Week 5 Capsule Previews: Greenville Area

Class 5A No. 2 Hillcrest (5-0) at Wren (1-3)

Series record: The series is tied 2-2. Hillcrest won 49-0 last season in Simpsonville.

Last week: Hillcrest rolled over Powdersville 52-14; Wren lost to Byrnes 28-7

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

Location: Jack King Field, 156 State Rd S-4-388, Piedmont

Who to watch for Hillcrest: ATH Avery McFadden, RB Thomas Stanley, DE DJ Henderson

Who to watch for Wren: QB Colten Bagwell, RB Reese Price, DB Tyler Morgan

About the Rams: Hillcrest put up a season-high 496 yards of total offense in last Friday’s win, while limiting a strong Powdersville offense to 137. Stanley had 151 yards rushing on 13 carries. McFadden caught a pair of touchdowns to become the school’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions with 26. This season, McFadden’s caught six touchdowns, ran for five and is averaging 8.9 yards per carry, 10.9 yards per reception, 33.7 yards per kick return and 14.1 yards per punt return.

About the Hurricanes: Friday marks the finale of a rugged non-region schedule for Wren. Its three losses have come to TL Hanna, Byrnes and Georgia Class 5A power Jefferson, which hasn’t lost more than three games in a season since 2010. Bagwell leads the team in passing (577 yards) and rushing (435 yards) and has thrown five touchdowns and ran for five. Price has 360 yards rushing. Morgan leads the Hurricanes with 28 tackles and one interception.

Class 5A No. 7 Spartanburg (3-2) at Mauldin (0-4)

Series record: Spartanburg leads 11-7, including a 35-3 victory last season.

Last week: Spartanburg won at Riverside 49-6; Mauldin lost to Westside 56-10

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

Location: Freeman Field, 701 E Butler Rd, Mauldin

Who to watch for Spartanburg: QB Tamijai Johnson, S Demario Bookhart, LB Bennie Littlejohn

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

About the Vikings: After finally finding some offensive rhythm during last Friday’s trip to Greenville County, Spartanburg will look to keep it up on another trip there this week. The Vikings, who had not scored more than 19 points in any game this season, jumped out to a 28-6 halftime lead at Riverside before rolling on to the lopsided win. The offense was powered by Johnson, who ran for four touchdowns and passed for another. Spartanburg’s defense remained dominant as it limited an explosive Riverside offense to 79 total yards, including minus-7 rushing.

About the Mavericks: A Mauldin team off to a rough start isn’t getting any help from its schedule. The Mavericks will be facing a ranked team for the third time in as many weeks when they host Spartanburg Friday. Mauldin has allowed at least 42 points in each game this season and only scored 49 for the year. The lone highlights last week were a 50-yard touchdown run by Ortega that tied the game 7-7 early on and a 43-yard field goal by Jackson Campbell later in the first half.

Class 4A No. 7 Westside (3-1) at Greer (1-4)

Series record: Greer leads 5-3, but lost 38-13 last year in Anderson.

Last week: Westside won at Mauldin 56-10; Greer lost at Boiling Springs 31-14

Radio/TV/Internet: Greer – WGYT 92.1 FM, yellowjacketsports.net

Location: Dooley Field, 301 Chandler Rd, Greer

Who to watch for Westside: QB Cutter Woods, RB Sharode Richardson, WR Joshua Williams

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

About the Rams: Westside’s eye-popping numbers this season continued last week. Case in point: Williams’ 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown wasn’t the longest play of the night for the Rams. That honor belonged to Richardson. With the ball two or three inches outside of Westside’s goal line, Richardson took a shotgun handoff from one end zone to the other for a (technically) 99-yard score. Woods has completed 73 percent of his passes for 932 yards, averages 12.1 yards per attempt, and has 11 touchdowns and one interception. Richardson has rushed for 443 yards – averaging 13.0 yards per carry – and five touchdowns, while Williams has 24 catches for 417 yards and six touchdowns.

About the Yellow Jackets: When Martin was out due to injury earlier this season, Hall was outstanding in relief. With Martin back now, Greer found a way to get both on the field last week when Hall made his first career start at quarterback. The move paid off immediately when Hall hit Byrd for a 32-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 80-yard drive to open the game. But a much improved Boiling Springs team adjusted to the new look from the Yellow Jackets after that. Martin had an 11-yard touchdown to end a 63-yard drive in the third quarter. Outside of those two scoring drives, Greer was held to 81 yards on 28 plays.

Class 3A No. 1 Daniel (4-0) at Riverside (3-2)

Series record: Daniel leads 6-0, including a 56-14 victory last season in Central.

Last week: Daniel rolled at Pickens 54-7; Riverside lost to Spartanburg 49-6

Location: Riverside High, 794 Hammett Bridge Rd, Greer

Who to watch for Daniel: RB Ja’Kari Bennett, OL Watson Young, LB Spencer Conn

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

About the Lions: Daniel has earned its No. 1 ranking by strong play in all phases of the game. In last week’s blowout, Bennett had four carries for 52 yards which actually lowered his yards per carry average to 17.1 this season. He’s run 29 times for 496 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterbacks Kolton Chapman and Lee Turnipseed have combined for 778 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. Those throws have been completed to 14 different Lions, eight of which have scored touchdowns. Conn leads the defense with 34 tackles, two sacks and an interception. Daniel’s defense has forced five turnovers, while its offense hasn’t lost any.

About the Warriors: After an impressive comeback victory at Christ Church two weeks ago, Riverside had to have plenty of confidence going into last week. It didn’t translate to the field though as the Warriors’ high-powered offense was shut out by a loaded Spartanburg defense. Riverside’s lone points came on a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown by Somad Eaddy. The pick-six cut the Vikings’ lead to 8-6 early in the second quarter, but Spartanburg answered with 20 more points before halftime and pulled away in the second half. Riverside was held to 79 yards of total offense, including minus-7 rushing.

Southside Christian (1-2, 0-0 Region I-1A) at Class 1A No. 2 St. Joseph’s (5-0, 1-0 Region I-1A)

Series record: Southside Christian leads 9-5. Last season, the teams met twice in Simpsonville. The Sabres won the regular season meeting 31-14, but St. Joseph’s won in the second round of the playoffs 29-28 in overtime.

Last week: Southside Christian beat the Anderson Cavaliers 52-21; St. Joseph’s won at Ware Shoals 61-12

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

Who to watch for Southside Christian: WR Ethan Chandler, WR Josh Hennum, WR Zachary Brewster

Who to watch for St. Joseph’s: RB Brayden Johnson, MLB Johnny Jaraczewski, RB Lucas Salgado

About the Sabres: After two losses by a combined three points and a week off to think about each one, Southside Christian got things on track last week. The Sabres had 504 yards of total offense, including 359 passing, to build some confidence going into this region-opening showdown. Southside Christian will be looking to avenge last year’s playoff loss in which it led 21-0 in the third quarter before St. Joseph’s rallied for the overtime win.

About the Knights: St. Joseph’s allowed two scores for the for the first time in a game in last Friday’s Region I-1A opener,, but countered that with a season-high nine touchdowns scored by six different Knights. Johnson had 131 yards on 12 carries, including three touchdowns, to lead the way. Salgado carried four times for 72 yards, including a 32-yard score, and also caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Cade Alt. Jaraczewski had a team-high 11 tackles, including five tackles-for-loss and two sacks.  

McCormick (1-4, 0-1 Region I-1A) at Class 1A No. 4 Christ Church (3-2, 1-0 Region I-1A)

Series record: Christ Church leads 11-4, including each of the last 10 meetings. The Cavaliers won 47-6 last season.

Last week: McCormick lost to Dixie 29-28; Christ Church won at Calhoun Falls 51-0

Location: Carson Stadium, 245 Cavalier Dr, Greenville

Who to watch for McCormick: WR Dre’Kevan Thomas, QB Markese Stevens, RB Kenya Morton

Who to watch for Christ Church: RB Dashun Reeder, QB Acie Hatfield, WR/DB Matthew Covington

About the Chiefs: McCormick is coming off a heartbreaking loss in its region opener last week. On a fourth-down play, Stevens’ third touchdown pass gave the Chiefs a 28-23 lead with two minutes left. Dixie came back and drove for the game-winning touchdown in the final minute. Morton ran 13 times for 75 yards, while Thomas ran for and caught a touchdown. 

About the Cavaliers: Christ Church bounced back from a tough home loss to Riverside two weeks ago opening region play in a big way last Friday. Hatfield completed 8-of-9 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson Repp had 77 yards receiving and caught a pair of touchdowns, while Covington had a touchdown catch as well as two interceptions on defense. Luke Baumhofer had two catches for 78 yards and also returned an interception for a touchdown.

J.L. Mann (4-1) at Wade Hampton (2-3)

Series record: Mann leads 30-11-1, including a 48-17 win last year.

Last week: Mann lost at Greenville 21-19; Wade Hampton won at Blue Ridge 33-32

Location: Wade Hampton High, 100 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville

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

Who to watch for Wade Hampton: QB Stepp, WR Jamarion McKinney, DE Javarous Haygood

About the Patriots: Mann will look to bounce back after suffering its first loss in heartbreaking fashion last Friday against rival Greenville. The Patriots trailed 21-6 midway through the fourth quarter before Anderson had a pair of touchdown passes to cut the lead to 21-19. Mann was set up in great shape when Alex McDaniel came up with an interception at the Greenville 30 with 1:34 left. On third-and-long though, Anderson’s final pass was picked off in the end zone for just his second interception this season. Anderson finished with 307 yards on 18-of-34 passing and three touchdowns. McClellan caught nine passes for 128 yards and a score. Bennett had a team-high eight tackles, including a sack.

About the Generals: Wade Hampton will try to build off a thrilling road win last Friday. After taking a 21-10 lead midway through the second quarter, the Generals found themselves trailing 32-21 midway through the third before Stepp kept for a touchdown to cut the lead to five. The go-ahead score came with 10:41 left on a one-yard plunge by 5-foot-9, 250-pound lineman Owen Arledge. After forcing a punt with 8:27 left, Wade Hampton began a drive at its own 19 and methodically ran out the rest of the clock.

Woodmont (4-1) at Seneca (2-2)

Series record: Seneca leads 10-2, including a 34-26 win last year in Piedmont. The Bobcats have won eight consecutive games in the series since the Wildcats’ last win in 1975.

Last week: Woodmont defeated Easley 28-14; Seneca was off after losing at St. Joseph’s 24-7 in Week 3

Radio/TV/Internet: Seneca – WSNW 94.1 FM, wsnwradio.com/listen-live

Location: Tom Bass Field, 100 Bobcat Ridge, Seneca

Who to watch for Woodmont: RB Tavorace Williams, WR Drake Stewart, MLB Caden Jeter

Who to watch for Seneca: WR Zae Poole, RB Camsley Campbell

About the Wildcats: Woodmont will head to Oconee County seeking its first 5-1 start to a season since 1990. In last Friday’s win, Williams rushed for 98 yards while Stewart had 87 yards receiving and a touchdown. Williams has 602 yards rushing this season. Jeter led the defense with 10 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. That gives him a team-high 38 tackles this year.

About the Bobcats: After winning its first two games by a combined total of 83-0, Seneca dropped its next two games before last week’s bye. The Bobcats will look to get its offense on track after suffering four turnovers in its loss at St. Joseph’s. Seneca’s lone score came after a couple of fourth-down conversions on a 42-yard drive, as it was held to 144 yards of total offense.

Travelers Rest (1-4) at Berea (1-3)

Series record: Berea has a 41-21-1 lead in the rivalry, but Travelers Rest has won each of the last four “Dog Bowls.” The Devildogs won 64-0 last season.

Last week: Travelers Rest lost to Eastside 21-15; Berea lost at Broome 58-6

Location: Berea High School, 201 Burdine Dr, Greenville

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

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

About the Devildogs: Facing an Eastside team that was allowing more than 40 points per game didn’t do much to help Travelers Rest’s offensive woes last week. Trailing 21-8, the Devildogs got a fourth quarter touchdown to cut the lead to 21-15. Travelers Rest got the ball back one more time, but turned it over on downs to seal Eastside’s win. Outside of the 60 points the Devildogs put up in their lone win, Travelers Rest hasn’t eclipsed 19 in any other game. They’ll be facing a Berea team allowing 37 points a game.

About the Bulldogs: Berea ran into a buzzsaw last week at Broome, whose only loss this season came by one point on a missed two-point conversion at Spartanburg. The Bulldogs fell behind 28-0 in the first quarter and trailed 42-0 at the half. Despite the loss, Kilgore rushed for 107 yards on 16 carries.

Southside (0-4) at Easley (1-3)

Series record: Easley leads 3-0, including a 42-0 win last season in Greenville.

Last week: Southside lost at Carolina 37-28; Easley lost to Woodmont 28-14

Location: Bill Carr Stadium, 154 Green Wave Blvd, Easley

Who to watch for Southside: RB Javontae Searles, QB Chance McClure, DE Christopher Smith

Who to watch for Easley: RB Logan Sullivan, QB Jay Stoker, OLB Talan Scott

About the Tigers: Southside trailed 23-22 at the break at rival Carolina at the half last week, but was held to just one score in the second half to remain winless this season. 

About the Green Wave: Playing without Stoker at Woodmont last Friday, Easley was held to one completion and 26 yards passing in the loss. Stoker, a sophomore, has thrown for 496 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions this year. Sullivan and Will Patton rushed for 95 and 94 yards, respectively, last week. Sullivan has 524 yards rushing this season. Scott leads the Green Wave defense with 37 tackles this season, including four tackles-for-loss. 

Whitmire (3-1) at Carolina (1-4)

Series record: Whitmire won the first-ever meeting between the teams, 22-14, last year.

Last week: Whitmire was off after beating Eau Claire 46-38 in Week 3; Carolina beat Southside 37-28

Location: David Farnham Field, 2725 Anderson Rd, Greenville

Who to watch for Whitmire: RB Kayshaun Schumpert, QB Blake Stribble

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

About the Wolverines: After starting 6-1 a year ago, Whitmire is off to another great start this season. The Wolverines have rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns as a team. Schumpert has accounted for 546 of those yards and six of those touchdowns. Stribble has passed for 311 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 140 yards and five touchdowns, and made 23 tackles on defense along with an interception and a fumble recovery.

About the Trojans: Bowens accounted for 192 yards (133 passing, 59 rushing) and three touchdowns, while Holland rushed for 91 yards and a score as Carolina snapped a 12-game losing streak against rival Southside last week. Holland, who also had seven tackles including two for a loss on defense, has rushed for 495 yards this season. Riley caught three passes for 58 yards, including his seventh touchdown. Riley and Holland added kick returns of 83 and 77 yards, respectively, in the win.

Blue Ridge (0-5) at Landrum (3-1)

Series Record: Blue Ridge leads 24-13 overall, and won last year’s matchup 53-21

Last Week: Blue Ridge lost to Wade Hampon 33-32; Landrum beat Spartanburg Christian 40-20

Radio/TV/Internet: There is an upstateprepcast.net broadcast for both teams

Location: Cardinal Stadium, 18818 Asheville Hwy., Campobello

Who to watch for Blue Ridge: RB KB Henderson, QB Gavin Forrester, WR Asheton Stokes

Who to watch for Landrum: RB Colton Link, RB Braden Mashtare, LB Marc Baker

About the Tigers: Blue Ridge has struggled this season, but there have been bright spots for the Tigers. One of the biggest has been Henderson, who has 632 rushing yards on the year. He’s run for more than six yards per carry, averages nearly 125 a game, and has nine TDs.

About the Cardinals: Landrum has moved to the spread offense – and has already rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Link is responsible for the bulk of that, with 624 yards. He rushes for 9.3 yards per carry, and has scored seven TDs. Mashtare has been a great complement, as he’s second on the team in rushing and leads in receptions and yards.