Week 2 Capsules: Greenville County

Early in the season, there are plenty of opportunities to continue momentum or get back on track. Here’s a look at Week 2 of high school football in Greenville County.

Class 5A No. 8 Hillcrest (2-0) at Clover (0-1)

Series record: Hillcrest won the first ever meeting between the schools, 19-14, last season in Simpsonville

Last week: Hillcrest defeated Greer 41-20; Clover lost at Northwestern 56-12

Radio/TV/Internet: Hillcrest – facebook.com/HHSRamAthletics (Facebook Live stream).

Location: Clover Memorial Stadium, 300 State Route 151, Clover, SC 29710

Who to watch for Hillcrest: ATH Avery McFadden, RB Thomas Stanley, LT Bryce Rainwater

Who to watch for Clover: LB Jayden Bryant, QB Jaylon Hoover 

About the Rams: McFadden ran for three touchdowns, caught another, and had a 54-yard punt return as Hillcrest ran its streak of consecutive wins over fellow Greenville County teams to 30 last Friday. Stanley ran 17 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Rainwater had 10 pancake blocks.

About the Blue Eagles: Friday will mark the home head coaching debut of Perry Woolbright, who left Lexington to coach his alma mater. Woolbright’s father, Marty, was the head coach at Clover from 1993-97. Hoover threw for 2,099 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season and was also the leading scorer on the Blue Eagles’ basketball team at 12.7 points per game. Bryant has committed to Coastal Carolina.

Class 2A No. 1 Abbeville (2-0) at Class 1A No. 8 Southside Christian (0-1)

Series record: Abbeville leads 6-0, including a 28-14 victory last season.

Last week: Abbeville defeated Powdersville 35-34 in overtime; Southside Christian did not play

Radio/TV/Internet: Abbeville – WZLA 92.1 FM, wzlaradio.com/listen-live/

Location: Sabre Stadium, 2211 Woodruff Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29681

Who to watch for Abbeville: QB Jay Hill, RB Karson Norman, DB DaMarcus Leach

Who to watch for Southside Christian: WR Ethan Chandler, WR Josh Hennum, QB Paul Cobin

About the Panthers: Abbeville avenged one of the two losses it had on its journey to a 12th state championship in 2022 in amazing fashion last Friday. The Panthers were down 27-3 at the half before storming all the way back, capped by a game-tying 36-yard field goal by Thomas Booth as time expired in regulation. After Powdersville scored first in overtime, Abbeville got a touchdown on third down and Norman’s two-point conversion run gave the Panthers the win. Leach had the first two of Abbeville’s three interceptions on defense in the second half to spur the comeback.

About the Sabres: Southside Christian has had a couple of weeks to prepare for this big challenge following a 21-19 Week Zero loss at traditional Georgia power Commerce High. The Sabres haven’t settled on a true starting quarterback as of yet, but Cobin did throw for 218 yards against Commerce and led the team in rushing with 26 yards on five carries. Chandler caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, while Hennum had nine catches for 93 yards and a score.

Landrum (1-0) at 1A No. 3 St. Joseph’s (2-0)

Series record: St. Joseph’s leads 5-4 after winning each of the last four meetings. The Knights won 54-13 last season.

Last week: Landrum defeated Berea 36-7; St. Joseph’s won at Blacksburg 57-7

Radio/TV/Internet: Landrum – upstateprepcast.net

Location: St. Joseph’s Catholic School, 100 St Joseph’s Dr, Greenville, SC 29607

Who to watch for Landrum: Colton Link is the Cardinals’ main threat out of the backfield, and he played well in last week’s win over Berea.

Who to watch for St. Joseph’s: RB Brayden Johnson, LB Johnny Jaraczewski, RB William Gillespie

About the Cardinals: Landrum’s first week transitioning from a run-based offense to a spread under new coach Brent Bridges was a success – and a lot of it was on the ground.  Link had more than 200 yards of total offense and scored four touchdowns, the Cardinals rushed for more than 300 as a team, and they ran away from the Bulldogs.

About the Knights: After a 102-mile road trip to Fox Creek in Week Zero and a 55-mile trek to Blacksburg last Friday, St. Joseph’s is set for its home opener. Those long trips certainly haven’t fazed the Knights as they’ve outscored the opposition 99-7 thus far. After three touchdowns in the opener, Johnson ran for three more last Friday as St. Joseph’s took a 50-0 lead into halftime. Johnson finished with 156 yards rushing, while Gillespie ran for 46 yards, a touchdown and also caught a 67-yard touchdown.

Class 1A No. 2 Christ Church (1-1) at Asheville School (NC) (0-1)

Series record: Christ Church leads 11-6, including a 63-35 victory last season.

Last week: Christ Church defeated Southside 61-0; Asheville School lost at Webb (TN) 38-14

Location: McNaughton Stadium, 360 Asheville School Rd, Asheville, NC 28806

Who to watch for Christ Church: QB Tucker Hendrix, RB Dashun Reeder, WR Jackson Repp

Who to watch for Asheville School: QB Ricky Tolbert, WR Jojo Ikeme, DE Adam Kaminski

About the Cavaliers: Christ Church rebounded from its season opening loss at Gray Collegiate in a big way last Friday. While Reeder had a rather modest – by his usual standard – 84 yards rushing on 13 carries, Hendrix enjoyed a perfect night. Hendrix was 11-of-11 passing for 229 yards and six touchdowns. Repp caught half of those six and finished with 118 yards on six receptions. The Cavaliers’ defense forced five turnovers.

About the Blues: Asheville is coming off its first state championship in school history as the Blues captured the NCISAA (Independent) Division II crown last season. Tolbert passed for more than 2,300 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2022.

Woodruff (1-1) at JL Mann (2-0)

Series record: J.L. Mann won the first-ever meeting between the schools, 21-3, last season.

Last week: Woodruff defeated Fountain Inn 44-6; JL Mann beat Riverside 42-14

Radio/TV/Internet: Woodruff – meridix.com/channel/?liveid=woodruffathletics#/

Location: Slaton Field, 158 Ridge Rd, Greenville, SC 29607

Who to watch for Woodruff: QB TJ Morris has played well for Woodruff in the early going. WRs Kori Moates and Kory Scott both have big-play potential.

Who to watch for JL Mann: QB Ethan Anderson, WR Mikel McClellan, OLB Jacari Bennett

About the Wolverines: Woodruff has shown the ability to put up points in bunches under new coach Brett Sloan. Morris has been the catalyst, making good decisions and playing within the offense. Last week, the Wolverines’ defense improved by a huge leap over Week Zero.

About the Patriots: After losing Anderson midway through the second quarter of a 21-14 game last week, J.L. Mann was able to pull away with three touchdowns in a five-minute span of the second half. McClellan led that flurry with an incredible 18-yard touchdown off a touch pass where it looked like he’d be wrapped up for a loss. McClellan finished with 182 yards receiving, 53 rushing and two touchdowns.

Mauldin (0-1) at Powdersville (0-2)

Series record: Powdersville won the first-ever meeting between the schools, 41-20, last season.

Last week: Mauldin lost to Boiling Springs 55-0; Powdersville lost to Abbeville 35-34 in overtime

Location: Powdersville Elementary School, 139 Hood Rd, Greenville, SC 29611

Who to watch for Mauldin: RB/LB Devan Ortega, DL DeMario Moore

Who to watch for Powdersville: QB Eli Hudgins, LB Harrison Jefferies

About the Mavericks: This will be a matchup of teams looking to bounce back, but from very different perspectives. Mauldin fell behind 41-0 at the half and was held to less than 150 yards of total offense in the shutout loss of its season opener. The Mavericks are now faced with trying to get on track against the reigning Class 3A Upper State champion Powdersville, which should be in a foul mood after its first games. 

About the Patriots: Powdersville comes in having been on the wrong end of two-point conversions each of the first two weeks. Hudgins, an Army baseball commit, was stopped short on a potential game-winning two-point conversion run in a 22-21 loss to Broome to open the season. Last Friday, the Patriots saw a 27-3 halftime lead disappear and Abbeville capped the comeback with a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime in a 35-34 loss.

Woodmont (2-0) at Riverside (1-1)

Series record: Riverside leads 10-8, but Woodmont has won each of the last four meetings including a 35-28 win last season in Piedmont.

Last week: Woodmont defeated Walhalla 28-13; Riverside lost at J.L. Mann 42-14

Location: Riverside High School, 794 Hammett Bridge Rd, Greer, SC 29650

Who to watch for Woodmont: RB TJ Williams, RB Ezekiel Belcher, WR Drake Stewart, DL RJ Flemmings

Who to watch for Riverside: WR/RB Mikkel Skinner, QB Ty Breeze, LB Jack Merriman

About the Wildcats: Williams and Belcher led a Woodmont rushing attack that piled up 372 yards last week. Williams carried 27 times for 182 yards and a touchdown, while Belcher had 140 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts. Although, it was hardly a one-dimensional offense as Stewart caught eight passes for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Flemmings led the Wildcats’ defense with two sacks and three quarterback hurries.

About the Warriors: Riverside will try to bounce back from a tough loss last week. When the Warriors trailed 21-14 after one quarter, it appeared the game would be a shootout. But the Warriors were shut out the rest of the way and held to just 47 yards of total offense in the second half. Breeze, who left with an injury in the third quarter, accounted for both touchdowns on a pair of perfect deep throws that hit the receiver in stride. Merriman had nine tackles, three for a loss including a sack in the loss.

Greer (0-2) at Blue Ridge (0-2)

Series record: Greer leads 19-2, including a 56-20 win last season.

Last week: Greer lost at Hillcrest 41-20; Blue Ridge fell to Liberty 41-19

Radio/TV/Internet: Greer – WGYT 92.1 FM, yellowjacketsports.net; Blue Ridge – upstateprepcast.net/blue-ridge

Location: Howard Stadium, 2151 Fews Chapel Rd, Greer, SC 29651

Who to watch for Greer: RB LaDainnian Martin, WR Chase Byrd, LB Darius Johnson

Who to watch for Blue Ridge: RB KB Henderson, WR Asheton Stokes, DE Eli Smith

About the Yellow Jackets: Greer will try to avoid a rare 0-3 start when it makes the short drive up Highway 14 to renew this rivalry. After Martin accounted for seemingly all of the Yellow Jackets’ offense in Week Zero, he did not suit up at Hillcrest. A blocked punt led to a one-yard touchdown that staked Greer to an early 6-0 lead it carried to the second quarter. In the last eight minutes of the half, Hillcrest scored three touchdowns to take control. Byrd caught eight passes for 96 yards to lead Greer. Johnson had a game-high nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss.

About the Tigers: For the second straight week, Blue Ridge dug itself an early hole it could never fight its way out of. After falling behind 27-0 in the second quarter of a season opening 11-points loss at Chesnee, the Tigers trailed 20-0 in the second quarter last Friday. A highlight was a 95-yard touchdown catch by Stokes. Henderson has rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Wade Hampton (0-2) at Easley (0-1)

Series record: Easley leads 19-6, including 12 of the last 13 meetings. The Green Wave edged the Generals, 28-27, last season in Greenville.

Last week: Wade Hampton lost to Travelers Rest 60-27; Easley fell to Daniel 38-0

Location: Carr Stadium, 154 Green Wave Blvd, Easley, SC 29642

Who to watch for Wade Hampton: CB/WR Jamarion Mckinney, LB Angel Gomez, DE Javarous Haygood

Who to watch for Easley: RB Logan Sullivan, WR Will Patton, OLB Talan Scott

About the Generals: A Wade Hampton team that graduated its starting quarterback, two leading rushers, two leading receivers and three leading tacklers from last season has struggled coming out of the gate this season. After falling at Seneca 43-0 to open the season, the Generals fell behind 34-7 in the first half in last Friday’s loss. Gomez, a freshman, leads the team with 14 tackles. Haygood, a sophomore, is second with 13 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

About the Green Wave: After getting blown out by Daniel to open the 2022 season, Easley reeled off five consecutive wins. The Green Wave hopes history repeats itself this year starting Friday in a rematch of a nail-biter last season. Easley jumped out to a 28-6 halftime lead over Wade Hampton before holding on for the one-point win. Sullivan had 82 yards rushing on 17 carries in last Friday’s loss.

Pickens (0-2) at Southside (0-1)

Series record: Pickens leads 14-1, but that one came last season when Southside earned a 48-27 victory.

Last week: Pickens lost to Franklin Co. (GA) 28-11; Southside lost at Christ Church 61-0

Location: Perkins Stadium, 100 Blassingame Rd, Greenville, SC 29605

Who to watch for Pickens: QB Landon Pace

Who to watch for Southside: RB Javontae Searles, DE Christopher Smith, LB Jaylen Hagood

About the Blue Flame: Under new head coach James Reynolds, Pickens has yet to find its footing after switching form a Wing-T to a spread offense. After a 34-14 loss to Crescent to open the season, Pickens was on the wrong end of Franklin County (GA) ending a 17-game losing streak.

About the Tigers: Turnovers were a big problem for Southside in a rough opening night loss at Christ Church last Friday. The Tigers threw one interception and lost four fumbles. In Southside’s win over Pickens last season, Searles had 149 yards on eight carries, while Hagood had seven tackles including a sack.

Eastside (0-2) at Liberty (2-0)

Series record: Eastside won the first-ever between the schools, 38-13, last season in Taylors.

Last week: Eastside lost at Pendleton 53-29; Liberty beat Blue Ridge 41-19

Location: Red Devil Stadium, 124 Red Devil Dr, Liberty, SC 29657

Who to watch for Eastside: RB Kalvin Banks, RB Scooter Foster

Who to watch for Liberty: RB J.J. Hernandez, RB Austin Smith

About the Eagles: After finding tough sledding in a Week Zero shutout loss to Riverside, Banks got back on track last week. He rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries last Friday, while Foster carried 12 times for 70 yards and a score. In last year’s matchup, Banks ran 20 times for 226 yards against Liberty.

About the Red Devils: Liberty is shooting for its first 3-0 start since the 2016 team went 8-5. That’s the Red Devils’ lone winning season since 2012.

Carolina (0-2) at Berea (0-1)

Series record: Berea leads 20-17 after winning nine of the last 10 meetings. The Bulldogs won last year’s matchup, 41-30.

Last week: Carolina lost to West-Oak 35-12; Berea lost at Landrum 36-7

Location: Berea High School, 201 Burdine Dr, Greenville, SC 29617

Who to watch for Carolina: RB Kimoray Holland, QB JaSean Bowens, WR D’Marcus Riley

Who to watch for Berea: QB Amazay Robinson, WR Destin Eichelberger

About the Trojans: Carolina had a solid night offensively last Friday, but three lost turnovers were costly. Bowens completed 16-of-24 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Riley caught that touchdown and finished with 129 yards receiving on eight catches. Holland rushed for 91 yards on 17 carries.

About the Bulldogs: Robinson burst on the scene as a freshman two years ago when he shattered the school’s single-game record with 549 yards passing against Blue Ridge. Last week, he completed 16-of-26 passes for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Eichelberger caught nine passes for 151 yards and the touchdown.

Palmetto (0-2) at Travelers Rest (1-1)

Series record: Travelers Rest leads 6-0, including a 31-20 win last season in Williamston.

Last week: Palmetto lost to Seneca 40-0; Travelers Rest won at Wade Hampton 60-27

Location: Bolin Stadium, 301 N Main St, Travelers Rest, SC 29690

Who to watch for Palmetto: LB Logan Mayberry, LB Landon Mayberry

Who to watch for Travelers Rest: WR/DE Drew McKibben, LB Lucas Tankersley

About the Mustangs: Palmetto has struggled mightily on offense so far this season. After being held to 24 yards rushing in a 28-13 loss at Woodmont to open the season, the Mustangs got minus-12 on the ground at Seneca. That was primarily due to nine sacks by the Bobcats, who limited Palmetto to 117 yards of total offense.

About the Devildogs: After falling to Riverside 49-7 to open the season, Travelers Rest got its offense on track in a big way last Friday. The Devildogs jumped out to a 34-7 halftime lead and cruised to the win. Friday’s point total gave Travelers Rest one 56-point game in each of the last six seasons. The Devildogs eclipsed 60 points in five of those.

Crescent (2-0) at Fountain Inn (1-1)

Series record: Crescent won the first-ever meeting between the schools, 49-0, last season in Iva.

Last week: Crescent beat Dixie 58-7; Fountain Inn fell at Woodruff 44-6

Location: Fountain Inn High School, 644 Quillen Ave, Fountain Inn, SC 29644

Who to watch for Crescent: RB Darius Latimer, QB Dylan Dale, RB Kiantae Parks

Who to watch for Fountain Inn: QB Sam Holliday, LB Xeviel Gonzalez

About the Tigers: Crescent is off to a fast start thanks to a prolific rushing attack. Latimer has rushed for 236 yards with four touchdowns and is averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Dale has 197 yards rushing, four touchdowns and averages 8.6 yards per carry, while Parks has 118 yards and averages 16.9 yards per carry. Dale has also completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns.

About the Fury: After capturing its first varsity win in school history in Week Zero, Fountain Inn could not make it a streak as Woodruff outgained the Fury 365-168 in total yards. Holliday rushed for 89 yards and Fountain Inn’s lone touchdown. Gonzalez leads the Fury in tackles with 16, including three for loss.

Class 4A No. 5 Greenville (1-1) at Class 5A No. 9 Byrnes (1-1)

Series Record: Byrnes won the first meeting between the programs 56-28 last year.

Last Week: Greenville lost to T.L. Hanna 28-17; Byrnes lost to Chapman 17-14.

Radio/TV/Internet: The Fan Upstate 97.1/97.7 FM (Byrnes)

Location: Nixon Field, 150 E. Main St., Duncan

Who to watch for Greenville: DBs Christian Henderson and Ramani Bruton could have a huge impact in this game. Henderson was hurt against the Rebels a year ago, and when he was lost for the season, that meant Bruton had to step up – which he did, to the tune of six interceptions.

Who to watch for Byrnes: DL Chris Foster will be crucial for the Rebels. Byrnes needs Greenville to be one-dimensional, and Foster can play a huge part in helping take the Raiders’ running game away.

About the Red Raiders: Greenville comes in with a ton of talent at a bunch of places, and nowhere is it more noticeable than up front on both sides of the ball. All five OL are returning starters, with two having D1 offers already. Defensively, Jayden Wilson-Abrams, Bruce Knauber, and Jamarion Jeffries are as good a DL as you’ll find.

About the Rebels: Byrnes has had a pair of surprises at the RB position this season, and the success of both will have a lot to do with the Rebels’ fortunes. First, freshman Tre Segarra has been an eye-opener, capable of tough runs between the tackles as well as showcasing speed. That has allowed RJ Livingston to shift from primary RB duties to the other side of the ball at linebacker, where he’s had a great start.