Week 8 Previews: Spartanburg Area

REGION II-5A

Riverside (3-4, 2-2) at No. 8 Gaffney (5-2, 4-0)

Gaffney looks to build off a big win over rival Byrnes, 28-16, last week. The Indians fell behind 10-0 after one quarter, but kept the Rebels out of the end zone and forced three turnovers the rest of the way. Banks Bouton ran 11 times for 132 yards, including an electric 80-yard touchdown in which he tight-roped his way down the right sideline. Zyon Ratchford had 10 tackles to lead Gaffney’s defensive effort.

After being held to three points by Dorman in its region opener, Riverside has scored 117 over the past three games. The Warriors knocked off Eastside, 49-36, last Friday. Gideon Merhib completed 16-of-20 passes for 251 yards with three touchdowns and one interception to lead Riverside. Keyon Knowles rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries and caught four passes for 54 yards also for the Warriors.

Spartanburg (4-3, 3-1) at Boiling Springs (4-3, 2-2)

This could be the most interesting matchup of the week in the region as Boiling Springs looks to build off a dominant performance and Spartanburg looks to avoid a hangover after a thrilling win over a rival. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 38-0 halftime lead and held Wade Hampton to 39 yards of total offense in a 45-0 win last week. Imri Logan completed 13-of-17 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 29 yards and another score, for Boiling Springs. Grayson Crowe had five catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns and Kyron Tobler rushed for 70 yards and a score also for the Bulldogs.

Standout kicker Will Love made a 52-yard field goal on the last play of the game as Spartanburg topped Dorman, 33-30. Trenton Lynch’s 32-yard run helped set up the game-winning kick. Lynch rushed for 176 yards and four touchdowns and had 56 yards receiving to lead the Vikings. Trey Burke passed for 207 yards also for Spartanburg. His top target was Torean Davis, who had 102 yards on four receptions.

Eastside (3-4, 0-4) at Byrnes (4-3, 2-2)

Byrnes will try to rebound from a 28-16 loss at rival Gaffney last week. The Rebels jumped out to a 10-0 lead after one quarter, but was limited to just a pair of second-half field goals the rest of the way. Tre Segarra ran 33 times for 209 yards to lead Byrnes. Chanin Harris caught seven passes for 97 yards and the lone touchdown for the Rebels.

Eastside has been competitive in three of its four region games this season, but still has nothing to show for it. The Eagles are coming off a 49-36 loss at Riverside last week. Lucas Tankersley had 168 yards rushing on 20 carries, including a touchdown, to lead Eastside. He also had six tackles, including a sack. Peyton Schrader passed for 123 yards and two touchdowns also for the Eagles.

Dorman (5-2, 3-1) at Wade Hampton (0-7, 0-4)

Dorman will look to bounce back from a heartbreaking 33-30 loss at rival Spartanburg. The Cavaliers rallied from a 23-7 first half deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Ranson Farr before the Vikings made a 52-yard field goal as time expired. Nick Means rushed for 98 yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown for Dorman. Meek Slydell finished with 207 yards passing also for the Cavaliers.

Wade Hampton’s woes continued in a 45-0 loss at Boiling Springs last week. The Generals fell behind 38-0 in the first half and were held to 39 yards of total offense as their losing streak reached 21 consecutive games. Angel Gomez had 16 tackles and Jonah Hicks 11 for Wade Hampton.

REGION III-3A

No. 5 Mountain View (7-0, 2-0) at No. 6 Woodruff (6-1, 1-0)

A huge showdown is set for historic Varner Stadium Friday as the only two teams without a region loss square off. Prior to last week’s bye, Woodruff rebounded from its lone loss with a 49-14 at Broome in its region opener on Oct. 3. The Wolverines put up big numbers offensively despite standouts Aiden Gibson and Kori Moates being out with injuries. Connor Davis completed 18-of-24 passes for 298 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Shrine Bowl tight end Kam Taylor caught five passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns, while Dre Jenkins had 102 yards and a score on four receptions. Jaylen Lyles filled Gibson’s shoes with 83 yards rushing and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Mountain View continued its season-long onslaught with a 50-7 win over Chapman last week. Mak Anderson passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more – all in the first half – to lead MVP. The Stars have won every game by at least 22 points and have outscored the opposition, 349-87. Mountain View can clinch at least a share of the region championship with a victory Friday.

Union County (1-7, 0-2) at Chapman (0-7, 0-1)

Chapman is trying to avoid losing each of its first eight games for the first time since 2008. The Panthers are coming off a 50-7 loss to Mountain View last week. Eric Gaffney’s touchdown reception accounted for Chapman’s lone score.

Union County will try to rebound from a 42-0 loss to Broome last Friday. Akeem Shaw had seven receptions for 84 yards to lead the Yellow Jackets, who lost four turnovers and forced none.

REGION I-2A

Landrum (3-4, 0-1) at No. 2 Clinton (5-3, 2-0)

After starting the season 3-1, Landrum will take a three-game losing streak into a huge test at Clinton. The Cardinals are coming off a stunning 14-6 home loss to Blacksburg last Friday. It was Blacksburg’s first win over a team from South Carolina since Sept. 15, 2023. AJ Lindsey had 144 yards rushing, 13 tackles on defense, forced a fumble and recovered one to lead Landrum. Ty Foster rushed for 67 yards and the Cardinals’ lone touchdown, while passing for 44. Freshman JP Branyon had nine tackles, including two sacks, also for Landrum.

Clinton is coming off a 50-29 win at Chesnee. The Red Devils had three 100-yard rushers as they put up more than 500 yards on the ground. Javen Cook rushed for 182 yards and four touchdowns, KJ Vance ran seven times for 177 yards and two scores and Angelo Cromer had four carries for 106 yards and one touchdown.

Chesnee (4-3, 1-1) at Liberty (4-3, 0-1)

Chesnee will try to get back after a 50-29 loss to Clinton last week. Evan-Reece Lawter completed all 10 of his passes for 147 yards with a touchdown, and rushed for 83 yards and a score to lead the Eagles. Blake Cochran ran nine times for 83 yards also for Chesnee. Braylon Blanton caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Liberty was off last week after falling to Clinton, 49-6, in Week 6. Kendall Jackson rushed for 84 yards and caught two passes for 22 yards to lead Liberty.