Week 6 Previews: Greenville County

REGION I-5A

Greenville (4-1, 2-0) at Easley (3-2, 1-1)

Greenville will take a four-game winning streak on the road Friday. After allowing 34 points to Dorman in Week 0, the Red Raiders have allowed only 32 points since. Last Friday, sophomore quarterback Kiishawn Farrow rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns, while passing for 94 yards and another score in Greenville’s 34-0 win over JL Mann. CJ Williams had 10 tackles and a sack, while Bradley Lucas had nine tackles and blocked a field goal to preserve the shutout.

Easley rallied from a 22-10 halftime deficit for a 30-22 win at Woodmont last Friday. Cason Brewington rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns for the Green Wave.

TL Hanna (4-1, 2-0) at Hillcrest (3-2, 1-1)

The winner of this matchup has won the region championship each of the past five seasons with four of those captured by TL Hanna. Hillcrest will try to rebound from a 24-20 loss at Greenwood last Friday. A Rams offense that had been running wild this season was held to 59 yards on the ground. Hillcrest trailed 24-7 in the third quarter before Jackson Free threw two of his three touchdowns. It couldn’t get closer as the teams battled through a scoreless fourth quarter. Free finished with 260 yards on 18-of-31 passing with two interceptions. Luke McCourry was the top receiver with five catches for 141 yards.

Hanna suffered four turnovers and saw a 21-7 halftime lead disappear last Friday, but pulled out a 28-21 overtime win over Mauldin. Elijah Grimes rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown for the Yellow Jackets.

Woodmont (1-4, 0-2) at JL Mann (1-4, 1-1)

JL Mann hosts a game for just the second time this season when the Patriots take on Woodmont Friday. The road remained unkind to Mann last Friday as it fell to 0-4 away from home in a 34-0 loss at Greenville. It was the second shutout loss this season for the Patriots, who’ve been outscored 152-49 this season.

Woodmont is coming off a tough 30-22 loss to Easley in which the Wildcats were outscored 20-0 in the second half. Freshman quarterback Harper Doyle completed 19-of-26 passes for 206 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for Woodmont. Sophomore Amari Harris rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown also for the Wildcats.

No. 7 Greenwood (4-1, 1-1) at Mauldin (2-3, 0-2)

Mauldin will try to bounce back and stay healthy following a hard-fought 28-21 overtime loss at TL Hanna last Friday. Mavericks’ starting running back Taurus Thomason didn’t dress out for the game, and starting quarterback Reddick Langston and leading tackler Evan Hruska each missed the second half due to injury. Despite those setbacks, Mauldin rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit. Backup quarterback Peyton Myers completed 10-of-16 passes for 98 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the second half. The second of those scores came with 1:50 left in regulation to tie it and the Mavs blocked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime. Mauldin leading receiver Tamari Shepherd, who was also banged up Friday, caught eight passes for 91 yards including the game-tying touchdown. Devon Wilson had 10 tackles and two interceptions to lead the Mavs’ defensively.

Shrine Bowl quarterback Triston Lewis passed for 167 yards, rushed for 139 and accounted for all three touchdowns in Greenwood’s 24-20 win over Hillcrest last week.

REGION II-5A

No. 10 Gaffney (3-2, 2-0) at Eastside (3-2, 0-2)

After last season’s scheduled game was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene, Eastside and Gaffney will meet for just the third time ever and first time since 1979 Friday. Last week, Eastside trailed at Boiling Springs 21-14 in the second quarter, but went on to a 42-17 loss. The Eagles allowed 489 yards of total offense, including 357 passing. Kelyn Durham rushed for 80 yards, while quarterback Peyton Schrader ran for 69 and a touchdown, to lead Eastside. Lucas Tankersley had a game-high 11 tackles also for the Eagles.

Gaffney will look to keep the momentum going after a 28-21 win over rival Spartanburg last Friday. The game was tied 7-7 at the half and 14-14 in the fourth quarter. Josiah Hill’s second touchdown of the game snapped the fourth quarter tie with 8:58 left and gave the Indians the lead for good. Hill finished with 97 yards rushing, while Banks Bouton rushed for 80, to lead Gaffney. Zyon Ratchford had 12 tackles and Ty McGill had two interceptions – including a pick-six – to lead the Indians’ defense. Earlier this week, Gaffney defensive lineman Scottland Dover was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl.

No. 9 Byrnes (3-2, 1-1) at Riverside (2-3, 1-1)

Riverside goes for its first victory against Byrnes since recording all three of its wins in the series from 1988-90. The Warriors are coming off a 41-15 win over Wade Hampton last Friday. Quarterback Gideon Merhib had 202 yards passing, 94 rushing and accounted for all six touchdowns for Riverside. The defense was led by AJ Hertel, who had nine tackles, including four tackles-for-loss.

Byrnes has won each of its last 11 meetings in the series against Riverside and has scored at least 64 points in five of those victories. The Rebels were held to 167 yards of total offense, suffered three costly turnovers and didn’t force any in a 33-21 loss to Dorman last Friday. Chanin Harris had three catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns to lead Byrnes. Jacobi Fuller had an 84-yard kickoff return also for the Rebels. Byrnes defensive lineman Justice Hopkins was picked for the Shrine Bowl earlier this week.

Spartanburg (2-3, 1-1) at Wade Hampton (0-5, 0-2)

Tough times continued for Wade Hampton last Friday as the Generals’ losing streak hit 19 consecutive games in a 41-15 loss to Riverside. Coleman Batson ran for both of Wade Hampton’s touchdowns. Angel Gomez had 10 tackles, while Ayden Jacobs posted two sacks and forced a fumble for the Generals’ defense.

Spartanburg is looking to rebound from a tough 28-21 loss to rival Gaffney last week. Standout running back Trenton Lynch ran 20 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Keyvion Ferguson had five receptions for 46 yards and two touchdowns also for the Vikings. Spartanburg kicker Will Love, who’s committed to Virginia Tech, has been selected for the Shrine Bowl.

REGION I-4A

Laurens (0-5, 0-0) at Fountain Inn (3-2, 0-0)

In its fourth season of varsity football, Fountain Inn appears poised to challenge for its first region championship as Region I-4A action begins on Friday. The Fury had a bye last week following an impressive 49-7 win over St. Joseph’s in Week 4. Quarterback Sam Holliday passed for three touchdowns and ran for three more for Fountain Inn, while Bojack Johnson ran for its other score. Meanwhile, the Fury defense limited a St. Joseph’s offense averaging 319 rushing yards per game to just 102.

Laurens remained winless and was shut out for the third time this season in a 35-0 loss at Lexington last Friday. 

Southside (0-5, 0-0) at Westside (1-4, 0-0)

Southside was off last week after a heartbreaking loss to rival Carolina in Week 4. The game was scoreless after three quarters before Carolina found the end zone for the only score of the night as the Tigers fell, 6-0. It marked the 26th consecutive loss for Southside.

Westside picked up its first win of the season with a 26-20 win at previously Class 1A No. 1-ranked Abbeville last Friday. The Rams outscored the Panthers 19-6 in the fourth quarter to rally for the victory.

REGION II-4A

Berea (1-4, 0-2) at No. 7 Daniel (4-1, 1-0)

Berea became the only team without a region win when it fell to Pickens 63-0 last Friday. The Bulldogs allowed 492 yards of total offense in the loss.

In a battle of top 10 teams in Class 4A, Daniel rallied from a 16-0 fourth quarter deficit to stun Seneca, 27-16. Freshman Kingsten Bibb rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions.

Pickens (2-4, 1-1) at Greer (2-4, 2-0)

Greer continued to shine in region play with a 30-7 win over Travelers Rest last week. The Yellow Jackets’ defense has yet to allow a point against region foes as the Devildogs’ lone score came on a kickoff return for a touchdown. Lewis Bussey had three tackles-for-loss, including two sacks, to lead Greer’s defense which allowed just 143 total yards. Calvin McCoy rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown, while Tucker Hudson caught seven passes for 151 yards and a score, for the Yellow Jackets.

Brooks Dow completed 16-of-20 passes for 221 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in Pickens’ 63-0 win over Berea last week. Dow also rushed for a game-high 75 yards on eight carries.

Blue Ridge (4-1, 1-0) at No. 9 Seneca (5-1, 1-1)

Blue Ridge’s offense stayed hot last Friday as the Tigers avenged a 73-34 loss to Landrum in 2023 with a 63-28 victory over the Cardinals. Gavin Forrester completed 15-of-20 passes for 190 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 15 times for 123 yards and three more scores. Jakorey Dodd carried 15 times for 129 yards rushing and Blue Ridge’s other three touchdowns. Mitch Bobbitt was Forrester’s top target as he caught five passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Marquiel Troupe had a 52-yard punt return and a 40-yard kickoff return also for the Tigers, while Dodd had a 51-yard kick return and Bobbit took his lone punt return back 49 yards.

Seneca is coming off a tough 27-16 loss to Daniel as it fell for the first time after being outscored 27-0 in the fourth quarter. Shrine Bowl running back Amari Verner ran 29 times for 132 yards and a touchdown for the Bobcats.

REGION II-3A

Palmetto (0-5, 0-0) at Carolina (2-3, 0-0)

Carolina will try to bounce back after a rough road trip to Pendleton last week. The Trojans fell behind 41-0 at the half and went on to a 41-6 loss. Carolina, which suffered three interceptions and three lost fumbles, found the end zone midway through the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.

Prior to last week’s bye, Palmetto fell to Belton-Honea Path, 49-0, in Week 4. The Mustangs, who’ve been outscored 189-25 this year, are off to their worst start since losing each of their first seven games in 1983.

St. Joseph’s (3-2, 0-0) at Christ Church (4-1, 0-0)

Christ Church will be going for its eighth consecutive victory in this rivalry of schools located less than two miles apart. Last week, the Cavaliers pulled out a 40-35 win over Hampton County. Michael Martin ran 28 times for 236 yards and two touchdowns to lead Christ Church, while quarterback Judd Windham completed 15-of-20 passes for 162 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Windham also had 57 yards rushing on eight carries. Jude Hall, who was selected to the Shrine Bowl this week, caught three passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Atkins had seven catches for 40 yards and two scores also for the Cavs.

St. Joseph’s was off last Friday, but will try to rebound from a 56-7 loss to Fountain Inn in Week 4. The Knights’ high-powered rushing attack was held to 102 yards. Sam Patterson accounted for the lone touchdown when he caught a 68-yard pass from Jack Stewart. Patterson led St. Joseph’s in rushing with 54 yards on seven carries, in receiving with 102 yards on two catches and in tackles with six stops.

Powdersville (3-2, 0-0) at Southside Christian (1-4, 0-0)

An extremely challenging non-region schedule for Southside Christian wrapped up last week when Class 5A member Carolina Forest made the long road trip from Conway and left Simpsonville with a 54-13 win. Keldin Wrona was a bright spot for the Sabres as he caught seven passes for 180 yards and a score. Freshman quarterback Max Breit completed 9-of-16 passes for 208 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Powdersville was off last week after losing a shootout against Broome, 53-45, in Week 4. Patriots senior quarterback Keagan Reid threw for 455 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 41 yards in the loss.

Other game

Pendleton (2-3) at Travelers Rest (2-3)

Travelers Rest will try to get on track after a 30-7 loss to Greer last Friday. Jayden Coney provided the lone highlight for the Devildogs when he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to help tie the score at 7-7 in the first quarter. TR was held to 143 yards of total offense. Preston Garraux had 24 carries for 68 yards to lead the Devildogs. Ethan Keller had a pair of sacks, while Riley Broderick had two pass breakups and a 64-yard kick return also for TR.

Pendleton is coming off a 41-6 win over Carolina last week. The Bulldogs’ defense forced six turnovers and returned two of them for touchdowns.