Week 6 Preview Capsules

We’re almost to Region play, and we’ve got quite a few top-flight matchups on the schedule this week. Here’s a look at Week 6 games in Spartanburg and Greenville counties.

CLASS 5A

No. 3 Dorman (4-0) at No, 10 Sumter (3-2)

Last week: Dorman beat Irmo 20-14 in OT; Sumter lost to Dutch Fork 55-26

The series: The all-time series is tied 5-5, but the teams haven’t played since 2011. That was a 46-21 playoff win for Dorman.

About the Cavaliers: Dorman had a gutsy win complete with a two-hour rain delay against Irmo, the Cavaliers’ third game in four weeks to be hampered by weather. Dorman went up 2-0, fell behind 14-2, and rallied behind a Carter Nash TD and a scoop-and-score by Ja’Vaughn Deck after a fumble on the ensuing kickoff tied it. Judah Adams’ late interception preserved the tie, Dorman held on the first OT possession, and a Nick Means run gave the Cavaliers the win.

About the Gamecocks: Like the Cavaliers, a lot of the Gamecocks’ success has come on the ground this season. Franklin Richardson is an exciting dual-threat QB, but Sumter threw the ball just 26 times in their first five games. They’ve rushed for nearly 1,200 yards in that span, with freshman Jamarion Witherspoon leading the way.

4A No. 4 Gaffney (3-1) at No. 6 Byrnes (3-1)

Last week: Gaffney did not play; Byrnes beat Spartanburg 49-21

The series: Gaffney leads 23-20 overall, including a 28-16 victory last season.

About the Indians: Gaffney comes in off a bye, and they’ll be looking to bounce back from a loss to Dorman  in their last time out. Kendaris Bailey is a leader on both sides of the ball for the Indians, while the secondary continues to shine, led by Zion Dawkins and Ty McGill.

About the Rebels: Byrnes showed some scary offensive potential in a big win over Spartanburg. Tre Segarra averaged 10 yards per carry, Jacobi Fuller continued to showcase his versatility, and the Rebels defense continued to improve led by Nas Angram and Aidyn Wiggins.

Spartanburg (1-3) at Charlotte Latin (N.C.) (2-3)

Last week: Spartanburg lost to Byrnes 49-21; Charlotte Latin lost to Christ School 40-22

The series: This is the first meeting between the teams.

About the Vikings: There’s no doubt that Spartanburg wants to emphasize the run, and they’re good at it. Trenton Lynch is inching ever-closer to the school’s all-time rushing mark, topping 220 yards on the ground last week against Byrnes. He’s a physical runner, and his top-end speed is elite.

About the Hawks: Senior RB DJ Douglas is leading the way for the Hawks, averaging nearly 100 yards per game on the ground. Troy Logan is among the Charlotte area leaders in passing yards, and Anthony McGill serves as one of his top targets. Zay Dunson is a leader up front on both sides of the ball.

Easley (1-3) at Eastside (2-2)

Last week: Easley lost to Palmetto 49-27; Eastside defeated Wade Hampton 28-24.

The series: Easley leads 19-14, including a 31-7 win in Taylors the last time the teams met in 2009.

About the Green Wave: While their record won’t necessarily indicate it, Easley has a high-powered offense. Monday’s 27-point output was its lowest of the season. The Whitley-Wimpey connection led the way. Quarterback Whitley Rodgers threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns, while Chase Wimpey caught six passes for 158 yards and two scores.

About the Eagles: Eastside trailed 24-7 with less than 20 seconds left in the third quarter before scoring three touchdowns to rally for the win last week. Kason Clark completed 14-of-24 passes for 200 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for the Eagles, who scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left in the game. Christian McDowell caught nine passes for 145 yards and two scores for Eastside. Bennett Hyde had 10 tackles, including two sacks, to lead the Eagles’ defense. Pooh Perrin had an interception and a 60-yard punt return for Eastside’s lone touchdown of the first half.

CLASS 4A

Class 3A No. 6 Chapman (5-0) at Wade Hampton (2-2)

Last week: Chapman beat Woodruff 35-22; Wade Hampton lost to Eastside 28-24.

The series: Wade Hampton leads 4-0 all-time, including a 7-0 win in the last meeting in 2011.

About the Panthers: A lot has been said about Chapman’s explosive offense this season, and rightly so. Behind quarterback Ashton Moore, the Panthers have racked up chunk plays with Kham Von, Teagan Cantrell, Eric Gaffney, and Keilon Tucker. But not enough credit has gone to a stifling Panthers’ defense. They made 14.5 tackles for loss against Woodruff, with defensive end Eli Herndon notching 5.5 tackles-for-loss and eight total stops.

About the Generals: A Wade Hampton that won two games over the previous three seasons combined seemed poised for its third win this season last Friday before seeing a 24-7 second half lead disappear. Coleman Batson ran for 117 yards and one touchdown, and caught five passes for 45 yards to lead the Generals. Walker Kay threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Gregar had 11 tackles, a sack and a 46-yard pick-six that gave Wade Hampton a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Laurens (2-2) at Greer (3-1)

Last week: Laurens beat Blythewood 38-20; Greer was off after losing at Byrnes 55-17 in Week 4.

The series: Greer leads 15-7-3. The series resumes Friday after a 66-year hiatus. The Yellow Jackets won 32-0 in 1960.

About the Raiders: Laurens improved to 2-0 in games that begin and end on different days last week. In a game that was twice delayed by lightning and ended around 1 a.m., the Raiders rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to cruise to the win. Sophomore Logan Bragg threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns to lead Laurens. Quinton Watts caught four passes for 124 yards and two scores.

About the Yellow Jackets: Senior running back Calvin McCoy and sophomore quarterback Xavier Sammet have provided quite a one-two punch for Greer this season. McCoy has rushed for 530 yards and eight touchdowns, while Sammet has piled up 901 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns. Sammet has completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 625 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 275 yards and three scores.

Travelers Rest (2-2) at Liberty (1-3)

Last week: Travelers Rest defeated Berea 69-18; Liberty lost to Walhalla 22-21.

The series: Travelers Rest leads 8-5-1, including a 28-27 victory the last time the teams met in 2013.

About the Devildogs: Travelers Rest shattered the school record for points in a game in its blowout win in the Dog Bowl last week. Jayden Coney ran seven times for 161 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Devildogs, who matched their win total from last season with the victory..

About the Red Devils: Liberty will try to rebound from a loss last week in which it lead 21-7 heading to the fourth quarter. Cullen Spence ran nine times for 75 yards and a touchdown, and also returned a fumble 25 yards for a score. Orion Austin had 10 carries for 64 yards and Liberty’s other touchdown.

Broome (0-5) at Riverside (0-4)

Last week: Broome lost to Powdersville 49-0; Riverside did not play after losing to Eastside 20-14 in Week 4.

The series: Broome leads 17-2 all-time and won 38-7 way back in 2003, the last meeting between the teams.

About the Centurions: A tough start to the season got the toughest last Friday for Broome. Playing without starting quarterback Brayden Simpson, the Centurions were held to just 123 yards of total offense in the shutout loss to Powdersville. For the season, Simpson has thrown for 569 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 213 yards and three scores. Corley Turner has been the Centurions leading receiver with 159 yards on 14 receptions.

About the Warriors: Riverside should be eager to get back on the field after a heartbreaking loss to rival Eastside two weeks ago. On the final play of the game, the Warriors suffered an interception in the end zone in the six-point loss. Peyton Stevenson had 13 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown in the loss. For the season, Stevenson has 538 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions. Sophomore quarterback Evan Bradley has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 586 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.

CLASS 3A

Blue Ridge (1-4) at Chesnee (3-1)

Last week: Blue Ridge lost to Pickens 42-21; Chesnee beat Blacksburg 48-6

The series: Chesnee leads 29-11-1, including a 41-30 win in the last meeting in 2023.

About the Tigers: Holden Powell had 299 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in last Friday’s road loss. Powell threw for 221 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 10 times for 78 yards and a score. Marquiel Troupe caught six passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Troupe has 24 receptions for 383 yards and four scores.

About the Eagles: Chesnee has racked up yardage on the ground this season, rushing for more than 1,400 yards between just three players – Marquez Franklin, Brymier Miller, and Evan-Reece Lawter. The Eagles don’t air it out much, but make no mistake that Lawter is more than capable. They just haven’t needed to.

Christ Church (0-5) at Hampton County (3-2)

Last week: Christ Church forfeited its game against Daniel; Hampton County lost to Bishop England 17-10.

The series: Christ Church won the lone previous meeting, a 40-35 victory in Greenville last season.

About the Cavaliers: A plethora of injuries reduced Christ Church’s roster to the point where it had to forfeit last week’s planned Homecoming game. The Cavaliers are off to their worst start since opening the 2003 season with six consecutive losses. Judd Windham has thrown for 450 yards and five touchdowns, and has rushed for 185 yards and a score to lead Christ Church. 

About the Hurricanes: Hampton County will try to rebound from a seven-point loss to undefeated and second-ranked Bishop England last week. Nigil Fripp ran 28 times for 229 yards and the Hurricanes’ lone touchdown in the loss. Hampton’s defense was led by Robert Amaker, who had five tackles and two interceptions.

CLASS 2A

Blacksburg (2-3) at Landrum (3-1)

Last week: Blacksburg lost to Chesnee 48-6; Landrum beat Ware Shoals 60-0.

The series: Landrum wins 21-20 all-time, but Blacksburg took a 14-7 victory last season.

About the Wildcats: Trevon Clark leads on both sides of the ball for Blacksburg, serving as the focal point of the Blacksburg rushing attack and anchoring the defense at edge. 

About the Cardinals: Landrum has done a fantastic job running the ball early in the season. Sophomore RB JP Branyon and QB Ian Patterson split carries and are within 30 yards of one another on the ground, with more than 450 yards each. Patterson is a touchdown machine, with 10 already on the season.

Carolina (2-2) at Palmetto (2-3)

Last week: Carolina lost at Southside 18-6; Palmetto won at Easley 49-27.

The series: Palmetto leads 27-9-2, including a 28-0 win in Greenville last season.

About the Trojans: For the third week in a row, Carolina will try to get to three wins for the first time since 2013 when it hits the road Friday. The Trojans were held to just 136 yards of total offense in its loss at rival Southside last week. Jaylen Patterson’s touchdown pass accounted for the Trojans’ lone score.

About the Mustangs: In a game that stormy weather pushed to Monday, Palmetto had no trouble adjusting as it raced out to a 28-14 halftime lead and went on to the road win. Malachi Drummond rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Mustangs. Quarterback Bryson Arflin rushed for a touchdown and passed for another also for Palmetto.

Capsules by Jed Blackwell and Scott Keeler