Week 9 Preview Capsules: Greenville County

Class 1A No. 6 St. Joseph’s (7-1, 3-1 Region I-1A) at No. 2 Christ Church (6-2, 4-0 Region I-1A)

Series record: Christ Church leads the series 15-3, including a 60-14 win last regular season and a 21-7 victory in the playoffs.

Last week: Christ Church won at Dixie 48-7; St. Joseph’s was off after a 44-14 win over Dixie in Week 7

Radio/TV/Internet: WCCP 105.5 FM/97.5 FM, WAHT 1560 AM, theroarfm.com/listen

Location: Carson Stadium, 245 Cavalier Dr, Greenville

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

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

About the Knights: St. Joseph’s will try to keep its hopes of sharing a region championship in this rivalry game. In the win over Dixie last time out, the Knights ran wild. Johnson rushed for 168 yards and four touchdowns, while Salgado had 116 and two scores. Jaraczewski had a team-high eight tackles, including two tackles-for-loss.

About the Cavaliers: Christ Church will try to pull even with Southside Christian, which won Thursday night, atop the region standings to set up a showdown for the region title next Friday. Reeder ran 12 times for 137 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over Dixie. Meanwhile, Hendrix had seven completions and five of those went for touchdowns. Repp and Jude Hall each caught two touchdowns. Reeder has rushed for 13 touchdowns this season, while Repp has caught 13.

Woodmont (4-4, 0-2 Region I-5A) at Class 5A No. 2 T.L. Hanna (8-1, 3-0 Region I-5A)

Series record: Hanna leads 13-0, including a 38-13 win last season in Piedmont.

Last week: Woodmont was off last week after a 17-12 loss to Hillcrest in Week 7; Hanna defeated Hillcrest 36-33

Radio/TV/Internet: Hanna – WABB 105.1 FM, 1390 AM, spirit1051.com/listen

Location: Jim Fraser Field at Memorial Stadium, 2600 North Highway 81, Anderson

Who to watch for Woodmont: RB Ezekiel Belcher, WR Caleb Smith, DL R.J. Flemmings

Who to watch for Hanna: HB K.D. Patterson, FB Vashun Burton, RB Josh Donald

About the Wildcats: After getting blown out by JL Mann in Week 6, Woodmont stood toe-to-toe with then undefeated Hillcrest before falling in Week 7. The Wildcats outgained the Rams 260-239 that night. Belcher leads Woodmont in yards per carry (8.2) and rushing touchdowns (6), while Stewart has a team-high 465 yards receiving and six touchdowns. He’s averaging 17.2 yards per catch. Flemmings has 47 tackles, including six sacks.

About the Yellow Jackets: Hanna enters its regular season finale after wrapping up the region championship with last Friday’s win at Hillcrest. Patterson rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Burton ran for 71 yards, while Donald had eight carries for 68 yards and two scores. Quarterback Brandon Cunningham added an 80-yard scoring run. Patterson has 1,240 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns this season for the Yellow Jackets, who have ran for 3,261 yards and 42 touchdowns as a team.

Class 5A No. 5 Hillcrest (7-1, 1-1 Region I-5A) at Mauldin (0-8, 0-2 Region I-5A)

Series record: Hillcrest has won 10 consecutive battles for the Golden Strip Derby to tie the all-time series record of this rivalry at 34-34. The Rams won last season, 49-9.

Last week: Hillcrest lost to TL Hanna 36-33; Mauldin lost to JL Mann 55-6

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

Location: Freeman Field, 701 East Butler Rd, Mauldin

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

Who to watch for Mauldin: RB Devan Ortega, DL DeMario Moore, LB A.J. Norfus

About the Rams: Hillcrest will try to rebound from its first loss of the season suffered last Friday. The Rams fell behind 14-0 early on and trailed 36-19 in the third quarter before touchdown runs by Stanley and McFadden cut the deficit to three. Hillcrest couldn’t get any closer though as the fourth quarter was scoreless. The Rams need a win to pull even with JL Mann in the region standings. That would set up a game next week against the Patriots with second place – and a home playoff game – on the line. 

About the Mavericks: Friday’s game will help kick off a weekend celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary. After a tough season, Mauldin would love nothing more than to knock off its longtime rival to get the party started. After holding Dorman to 163 yards in Week 7, the Mavericks could not keep up that momentum last Friday as Mann had a 499-168 advantage in total offense. Quarterback Reddick Langston’s 10-yard touchdown run accounted for the Mavs’ lone score.

Class 3A No. 2 Belton-Honea Path (8-0, 3-0 Region II-3A) at Southside (0-8, 0-3 Region II-3A)

Series record: BHP leads 7-2. The Bears have won each of the last seven meetings, including a 49-0 victory last year.

Last week: BHP beat Fountain Inn 63-7; Southside lost at Powdersville 56-0

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

Location: Joe Perkins Stadium, 100 Blassingame Rd, Greenville

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

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

About the Bears: For the second consecutive week, Henderson managed to rush for more than 100 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries in last week’s win. For the season, Henderson has rushed 104 times for 1,522 yards and 25 touchdowns. That’s a mind-blowing average of 14.6 yards per carry. BHP’s offense has 57 touchdowns (43 rushing, 14 passing) and only five turnovers (two lost fumbles, three interceptions) this season.

About the Tigers: Southside suffered its third consecutive shutout loss and fourth overall this season. The Tigers have yet to score in region play.

Class 3A No. 5 Chapman (7-1, 2-0 Region III-3A) at Blue Ridge (1-7, 1-1 Region III-3A)

Series Record: Chapman leads the series 31-10, including a 64-34 win last season.

Last week: Chapman beat Travelers Rest 56-0; Blue Ridge beat Carolina 49-0

Radio/TV/Internet: upstateprepcast.net will have a broadcast for each team.

Location: Jim Howard Stadium, 2151 Fews Chapel Rd, Greer

Who to watch for Chapman: QB Coleman Gray, WR Shawn Cunningham, LB Reese Lynch

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

About the Panthers: Chapman has rolled after an early loss to Boiling Springs. North all-stars Gray and Cunningham are a potent offensive duo, RBs Keanu Na and Matthai Scott lead a rugged rushing attack, and the Panthers’ defense is solid at every level.

About the Tigers: Blue Ridge’s bright spot has been on the ground this season, and Henderson has been responsible for a lot of the damage. He’s got nearly 1,000 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns on the year.

Carolina (2-7, 0-3 Region III-3A) at Class 3A No. 8 Broome (7-1, 2-0 Region III-3A)

Series record: Broome leads the series 9-1, including a 48-0 win last year.

Last week: Broome was idle; Blue Ridge defeated Carolina 49-0

Radio/TV/Internet: Broome – coxsportsbroadcasting.com

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

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

Who to watch for Broome: QB Kamajay Brackett-Brannon, OL Steven O’Dell, DL D.T. Thompson

About the Trojans: While they’ve had their share of struggles, the Trojans have put together some good performances, especially offensively. Bowens has thrown for more than 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns, with 500 of those receiving yards and nine of the scores going to Riley. Holland has been a workhorse on the ground, grinding out 921 yards and eight scores, and rushing for six yards per carry.

About the Centurions: Broome is loaded, and now they’re rested after a week off. Jaylin McGill is perhaps the top sophomore RB in the state, and he’s just one of Broome’s offensive weapons, as Brackett-Brannon is a dynamic dual-threat QB. O’Dell leads the offensive line and Thompson is his counterpart on defense – both were selected as North all-stars this week.

Pickens (1-7, 0-3 Region I-4A) at Berea (1-7, 0-3 Region I-4A)

Series record: Pickens leads the series 23-10-1. The Blue Flame have won six consecutive games in the series, including a 49-0 victory last season.

Last week: Pickens lost to Greenville 52-7; Berea lost to Easley 63-37

Location: Berea High School, 201 Burdine Dr, Greenville

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

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

About the Blue Flame: Pickens fell behind 42-0 in the first half and allowed 589 yards of total offense in last Friday’s loss to Greenville. The Blue Flame avoided the shutout with a touchdown in the final minute

About the Bulldogs: Berea’s tough season lingered last Friday although it did contribute to a bit of history. The Bulldogs’ highest output of the season helped set an Easley single-game record for combined points with 100. An unbelievable nightmare of an opening quarter saw Berea trail 35-0. Easley returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and returned an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter. Berea also allowed an interception and a 45-yard fumble return to set up the Green Wave’s two offensive touchdowns in that quarter.  

Greenville (5-3, 2-1 Region I-4A) at Greenwood (4-4, 2-1 Region I-4A)

Series record: Greenwood leads 11-7, but Greenville won 66-7 last season.

Last week: Greenville won at Pickens 52-7; Greenwood lost to Westside 35-28

Radio/TV/Internet: Greenwood – Sunny 103.5 FM

Location: J.W. Babb Stadium, 1816 Cokesbury Rd, Greenwood

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

Who to watch for Greenwood: OL AJ Ross, RB Deterrious Gary, QB Tristan Lewis

About the Red Raiders: Greenville comes rolling into this key region battle for second place after piling up nearly 600 yards of total offense last Friday at Pickens. Bryson Drummond and Banks Bouton combined to complete 10-of-13 passes for 224 yards, while 10 different Red Raiders combined to run the ball 22 times for 365 yards (16.6 per carry) and five touchdowns. Bennett led the way with a 68-yard touchdown run and a 62-yard touchdown catch.

About the Eagles: In a classic last Friday, Greenwood looked poised to become the first team besides Belton-Honea Path to defeat Westside this season. However, the Rams scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes to pull out the win. Gary had 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles. Ross was selected to the North-South All-Star game this week.

Laurens (2-7, 2-1 Region II-4A) at Eastside (4-4, 0-2 Region II-4A)

Series record: Laurens leads 18-3, including a 24-15 victory last season. The Raiders have won 13 consecutive games against Eastside since the Eagles earned all of their wins in the series from 1979-81.

Last week: Laurens beat Wade Hampton 23-13; Eastside lost to Riverside 41-20

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

Location: John Carlisle Stadium, 1300 Brushy Creek Rd, Taylors

Who to watch for Laurens: QB Nick Danciu, RB Denari Lee-Jackson, CB Javaye Suber

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

About the Raiders: Laurens went from winless a couple of weeks ago to on the cusp of clinching a home playoff game with a win in this week’s regular season finale. Danciu had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, while Suber had a 27-yard interception return for a score in last week’s win over Wade Hampton. Lee-Jackson ran for 92 yards to lead Laurens.

About the Eagles: Eastside fell behind 28-6 in the second quarter last week and could never pull to within two scores of rival Riverside the rest of the way. The Eagles suffered four turnovers in the loss and Banks was limited to 67 yards on 24 carries, although he did have two touchdowns. Banks has 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Greer (3-5, 2-0 Region II-4A) at Wade Hampton (2-6, 0-2 Region II-4A)

Series record: Greer leads 24-4-2 including a 36-29 victory last season.

Last week: Greer was off following a 28-14 win over Eastside in Week 7; Wade Hampton lost at Laurens 23-13

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

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

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

Who to watch for Wade Hampton: DE/TE Javarous Haygood, DE/TE Will Kay, QB Jack Stepp

About the Yellow Jackets: Prior to last Friday’s bye, Greer was deadlocked in a 14-14 tie with Eastside in the fourth quarter. Byrd caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Chris Hall with 5:38 left to give the Yellow Jackets the lead. Martin sealed the win – and a 216-yard rushing night – with a 30-yard touchdown run four minutes later. Martin has rushed for 892 yards and 11 scores over six games this season.

About the Generals: Wade Hampton took a 7-0 lead into halftime last week at Laurens, but the Raiders scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to take the lead and the Generals didn’t score again until the final play of the game. Haygood and Kay, two of Wade Hampton’s leading tacklers on defense, accounted for both scores with rushing touchdowns. Stepp completed 13-of-22 passes for 150 yards in the loss.

Palmetto (2-6, 1-2 Region II-3A) at Fountain Inn (2-6, 0-3 Region II-3A)

Series record: Palmetto won the first matchup between the schools, 14-0, last season.

Last week: Palmetto lost to Wren 39-7; Fountain Inn lost at Belton-Honea Path 63-7

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

Who to watch for Palmetto: RB Tyce Garner, WR Taijay Evans, DB Jayden Jenkins

Who to watch for Fountain Inn: RB BoJack Johnson, WR Zach Madden, LB Xeviel Gonzalez

About the Mustangs: After a scoreless first quarter last week, Palmetto trailed rival Wren 26-0 at the half before going on to the loss. The Mustangs suffered three turnovers last week, giving them 16 (nine interceptions, seven lost fumbles) this season. Garner has rushed for 579 yards and five touchdowns and also caught 18 passes for 294 yards to lead Palmetto’s offense. Jenkins, a sophomore, has four interceptions and five pass deflections to lead the defense.

About the Fury: On a tough night against unbeaten Belton-Honea Path, Johnson and Madden were bright spots. Johnson carried seven times for 50 yards, while Madden caught three passes for 70 yards including Fountain Inn’s lone score. Gonzalez had a team-high 10 tackles to push his team-leading total this season to 58.5.