Week 8 Preview Capsules

And now things are rounding into shape.

With just a week gone in region play, some things have come into clear focus as to the teams who will be competing for region titles. Some things, though, are a long way from settled.

Week 8 features a couple of heavyweight matchups near the top of the standings, but even more in the middle that will eventually determine the finish.

Here’s a look at what’s on the schedule.

CLASS 5A

Region I

Mauldin (1-5, 0-1) at No. 7 Byrnes (4-2, 1-0)

Last week: Mauldin lost to Woodmont 24-7; Byrnes beat Hillcrest 49-21

The series: Byrnes leads all-time 32-1, including a 30-20 win in the last meeting in 2021.

About the Mavericks: Mauldin hasn’t had a whole lot of luck this season, as a slew of injuries have sidelined a bunch of the Mavericks’ best players. Sophomore Ryland Walton has been a bright spot for Mauldin, rushing for 421 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Isaiah Thompson has been a monster on defense, with 56 tackles so far.

About the Rebels: Tre Segarra has been as-advertised for Byrnes, rushing for nearly 100 yards per game and eight TDs despite playing limited snaps. He averages 9.5 yards per carry for the Rebels. Gideon Merhib has played well at QB, and the Rebels’ stingy defense is anchored by the secondary play of Aidyn Wiggins and Emerson James.

Hillcrest (1-5, 0-1) at JL Mann (1-5, 1-0)

Last week: Hillcrest lost to Byrnes 49-21; JL Mann won at Eastside 45-14.

The series: Hillcrest leads 17-16, including a 51-14 victory last season.

About the Rams: A tough season got tougher for Hillcrest last week. After Jackson Free’s four-yard touchdown run cut Byrnes’ lead to 21-14 in the third quarter, the Rams were outscored 28-7 the rest of the way. That handed Hillcrest a fifth loss, its most in a season since going 5-5 in 2019 and 2018. The Rams were held to 154 yards of total offense. Elijah Jackson had a 60-yard punt return and a 74-yard kickoff return for their other two scores.

About the Patriots: Buddy Griffin rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 69 yards and two more scores as JL Mann snapped a 12-game losing streak. The Patriots, who had scored more than 21 points just once during the skid, got 236 yards from Wilkes Mellard on just 9-of-13 passing. AJ Bush caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Tristian Shell had two receptions for 89 yards and a score.

Eastside (3-3, 0-1) at Woodmont (2-4, 1-0)

Last week: Eastside lost to JL Mann 45-14; Woodmont defeated Mauldin 24-7.

The series: Eastside leads 3-1, including a 41-7 win when the teams last met in 2017.

About the Eagles: Kason Clark threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday’s loss. Christian McDowell caught five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, while Bennett Hyde had three receptions for 89 yards and a score. Pooh Perrin had five catches for 61 yards also for Eastside. Hyde also had a team-high eight tackles, while McDowell had an interception.

About the Wildcats: Woodmont will be going for a second region win following a road victory last Friday. After Mauldin took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, the Wildcats outscored the Mavericks 24-0 the rest of the way. Devonte Taylor ran for three touchdowns, capped by a 47-yard scamper in the fourth quarter that sealed the win. Woodmont has had more than one region win in a season just once since 2019.

Region II

No. 2 Northwestern (5-1, 1-0) at No. 3 Dorman (6-0, 1-0)

Last week: Northwestern beat Boiling Springs 58-3; Dorman beat Fort Mill 28-24.

The series: Northwestern leads 21-15 all-time, including a 21-17 win in the last meeting in 2020.

About the Trojans: Northwestern lost to national power Hough (N.C.) to open the season, and has not blinked since. Xavier Means leads a scary Trojans offense that’s scored no fewer than 54 points per game since that opening setback, and Northwestern hasn’t played without a running clock against in-state competition.

About the Cavaliers: Dorman did just about everything wrong against Fort Mill last week, with multiple costly penalties and a slew of turnovers – and the Cavaliers still found a way to win. A 266-yard night from Nick Means and two clutch Cooper Patterson TD passes – one to Juice Hymes and one to Anthony Peaks – helped keep the Cavaliers perfect on the season.

No. 10 Boiling Springs (5-1, 0-1) at No 5 Rock Hill (5-1, 1-0)

Last week: Boiling Springs lost to Northwestern 58-3; Rock Hill beat Spartanburg 42-23.

The series: Rock Hill leads the all-time series 20-7, but the Bulldogs have won five in a row, including a 48-23 win in 2017, the last time the teams met.

About the Bulldogs: Boiling Springs had a couple of key injuries, notably to QB Imri Logan, and the loss at Northwestern snowballed last week. That doesn’t change anything about Boiling Springs’ hot start and stingy defense, which will be needed against the Bearcats.

About the Bearcats: Rock Hill had a pair of 100-yard rushers against Spartanburg, as Zymier Gordon-Miles and Kaiden Watkins both topped the mark. Watkins threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns, including 100 yards on the number to Nigel Lightner.

No 9 Fort Mill (5-1, 0-1) at Spartanburg (2-4, 0-1)

Last week: Fort Mill lost to Dorman 28-24; Spartanburg lost to Rock Hill 42-23

The series: Spartanburg leads 2-0 all time. This is the first meeting between the schools in 25 years, with the Vikings taking a 15-7 win in 2001.

About the Yellow Jackets: Fort Mill had kind of a weird performance against Dorman. The Yellow Jackets were held to just 201 yards of total offense, but benefitted from turnovers and penalties, and threatened late. Harper Love threw for 122 yards and tossed touchdowns to Kieran McCormack and Greyson Love to lead the way.

About the Vikings: Spartanburg had a milestone night even in a loss, as Trenton Lynch rushed for 252 yards to eclipse the Vikings’ all-time career rushing mark. The Vikings also got good nights from Aryan Desai and Tre’gan Mickler against Fort Mill.

CLASS 4A

Region I

Greenwood (3-3, 1-0) at Fountain Inn (3-3, 0-1)

Last week: Greenwood defeated Easley 42-14; Fountain Inn lost at TL Hanna 22-14.

The series: First meeting.

About the Eagles: Zatavion White completed 8-of-13 passes for 89 yards and rushed nine times for 63 yards and two touchdowns to lead Greenwood last week. Tay Hamilton rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown also for the Eagles, while Shamar Sayles ran for 39 yards and two scores.

About the Fury: Fountain Inn will try to bounce back from a tough loss last Friday. The Fury appeared to be a two-point conversion away from tying Hanna in the fourth quarter, but Sam Holliday’s 22-yard touchdown run was wiped out by a holding penalty. On the next play, Holliday’s pass was intercepted in the end zone. On Fountain Inn’s final possession, it drove from its own seven-yard line into the red zone before a fourth-down interception in the end zone. Holliday threw for 185 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 95 yards and another score. Ben Ruwe caught seven passes for 115 yards also for the Fury.

Region II

No. 2 Gaffney (5-1, 1-0) at Greer (3-3, 0-1)

Last week: Gaffney won at Wade Hampton 54-7; Greer lost at Greenville 61-28.

The series: Gaffney leads 25-6. The teams last met 49 years ago, with the Indians posting a 12-7 win.

About the Indians: Seven different Gaffney players ran for touchdowns last Friday as the Indians outgained Wade Hampton 474-126. Gaffney piled up 383 rushing yards led by Amire White (109) and Blake Cochran (103). Kareem Shaw ran five times for 73 yards and two touchdowns, while Deron Exum’s lone carry went for a 74-yard score.

About the Yellow Jackets: In a wild game last Friday, Greer piled up 490 yards of total offense but it wasn’t enough as it allowed 638. Xavier Sammet ran 18 times for 188 yards and a touchdown, and completed 16-of-32 passes for 166 yards and another score to lead the Yellow Jackets. Zy Foster had 13 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyler Hanson caught eight passes for 65 yards also for Greer.

Wade Hampton (2-4, 0-1) at Riverside (2-4, 1-0)

Last week: Wade Hampton lost to Gaffney 54-7; Riverside won at Travelers Rest 41-21.

The series: Riverside leads 27-11. The Warriors have defeated the Generals each of the last six seasons, including a 41-15 win last year.

About the Generals: Wade Hampton struggled to get anything going against Gaffney last Friday as the Generals had just 68 yards rushing and 58 passing. Wade Hampton’s highlight came when 305-pound defensive tackle Qua Lanteon snatched a tipped pass out of mid-air for an interception and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown.

About the Warriors: Cooper Adams completed 11-of-16 passes for 268 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and ran four times for 44 yards, to lead Riverside to victory last week. Peyton Stevenson had 10 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while Elijah Terry had 100 yards receiving and three of his four catches went for touchdowns. Stevenson has caught 54 passes for 893 yards and eight touchdowns this season

Greenville (3-3, 1-0) at Travelers Rest (2-4, 0-1)

Last week: Greenville beat Greer 61-28; Travelers Rest lost to Riverside 41-21.

The series: Greenville has won each of the last 16 meetings to take an 18-7 lead in the series. When the teams last met in 2019, the Red Raiders won 38-31.

About the Red Raiders: Kiishawn Farrow had 440 yards of total offense and threw seven touchdowns last Friday as Greenville rolled over Greer. Farrow completed 22-of-31 passes for 380 yards and ran eight times for 60 yards. Bryson Mobley caught six passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while Malachi Debnam had four receptions for 109 yards and a score. JaQwon Haygood had eight carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns also for the Red Raiders.

About the Devildogs: Travelers Rest fell behind 21-0 after one quarter last Friday and could never recover. Colton Sorsby threw for 149 yards and a touchdown, and ran 11 times for 57 yards to lead the Devildogs.

CLASS 3A

Region I

Southside (2-4, 0-1) at No. 10 Pickens (6-0, 1-0)

Last week: Southside lost at Seneca 62-0; Pickens won at Berea 63-0.

The series: Pickens leads 15-1, including a 41-13 victory when the teams last met in 2023.

About the Tigers: Southside made the long trek to Seneca last Friday, fell behind 41-0 in the first quarter and never had a response despite playing in the closest game in the region. The Tigers finished with minus-7 yards of total offense on 33 plays (31 runs) and lost two fumbles.

About the Blue Flame: Eight different Pickens players found the end zone in its rout last Friday. Brooks Dow completed 12-of-17 passes for 248 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Dow also ran nine times for 43 yards and a score. For the season, Dow has 1,594 yards of total offense (882 passing, 712 rushing) and 26 touchdowns (12 passing, 14 rushing). David Bolden has rushed for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns also for the Blue Flame.

Berea (0-6, 0-1) at Walhalla (2-4, 0-1)

Last week: Berea lost to Pickens 63-0; Walhalla lost at Daniel 70-0.

The series: Walhalla leads 8-6-1, including a 35-14 win last season.

About the Bulldogs: Berea allowed 431 yards of total offense in its loss last Friday. The Bulldogs are off to their worst start since going winless in 2019. Friday marked the second time Berea has been shut out this season after being blanked six times last season.

About the Razorbacks: Walhalla had the misfortune of facing a loaded Daniel team that had last played three weeks earlier last week and the Lions made up for lost time in a big way. The Razorbacks fell behind 49-0 at the half and had just 57 yards of total offense, while allowing 546.

Region III

Christ Church (0-6, 0-1) at No. 4 Chapman (7-0, 1-0)

Last week: Chapman beat Blue Ridge 50-7; Christ Church did not play.

The series: Christ Church leads 2-0 all time, including a 48-20 win last year.

About the Cavaliers: Christ Church has struggled with injuries and attrition, forfeiting a game in September due to low numbers. Judd Windham has been a standout for Christ Church, with nearly 1,000 yards of total offense and five touchdowns on the year.

About the Panthers: Sophomore QB Ashton Moore has sparked an outstanding Chapman offense. He’s thrown for more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns already as the Panthers average more than 40 points per game. They’ve got track speed on the outside in Keilon Tucker and Eric Gaffney, a great RB in Teagan Cantrell, and a defense that gives up fewer than 10 points per game spearheaded by Eli Herndon and Darrien Burgess.

Blue Ridge (1-6, 0-1) at Broome (1-6, 1-0)

Last week: Blue Ridge lost to Chapman 50-7; Broome beat Union County 28-0.

The series: Broome leads 2-0, including a 41-21 road victory when the teams last met in 2023.

About the Tigers: Blue Ridge has had some success throwing the ball this season. Holden Powell has thrown for more than 1,000 yards, with Marquiel Troupe and Braylon Edwards leading the receiving corps. Brylon McCoy is the leading rusher for the Tigers.

About the Centurions: Broome broke into the win column last week as Brayden Simpson returned, throwing for 104 yards. The Centruions rushed for 260 behind a bunch of backs including Mario Garcia, who had 125. Corley Turner caught six balls and added a receiving touchdown, and Isaiah Young had a scoop-and-score on a blocked punt.

CLASS 2A

Region I

West-Oak (4-2, 0-1) at Carolina (2-4, 0-1)

Last week: West-Oak lost to Liberty 49-14; Carolina lost to Crescent 56-12.

The series: Carolina leads 10-3, but West-Oak won the last matchup, 35-12, in 2023.

About the Warriors: Carter Fountain rushed for 125 yards and both of West-Oak’s touchdowns in its loss last week. Cole Brucke completed 10-of-19 passes for 107 yards also for the Warriors, who last won five games in a season in 2009.

About the Trojans: This could be this week’s “realignment bowl,” as whoever wins will have their first region victory since 2015. After getting off to a 2-0 start, Carolina has lost four consecutive games. The Trojans allowed 434 yards of total offense in last Friday’s loss.

St. Joseph’s (5-1, 1-0) at Crescent (4-2, 1-0)

Last week: St. Joseph’s defeated Pendleton 36-7; Crescent won at Carolina 56-12.

The series: First meeting.

About the Knights: Mack Rambo rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown in last Friday’s win. John Campbell made plays everywhere as he rushed six times for 58 yards and two touchdowns, caught a 28-yard touchdown pass, and had five tackles and an interception. St. Joseph’s quarterback Jack Stewart completed 5-of-10 passes for 97 yards and ran 10 times for 83 yards.

About the Tigers: Mason Evans had 200 yards of total offense (148 passing, 52 rushing) and threw three touchdowns in last Friday’s victory. Elijae Brown ran eight times for 119 yards and a touchdown, while Jace Devlin carried 11 times for 113 yards and three scores. PJ Deveaux caught four passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns also for Crescent.

Region II

No. 10 Southside Christian (4-2, 1-0) at No. 6 Woodruff (4-2, 1-0)

Last week: Southside Christian beat Clinton 28-24; Woodruff beat Landrum 49-0.

The series: The all-time series is tied 1-1, with Woodruff winning 37-10 in the last meeting in 2019.

About the Sabres: Southside Christian turned the tables on Clinton, racking up 326 yards on the ground against the usually dominant Red Devils. Jaylen Samuels had 199 yards and a touchdown, while Aaron Gilliam rushed for 127 yards and three scores on the night for the Sabres. 

About the Wolverines: Woodruff had a huge offensive night against Landrum despite the starters playing for only a half. Connor Davis threw for 415 yards and tossed TD passes to Curtis Bell Micah McClintock, Jaylen Lyles, and Mason Satterfield, while Lyles added two more scores on the ground.

Clinton (3-3, 0-1) at Chesnee (4-2, 0-1)

Last week: Clinton lost to Southside Christian 28-24; Chesnee lost to Mountain View Prep 45-42.

The series: Clinton is 4-0 all-time against Chesnee, including a 50-29 win last season.

About the Red Devils: Clinton has struggled at times this season, and had a weird game against Southside Christian last week. The Sabres were able to hold the Red Devils to just 111 yards on the ground, including 74 from leading rusher Angelo Cromer. Quarterback Owen Glenn had Clinton’s first rushing TD and also threw a pass to Cromer. 

About the Eagles: Evan-Reece Lawter led the way for the Eagles as they racked up 502 yards of total offense in a shootout loss. He finished a perfect night through the air at 7-for-7 with 120 yards and a touchdown. Lawter combined with Brymier Miller and Marquez Franklin to account for all 382 of Chesnee’s rushing yards.

Landrum (3-3, 0-1) at Mountain View Prep (2-3, 1-0)

Last week: Landrum lost to Woodruff 49-0; MVP beat Chesnee 45-42.

The series: First meeting.

About the Cardinals: Landrum ran into a buzzsaw against Woodruff, but the Cardinals have been successful early in the year. They’ve done it on the ground behind J.P. Branyon and Ian Patterson, and when the defense plays well, the Cardinals have made some good things happen.

About the Stars: Jacoby Kelly threw for 172 yards and Cam Martin rushed for 100 as the Stars were able to outlast a furious Chesnee comeback in the fourth quarter. Savion Booker had 112 receiving yards and two touchdowns to help lead the way for Mountain View Prep.

Capsules by Jed Blackwell and Scott Keeler