Laurens Academy (6-3, 3-2) at King Academy (2-6, 1-2) {+9}
The Crusaders wrap up regular season play by traveling to King Academy. LA won easily 52-36 when the two teams met on September 20. Garrett Murphy stole the show in that contest, racking up 248 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Caleb Hardy rushed for 133 yards and had five receptions for 60 yards en route to the big win for the Crusaders.
Prediction: New game, same result. Crusaders explode on offense and defeat King Academy, 56-27.
GCS (6-2, 3-1) at Spartanburg Christian Academy (3-6, 2-2) {+17}
It’s the return of Rooney’s Road Dawgs as the red hot Hawks travel to Spartanburg to take on a bitter rival in Spartanburg Christian Academy. The Hawks have come out on top in five games in a row and that’s exactly what to expect tonight. GCS possesses many offensive weapons in Hamp Davis, Kade Heaton, Ty Kennedy and more and quarterback Leland Reed is more than capable of getting them the ball. The same group has also proven to be a good secondary alongside the front seven, including Holden Poole and Cooper Johnson. Hawks roll to win their sixth game in a row tonight.
Prediction: In their past two games, GCS has scored 49 and 47 points. Tonight, they go even further. Hawks over Spartanburg Christian, 55-13.
RV Dixie (6-2, 2-2) at McCormick (2-6, 2-1) {+2}
The Chiefs are on a two-game win streak, picking up big region victories over Calhoun Falls and Whitmire. The Hornets, on the other hand, have been losers of two of their past three, including a loss to Whitmire. However, Dixie is more than capable of handling business when necessary, and McCormick has shown the same. Overall, the Hornets just have more warm bodies to use than the Chiefs, and that will be the deciding factor.
Prediction: After a tight first half, Dixie eventually pulls away, winning 48-22.
Whitmire (2-6, 1-2) at Calhoun Falls (1-7, 0-4) {+5}
Calhoun Falls is having an interesting season. It will get even more interesting as they take on a Whitmire team that has left fans questioning whether the Wolverines will be able to compete in the region. Calhoun Falls was able to compete with Dixie for a half and had a two-score lead over Ware Shoals before ultimately losing both games, showing that they have the ability to hold their own in region play, at least for a period of time. Whether or not the Flashes will be able to stop Whitmire star running back Kayshaun Schumpert will ultimately be the deciding factor in this one.
Prediction: The Flashes keep it close, but a dominant performance by Schumpert seals the deal for Whitmire, 34-26.
Ware Shoals (3-4, 2-1) at #1 Abbeville (6-1, 3-0) {-40}
Ware Shoals has been playing good football this year. Head coach Chris Dodson has been able to get his team to buy in to what he is selling, and it has paid dividends. Jayce Medlin still leads the Lakelands in receiving yards and touchdowns and shows no signs of slowing down. However, Abbeville has been nothing short of dominant in region play. Through three region games, the Panthers offense is averaging a whopping 59 points per game while only allowing 14 total points, all to Dixie. The Hornets are having a great, improved season. But, taking down the Panthers is going to be a tall task.
Prediction: Karson Norman finds the endzone three times as Abbeville defeats Ware Shoals
Ninety Six (3-6, 2-2) at #9 Strom Thurmond (5-2, 2-1) {-19}
The Wildcats travel to the Peach Fields Friday night for a matchup with Strom Thurmond, who is coming off a close loss to Saluda. The Rebels are going to be hungry to get back in the win column before they take on the current number 1 ranked team in Class AA, Batesburg-Leesville. The Wildcats offense is very run dominant, and the Rebels run defense has been elite this season. However, elite running backs have still found a way to have good games against the Rebels, including Brayden Williams of Saluda and Malcolm Doe of North Augusta. The Rebels will be tasked with stopping Ninety Six’s three-headed snake in the backfield of Zay King, Gabe Hackett, and Joe Moore if they want to come out on top.
Prediction: Ninety Six has an improved performance, but the Peach Fields is one of the toughest places to play in the state. Strom Thurmond defeats Ninety Six, 34-14.
#1 Batesburg-Leesville (8-0, 3-0) at #2 Saluda (7-0, 3-0) {+7}
Saluda finishes up a rough three-game slate Friday night when they host top-ranked Batesburg-Leesville. This game has been circled on our calendar all year long and it is only fitting that the teams come into the contest ranked first and second in 2A. B-L has shown a prolific passing attack and used it to defeat Abbeville earlier this season. If the Tigers want to be top dogs then Jayden Foulks, Tymart Cannon, and C.J. Springs will need to play their best football of the season. Fortunately for the DBs, J.T. Lott, DaVon Wallace, and Amir Johnson can create all sorts of havoc from the defensive line. The Saluda offense keeps getting better each week and all Drew Arant’s injury did was fire him up even more for his senior season.
Prediction: This will be an exciting game–and a nerve-wracking one. A back-and-forth affair from beginning to end, expect to see stretches of electric offense and stretches of smothering defense. Ultimately, the leg of John Pinto decides the game. Saluda topples Batesburg-Leesville, 31-28.
Laurens (1-7, 1-2) at Emerald (4-4, 2-1) {-4}
Prediction: Full preview for this week’s SK Media Game of the Week presented by Mitchell Enterprises!
Greenwood (6-2, 4-1) at #8 Hillcrest (7-1, 4-1) {TOSS}
Originally, the Eagles were 22-point underdogs to Hillcrest before the game was rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene. Since then, Greenwood was been on fire, winning four out of their last five games. Running back Trey Crawford has broke out in the second half of the season, cementing himself as one of the top running backs in the area. The Eagle defense, however, remains the strength of the team. Greenwood’s defense posted a shutout in their most recent game against Easley and they will need to have a similar performance to shut down a Hillcrest offense that has scored 28 points or more in every game but one. If the defense performs, the Eagles will come out on top.
Prediction: Nobody is happier to be back on normal schedule than Greenwood, and they will celebrate with a win over Hillcrest thanks to a late Noah Perrin field goal, 24-21.
