Week 5 Upstate Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top-10 battle, a cross-state matchup, a pair of in-county rivalries and a playoff rematch highlight this week's Upstate schedule. Here's a look at some of this week's top games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A No. 7 Fort Dorchester at Gaffney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, at least, this is one of the most intriguing matchups in the state. It could shape up to be a battle of two of the top-ranked senior QBs in the PRZ rankings, as Gaffney's [player_tooltip player_id='89340' first='Grayson' last='Loftis'] and Fort Dorchester's [player_tooltip player_id='89345' first='Zolten' last='Osborne'] are slated to square off. Loftis exploded in a win over Northwestern last week, playing a key role in the Indians' win. Osborne didn't play last week, but if he returns this week, the Indians will have to deal with a true dual-threat guy who is both accurate and athletic. Gaffney will also look to a suddenly-stout defense behind [player_tooltip player_id='268582' first='Brayshawn' last='Littlejohn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443491' first='Nathan' last='Johnson']. Fort Dorchester's [player_tooltip player_id='91350' first='Davian' last='Brown'] is an' electric offensive threat, while DB [player_tooltip player_id='443500' first='Bryce' last='Carpenter'] and DL [player_tooltip player_id='89348' first='De'Andre' last='Jones'] anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A No. 6 River Bluff at 5A No. 4 Dorman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Top-10 matchup of two programs who are both undefeated is reason enough to pay attention, but these two teams have also looked similar in doing it so far. Both feature rugged rushing attacks and smothering defenses, so this one could be a treat for fans of power football. For Dorman, it all starts up front with [player_tooltip player_id='91355' first='Markee' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='202774' first='DJ' last='Geth'], who have helped pave the way for 45 points per game and nearly 1,000 yards rushing through just four games. [player_tooltip player_id='262701' first='Demarius' last='Foster'] has been responsible for much of that damage, with 642 yards, eight TDs, and a 9.7 yards per carry average. <strong>Hudson Talley</strong> has been effective at QB for the Cavaliers, throwing for nearly 600 yards and nine TDs. For River Bluff, [player_tooltip player_id='443497' first='Cooper' last='Johns'] is the offensive workhorse. He's already rushed for 779 yards, averages almost 10 yards per carry, and has scored 12 touchdowns. Four Gators have 24 or more tackles on the year, including <strong>Connor Clamp, Jonathon Cook, Kameron Woodruff</strong>, and <strong>Drew Surratt</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A No. 10 Southside Christian at 1A No. 1 St. Joseph's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions travel to visit the team a lot of folks have penciled in to dethrone them in a huge 1A matchup on Friday night. The Sabres have struggled early in the season against a rugged schedule, and are dealing with the departure of a number of key seniors and a couple of transfers. However, QB [player_tooltip player_id='89349' first='Ja'Corey' last='Martin'] gives Southside Christian a chance every time they take the field, as he's a true dual-threat guy who also plays some WR and helps lead the defense. For the Knights, QB <strong>Walker Wood</strong> has been stellar this season, which includes a win over 3A Seneca. Wood runs the Knights' option-look offense to perfection, and he can sling it around a little bit, too, with 1,000 combined offensive yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wade Hampton at J.L. Mann</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Greenville County matchup includes several of the county's most prolific offensive players, with a couple of outstanding performers on both sides. For Mann, the receivers have been unbelievable early in the season. <strong>Toby Cates Jr</strong>. and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142457' first='Mikel' last='McClellan']</strong> have been offensive machines, and QB<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1144060' first='Ethan' last='Anderson']</strong> does a great job of getting the ball to them. At man, QB [player_tooltip player_id='262692' first='Cooper' last='Tankersley'] has continued to improve, and has been impressive so far in his senior season. His backfield mate <strong>Nigel Bruster</strong> is at the top of the Greenville County rushing list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greer at 4A No. 9 Westside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one has the potential to be an outstanding game, particularly if Greer RB <strong>LaDannian Martin</strong> returns after missing last week. The Yellow Jackets have plenty of other weapons as well, including WR [player_tooltip player_id='448976' first='Chase' last='Byrd'], who has opened some eyes early in the season with 31 catches for 533 yards and six TDs so far. For the Rams, it's about a high-octane offense led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods']. Woods has thrown for 835 yards and eight scores, with [player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'], [player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams'], and <strong>Nehemiah Smith</strong> serving as his main targets. On the ground, Westside depends on the rugged, 6-2, 230-pound [player_tooltip player_id='336117' first='Hunter' last='Puckett']. Puckett has rumbled for 273 yards and four scores on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->