Week 8 Preview Capsules: Greenville County

THURSDAY

McCormick (2-5, 1-2 Region I-1A) at Class 1A No. 5 Southside Christian (4-2, 3-0 Region I-1A), 7 p.m.

Series record: Southside Christian leads 9-2. The Sabres won their eighth consecutive game in the series, 42-7, last season.

Last week: Southside Christian won at Calhoun Falls 42-14; McCormick was off after defeating Ware Shoals 20-8 in Week 6

Location: Sabre Stadium, 2211 Woodruff Rd, Simpsonville

Who to watch for McCormick: WR/FS Dre’Kevan Thomas, RB Kenya Morton

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

About the Chiefs: Thomas was a one-man wrecking crew in McCormick’s win over Ware Shoals last time out. Thomas’ 40-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Chiefs a 12-8 lead. His six-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter padded the lead and his second interception of the night sealed the win. Thomas had 91 yards rushing on four carries and 35 yards receiving on two catches. Morton added 112 yards and a touchdown on 23 rushes.

About the Sabres: Chandler had three catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for a 21-yard score and forced two fumbles in Southside Christian’s win last week. He’s had 31 receptions for 449 yards and six touchdowns this season, along with two rushing scores. The Sabres had their best rushing night of the season last Friday. Christian Kaiser had 76 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, while Bryson Duck ran nine times for 76 yards and a score.

Blue Ridge (0-7, 0-2 Region III-3A) at Carolina (2-6, 0-2 Region III-3A)

Series record: Blue Ridge leads 11-9. The Tigers won their fifth consecutive game in the series, 42-6, last year.

Last week: Blue Ridge lost to Broome 41-21; Carolina lost at Travelers Rest 47-14

Radio/TV/Internet: Blue Ridge – upstateprepcast.net/blue-ridge

Location: David Farnham Field, 2725 Anderson Rd, Greenville

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

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

About the Tigers: Blue Ridge is still searching for its first win, making Henderson’s stats all the more impressive. In last week’s loss to a highly-ranked Broome team, Henderson had 110 yards on 16 carries. He’s rushed for 813 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Stokes’ fourth touchdown catch of the season was the Tigers’ lone offensive score. Blue Ridge’s defense had the other two touchdowns on a pair of fumble recoveries in the end zone in the fourth quarter. 

About the Trojans: Holland ran 25 times for 136 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss to Travelers Rest. The other score came on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Bowens to Riley. Holland has 829 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while Riley has 460 yards on 26 receptions. He’s caught nine of Bowens’ 10 touchdown passes.

FRIDAY

Class 5A No. 4 T.L. Hanna (7-1, 2-0 Region I-5A) at No. 2 Hillcrest (7-0, 1-0 Region I-5A)

Series record: Hanna leads 18-10, including a 14-13 win last season in Anderson. Each of the last three seasons, the winner of this game has won the region championship.

Last week: Hanna defeated J.L. Mann 56-35; Hillcrest beat Woodmont 17-12

Radio/TV/Internet: Hanna – WABB 105.1 FM, 1390 AM, spirit1051.com/listen; Hillcrest – facebook.com/HHSRamAthletics (Facebook Live stream).

Location: Chandler Stadium, 3665 S Industrial Dr, Simpsonville

Who to watch for Hanna: HB KD Patterson, FB Vashun Burton, RB Josh Donald

Who to watch for Hillcrest: ATH Avery McFadden, RB Thomas Stanley, MLB Tyson Moses

About the Yellow Jackets: The biggest game in the state this week features two loaded teams on a roll. No one is rolling more than Patterson, who ran 19 times for 222 yards and six touchdowns in Hanna’s win over then No. 10-ranked Mann last week. That gives him 1,095 yards – on 91 carries – and 18 touchdowns this season. As a team, the Yellow Jackets have rushed for 2,883 yards and 37 touchdowns. They’re averaging 8.5 yards per carry. 

About the Rams: Hillcrest will look to avenge a heartbreaking loss at Hanna last season. The Rams led 13-0 at the half, but a pair of lost fumbles and a blocked field goal for a big return helped the Yellow Jackets rally. Last week against a much-improved Woodmont team, Hillcrest got a bit of a scare. The Rams were held to their lowest point total all year, but so were the Wildcats. Chris Boyd’s interception with 55 seconds left capped Hillcrest’s defensive effort. McFadden opened last week’s scoring with a terrific leaping, twisting touchdown grab near the left sideline of the end zone. That pushed his school record career total to 29 touchdown receptions. Stanley rushed for 113 yards in the win over Woodmont.

Fountain Inn (2-5, 0-2 Region II-3A) at Class 3A No. 2 Belton-Honea Path (7-0, 2-0 Region II-3A)

Series record: BHP won the first-ever meeting between the teams, 71-7, last season in Fountain Inn.

Last week: Fountain Inn lost to Powdersville 61-14; BHP defeated Palmetto 55-21

Radio/TV/Internet: BHP – WHQA 103.1 FM, thelife1031.com/listen

Location: Marlee Gambrell Field, 11000 Belton Honea Path Hwy A, Honea Path

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

Who to watch for Belton-Honea Path: RB Marquise Henderson, RB Shaheem Robbs, WR Qua Alexander

About the Fury: After earning its first two wins in school history earlier this season, second-year varsity program Fountain Inn is having a tough time in region play. The Fury fell behind 47-7 at the half in last week’s loss. Fountain Inn’s two scores came on a 74-yard touchdown catch by Colby Flood and a 59-yard scoring reception by Zach Madden.

About the Bears: Henderson is putting together one of the greatest statistical seasons ever. Last Friday, he had a season-low 143 yards. That came on five carries, three of which went for touchdowns. For the season, Henderson has rushed 99 times for 1,389 yards and 22 touchdowns. That’s 14.03 yards per carry average. Robbs has 733 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while Alexander has caught 36 passes for 514 yards and four scores.

Class 1A No. 2 Christ Church (5-2, 3-0 Region I-1A) at Dixie (2-5, 2-2 Region I-1A)

Series record: Dixie leads 16-14, but Christ Church has won 10 of the last 11 meetings including a 48-6 victory last year.

Last week: Christ Church beat Ware Shoals 50-6; Dixie lost at St. Joseph’s 44-14

Location: Henry C. Oates Stadium, 1 Haynes St, Due West

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

Who to watch for Dixie: QB Staylon Johnson, RB Brandon Nance

About the Cavaliers: Reeder rushed for three touchdowns and Hendrix had a perfect night passing in Christ Church’s win last Friday. Reeder ran 10 times for 88 yards, while Hendrix was 6-for-6 passing for 89 yards and a score. Repp added a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. For the season, Reeder has 854 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns and Repp has 614 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.

About the Hornets: Dixie was held to 150 yards of total offense, including just 57 yards rushing in last week’s loss. After the Hornets recovered a fumble at the St. Joseph’s 11-yard line in the first quarter, Austin Wilson scored from two yards out to cut the Knights’ lead to 14-7. St. Joseph’s scored the next 30 points to pull away. Johnson’s 67-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter closed out the scoring.

Mauldin (0-7, 0-1 Region I-5A) at J.L. Mann (6-2, 1-1 Region I-5A)

Series record: Mann leads 21-20. The Patriots won 21-14 last season to snap a 10-game losing streak in the series.

Last week: Mauldin lost at Dorman 26-12; Mann lost to T.L. Hanna 56-35

Location: Slaton Field, 158 Ridge Rd, Greenville

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

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

About the Mavericks: Mauldin is still winless but had to have gained some confidence in its effort at Dorman last week. The Mavericks allowed two scoring drives: one of 25 yards following an interception and another of six yards following a blocked punt. Dorman’s other two scores came on a kickoff return and a punt return. Mauldin held Dorman to 10 first downs and 163 yards of total offense. Norfus led the defense with 14 tackles, while Moore had seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

About the Patriots: In a big Class 5A top 10 showdown last week, Mann’s spread offense matched Hanna’s wing-T offense score for score for much of the night. Na’Cyus Morrison’s 15-yard touchdown run with 9:01 left cut Hanna’s lead to 42-35 before the Yellow Jackets scored the final two touchdowns in the last six minutes to pull away. While Hanna didn’t have a turnover, it scored touchdowns off each of Mann’s two interceptions. Outside of those picks, Anderson had another solid night throwing for 289 yards. Keyshun Henderson caught seven passes for 134 yards with two touchdowns, while McClellan had five catches for 83 yards and scored on a 23-yard end around run.

Berea (1-6, 0-2 Region I-4A) at Easley (3-4, 1-1 Region I-4A)

Series record: Easley won the first-ever meeting between the schools, 56-0, last year.

Last week: Berea lost to Greenville 56-0; Easley lost to Greenwood 24-7

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

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

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

About the Bulldogs: A tough season for Berea reached its low point last week as it was held to 85 yards of total offense in the loss to Greenville. The Bulldogs have been outscored 206-0 in their last three games against the Red Raiders. Kilgore accounted for more than half of the total offense with 49 yards rushing on 12 carries.

About the Green Wave: Playing for the second consecutive week without leading rusher Sullivan, Easley’s offense struggled in the loss to Greenwood last week. Patton had eight receptions for 114 yards and also completed a 16-yard pass to lead the Green Wave. Patton has 36 catches for 616 yards and five touchdowns, while Sullivan has 697 yards rushing and four scores. Scott, who had 11 tackles including three tackles-for-loss last week, leads the team in tackles (66) and tackles-for-loss (8) this season.

Greenville (4-3, 1-1 Region I-4A) at Pickens (1-6, 0-2 Region I-4A)

Series record: Greenville leads 11-6, including a 56-0 victory last season that extended its streak in the series to eight consecutive wins.

Last week: Greenville won at Berea 56-0; Pickens lost to Westside 56-7

Location: Blue Flame Stadium, 4314 Moorefield Memorial Hwy, Pickens

Who to watch for Greenville: ATH Mazeo Bennett, DL Jayden Wilson-Abrams, RB Kylar Zimmerman

Who to watch for Pickens: RB Carter McCollum, DL Kade Maxey

About the Red Raiders: Following a loss in a showdown with Westside, Greenville unleashed its frustration on Berea last week. The Red Raiders outgained the Bulldogs 403-85. Banks Batson, a sophomore who was called up from JV the week of the Westside game because starting quarterback Bryson Drummond was questionable, completed 7-of-9 passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns against Berea. Zimmerman ran 12 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett, who’s been slowed by injury this season, caught a 28-yard touchdown and had a 62-yard punt return for a score. 

About the Blue Flame: After a tough test last week, this week won’t get any easier for a young Pickens squad that has struggled this season. In their lone win, the Blue Flame scored 41 points. Pickens, which has just six seniors, hasn’t scored more than 21 in any of its losses. A bright spot has been McCollum, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season after missing all of last season with a knee injury.

Wade Hampton (2-5, 0-1 Region II-4A) at Laurens (1-7, 1-1 Region II-4A)

Series record: Laurens leads 22-3. The Raiders won 45-35 last year for their 11th consecutive win in the series.

Last week: Wade Hampton was off after a 49-7 loss to Riverside in Week 6; Laurens won at Riverside 18-17

Radio/TV/Internet: Laurens – WLBG 860 AM, wlbg.com/listenlive

Location: K.C. Hanna Stadium, 5058 US-76, Laurens

Who to watch for Wade Hampton: LB Angel Gomez, DE Will Kay

Who to watch for Laurens: QB Nick Danciu, WR Josh Goodwin, CB Javaye Suber

About the Generals: It’s been an all or nothing year for Wade Hampton thus far. After getting shutout in the opener, the Generals scored 27-35 points each of the next four games, but have been held to just seven over the last two. Gomez, a freshman, leads Wade Hampton’s defense with 39 tackles. Kay, a sophomore, has a team-high five tackles-for-loss. 

About the Raiders: Laurens stunned Riverside last week for its first win of the season. A victory this Friday could see the Raiders go from winless to playoff bound in a span of eight days. Danciu completed 17-of-23 passes for 244 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown pass to Goodwin in the fourth quarter that turned out to be the game-winner. Suber had an interception on the game’s final play. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Suber broke up a third-down pass to the end zone which led Riverside to settle for a field goal to extend its lead to 17-12.

Eastside (4-3, 0-1 Region II-4A) at Riverside (4-4, 1-1 Region II-4A)

Series record: Eastside leads 29-19, but Riverside won 48-13 last season in Taylors.

Last week: Eastside lost at Greer 28-14; Riverside lost to Laurens 18-17

Location: Riverside High, 794 Hammett Bridge Rd, Greer

Who to watch for Eastside: RB Kalvin Banks, LB Andrew Moree, DE MJ Posey

Who to watch for Riverside: WR/RB Mikkel Skinner, WR Speedy Taylor, DB Quinton Hood

About the Eagles: In a key region battle last Friday, Eastside was tied 14-14 midway through the fourth quarter before Greer scored a pair of touchdowns to hand the Eagles their 19th loss in the last 20 meetings with the Yellow Jackets. Banks rushed 28 times for 117 yards, giving him 1,073 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Moree and Posey lead Eastside’s defense with six sacks apiece, while Jaquavious Dodd has five.

About the Warriors: Riverside is about as even a team as you can find. Following last week’s upset loss to Laurens, the Warriors are .500 overall, .500 in the region and have outscored opponents 234-233 this season. Speaking of even, Skinner has 421 yards rushing and 434 receiving to go with his 11 touchdowns. Taylor has 496 yards receiving and seven scores. Hood leads the defense with 116 tackles, including eight tackles-for-loss, and three interceptions.

Southside (0-7, 0-2 Region II-3A) at Powdersville (3-4, 1-1 Region II-3A)

Series record: Powdersville leads 5-2. The Patriots have won each of the last five meetings, including a 49-6 win last year.

Last week: Southside lost to Wren 50-0; Powdersville won at Fountain Inn 61-14

Location: Powdersville Middle School, 139 Hood Rd, Greenville

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

Who to watch for Powdersville: QB Eli Hudgins, WR Elijah Huggins

About the Tigers: Wren piled up 410 yards on offense and had 11 tackles-for-loss on defense in handing Southside its third shutout loss of the season. The Tigers, who have been outscored 309-59 this season, are 0-7 for the first time since going 0-10 in 1981.

About the Patriots: Powdersville might be the best 3-4 team in the state. The Patriots’ four losses have come to teams with a combined record of 27-2. In last week’s win at Fountain Inn, Hudgins completed 15-of-20 passes for 233 yards with three touchdowns and he ran for another score. Powdersville outgained the Fury 541-172.