Week 4 Preview Capsules: Spartanburg Area

Class 3A No. 8 Chapman (3-1) at Class 3A No. 2 Clinton (4-0)

Series Record: Clinton holds a 19-5 lead in the series, and won twice last year – once in the regular season and again in a 49-27 victory in the 3A quarterfinals.

Last Week: Chapman beat Laurens 48-3; Clinton beat Aiken 63-6

Radio/TV/Internet: upstateprepcast.net

Location: Wilder Stadium, 800 N. Adair St., Clinton

Who to watch for Chapman: QB Coleman Gray, WR Rashawn Cunningham, WR Hudson Moss

Who to watch for Clinton: QB Tushawan Richardson, WR/DB Zay Johnson, C/DE Rion Gordon

About the Panthers: Chapman put together an outstanding offensive performance in last week’s win over Laurens. Gray aired it out a little more than usual, tossing four TDs, with Cunningham and Moss providing big nights. He also ran for 90 yards and a score.

About the Red Devils: Clinton is throwing it with more purpose than in years past, using the pass as more than a tool to loosen the defense. They’re still grinding it out, though: in last week’s win, five Red Devils carried the ball, none rushed for more than 60 yards, none rushed for fewer than 30, and they churned out 253 on the ground.

Class 4A No. 3 Northwestern (2-1) at Class 5A No. 2 Gaffney (3-1)

Series Record: Northwestern leads the all-time series 29-26, but Gaffney took a 28-7 victory last season.

Last Week: Northwestern beat Nation Ford 62-0; Gaffney beat Mallard Creek 24-7

Radio/TV/Internet: WAGI 104.3 FM

Location: The Reservation, 150 Twin Lake Rd., Gaffney

Who to watch for Northwestern: QB Finley Polk, RB Turbo Richard, LB Mason Grier

Who to watch for Gaffney: QB Riley Staton, RB Jaiden McDowell, WR Emazon Littlejohn

About the Trojans: Northwestern looks every bit like the team that played for last year’s 4A title. Polk has quietly put together an 800-yard season already and has tossed 10 TDs. Richard is one of the most talented backs in the state, and Grier helps to lead a stingy defense.

About the Indians: Gaffney’s been successful so far with offensive balance. Staton can sling it all over the field, Littlejohn has been a touchdown machine so far this season, and McDowell is, put simply, a matchup nightmare for defenses: speed to break away, ability to catch out of the backfield, and powerful enough to run over you in short yardage.

Greer (1-3) at Boiling Springs (2-2)

Series Record: Greer leads the all-time series 4-1, but Boiling Springs got its first win last year in a 27-25 decision.

Last Week: Greer lost to Byrnes 49-13; Boiling Springs lost to Hillcrest 21-6

Radio/TV/Internet: Yellow Jacket Sports Network (Greer); upstateprepcast.net (Boiling Springs)

Location: Bulldog Stadium, 2251 Old Furnace Rd., Boiling Springs

Who to watch for Greer: RB Chris Hall, RB LaDannian Martin, WR Chase Byrd

Who to watch for Boiling Springs: QB Lincoln Huskey, DL Calvin Jackson, DB Jeremiah Favorite

About the Yellow Jackets: Greer has been thumped a couple of times in a tough schedule, and ran all over Blue Ridge in their win. Hall has been an eye-opener, and if the Yellow Jackets can get healthy they’ll be a tough out in the region.

About the Bulldogs: Boiling Springs’ defense has been strong this season. Against Hillcrest last Friday, they gave up two big-play TDs and not much else. Jackson was excellent, with seven tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss.

Wren (1-2) at Class 5A No. 5 Byrnes (3-1)

Series Record: Byrnes won the only previous matchup between the teams 42-7 last season.

Last Week: Wren lost to T.L. Hanna 35-23; Byrnes beat Greer 49-13

Radio/TV/Internet: The Fan Upstate 97.1 and 97.7 FM

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

Who to watch for Wren: QB Colten Bagwell, OL Lonnie Blassingame

Who to watch for Byrnes: QB Andrew Stevens, ATH Armoni Weaver, RB Tre Segarra

About the Hurricanes: Wren’s played a tough schedule, and in their wins, Bagwell has played well. Blassingame leads a massive, talented offensive line, and the Hurricanes have plenty of skill guys who can make a difference.

About the Rebels: Segarra has been an immediate difference-maker for Byrnes, as the freshman has brought another dynamic to the Byrnes backfield. Stevens has played well the past two weeks, surpassing 250 passing yards each game despite big leads and limited passes late.

Clover (1-2) at Dorman (1-2)

Series Record: Dorman holds a 4-1 advantage in the series, including a 37-23 win last year.

Last Week: Clover lost to York XX-XX; Dorman was idle

Radio/TV/Internet: WQUL 101.7 FM

Location: Cavalier Stadium, 1050 Cavalier Way, Roebuck

Who to watch for Clover: LB Brody Rowan, LB Jayden Bryant, RB Landon Stone

Who to watch for Dorman: S Brannon Teamer, QB David Sorenson, WR K.D. Hainsworth

About the Blue Eagles: Clover is still looking for an offensive identity, but Stone has shown some promise at RB. Defensively, Rowan has lived in opponents’ backfields, and Bryant had a fantastic game against York with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.

About the Cavaliers: Dorman had a week off in Week 3, and will look to regroup after a 1-2 start. Sorensen has looked good operating within Dorman’s offense, and Hainsworth is emerging as a playmaker. Teamer and the defense have played well.

Class 5A No. 8 Spartanburg (2-2) at Riverside (3-1)

Series record: Spartanburg leads 10-0, including a 59-25 win last season. 

Last week: Spartanburg lost to Grayson (GA) 21-19; Riverside won at Christ Church 48-28

Radio/TV/Internet: Fox Sports Spartanburg 1400 AM/98.3FM

Location: Riverside High, 794 Hammett Bridge Rd, Greer

Who to watch for Spartanburg: S Demario Bookhart, LB Bennie Littlejohn, LB Cam’Rich Smith

Who to watch for Riverside: WR/RB Mikkel Skinner, QB Ty Breeze, DL Marcus Downs

About the Vikings: Spartanburg has won every game in the series by double digits, but this could be the most intriguing matchup ever between the schools. It looks to be a battle between Spartanburg’s outstanding defense and Riverside’s explosive pass offense. Against a tough schedule this season, the Vikings haven’t scored more than 19 points but haven’t allowed more than 21 in any game.

About the Warriors: Riverside is coming off an emotional comeback win in which it outscored Christ Church, 27-0, over the fourth quarter and the final 1:06 of the third quarter. Breeze, a Goose Creek transfer, has shown a great touch on deep balls and has thrown for 928 yards and 15 touchdowns with two interceptions. Skinner and Speedy Taylor have caught six touchdowns apiece. Skinner also leads the Warriors in rushing (375 yards) and is averaging 11.0 yards per carry.

Berea (1-2) at Class 3A No. 9 Broome (3-1)

Series Record: Broome leads the series 5-1, including a 39-7 win a year ago.

Last Week: Berea lost to Wade Hampton 35-13; Broome beat Union County 62-34

Radio/TV/Internet: coxsportsbroadcasting.com

Location: Royal Stadium, 381 Cherry Hill Rd.,Spartanburg

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

Who to watch for Broome: QB Kamajay Brackett-Brannon, RB Jaylen McGill, OL Steven O’Dell

About the Centurions: There are successful nights rushing, and then there’s what Broome was able to do against Union County last week. The Centurions ran for 493 yards and churned out 581 yards of total offense. Brackett-Brannon had 206 yards and four TDs on the ground, while McGill carried 23 times for 287 yards and scored five times.

About the Bulldogs: Berea is adjusting to a new coach and scheme with Drew Chisholm taking the helm, and the Bulldogs have been making strides. Robinson is a dynamic athlete at QB, and Davis brings tough, hard-nosed running to the table.

Chesnee (3-1) at Woodruff (1-3)

Series Record: Woodruff leads the series 39-9, including a 49-24 win last season.

Last Week: Chesnee beat R-S Central 41-13; Woodruff lost to BHP 49-15

Radio/TV/Internet: upstateprepcast.net (Chesnee); meridix.com (Woodruff)

Location: W.L. Varner Stadium, 710 Cross Anchor Road, Woodruff

Who to watch for Chesnee: ATH Adonis Burgess, ATH Kaylob Blanton, QB Kjay Proctor

Who to watch for Woodruff: ATH Kory Scott, QB TJ Morris, RB Aiden Gibson

About the Eagles: Burgess is labeled as an athlete. Want to know why? In last week’s win over R-S Central, he had 124 total yards, 3.5 tackles, a tackle for loss, a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal, which the Eagles recovered and returned for another touchdown. Have. A. Night.

About the Wolverines: Woodruff has quite possibly the most misleading record in high school football. The Wolverines’ three losses are to Chapman – in a game that was in doubt with eight minutes left -, to J.L. Mann, and to Belton Honea-Path. All three of those teams will likely play deep into November. If they can fix a few minor issues and continue to improve, a run’s not out of the question for the Wolverines.

Landrum (2-1) at Spartanburg Christian (1-2)

Series Record: Landrum leads the all-time series 4-0, including a 56-20 win last season.

Last Week: Landrum beat Polk County 47-21; SCA beat Palmetto Christian 79-40.

Radio/TV/Internet: upstateprepcast.net (Landrum)

Location: The Upward Stars Center, 9768 Warren H. Abernathy Hwy., Spartanburg

Who to watch for Landrum: RB Colton Link, RB Braden Mashtare, WR Reese Dunaway

Who to watch for Spartanburg Christian: RB Asante Jenkins, RB Noah Caffle, DB Cam Bright

About the Cardinals: Landrum converted to a spread offense under new coach Brent Bridges, so how did the Cardinals get a huge win over Polk County? On the ground. Link ran for 196 yards and three TDs and returned a kick 96 yards for another score, while Mashtare ran for 126 yards and three scores of his own.

About the Warriors: Does the single-wing work in high school football? Let’s see – last week, the Warriors chewed up 611 yards on the ground. Jenkins rushed for 270 and five TDs, Caffle had 18 carries for 200 yards and three scores, Elijah Wiley maximized his carries with two touches, 10 yards, and two touchdowns, and Bright added a pick-six on defense. Can they duplicate that every time out? Well, no – but a night half that good will win plenty of ballgames.

Chesterfield (1-2) at Blacksburg (2-2)

Series Record: In the only previous meeting between the teams, Chesterfield won 54-26 last season.

Last Week: Chesterfield lost to Lake View 68-22; Blacksburg lost to Lewisville 63-0

Radio/TV/Internet: None

Location: T.A. Campbell Stadium, 201 W. Ramseur Drive, Blacksburg

Who to watch for Chesterfield: QB Bryce Adams, WR Jaquavis Clarke

Who to watch for Blacksburg: QB Josh Sims, WR Ziyon Harris, RB/LB Zaydron Burris

About the Rams: Chesterfield has struggled so far this season, winning over Lee Central to open the season but getting thumped by 1A contenders Lewisville and Lake View in back-to-back weeks. Clarke has been a bright spot offensively – he averages 22.5 yards per catch and has hauled in three TD passes.

About the Wildcats: Blacksburg has shown some promise this season, particularly in the passing games. Sims is a legit dual-threat guy, and has shown off the ability to pick a defense apart if given time. Harris is a big target, and the Wildcats have shown the ability to put up some big numbers.