It is absolutely absurd to think that we are already halfway through the high school football season, but here we are! It is now coming down to the games that matter most, and that is region play.
I am going into this Friday sitting at 49-19 on my picks, hoping to build off of my 12-2 record last week. Let's take a look at all of the matchups this Friday night.
Boiling Springs at Gaffney
Spartanburg at Byrnes
Riverside at Dorman
Chapman at Woodruff
Union County at Clinton
Legion at Chesnee
Greenville at Greer
Hillcrest at Mauldin
Woodmont at TL Hanna
Easley at Westside
Carolina at Blue Ridge
Travelers Rest at Eastside
Berea at Southside
McCormick at Southside Christian
Christ Church at Ninety Six
There are some monster games on the slate this Friday, but now let me highlight just a few of the biggest games before I make my picks.
Spartanburg at Byrnes: Maybe one of the biggest games in the area Friday night with region play beginning & both teams looking to get off to a hot start. Last season, the Rebels came out on top of this matchup but this year may be different. Byrnes is obviously going to miss Mack Long on the offensive side of the ball in a game where last year Mack broke the school record for rushing yards in a game vs the Vikings. Spartanburg now is in its 2nd year under Mark Hodge & 2nd season with Raheim Jeter at the QB position. The Rebel defense has given up 41.2 points per game and looks to halt a 3 game skid. This one should be a fantastic ballgame.
Riverside at Dorman: Yes, we know Riverside is 6-0 and Dorman is only 2-2 on the season, but this is Riverside's toughest test by far in 2021. The Warriors will face the best defense they have faced so far in 2021 but also the Warrior defense will have to somehow limit the Cavaliers trying not to go back to the 2020 form where Dorman scored over 70 on Riverside. On the flip side, the Dorman defense will have to be ready for a very potent attack from this Riverside offense that is a legit offense. I am super interested to see how legit Riverside actually is.
Greenville at Greer: This is another monster region game Friday night where both teams need this one badly. Greenville has one loss on the season to a very good Northwestern team while Greer comes into this game as the underdog. I like the way Hollis Crosby & the Yellowjackets have played as of late, but I do think the veterans on the Red Raiders offense and defense will be too much for Greer to handle. Whoever wins this game will be in the drivers seat until they battle the Greenwood Eagles and try to win a region title. This one should also be fantastic.
Now that we have got the cute stuff out of the way, let's get down to it and make some picks.
Boiling Springs at Gaffney: Gaffney comes off a close win over Gray Collegiate while Boiling Springs is still looking for its first win of the season. The Bulldogs are averaging just 7.4 points per game while Gaffney is averaging 37.4 points per game. I see Tyler Smith & Ken Littlejohn having monster nights on the ground. I do not see any way this one will be close so I am rolling with the Indians.
Cole's Pick: Gaffney 45, Boiling Springs 7
Spartanburg at Byrnes: For me, this is one of the tougher ones of the week to pick, so I am trying my best to look at the matchups within the actual matchup of it being Spartanburg vs Byrnes. First, I see a clear advantage when I look at Byrnes having the football starting with the massive Byrnes offensive line. I know Spartanburg's defense is really good, but I also know that this Byrnes front 5 is a veteran group and that matters in games like this. When I continue to look at the Byrnes offense, I also think you have to consider the spectacular season that Gabe Rogers has had. I know we talk alot about Raheim Jeter, but Rogers may be just as dangerous through the air. I once again go advantage Byrnes. One of the biggest factors Friday is if Collin Imhoff goes for the Rebels. Imhoff was injured in the Westside game and did not play but just a few snaps against the Indians 2 weeks ago. If Imhoff goes and is healthy, I think Gabe will look much more comfortable. Lastly with the Byrnes offense, I think we will need to see a monster performance from Knai Cook. Knai stepped in after Mack Long & Elijah Barnes went down and has been very impressive since. I think we see a big night from Cook on Friday. When the Rebel offense is on the field, they will be going against a very tough Spartanburg defense led by JD Lawson & Judah McJimpsey. I do not think things will come easy for the Rebels Friday against this well coached defense. When the Vikings are on the field, you have got to think they will try and go after this vulnerable Byrnes secondary. Raheim Jeter definitely has the arm strength and talent to make the throws, and as bad as Byrnes has been on the defensive side of the ball, I think you can expect to see Spartanburg move the ball at will on Friday. To me, this game will come down to who can make the fewest mistakes and take care of the football and would not surprise me to see the winner end up with the football in the last possession. I do not think this one will be like last season, as I expect the Rebels to edge it out at home.
Cole's Pick: Byrnes 35, Spartanburg 31
Riverside at Dorman: As I said above, I think Dorman has the clear advantage here when it comes to talent, coaching, and depth. Unless Dorman does something that is uncharacteristic of a Dave Gutshall led team, I think Dorman comes out on top. I know Riverside is really good this year, but I just do not think they have played anyone that has given them a true test like this Dorman team will. Dorman's talent at the skill positions will give Riverside fits and not to mention the size of the Dorman offensive line. I expect Talley to be able to throw the ball on Friday as well as Demarius Foster to run at ease against this Riverside defense. On the flip side, I do think Riverside will get theirs, but it won't be enough to pull off the upset.
Cole's Pick: Dorman 49, Riverside 28
Chapman at Woodruff: I know Woodruff lost their starting QB at the beginning of the season and I have heard rumors that they could get him back, but I think this Chapman offense will be too much for Woodruff. I am not calling for a blowout, but I think Chapman is the much more battle tested team here and I like them to draw off of that experience and take care of business on the road Friday night.
Cole's Pick: Chapman 30, Woodruff 18
Union County at Clinton: What an incredible season the Clinton Red Devils have had in 2021 as they have averaged 42 points per game and the kids seem to have really bought into this newer system that Corey Fountain implemented at Clinton with a run heavy attack. Union County has had a slow start to the season, and I do not think it gets easier this Friday down in Clinton. I like the Red Devils to improve to 6-0 on the season.
Cole's Pick: Clinton 35, Union County 34
Legion at Chesnee: Tough start for both of these teams, but someone has to win on Friday even though they are both undefeated. I like Chesnee to edge it out Friday and get their first win of the season.
Cole's Pick: Chesnee 21, Legion 14
Greenville at Greer: This is another monster region game Friday night where both teams need this one badly. Greenville has one loss on the season to a very good Northwestern team while Greer comes into this game as the underdog. I like the way Hollis Crosby & the Yellowjackets have played as of late, but I do think the veterans on the Red Raiders offense and defense will be too much for Greer to handle. Whoever wins this game will be in the drivers seat until they battle the Greenwood Eagles and try to win a region title. This one should also be fantastic. I like Greenville in a close one.
Cole's Pick: Greenville 35, Greer 31
Hillcrest at Mauldin: This is one of the more intriguing games Friday night as these are two of the best teams in Greenville county going at it. Mauldin had an offensive outburst last Friday as they took down Boiling Springs while the Mavericks usually pride themselves on the defensive side of the football. Hillcrest has had a very balanced attack this season and I think this one will come down to the 4th quarter but I like the veteran leadership in the Mauldin secondary.
Cole's Pick: Mauldin 29, Hillcrest 21
Woodmont at TL Hanna: Cole's Pick: Hanna 40, Woodmont 24
Easley at Westside: Cole's Pick: Westside 40, Easley 31
Carolina at Blue Ridge: Cole's Pick: Blue Ridge 21, Carolina 7
Travelers Rest at Eastside: Cole's Pick: Travelers Rest 24, Eastside 14
Berea at Southside: Cole's Pick: Berea 28, Southside 10
McCormick at Southside Christian: Cole's Pick: Southside Christian 45, McCormick 21
Christ Church at Ninety Six: Cole's Pick: Christ Church 30, Ninety Six 14
Remember, catch Spartanburg at Byrnes LIVE on ESPN Upstate; 97.1 Spartanburg, 97.7 Greenville, & anywhere in the world on the Audacy App.
For a full breakdown of all of these games, catch Cole Bryson & Jed Blackwell on the Saturday Morning Scramble this Saturday from 8-10am on ESPN Upstate.