Newberry Academy (2-3) at Laurens Academy (4-2) {-4}
The Crusaders easily won the first meeting between these two teams by a score of 42-25. Ethan Collins has proven himself to be a legit star at quarterback. Defensively, Garrison Vaughn was named Laurens County Touchdown Club Player of the Week following his 10 tackle, 6 tackle-for-loss game against King Academy where he also blocked a punt. Turns out, he’s a pretty good offensive lineman as well. And, of course, Garrett Murphy is going to have his usual day at the office.
Prediction: Not much has changed since these two teams met back on August 23 except that the Crusaders have gotten better, especially as the young quarterback has settled in. This time, they meet in front of a passionate Laurens Academy fan base. Crusaders big in this one, 48-22
Whitmire (2-4, 1-0) at Abbeville (4-1, 1-0)
Who would have thought this game would be a battle for Region 1-1A supremacy when schedules dropped back in the spring? But, here we are. Whitmire shocked the state by beating Dixie handily last week. Kayshaun Schumpert ran the ball 36 times and rolled up over 200 yards on the ground in the Wolverines’ upset of the Hornets.
The Panthers offense continues to roll along and it is very unlikely that Damarcus Leach, Karson Norman and other stars take a snap in the second half of this game. Abbeville has shown some vulnerability this season defensively, but that has been primarily through air, not exactly the Wolverines’ strong suit.
Prediction: Whitmire shot their shot and pulled off a huge upset at home, but that magic ran out last week. This one could get ugly in a hurry. Panthers huge, 56-0.
Calhoun Falls (1-5, 0-2) at McCormick (0-6, 0-1)
The Chiefs remain in search of their first victory of 2024 after playing a murderer’s row slate of nonregion games. After losing to Ware Shoals for the first time in a decade, the Chiefs are sure to be hungry to pick up that victory. McCormick’s use of star Markese Stevens will be interesting, as he has seen action at running back and quarterback. Calhoun Falls’ has an interesting quarterback situation as well, with Kendraez Tatum, Christian Richey and Braylon Patterson to all stepping into the role this season. No matter who is playing where, this is going to be a dog fight.
Prediction:
BK and LK have made another ice bucket bet for this game. Loser gets drenched by an ice bucket in the freezing cold this Saturday on the Scrambled Sports Sit Down.
LK: Flashes win 22-15
BK: Chiefs win 24-12
Dixie (5-1, 1-1) at Ware Shoals (2-3, 1-0)
This game is the SK Media Game of the Week presented by Mitchell Enterprises. Check out our full game preview!
Clinton (4-2, 2-0) at Landrum (5-1, 1-0)
The 5th-ranked Red Devils will get a tough test tonight in a game against 10th-ranked Landrum that could very well decide the region title. Landrum is loaded with weapons in their balanced offense. Quarterback Ty Foster has thrown for over 1,100 yards in just six games and has added 460 yards on the ground. Running back Aidan Kelley has rushed for over 500 yards already and wideouts Micah McClintock and Titus Poore have 24 and 26 receptions, respectively, and both are well over 300 yards receiving on the season.
Clinton has their own cast of stars and it starts up front with the top offensive line in the Lakelands and arguably the state. The big eaters up front pave the wave for a bevy of Red Devil running backs led by Javen Cook, who has rushed for more than 800 yards already this season. Quarterback Tushawan Richardson has not had to throw the ball often in 2024, but when he has, Chris Boyd has been his favorite target. The Clinton defense struggled in the first game of the season against a powerful Woodruff offense, but they also have the top linebacker in the Lakelands in Brett Young. This is a prime opportunity for the Red Devils’ defense to prove that it shored up the issues from Week 0.
Prediction: This will be a competitive game down to the wire. It’s a big play in the passing game that seals the deal and Clinton defeats Landrum 35-28.
Saluda (5-0, 1-0) at Ninety Six (2-5, 1-1)
These two teams do not like each other very much and that is going to show tonight. Saluda’s defense has been relentless through five games, applying pressure with their linemen and locking down the other team’s top receivers. This time, though, it’s almost all going to be on the Tigers’ front seven to prevent Zay King, Gabe Hackett, Joe Moore and others from killing them on the ground. Saluda defensive linemen J.T. Lott, Amir Johnson and DeVon Wallace have all had eye-popping seasons so far, and Akiem Mills is another figurehead of the defense at linebacker.
Offensively, the most eye-popping factor for Saluda is Drew Arant back under center. Arant injured his shoulder versus Crescent and had been out ever since, but looked like he had already knocked the rust off against Pelion. If Arant is able to have a successful game finding his targets in Vic Gaines, Jah Foulks and Josh Uhlar. Oh, and Brayden Williams is there too.
Prediction: Tigers stay undefeated as they improve to 6-0. Arant and Williams each throw a touchdown pass to lead Saluda past Ninety Six, 35-13.
Strom Thurmond (4-1, 1-0) at Pelion (1-6, 0-2)
The Rebels picked upa blowout win last week against American Leadership Academy and they will very likely get another one this week against Pelion. The Panthers have very little offense and their defense leaves much to be desired against most competition. Dionte Phillips has done the bulk of the work on offense for the 7th-ranked Rebels, with Cam Blacks, Trenquillis Mathis, and Kaleb Simpkins seeing significant carries on an offense that runs the ball three times as much as they throw. Jay Sewell is always a threat in the passing game and Bri’Shaun Lee has shown that he can find and hit Sewell and Crooze Watkins through the air when needed. Doubtful that it will be needed in this one.
Prediction: Oprah will be giving out touchdowns to Rebels in this one. Reece Lowe may even score in this one. Rebels roll, 56-0.
Laurens (1-5, 1-0) at Wren (4-1, 1-0)
PRAYERS FOR WREN’S ISAAC WIGINTON
Laurens just picked up their first win of the season last week 45-0 against Southside, their highest point total of the season. If the Raider offense can continue to produce like that, they are going to be a tough team to stop. Will Thompson had his best game as a Raider last week and continues to show improvement week after week. Nehemias Fernandez will see the bulk of the carries in the backfield, but star defensive back Javaye Suber has also started seeing reps on offense. Suber has proven to be a lethal punt-returner to go on top of that.
While Laurens has shown improvement, Wren is really a good team, and they are going to be playing with very heavy hearts. Wren’s sole loss came to T.L. Hanna by a score of 36-29 in a game where they were competitive for the full 48 minutes. On top of that, the game is at Wren, which is a tough environment to play in. No one is counting the Raiders out, but the odds are severely stacked against them.
Prediction: Laurens has another improved offensive outing, but it is not enough to take down the Hurricanes. Wren defeats Laurens, 42-20.
Emerald (2-4, 0-1) at Southside (0-6, 0-1)
The vikings travel up to Southside and try to end their four-game skid after starting the season 2-0. Freshman quarterback Beau Hite has shown glimpses of brilliance through the first half of the season and has been bolstered by a stout Viking three-headed rushing attack with K.D. Abney, A.J. Anderson, and Chris Dean. Chris Foster and Key Holloway are both factors on offense as well, though they both play a ton of snaps on defense.
Sophomore defensive lineman Marquise Anderson has been a menace to opposing backfields and that has allowed linebackers Foster and Kam Langford play loose and free defensively. Karson Wright is a lockdown corner who can play on an island if needed. The defense has been brilliant at times and inconsistent at times. Emerald has a stretch of three winnable games that they need to add to the win column to be in the best possible position come playoff time.
Prediction: This game sets up to be the breakout game for Hite and the Vikings passing attack. Holloway has a monster game and Emerald wins this one easily, 49-0.
