Bulldogs Start 4-0, Week 4 Matchups On Deck

There were some Thursday Night Lights again in Week 4, and this time weather wasn’t the culprit. Boiling Springs played at Clover on Thursday as the Blue Eagles are sharing a stadium this season with Lake Wylie.

It didn’t disappoint.

Boiling Springs built a quick 20-3 lead, saw Clover tie the game late, and hung on for a 27-26 overtime victory to move to 4-0 on the season.

CJ Birk blocked Clover’s extra point on the Blue Eagles’ overtime possession, Kyron Tobler and Imri Logan combined to put Boiling Springs in the end zone in two plays, and Cameron Stevens drilled the Bulldogs PAT to give the visitors the win.

RJ Byrd scored on an early run set up by Ta’mi’jay Brown’s interception return and Logan threw two second-quarter touchdowns, one to DJay Leak and another to Jadyn Jones – as the Bulldogs went up 20-3 just before the half.

The Bulldogs’ 4-0 start is the best for the team since 2016, when they started 5-0 on the way to the school’s first Upper State championship.

Here’s a look at the Friday night action featuring Spartanburg and Greenville county teams.

CLASS 5A

No. 3 Dorman (2-0) at 4A No. 2 Gaffney (3-0)

Last week: Dorman did not play; Gaffney beat Lancaster 28-13.

The series: Gaffney leads 42-31-1, but Dorman won last year’s contest 20-0.

About the Cavaliers: Dorman had a bye week following huge wins over Hillcrest and Byrnes. The Cavaliers have been led by the defense, with James Porter, Emavian Gibson, Antwone Tarrance, and Jabez Thomas having a big start to the year. Offensively, Nick Means makes the attack go and Dai’shion Watkins-Hymes is turning into a monster of a downfield threat.

About the Indians: Gaffney cruised to a pair of early wins, then responded when they found themselves in a fight last week. Amire White is a sensational every-down back, and Kendaris Bailey leads the way both at LB and in short yardage situations. Gaffney’s back four on defense is as good as you’ll find, led by Ty McGill, Zion Dawkins, and Money Monroe.

Greer (3-0) at No. 7 Byrnes (1-1)

Last week: Greer beat Blue Ridge 59-13; Byrnes did not play.

The series: Byrnes leads the all-time series 35-27-1, including a 49-9 win at Dooley Field last season.

About the Yellow Jackets: Greer still looks to run the ball first, but sophomore QB Xavier Sammet has been a monster so far for the Yellow Jackets. Zay Moseley and Cooper Trauger are his main targets, and Calvin McCoy gets the job done on the ground. With Anius Smith helping lead a stingy defense, the Yellow Jackets look like they’re for real.

About the Rebels: Byrnes will look to bounce back from a tough loss to Dorman in which they dominated the first half and were outscored 21-0 in the second. That game had a long weather delay, some late injuries, and was weird all the way around. Gideon Merhib played well at QB, and Tre Segarra and Jacobi Fuller are as-advertised at RB, but the Rebels have played just one full game this year and are anxious to get back on the field.

Woodmont (1-2) at Blythewood (2-1)

Last week: Woodmont defeated Broome 56-13; Blythewood won at Westwood 20-7.

The series: First meeting.

About the Wildcats: Woodmont bounced back from a tough overtime loss in Week 2 with a rout last Friday for its first win of the season. The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-0 lead after one quarter and never lost command. Woodmont is averaging 38.3 points per game this season.

About the Bengals: Tayshawn Johnson caught six passes for 142 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown in Blythewood’s win last Friday. Joshua Reaves had four of the Bengals’ seven sacks to lead their defensive effort. For the season, Johnson has 15 catches for 233 yards, while Reaves has six sacks and Amari Fisher has three interceptions.

Class 4A No. 5 Westside (2-1) at Hillcrest (1-2)

Last week: Westside beat Mauldin 41-24; Hillcrest downed Fountain Inn 38-20.

The series: Westside leads 14-6, including a 19-12 double overtime win at Hillcrest in the last meeting in 2015.

About the Westside Rams: Westside raced out to a 27-0 lead last week thanks to a pair of blocked punts, an interception by Payton Morgan and three touchdown passes by Bear Woods. Woods finished with 174 yards and four touchdowns, while Damauri Robinson ran for 147 yards and a touchdown. Jae White caught eight passes for 114 yards and two scores also for the Rams.

About the Hillcrest Rams: In the first edition of what’s bound to become a rivalry, Hillcrest used three first-quarter touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead and cruised past Fountain Inn last Friday. Jackson Free completed 12-of-16 passes for 141 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and also ran for a 16-yard score to lead the Rams. Ny Allen had 135 yards rushing on 20 attempts and caught a nine-yard touchdown pass, while Luke McCourry caught four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown also for Hillcrest.

Fountain Inn (1-2) at Mauldin (1-2)

Last week: Fountain Inn lost to Hillcrest 38-20; Mauldin fell to Westside 41-24.

The series: Tied 1-1. Fountain Inn won the first meeting two years ago, while Mauldin won 21-16 last season.

About the Fury: Another week, another fellow Golden Strip opponent for Fountain Inn. The Fury fell behind Hillcrest 21-0 in the first quarter last Friday. They could never get back in it despite the best efforts of Sam Holliday. Holliday threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 103 yards. EJ Lundy caught six passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, while Trey Lott had three receptions for 87 yards and a score also for Fountain Inn.

About the Mavericks: Like Fountain Inn, Mauldin dug a deep hole last Friday and couldn’t recover. The Mavericks trailed at Westside 27-0 midway through the second quarter before getting their offense going. CJ Edwards passed for 246 yards and a touchdown to lead Mauldin. Ryland Walton ran 12 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught three passes for 39 yards and the Mavs other score. Malaki Ford had 91 yards on four receptions, while Tyson Smith caught three passes for 87 yards.

Eastside (0-2) at Riverside (0-3)

Last week: Eastside was off last week after losing at Wren 49-12 in Week 2; Riverside lost at Easley 36-35.

The series: Eastside leads the rivalry 29-22. Riverside has won each of the last five meetings, including a 49-36 victory last season.

About the Eagles: Coming off its bye week, Eastside will look to continue to improve offensively. After being held to 92 yards in their season-opening loss at Chapman, the Eagles had 272 last week. Pooh Perrin caught three passes for 75 yards, including a touchdown, while rushing three times for 25 yards to lead Eastside. Defensively, sophomore Ean Johannan leads the Eagles this season with 12 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. 

About the Warriors: Riverside remained winless in heartbreaking fashion last week. The Warriors had a 21-3 lead early on and a 35-23 lead with less than eight minutes to play before Easley rallied for the victory. Evan Bradley completed 21-of-29 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns to lead Riverside. His top target was Peyton Stevenson, who caught seven passes for 165 yards and two scores.

JL Mann (0-3) at Southside Christian (2-1)

Last week: JL Mann lost at Belton-Honea Path 31-17; Southside Christian won at Laurens 24-0.

The series: First meeting.

About the Patriots: JL Mann held BHP to 185 yards of total offense and one touchdown last week, but turnovers and special teams proved costly for the Patriots. BHP had five interceptions, returned two for touchdowns, and also returned a blocked punt for a score. Buddy Griffin ran nine times for 54 yards and caught seven passes for 52 yards to lead Mann. 

About the Sabres: Aaron Gilliam threw for 126 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 77 yards, returned an interception 22 yards and blocked a field goal to lead Southside Christian’s shutout victory last week. Jaylen Samuels ran 29 times for 94 yards and a touchdown also for the Sabres, while Ryder Smith had two receptions – a 73-yard touchdown and a 28-yard score. Southside Christian got another boost this week with the addition of standout junior running back Michael Martin, who transferred from rival Christ Church. Per SCHSL rules, Martin must sit out the next three games and will be ineligible for the playoffs this season.

CLASS 4A

Wade Hampton (1-1) at Blue Ridge (1-2)

Last week: Wade Hampton lost at Palmetto 22-19; Blue Ridge lost at Greer 59-13.

The series: Wade Hampton leads 14-11. Blue Ridge has won each of the last two games in the series, including a 29-22 win last year.

About the Generals: A week after snapping its 24-game losing streak, Wade Hampton seemed poised to create a winning streak last Friday at Palmetto. A 90-yard interception return for a touchdown by JD Hays gave the Generals a 19-7 third quarter lead, but the Mustangs rallied for the win. Walker Kay rushed for a touchdown and threw Wade Hampton’s other score.

About the Tigers: Blue Ridge will try to bounce back from a lopsided loss to rival Greer last week. After the Tigers’ Brylon McCoy ran nine yards for a touchdown to help tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter, Greer stormed back to take a 56-7 lead into halftime. Holden Powell threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Marquiel Troupe in the fourth quarter for Blue Ridge’s other score.

Class 3A No. 1 Daniel (3-0) at Greenville (1-2)

Last week: Daniel defeated Powdersville 56-34; Greenville lost to Peachtree Ridge, Ga. 33-30.

The series: Daniel leads 13-9-3. Greenville won the last meeting 51-14 in 2017.

About the Lions: Daniel features a high-powered offense that’s also well balanced. The Lions are averaging 48 points per game and have 657 yards rushing and 621 passing as a team. Sophomore Kingsten Bibb has rushed for 404 yards and eight touchdowns, while junior Jace Grass has thrown for 610 yards and four touchdowns to lead Daniel. 

About the Red Raiders: In a textbook definition of a back-and-forth game last week, Greenville blinked first. The Red Raiders took a 7-0 lead before Peachtree Ridge answered to tie the game. That exact scenario happened three more times for a 27-27 tie before Greenville had to settle for a 23-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Peachtree Ridge’s final possession began at its own 10-yard line but ended on a 43-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds. Kiishawn Farrow threw for 311 yards, ran for 70 and accounted for three touchdowns for Greenville, which hasn’t played a game this season decided by more than four points. Bryson Mosley caught six passes for 118 yards also for the Red Raiders.

Carolina (2-0) at Travelers Rest (0-2)

Last week: Carolina beat Berea 42-25; Travelers Rest lost at Wren 61-0.

The series: Travelers Rest leads 10-6, including all six meetings since 1987. The Devildogs won 47-14 the last time the teams met in 2023.

About the Trojans: Jaylen Patterson completed 12-of-16 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns last Friday to help Carolina get off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2012. Tirecc Turner rushed for 67 yards and caught two passes for 56 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans. Timothy Fowler also had a huge night for Carolina. Fowler caught seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, rushed three times for 52 yards, had a 30-yard interception return and posted three pass breakups.

About the Devildogs: If Travelers Rest is to avoid its first 0-3 start to a season since 2017, the Devildogs must find some answers on offense. TR has been outscored 87-6 so far this season and hasn’t scored in the last six quarters.

CLASS 3A

2A No. 2 Clinton (2-0) at Chapman (3-0) 

Last week: Chapman beat Seneca 27-13; Clinton defeated Newberry 39-28.

The series: Clinton leads 22-6 all-time, including a 40-34 overtime win last season.

About the Red Devils: Clinton’s pistol-wing offense involves a lot of misdirection, a bunch of weird looks, and a ton of running. That’s typically at the hands of QB Owen Glenn and RB Angelo Cromer, while Rhett Gilliam and Bryland James are more than solid change-of-pace guys who also play plenty on defense.

About the Panthers: Chapman has roared to a 3-0 start behind outstanding play from QB Ashton Moore and the do-everything Keilon Tucker. But what’s been a little bit overlooked has been the Panthers’ defense. Spearheaded by two-time all-region junior DB Darrien Burgess, Chapman has been lock-down pretty much all season.

Broome (0-3) at No. 8 Emerald (3-0)

Last week: Broome lost to Woodmont 56-13; Emerald beat Woodruff 52-31.

The series: Emerald leads the all-time series 7-4. Broome win the last meeting 28-25 in 2004.

About the Centurions: Broome is still searching for their first win of the season, but they’re coming along behind QB Brayden Simpson and RBs Devo Brown and Cam McGill. The Centurions’ defense has allowed 49 points per game, which will be a point of emphasis against an explosive Emerald offense.

About the Vikings: Emerald puts up points in bunches, thanks in large part to the play of Beau Hite. The No. 1-ranked baseball player in the state in the 2028 class, Hite can absolutely sling it. That was expected. What’s been a pleasant surprise has been the play of Joe Moore. Moore inherited the RB job after Chris Dean went down with an injury, and he’s notched two straight 100-yard games against top-flight defenses.

Hilton Head (2-1) at Christ Church (0-3)

Last week: Hilton Head lost to Rock Hill 33-15; Christ Church lost at St. Christopher’s, Va. 27-14.

The series: Hilton Head leads 2-0, including a 41-0 shutout in the last meeting in 2019.

About the Seahawks: Hilton Head has a balanced offensive attack that has put up solid numbers this season. Quarterback Derrick Raniszewski has thrown for 611 yards and five touchdowns this season, while rushing for 158 yards. Jayvin Risher leads the Seahawks with 256 yards rushing and two scores. Jeremiah Walters is their leading receiver with 17 receptions for 344 yards and two touchdowns.

About the Cavaliers: Following a long road trip to Richmond, Virginia last Friday, Christ Church is off to a rare 0-3 start. Judd Windham ran 11 times for 135 yards and a touchdown, while throwing for 91 yards and the Cavaliers’ other score. Alex Drake led Christ Church’s defensive effort with six tackles including a sack. In his final game with the Cavs, standout running back Michael Martin carried 17 times for 35 yards. This week, Martin transferred to Southside Christian. 

Berea (0-3) at Class 2A No. 9 St. Joseph’s (3-0)

Last week: Berea lost at Carolina 42-25; St. Joseph’s won at East Rutherford, N.C. 41-14.

The series: First meeting.

About the Bulldogs: Berea put up its highest point total since Sept. 12, 2024 last week, but it wasn’t enough. Quarterback Brody Hester ran for a 57-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead. Cameron Moss added a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter. After a high punt snap by Carolina, Moss retrieved the loose ball and returned it 25 yards to the end zone. His second came on a 31-yard interception return that cut the lead to 27-20 before Carolina pulled away.

About the Knights: St. Joseph’s crossed the state line into North Carolina last week, jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead and cruised to the win to remain unbeaten. Mack Rambo ran 18 times for 139 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Knights. Sam Patterson added 55 yards on nine carries as St. Joseph’s had 267 yards rushing as a team. Quarterback Jack Stewart completed both of his pass attempts for 24 yards and took both of his rushing attempts to the end zone, one from 38 yards out and another from a yard out.

Liberty (0-2) at Southside (1-2)

Last week: Liberty lost to Pickens 35-7; Southside lost at West-Oak 36-20.

The series: Southside leads 9-3, but Liberty won last season’s matchup 61-12.

About the Red Devils: Zane Smith’s 65-yard interception return for a touchdown gave Liberty a 7-6 lead last Friday, but it didn’t last as Pickens blanked the Red Devils the rest of the way. Sophomore quarterback Easton Bell has thrown for 269 yards and one touchdown this season, while Smith has rushed for Liberty’s other score. Orion Austin leads the Red Devils in rushing with 127 yards on 21 carries. Smith also has a team-high 20 tackles.

About the Tigers: Braysen Sullivan’s third touchdown pass of the game cut West-Oak’s lead to 26-20 entering the fourth quarter last Friday, but Southside could not get any closer. Sullivan finished with 141 yards passing and 83 yards rushing to lead the Tigers. Ricky Anderson caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Micah Ashmore caught two passes for 40 yards, both of which went for touchdowns.

CLASS 2A

Chesnee (2-0) at R-S Central (N.C.) (2-1)

Last week: Chesnee shut out Columbia 42-0; R-S Central fell to Asheville School 62-31.

The series: Chesnee leads the relatively new series 3-2, including a 28-21 win last season.

About the Eagles: Chesnee has showcased a power running game so far this season, throwing the ball just 11 times on the year. They’ve rushed 78 times for nearly 900 yards and three Eagles – Marquez Franklin, Evan-Reece Lawter, and Brymier Miller – have rushed for more than 200 yards each.

About the Hilltoppers: Jakis Smith is R-S Central’s main offensive weapon, with more than 500 yards rushing and receiving combined. QB Rylan Holley is off to a hot start as well, throwing for more than 600 yards and seven touchdowns. Joe Putman has been a standout defensively, with two interceptions already this season.

Union County (0-3) at No. 5 Woodruff (2-1)

Last week: Union County fell to Chester 22-6; Woodruff lost to Emerald 52-31.

The series: Woodruff leads 9-3 overall, and won 43-6 last season.

About the Yellow Jackets: Union County is a young team experiencing some growing pains. Shiro Crosby has led the way at QB for the Yellow Jackets, with Ben Hale as his leading target. Kim Fincher and Jamarius Smith are keys on the defensive side.

About the Wolverines: Woodruff has lit up the scoreboard during their hot start, and a lot of that has been courtesy of Connor Davis at QB. He’s quickly turned Micah McClintock and Curtis Jones into his favorite targets, and Jaylen Lyles has responded well to inheriting the RB1 role, averaging right at 100 yards per game.

Capsules by Jed Blackwell and Scott Keeler