Pivotal Upstate Region Matchups To Watch In Week 6
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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. And you can sure put yourself behind the eight-ball. With…
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Continue ReadingYou 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.
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.
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.
5A No. 6 Spartanburg (4-2) at 5A No. 3 Byrnes (5-1)
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 Demario Bookhart Demario Bookhart 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Spartanburg | 2024 State SC , Bennie Littlejohn Bennie Littlejohn 5'7" | 210 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2024 State SC , Cam’Rich Smith Cam’Rich Smith 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2025 State SC , and Joshua Mattison have led a defense that allows just more than 10 points per game. But the offense has improved over the past couple weeks, with TJ Johnson showing his dual-threat capability at QB, Calvin Choice Calvin Choice 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Spartanburg | 2025 State SC coming into his own at RB, and Justin Rice proving he’s a true threat downfield at WR.
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 Chris Foster Chris Foster 6'0" | 205 lbs | DL Byrnes | 2024 State SC , RJ Livingston RJ Livingston 5'9" | 185 lbs | LB Byrnes | 2025 SC , Armoni Weaver Armoni Weaver 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Westside | 2025 State SC , Chamarryus Bomar Chamarryus Bomar 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Westside | 2025 State SC , and Knai Cook Knai Cook 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Byrnes | 2024 State SC . Senior LB James Oates James Oates 6'4" | 195 lbs | LB Byrnes | 2024 State SC 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 Andrew Stevens getting better every time out. Freshman RB Tre Segarra Tre Segarra 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Byrnes | 2027 State SC has become the guy in the backfield for the Rebels.
Powdersville (2-3) at 3A No. 2 Belton-Honea Path (5-0)
The Patriots aren’t the team that played for last year’s 3A state title, but they’re still very much a force. Eli Hudgins Eli Hudgins 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Powdersville | 2024 State SC leads Powdersville’s offense, with Jayden Pepper Jayden Pepper 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Greenville | 2024 SC stepping in at RB. Elijah Huggins Elijah Huggins 5'7" | 165 lbs | ATH Powdersville | 2025 State SC is a burner, and will be a threat at receiver as well as in the return game. Defensively, Harrison Jeffries Harrison Jeffries 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2024 State SC will set the tone for the Patriots.
BHP has relied heavily on the run this season, and the Bears are fantastic at it. Marquise Henderson Marquise Henderson 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC leads the rushing attack with 1,075 yards and 15 TDs. Shaheem Robbs Shaheem Robbs 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2024 State SC is the power guy, contributing 544 yards and seven scores, while QB Noah Thomas Noah Thomas 5'11" | 150 lbs | QB Belton-Honea Path | 2026 State SC has thrown for nearly 700 yards and nine TDs. Justin Lathon Justin Lathon 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC has provided a change of pace out of the backfield, and also helps lead the Bears on defense.
Boiling Springs (3-3) at Dorman (1-4)
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.
Dorman looked much better last week, dropping a heartbreaker to River Bluff. Riley Scruggs finished 14-for-19 for 178 yards at QB, and KD Hainsworth continued to show his ability as a big-time playmaker, notching his fourth TD of 60 yards or more on the season. Defensively, Brannon Teamer Brannon Teamer 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Dorman | 2024 State SC at safety and Owen Hendricks at LB help to lead the way for the Cavaliers, while Kentavion Anderson Kentavion Anderson 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Dorman | 2026 SC is a ball hawk in the secondary.
The Bulldogs will look to Ryshaun Morgan and Javen Chhim Javen Chhim 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Boiling Springs | 2025 State SC to give them a spark in the running game, and Lincoln Huskey Lincoln Huskey 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Boiling Springs | 2025 State SC has played well at QB so far, especially when he’s on the move. However, the Bulldogs’ defense has been the standout so far. Calvin Jackson Calvin Jackson 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Boiling Springs | 2024 State SC and Dennis Glenn Jr Dennis Glenn Jr 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Boiling Springs | 2027 State SC are the leaders on the defensive front, while Jeremiah Favorite Jeremiah Favorite 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Boiling Springs | 2026 State SC takes away a lot of the field in the secondary and JoJo Barrett makes plays everywhere, and usually at a hundred miles an hour.
4A No. 7 Westside (4-1) at 4A No. 9 Greenville (3-2)
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.
The Rams have been an offensive force this season, and a lot of guys are sharing the load. Cutter Woods Cutter Woods 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Westside | 2025 State SC is a smart, accurate QB who can make every throw. Josh Williams Josh Williams 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC and Dee Robertson Dee Robertson 5'6" | 150 lbs | ATH Westside | 2024 State SC are among his main weapons, and Jimmar Boston Jimmar Boston 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC should return soon, having played only defense with a club on his arm due to injury so far this season. Demarco Evans and Sharode Richardson Sharode Richardson 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Westside | 2025 State SC 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.
Greenville’s strength is on defense, where Jayden Wilson-Abrams Jayden Wilson-Abrams 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC and Bruce Knauber Bruce Knauber 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC control the front, with Christian Henderson Christian Henderson 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC , Ramani Bruton Ramani Bruton 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC , and Raymone Whitener 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 Mazeo Bennett Mazeo Bennett 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Greenville | 2024 State SC . Bryson Drummond Bryson Drummond 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Mountain View Prep | 2025 State SC runs the offense, with KD Mosely as one of his top targets and Jayvion Sherman at RB.