Pivotal Upstate Region Matchups To Watch In Week 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't win the region on the first night of region play. There are too many variables. But you can take a step toward putting yourself in a better position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And you can sure put yourself behind the eight-ball. With tiny regions the rule in most places, there's just not enough time (or games) to overcome a slow start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nowhere is the urgency to win early in the region more important than in the Upstate. With deep regions and with playoff positioning at a premium, here are four games to watch this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A No. 6 Spartanburg (4-2) at 5A No. 3 Byrnes (5-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings and Rebels are old rivals, and this year they look like a contrast in styles. Spartanburg has had success on defense so far this year, as [player_tooltip player_id='589014' first='Demario' last='Bookhart'], [player_tooltip player_id='448978' first='Bennie' last='Littlejohn'], [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'], and<strong> Joshua Mattison</strong> have led a defense that allows just more than 10 points per game. But the offense has improved over the past couple weeks, with <strong>TJ Johnson</strong> showing his dual-threat capability at QB, [player_tooltip player_id='346191' first='Calvin' last='Choice'] coming into his own at RB, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359184' first='Justin' last='Rice']</strong> proving he's a true threat downfield at WR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrnes, meanwhile, has been just as stingy. The Rebels have given up even fewer points in their first six games than Spartanburg - 60, to the Vikings' 62. The defensive effort has been led by [player_tooltip player_id='267454' first='Chris' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='809749' first='RJ' last='Livingston'], [player_tooltip player_id='272705' first='Armoni' last='Weaver'], [player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar'], and [player_tooltip player_id='267455' first='Knai' last='Cook']. Senior LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144103' first='James' last='Oates'] </strong>has been an eye-opener, averaging 10.5 tackles per game and notching four sacks. Weaver and Bomar both contribute to Byrnes' potent offense, with QB <strong>Andrew Stevens</strong> getting better every time out. Freshman RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra']</strong> has become the guy in the backfield for the Rebels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Powdersville (2-3) at 3A No. 2 Belton-Honea Path (5-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots aren't the team that played for last year's 3A state title, but they're still very much a force. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448984' first='Eli' last='Hudgins']</strong> leads Powdersville's offense, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209382' first='Jayden' last='Pepper']</strong> stepping in at RB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253958' first='Elijah' last='Huggins']</strong> is a burner, and will be a threat at receiver as well as in the return game. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267456' first='Harrison' last='Jeffries']</strong> will set the tone for the Patriots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BHP has relied heavily on the run this season, and the Bears are fantastic at it.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson']</strong> leads the rushing attack with 1,075 yards and 15 TDs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144034' first='Shaheem' last='Robbs']</strong> is the power guy, contributing 544 yards and seven scores, while QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas']</strong> has thrown for nearly 700 yards and nine TDs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253982' first='Justin' last='Lathon']</strong> has provided a change of pace out of the backfield, and also helps lead the Bears on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boiling Springs (3-3) at Dorman (1-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one that will go a long way toward determining a playoff spot in Region II-5A, as the loser will likely have to rebound and take two wins from three games against Byrnes, Spartanburg, and Gaffney. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorman looked much better last week, dropping a heartbreaker to River Bluff. <strong>Riley Scruggs </strong>finished 14-for-19 for 178 yards at QB, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth']</strong> continued to show his ability as a big-time playmaker, notching his fourth TD of 60 yards or more on the season. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144090' first='Brannon' last='Teamer']</strong> at safety and <strong>Owen Hendricks</strong> at LB help to lead the way for the Cavaliers, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson']</strong> is a ball hawk in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs will look to <strong>Ryshaun Morgan</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254206' first='Javen' last='Chhim']</strong> to give them a spark in the running game, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012707' first='Lincoln' last='Huskey'] </strong>has played well at QB so far, especially when he's on the move. However, the Bulldogs' defense has been the standout so far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771223' first='Calvin' last='Jackson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn']</strong> are the leaders on the defensive front, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite']</strong> takes away a lot of the field in the secondary and<strong> JoJo Barrett</strong> makes plays everywhere, and usually at a hundred miles an hour.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A No. 7 Westside (4-1) at 4A No. 9 Greenville (3-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A much-improved Greenwood team will likely have something to say about the eventual region champion, but a 1-0 start from either team will be a giant leap toward the title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams have been an offensive force this season, and a lot of guys are sharing the load. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods']</strong> is a smart, accurate QB who can make every throw. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139310' first='Dee' last='Robertson']</strong> are among his main weapons, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston']</strong> should return soon, having played only defense with a club on his arm due to injury so far this season. <strong>Demarco Evans</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157819' first='Sharode' last='Richardson']</strong> have shared time in the backfield, and both are guys who are a threat to score every time they touch it. Williams also shines on defense and special teams for the Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville's strength is on defense, where <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209617' first='Jayden' last='Wilson-Abrams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242787' first='Bruce' last='Knauber']</strong> control the front, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton'],</strong> and <strong>Raymone Whitener</strong> patrol the secondary. They've been lights-out, particularly Bruton. He's followed up last year's six interceptions with five already this season. Offensively, the Red Raiders are led by one of the most dynamic athletes in the state in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='163871' first='Mazeo' last='Bennett']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='349806' first='Bryson' last='Drummond'] </strong>runs the offense, with <strong>KD Mosely</strong> as one of his top targets and <strong>Jayvion Sherman</strong> at RB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->