Week 7 Upstate Games To Watch
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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. Here’s a look at three Upstate contests that will go a long way…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
Here’s a look at three Upstate contests that will go a long way toward determining pre-season positioning.
Spartanburg at Gaffney
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 Bennie Littlejohn Bennie Littlejohn 5'7" | 210 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2024 State SC (pictured), Cam’Rich Smith Cam’Rich Smith 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2025 State SC , Demario Bookhart Demario Bookhart 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Spartanburg | 2024 State SC , LaCharles Woodruff, and a host of others. Offensively, though, the Vikings have struggled to get things going against good defenses. They’ve shown flash, as QB TJ Johnson, WR Justin Rice, and RB Calvin Choice Calvin Choice 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Spartanburg | 2025 State SC have all showcased big-play capability.
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 Jaiden McDowell Jaiden McDowell 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2026 State SC , 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. Riley Staton Riley Staton 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2024 State SC has provided a spark at QB for the Indians, with Emazon Littlejohn Emazon Littlejohn 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Gaffney | 2024 SC as a reliable target. Defensively, Jarriel Jefferies is putting together a fantastic senior season. Midway through, he’s already got 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Andrew Ruppe Andrew Ruppe 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2025 State SC has been a turnover machine, with six interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.
T.L. Hanna at J.L. Mann
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 Vashun Burton and Kedarrion Patterson Kedarrion Patterson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB TL Hanna | 2025 State SC , and an outstanding OL which includes Chase Gregorek Chase Gregorek 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL TL Hanna | 2024 State SC .
Mann is putting up video game numbers, and doing it behind QB Ethan Anderson Ethan Anderson 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB JL Mann | 2024 State SC . 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. Mikel McClellan Mikel McClellan 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR JL Mann | 2024 State SC is his primary downfield target, and Nacyus Morrison Nacyus Morrison 5'7" | 200 lbs | RB JL Mann | 2025 State SC has turned into a true weapon out of the backfield.
Eastside at Greer
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 Kalvin Banks Kalvin Banks 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Eastside | 2024 State SC . “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.
Greer’s season took a turn when Chris Hall emerged to lead the offense. A receiver by trade, Hall stepped up to play RB when LaDainnian Martin LaDainnian Martin 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB JL Mann | 2025 State SC 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. Chase Byrd Chase Byrd 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Greer | 2024 State SC provides a deep threat for the Yellow Jackets, with 23 catches for 338 yards and two scores.