A Look Ahead (And Back) at Week 2

For the second straight week, the Upstate was treated to at least a small portion of Thursday night lights.

With a threatening weather forecast for Friday night, Union County and Greer kicked things off in the Jacket Bowl a day early, with Greer dominating that game 52-0. It’s the largest margin of victory in the series, and Greer is at 2-0 for the first time in a while.

Greer dominated on the ground, with three guys rushing for more than 100 yards. Calvin McCoy had 146 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries, quarterback Xavier Sammet rushed for 117 yards and two scores, and Zy Foster ran for 102 yards and a touchdown. Greer had 377 total yards on the ground and rushed for more than 10 yards per carry as a team.

Terrell Jackson scored his second TD of the year, this one on an interception return for a TD, and Parker Burns added a field goal in the Greer rout.

Here’s a look at the other matchups in Spartanburg and Greenville counties as folks try to join the Yellow Jackets in the win column.

CLASS 5A

No. 2 Byrnes (1-0) at No. 3 Dorman (1-0)

Last week: Byrnes beat Independence (N.C.) 7-0 (weather); Dorman beat Hillcrest 40-30

The series: Byrnes leads 36-31-1 all time. Dorman won last year’s meeting in Duncan 33-21.

About the Rebels: Byrnes officially held the ball a little over a minute in their season-opening, storm-shortened win over Independence. It went about like everyone expected in the offseason. Three plays and two Tre Segarra carries, one of which was a 53-yard score. Independence ran six plays, Wyquial Moss had two tackles, and the Byrnes secondary looked solid.

About the Cavaliers: Dorman was one of the few Spartanburg County teams to get a full game in on Friday, and did it primarily on the ground. Nick Means rushed for 156 yards and three scores, Carter Nash had 115 yards, and Ja’Bez Thomas rushed for 61 yards and a score. Means added a TD catch, and Anthony Peaks hauled in a touchdown catch as well. Antwon Tarrence had 11 tackles and two tackles for loss.

No. 5 Summerville (1-0) at Hillcrest (0-1)*

*Location: Sirrine Stadium, 100 Cleveland St, Greenville

Last week: Summerville beat Sumter 28-7; Hillcrest lost at Dorman 40-30,

The series: Summerville won the only other meeting, 30-0, in the old Big 16 playoff days of 1998.

About the Green Wave: Summerville football’s first-ever trip to Greenville County will commence at one of the state’s most historic stadiums as Hillcrest’s new turf field isn’t ready yet. This is the 91st season of football at Sirrine Stadium. Jayven Williams rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown in the Green Wave’s season-opening win over Sumter.

About the Rams: Last Friday at Dorman, Hillcrest fell behind 20-3 in the second quarter and cut the lead to six twice but could never come all the way back. Jackson Free threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 106 and another score. Kadyn Stevenson caught seven passes for 80 yards including a touchdown for the Rams.

Riverside (0-1) at Boiling Springs (1-0)

Last week: Riverside lost to Greenwood 33-7; Boiling Springs beat Southside Christian 7-0 (weather).

The series: Boiling Springs leads the series 14-5. Riverside won last year’s meeting 27-20.

About the Warriors: Riverside struggled against a stout Greenwood defense, but QB Cooper Adams did throw a TD pass for Riverside’s only points of the night. They struggled to defend the run, something that Boiling Springs wants to establish early.

About the Bulldogs: In their storm-shortened win over Southside Christian, the Bulldogs looked good on both sides of the ball. Dennis Glenn was a standout in defending the run, Jamarcus Means came away with an interception, and RJ Byrd ran for a touchdown for Boiling Springs.

Greenville (0-1) at Mauldin (1-0)

Last week: Greenville lost to Fountain Inn 24-20; Mauldin defeated Christ Church 10-3 (weather).

The series: Greenville leads 7-2, including a 21-13 victory last season.

About the Red Raiders: Greenville will try to bounce back from a long, frustrating loss in last weekend’s opener. The Red Raiders trailed 3-0 after one quarter when play was halted Friday night. The game resumed Saturday evening before being delayed again by lightning with Greenville trailing 10-6 in the third quarter. Both teams ramped up offensively after returning to the field, but Fountain Inn struck last with the go-ahead score following a Red Raider turnover. Greenville suffered a total of three red-zone turnovers for the game.

About the Mavericks: Mauldin also had its opener delayed Friday night, but there was never any resumption. After the Mavericks and Christ Church exchanged field goals, Mauldin’s Tyson Smith returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown with 54 seconds left in the first quarter. That proved to be the difference as the game ended at the end of the first quarter. In that quarter of play, Mauldin’s defense limited the Cavaliers’ strong rushing attack to 14 yards and forced two fumbles, recovering one.

Spartanburg (0-1) at 4A No. 8 Greenwood (1-0)

Last week: Spartanburg lost to Gaffney 24-20; Greenwood beat Riverside 33-7.

The series: The all-time meetings are dead even at 29-29-3. This will be the first meeting between the teams since 2015, when Spartanburg won 42-7.

About the Vikings: Trenton Lynch came into Friday’s game needing 1,000 yards to become Spartanburg’s all-time leading rusher. He got more than a quarter of it. Lynch rushed 23 times for 290 yards and scored three touchdowns, averaging more than 12 yards per carry in leading the Spartanburg offense. He’ll continue to be the focus as the young Spartanburg offense grows up.

About the Eagles: Greenwood went into Friday’s game with two brand-new players vying for the QB spot. Both Quay Justesen and Batavian White played and played well. Tay Hamilton and Cassidy Lee helped lead a Greenwood offense that rolled up 379 yards on the ground.

Southside Christian (0-1) at Woodmont (0-1)

Last week: Southside Christian lost to Boiling Springs 7-0 (weather); Woodmont lost to Greer 45-31.

The series: First meeting.

About the Sabres: Southside Christian came out on the wrong end of a weather-shortened game in its opener last week. The Sabres fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter. With 1:52 left in the opening quarter, lightning delayed the game. With the game never being resumed, Boiling Springs collected the victory.

About the Wildcats: Despite the loss, Woodmont piled up more than 400 yards of total offense in its opener. Harper Doyle threw for 181 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another for the Wildcats. Frank Lewis caught seven passes for 166 yards. Tay Taylor led the rushing attack with 82 yards on five carries, including a 34-yard touchdown. Cobie Robinson was a threat on special teams as he averaged 38 yards per kickoff return with a long of 65.

Eastside (0-1) at Class 3A No. 9 Wren (0-1)

Last week: Eastside lost at Chapman 26-6; Wren lost at Daniel 42-28. 

The series: Eastside leads 2-1, including a 45-23 victory when the teams last met in the opening round of the 2017 playoffs.

About the Eagles: Eastside had its opener at Chapman moved up to Thursday last week to try to beat the forecast. After eight scoreless minutes of play, the game went into a lightning delay and resumed Friday. Kelyn Durham ran for an Eagles’ touchdown once play resumed, but it was all Chapman the rest of the way. Durham finished with 66 yards on 10 carries. Sophomore Ean Johannan led Eastside’s defense with seven tackles, including three sacks, and a forced fumble.

About the Hurricanes: Wren’s potent running game couldn’t really get going against a tough Daniel defense last week. Standout Muntu Brown was held to 72 yards, including a touchdown, on 19 carries. Jacob Owings completed 15-of-24 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown to lead the Hurricanes, and he also ran for a score. Caiden Hill caught six passes for 87 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown.

CLASS 4A

No. 2 Gaffney (1-0) at JL Mann (0-1)

Last week: Gaffney beat Spartanburg 24-20; Mann lost to Laurens 43-34.

The series: The Indians lead the all-time series 3-0, including a 28-0 win last season.

About the Indians: Gaffney got a hard-nosed win over Spartanburg with a late score and a late stand. Spartanburg took the lead with 6:07 to play, but Kendaris Bailey scored his second rushing touchdown of the night with 2:00 to play and the Indians made it stand up. Bailey finished with 70 rushing yards and two scores from his wildcat position, and Amire White ran for 172 yards and a score.

About the Patriots: This one might see the Indians’ secondary get an early test, because Mann is gonna sling it around. Gage Watkins threw for 401 yards on Friday, but it was feast or famine – five touchdowns against four interceptions. AJ Bush had 138 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Tristian Shell had 175 yards and two TDs through the air. Luke Penland had eight tackles to lead the Patriots, while Shaun Carvalho had five tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack.

No. 9 Fountain Inn (1-0) at 2A No. 4 Woodruff (1-0)

Last week: Fountain Inn beat Greenville 24-20; Woodruff beat Broome 51-25

The series: Woodruff leads 4-0 all-time, including a 46-27 last year.

About the Fury: Fountain Inn is far from a one-player team, but they’ve got one heck of a player. That’s Sam Holiday, one of the best dual-threat QBs in the state. He had a fantastic game against the Raiders, throwing for 170 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 105 and two more.The bend-but-don’t-break Fountain Inn defense forced three red-zone turnovers. Two of those were fumbles recovered by Zay Broughton, one with just three minutes to play.

About the Wolverines: Much was made about what the Wolverines would do with the sudden and unexpected departure of their leading rusher. Well, they could throw it. At least that’s what they did on Friday, as Connor Davis threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns. The bulk of that went to MiCah McClintock, who had eight catches for 183 yards and a pair of scores with Curtis Bell hauling in six for 138 yards and the other two TDs. Jaylen Lyles did plenty on the ground for Woodruff, with 13 carries for 181 yards and two scores.

Southside (1-0) at Wade Hampton (0-0)

Last week: Southside defeated Dixie 18-13.

Last season: Wade Hampton went 0-10.

The series: Wade Hampton leads 9-3. The Generals won the last meeting 57-7 in 2011.

About the Tigers: Tyson Pepper ran 19 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns to help Southside snap the state’s longest losing streak at 31 games. The Tigers trailed Dixie 13-12 with less than two minutes to play when Pepper ran for the go-ahead score. Quarterback Braysen Sullivan ran for 50 yards and Southside’s other touchdown, while completing both of his passes for 57 yards. Ricky Anderson caught both of those passes. Caden Farr led the Tigers’ defensive effort with seven tackles and an interception.

About the Generals: With Southside snapping its skid last week, Wade Hampton opens the season with the state’s longest losing streak. The Generals have lost 24 consecutive games since their last win on Sept. 15, 2023. Senior linebacker Angel Gomez is looking to build off a season in which he racked up 111 tackles. Nasir Bradshaw, a 307-pound junior, leads Wade Hampton in the trenches.

Travelers Rest (0-0) at Blue Ridge (0-1)

Last season: Travelers Rest went 2-8.

Last week: Blue Ridge lost to St. Joseph’s 35-21.

The series: Travelers Rest leads 39-20, but Blue Ridge has won three of the past four meetings. The Tigers defeated the Devildogs 48-24 last season.

About the Devildogs: Juniors JT Pochard and Colton Sorsby have been competing for quarterback duties this preseason for Travelers Rest. Whoever wins the job has a weapon in senior Preston Garraux, who can line up anywhere. Garraux saw time at running back, wide receiver, linebacker and punter last season. Noah Robertson, a 275-pound senior who’s also a standout wrestler, anchors both the offensive and defensive lines on the interior.

About the Tigers: Blue Ridge fell in the opener despite an outstanding night for junior Marquiel Troupe, who had eight receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. Junior quarterback Holden Powell completed 16-of-29 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Braylon Edwards hauled in the Tigers’ other two scores.

CLASS 3A

Chapman (1-0) at Walhalla (0-1)

Last week: Chapman beat Eastside 26-6; Walhalla lost to Landrum 32-21.

The series: Chapman leads 12-7 all-time. The teams will meet for the first time since 2005, when Chapman won 24-7.

About the Panthers: Chapman’s win was huge for the Panthers, and it came in pretty dominant fashion (and over the course of three quarters in two days due to weather). Sophomore QB Ashton Moore threw for two scores and ran for another, and Chapman’s defense locked down against the Eagles.

About the Razorbacks: Walhalla has encountered some early injury issues, with both its No. 1 and No. 2 RBs out. Still, QB Rush Harvey and WR Nick Butler will present some problems, and RB Latrevis Lewis did a good job on short notice.

Christ Church (0-1) at St. Joseph’s (1-0)

Last week: Christ Church lost at Mauldin 10-3 (weather); St. Joseph’s defeated Blue Ridge 35-21. 

The series: Christ Church leads 19-3, including eight consecutive wins since St. Joseph’s recorded its three series wins each season from 2018-20. The Cavaliers won 39-34 last season.

About the Cavaliers: Christ Church looks to bounce back from a 12-minute loss in last Friday’s opener at Mauldin. After Ryan Von Wyl’s 33-yard field goal tied the game at 3-3, the Mavericks returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and that was the difference. Just 54 seconds later, the first quarter ended, a weather delay began and play never resumed. Judd Windham completed 5-of-7 passes for 51 yards in that lone quarter.

About the Knights: Mack Rambo rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns to lead St. Joseph’s to its season-opening victory. Quarterback Jack Stewart threw for 67 yards and a touchdown and ran for 62 yards (on five carries) and another score. Sam Patterson collected 45 yards rushing (on five carries), 41 receiving and 76 yards on a pair of kickoff returns. John Campbell, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, led the defense with 11 tackles.

Broome (0-1) at Chesnee (0-0)

Last week: Broome lost to Woodruff 51-25; Chesnee did not play.

The series: Broome leads the series 23-8-2, including a 35-34 win last season.

About the Centurions: Brayden Simpson threw for 98 yards and a touchdown, with 140 yards and another score on the ground. Devo Brown rushed for a pair of TDs, while Corley Turner had seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Centurions’ loss to Woodruff.

About the Eagles: The Eagles have a weapon in Evan-Reece Lawter, a mobile QB with a big arm who gives Chesnee a chance in every game. Behind an OL led by Nolan Fusaro and a veteran defense, Chesnee will look to improve upon last season.

West-Oak (1-0) at Berea (0-1)

Last week: West-Oak won at Calhoun Falls Charter 42-8; Berea lost to Blacksburg 44-22. 

The series: Berea leads 2-0, winning both matchups in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

About the Warriors: Carter Fountain rushed for 135 yards and five touchdowns in West-Oak’s season-opening win last Friday. Cole Brucke completed 9-of-12 passes for 169 yards and a score also for the Warriors. West-Oak’s defense forced four fumbles.

About the Bulldogs: Berea trailed 18-0 after one quarter of last Friday’s opener when the game was delayed by lightning. Play resumed the next day and while the Bulldogs matched Blacksburg nearly score-for-score, the early deficit was too much to overcome. Junior quarterback Brody Hester ran for a 58-yard touchdown to get Berea on the scoreboard and he later threw a 58-yard scoring strike to Marcus Leamon. Wyatt Mayer ran for a 24-yard touchdown for the Bulldogs’ final score.

CLASS 2A

Carolina (0-0) at Ware Shoals (0-1)

Last season: Carolina went 2-9.

Last week: Ware Shoals lost to Ridge Spring-Monetta 48-34.

The series: First meeting.

About the Trojans: Carolina will make a long bus ride to historic Riegel Stadium, which was built in 1931, in hopes of taking a first step to a turnaround. The Trojans have not won more than two games in a season since going 5-6 in 2013. Tim Fowler and Jaylen Patterson have been competing for quarterback duties. 

About the Hornets: With a roster of 18 players this season, Ware Shoals piled up more than 400 yards rushing in last Friday’s loss. Eamonn Pulley rushed for 221 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman quarterback Jamieson Crockett ran for 108 and a score. Jackson Willis added 91 yards rushing.

Landrum (1-0) at Ninety Six (0-1)

Last week: Landrum beat Walhalla 32-21; Ninety Six lost to Mid-Carolina 49-21.

The series: Ninety Six leads the all-time series 7-2, including a 42-14 win in 2023.

About the Cardinals: JP Branyon turned in a workhorse performance at RB as he ran 27 times for 225 yards and a touchdown. Ian Patterson added three TDs on the ground, and Dallas Collins returned an interception 92 yards for a score in the Cardinals’ win.

About the Wildcats: Ninety Six fell in their first game under new head coach Austin Sargent, but showed some flashes along the way. Jacob Evans tossed touchdown passes to Parker Sutley and Camryn Mathis and ran for another while putting up more than 250 yards of total offense, but the Wildcats turned it over three times in the loss.

Capsules compiled by Jed Blackwell and Scott Keeler