Week 10 Upstate Games To Watch: Five For Titles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All over the state, a bunch of region titles have already been decided. There are uncertainties down the standings for playoff seedings, but the games at the top look like an afterthought in many places.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Upstate is a notable exception. Across all five classifications, teams from the Upstate will square off in winner-take-all games for the top spot in their regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Funny how that works out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the five games in the Upstate zone that will directly decide region titles on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region II 5A: No. 3 Byrnes at No. 6 Gaffney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's jump right in with a huge 5A matchup. These two have been ranked in the Top 10 all season, they're traditional rivals, and there always seems to be something at stake when they square off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaffney is loaded. They've got one of the best backs in the state in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell']</strong>, who's just as good catching it out of the backfield as he is running it. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119009' first='Riley' last='Staton']</strong> just seems to get better every time out, and he made some big plays in last week's win over Dorman. Out wide, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448239' first='Emazon' last='Littlejohn'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251135' first='Jamarcus' last='Smith']</strong> are legit big-play threats on every snap, and it seems like all <strong>Drew Medley</strong> does is make huge catches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Indians have a slew of guys up front who just seem to keep running at you. <strong>Jarriel Jefferies</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142651' first='Caron' last='Foster']</strong>, and <strong>Imari Foster-Boyd</strong> are all piling up big stats, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605522' first='Andrew' last='Ruppe']</strong> (pictured) leads a deep LB corps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrnes' defense has been their strong suit this year as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267454' first='Chris' last='Foster']</strong> leads the DL, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144103' first='James' last='Oates']</strong> has been a force at LB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267455' first='Knai' last='Cook']</strong>, <strong>Chamarruys Bomar</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272705' first='Armoni' last='Weaver']</strong> are lock-down guys in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, <strong>Andrew Stevens</strong> has gotten progressively better at QB, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra']</strong> has emerged as perhaps the best freshman back in the state. Weaver and Bomar play extensively on the offensive side of the ball as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region II-4A: Riverside at Greer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crosstown rivals will meet for the Region II-4A title, and Riverside comes in with a wealth of offensive firepower. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012616' first='Mikkel' last='Skinner']</strong> has combined for nearly a thousand total yards, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025814' first='Jaiden' last='Taylor']</strong> has more than lived up to his moniker of "Speedy" - he's caught 41 balls for more than 500 yards, most of them by simply running by people. <strong>Ty Breeze</strong> has thrown for more than 1,000 yards for the Warriors. Defensively, <strong>Quinton Hood </strong>is a tackle machine, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253925' first='Jack' last='Merriman']</strong> has six sacks and <strong>Robbie Robertson</strong> has nabbed a team-high five of the Warriors' 13 total interceptions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer has been a different team since <strong>Chris Hall</strong> took over at QB. His complement in the backfield, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012565' first='LaDainnian' last='Martin']</strong>, is one crease away from a score wherever he touches it on the field, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448976' first='Chase' last='Byrd']</strong> keeps turning in big plays downfield. Greer's defense is stout, with <strong>Tycorien Gist</strong>, <strong>Anthony Lyons</strong>, and <strong>Darius Johnson</strong> helping to lead the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region III-3A: No. 7 Broome at No. 5 Chapman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one has been building all year. The Centurions very nearly knocked off Spartanburg early in the season, the Panthers DID beat Byrnes, and that's when the whispers started. Each has rolled through the region season, with this game looking more and more like the inevitable matchup for the region title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broome comes in as an offensive machine, led by RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill']</strong> and QB <strong>Kamajay Brackett-Brannon</strong>. They provide a one-two punch in the backfield that opponents have struggled to slow down, particularly when Brackett-Brannon can get loose in the run game. North All-Star <strong>Steven O'Dell </strong>leads the Centurions up front, with <strong>Tre'Sean Suber </strong>as one of Broome's main downfield targets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, North All-Star <strong>DT Thompson</strong> leads a gambling, opportunistic defense that forces a bunch of turnovers and gets after the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Chapman, success starts on the ground. North All-Star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray']</strong> leads the way at QB, and he's as much of a threat with his fullback-style rushing as with his arm. <strong>Matthai Scott </strong>and <strong>Keanu Na</strong> also churn up yards for the Panthers. Fellow North All-Star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142680' first='Rashawn' last='Cunningham']</strong> is a huge part of the offense, and Chapman will get it to him a bunch of different ways. He's the Panthers' leading receiver, returns kicks, and carries it from time to time as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>Reese Lynch</strong> is a hard-hitting LB who helps anchor a Panthers' defense that was largely bend-but-don't-break early, but which has locked down even more as the season has progressed. <strong>Harrison Bridges</strong> is a standout up front for Chapman on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region I-2A: No. 9 Ninety Six at No. 1 Abbeville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two games decided by late two-point conversions, and a loss to a good team in a higher division. That's what amounts to "struggles" when you're Abbeville. The Panthers, like always, have been rolling, but they've kicked it into another gear since <strong>Demarcus Leach</strong> has taken over at QB. He leads the Abbeville offensive machine, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249809' first='Karson' last='Norman']</strong> and <strong>Jha'Louis Hadden</strong> providing plenty of firepower. Defensively, <strong>Justin Rollinson</strong> is a lockdown corner, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779609' first='Mikhelyn' last='Bowie']</strong> is a do-everything LB, and <strong>Jae Harris</strong> is a force up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across the Lakelands, first-year head coach Mathew Bennett leads what might be the most improved team in the state. Ninety Six comes in with <strong>Braden Mitchell</strong> back at QB after an early-season injury, and he's played well in his return. <strong>Zay King</strong> handled the bulk of the offensive duties in his absence, and the Wildcats find a ton of ways to get him the ball. <strong>Briant Witherspoon</strong>, <strong>Ladarion Waldrop</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258072' first='Kayden' last='Payne']</strong> all contribute heavily both offensively and defensively for Ninety Six.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region I-1A: No. 2 Christ Church at No. 5 Southside Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions have one of the biggest weapons in the state returning, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder']</strong> amassing more than 2,000 yards a year ago. This year, they're relying on him less, which might be bad news - he'll be a little bit fresher for the stretch run. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] </strong>and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp']</strong> have emerged as offensive weapons themselves for the Cavaliers. On defense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997188' first='Jake' last='Good']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214975' first='Will' last='Marguet'] </strong>have terrorized opposing QBs, while Matthew Covington's four interceptions anchor the defensive secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southside Christian has grown toward this point all season, and the Sabres seem primed to take advantage of the moment. Two quarterbacks have played, and played well, as <strong>Paul Cobin</strong> and <strong>Carson Bolemon</strong> have combined for more than 1,900 yards. <strong>Ethan Chandler</strong>, <strong>Zachary Brewster</strong>, and <strong>Josh Hennum</strong> lead the way at receiver, while five backs have rushed for at least 120 yards, with the Sabres combining for more than 1,000 yards on the ground. Silas Robertson has played well for the Sabres, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='396487' first='Micah' last='McGowan']</strong> and <strong>Jeremiah Jackson</strong> lead the way on the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->