Here we go. We now enter into the final weeks of High School Football. Week 9 is here and several teams need wins this week to secure a spot in the post-season.
What fun it has been to cover these area teams this season and see stand out performances from guys like Gabe Rogers, Drew Settle, Raheim Jeter, Rob Sanders, Pro Franklin, Bennet Judy, Logan Coldren, Tyler Smith, Grayson Klue, and so many more talented athletes. The playoffs are almost here, but we have 2 more weeks of crucial matchups to determine the playoff seeding. Let's take a look at this week's matchups and who my winners will be in Week 9.
Cole's Record in Week 8: 15-2
Cole's Record in 2021: 91-26
Eastside at Greer:
Region game, but two teams who are headed in opposite directions. Greer has been playing well lately while Eastside comes into this game 1-7. I like Greer to get above .500 this season and improve to 5-4.
Cole's Pick: Greer 34, Eastside 14
Boiling Springs at Fort Mill:
Fort Mill comes into this game with 1 win on the season while the Bulldogs look for their first win. Fort Mill did not play Clover close while the Bulldogs kept that game close last Friday; 17-7 was the final. Boiling Springs will do just enough on Friday to get their first win of the season.
Cole's Pick: Boiling Springs 21, Fort Mill 13
Spartanburg at Riverside:
Riverside got things back on track last Friday with a 69-27 win over Wade Hampton but Spartanburg will be too much for the Warriors. Raheim Jeter will have a big night through 3 quarters and I expect the Viking backups to be in by the 4th quarter of play. Riverside will play the Vikings tough for the first few drives, but the Vikings are obviously the better team here.
Cole's Pick: Spartanburg 49, Riverside 14
T.L. Hanna at Byrnes:
After the Rebels come off of a 20-17 win over Dorman on Friday, things do not get any easier for the Rebels. T.L. Hanna comes into this game with a perfect 8-0 record while the Rebels sit at 4-4 on the season. The Yellowjackets do not try to surprise you with their ground attack, wing t offense, and make no bones about it, stopping this offense is easier said than done. Byrnes will have to simply score on 80% of their drives Friday to keep T.L. Hanna at bay and have a shot. When you look at teams who have defeated T.L. Hanna, that is what they have done. Defensively, Byrnes has been exceptional at stopping the run this season. This defense will have to play assignment football and stay home and not allow Hanna to get 3-4 yards a clip. I like Byrnes to carry the momentum from last week's win into this week's game and the Rebel offense will do just enough to upset the undefeated YellowJackets of T.L. Hanna.
Cole's Pick: Byrnes 29, T.L. Hanna 28
Dorman at Wade Hampton:
Dorman comes off of a close loss to Byrnes while Wade Hampton still looks for their first win of the season. I do not think Dorman will have any trouble with the Generals on Friday as I expect the run game for the Cavaliers to get back on track after a rough week in week 8. Cavaliers roll on Friday to get to 4-4 on the season.
Cole's Pick: Dorman 49, Wade Hampton 7
Woodruff at Broome:
This game is one of the bigger games on Friday in terms of post-season contention. Both need this game, and I think it will be a heck of a game. Both of these teams have 4 losses and both have offenses that can get up and down the field. The question Friday will be which defense plays the best. At times in 2021, the Centurion defense has been suspect in the 2nd half of games and they will have to play 4 full quarters to stop Tucker, Cochran, and this Woodruff offense. On the flip side, Woodruff is allowing an average of 34 points a game. Broome's Dylan Ramirez will have another stellar performance on Friday, and I like Broome to score over 35. I think this ones comes down to the wire, but I like Broome to make a few more plays to get the win.
Cole's Pick: Broome 39, Woodruff 35
Chapman at Union County:
The Chapman Panthers come off of a huge win last Friday over Clinton by a score of 27-26. Union County sits at 0-6 on the season looking for their first win, but that win will not come this Friday. I expect the Chapman defense to continue to play well as they have in the last several week and the Panthers offense will dominate with Settle, Black, & Miller. Union County has talent, but this season has not been kind to them and I think Union County drops to 0-7 after this one, even with the fair in town.
Cole's Pick: Chapman 45, Union County 21
Gaffney at Clover:
Clover comes off of a 17-7 win over Boiling Springs last week while Gaffney sits at 8-0 on the season. Clover did defeat Dorman earlier this season, but this Friday will not be kind to the Blue Eagles of Clover. I believe Gaffney continues to roll as the Gaffney defense dominates and pitches its 2nd shut out of the season.
Cole's Pick: Gaffney 38, Clover 0
Legion at Landrum:
Landrum comes into this game 4-3 on the season with losses to Chesnee, Broome, & Christ Church. Legion only has 1 win on the year and that was over a really solid St. Joseph's team. That was a win people did not expect to see for Legion. This one will be tough on Friday, but I like Landrum to bounce back after a tough loss last week to Chesnee.
Cole's Pick: Landrum 28, Legion 21
Chesnee at Blacksburg:
The Eagles of Chesnee have not had the 2021 season they hoped for, but I like the Eagles in this one against a struggling Blacksburg team. Blacksburg has 1 win this season and that was over Green Sea Floyds earlier in the year. I like the Eagles to keep the momentum going this Friday on the road.
Cole's Pick: Chesnee 31, Blacksburg 20
Greenville at Greenwood:
If you are looking for a game to go to this week, choose this one. This game features two really good football teams. Greenville comes into this game with only 1 loss on the season to a really good Northwestern team. Greenwood has 1 loss as well, and that is to the Silver Fox of Dutch Fork. These 2 powerhouse teams should be a fantastic game. I have seen both of these teams this season, and I think Greenville has the slight edge here. I think QB play will be the difference and I like Pro Franklin to have a stand out night as the Red Raiders get the win on the road.
Cole's Pick: Greenville 30, Greenwood 24
J.L. Mann at Hillcrest:
Also another game that I would suggest to attend, this one should be a dandy. Yes, J.L. Mann has 4 losses on the season, but this is a much improved J.L. Mann team compared to years past. However, I think this Hillcrest team will be too much for the Patriots.
Cole's Pick: Hillcrest 36, J.L. Mann 24
Woodmont at Mauldin:
Again, this must be the week for good Greenville county games, because this also will be a fun one to watch. Woodmont has had a solid season coming into this game 5-3 while Mauldin comes in 4-3. Mauldin, however, comes into this game on a 2 game losing streak. I think this one stays close, but I like the Mauldin defense to make plays when the game is on the line.
Cole's Pick: Mauldin 29, Woodmont 24
Palmetto at Southside:
Cole's Pick: Southside 30, Palmetto 20
Southside Christian at Dixie:
Cole' Pick: Southside Christian 50, Dixie 35
Powdersville at Blue Ridge:
Cole's Pick: Powdersville 45, Blue Ridge 14
Pickens at Travelers Rest:
Cole's Pick: Travelers Rest 31, Pickens 21
Walhalla at Westside:
Westside 38, Walhalla 28
Clinton at Emerald:
Clinton 40, Emerald 14
For a full recap of these games, catch Cole Bryson & Jed Blackwell this Saturday on The Saturday Morning Scramble from 8-10am on ESPN Upstate.
Catch T.L. Hanna at Byrnes THIS Friday at 7pm on ESPN Upstate.
