Week 7 Upstate Games To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With play concentrated by tiny regions in the Upstate, each game feels magnified, and some are clearly more impactful than others on region standings down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at three Upstate contests that will go a long way toward determining pre-season positioning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spartanburg at Gaffney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have their backs against the wall after a region-opening loss to Byrnes. They've been spectacular defensively so far this season behind the stellar play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448978' first='Bennie' last='Littlejohn'] </strong>(pictured), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589014' first='Demario' last='Bookhart']</strong>, <strong>LaCharles Woodruff</strong>, and a host of others. Offensively, though, the Vikings have struggled to get things going against good defenses. They've shown flash, as QB <strong>TJ Johnson</strong>, WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359184' first='Justin' last='Rice']</strong>, and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346191' first='Calvin' last='Choice']</strong> have all showcased big-play capability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians, meanwhile, had the luxury of having the first week of region play as their bye, and of watching the fallout. They also had a week to get healthy, which will benefit them down the stretch. They've been led so far by incredibly talented sophomore RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'],</strong> who's shown the ability to shine in all facets of the running game- he's quick enough to provide the big play, but he's durable enough to be an every-down guy and he doesn't need a replacement in short-yardage situations, where he's been outstanding. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119009' first='Riley' last='Staton']</strong> has provided a spark at QB for the Indians, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448239' first='Emazon' last='Littlejohn']</strong> as a reliable target. Defensively, <strong>Jarriel Jefferies</strong> is putting together a fantastic senior season. Midway through, he's already got 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605522' first='Andrew' last='Ruppe']</strong> has been a turnover machine, with six interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>T.L. Hanna at J.L. Mann</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Patriots are for real, this is the game that will tell the tale. Hanna has largely been unchecked in the region in recent years, and a Mann win would have a huge impact on the region standings. Hanna, though, is as loaded as always, particularly on offense. Their option-look attack features a host of talented backs, including <strong>Vashun Burton</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157743' first='KD' last='Patterson']</strong>, and an outstanding OL which includes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144047' first='Chase' last='Gregorek']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mann is putting up video game numbers, and doing it behind QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144060' first='Ethan' last='Anderson']</strong>. He's thrown for 1,292 yards and 18 TDs in just five games, and is one of the most talented passers in the Upstate. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142457' first='Mikel' last='McClellan']</strong> is his primary downfield target, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249774' first='Nacyus' last='Morrison']</strong> has turned into a true weapon out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eastside at Greer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unexpectedly, this is one of the biggest matchups in the area. The Eagles are red-hot, having won four in a row after getting thumped twice to open the year. They want to get the region slate started on a positive, and if they're to do that, they'll require a big night from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448996' first='Kalvin' last='Banks']</strong>. "Workhorse" doesn't touch what Banks means to the Eagles - he's already carried the ball a whopping 113 times for nearly 1,000 yards. He averages 8.5 yards per carry, more than 191 yards per game, and he's scored 13 times for Eastside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer's season took a turn when <strong>Chris Hall </strong>emerged to lead the offense. A receiver by trade, Hall stepped up to play RB when <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012565' first='LaDainnian' last='Martin']</strong> was out with an injury, and of course he's now playing QB, too. All that has led to Hall amassing nearly 1,000 yards of total offense and accounting for 15 TDs, while Martin has 974 all-purpose yards and 10 scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448976' first='Chase' last='Byrd']</strong> provides a deep threat for the Yellow Jackets, with 23 catches for 338 yards and two scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->