lead the Wildcat rushing attack. Ross Duncan may even score in this one.
Prediction: Wildcats roll past ALA, 56-0.
Strom Thurmond (5-1, 2-0) at Saluda (6-0, 2-0)
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Westside (6-0, 2-0) at Laurens (1-6, 1-1)
There have been many ups and downs to Greg Porter’s first season leading the Raiders. Despite battling injuries, Laurens has still shown flashes of greatness and that they can be successful. However, this one is going to be tough for the Raiders to pull out. Westside, commonly perceived as the top team in South Carolina regardless of classification, have hit zero road bumps en route to a 6-0 start. Cutter Woods was just named a Mr. Football finalist, and for good reason.
Prediction: Laurens fights hard but Westside ultimately takes down the Raiders, 49-17.
Emerald at Fountain Inn
The Vikings picked up a nice rebound win over Southside last week after falling to Westside the week prior. Emerald possesses many backs that can punish you in Chris Dean, K.D. Abney, A.J. Anderson, Chris Foster and Key Holloway, though Foster and Anderson have taken a step back to focus on their play on defense. Quarterback Beau Hite continues to show that he has the tools to be a successful varsity quarterback but also has moments that show he still has things to work on. The “Kam” duo of Kam Langford and Kam Parks will also be sure to wreak some havoc on the Fountain Inn offense.
Prediction: While Fountain Inn is having an improved season, Emerald picks up a vital region win in a close contest, 28-24.
Easley at Greenwood
This is the final stretch for Greenwood’s Hurricane Helene make-up schedule, and it should end in a win. The Eagles were on a four-game win streak before falling to J.L. Mann this past Tuesday are looking to get back in the win column. The Eagles defense is one of the best in the state and if the offense can continue to play on par with them, this Greenwood team is going to be scary come playoff time. The Eagles’ front seven is elite while Khamari Griffin and Bryce Seaborn are both having tremendous seasons at safety. Expect Greenwood to pick up an easy win in this one.
Prediction: Greenwood bounces back from the J.L. Mann loss with a dominant win over Easley, 42-7.