Week 9 Upstate Games To Watch

As region play winds down in the Upstate, there are a couple of huge games on the horizon as region championships look to be decided. However, there are two this week that jump out, with a ton of ranked guys and huge stakes for playoff positioning, with one matchup at the top of a region and another at the bottom.   Spartanburg will travel to Boiling Springs in a matchup of teams who are winless in Region II-5A, which goes a long way toward showing just how stacked that region in. The Vikings boast one of the best defenses in the state, have allowed 20 points per game in region play, and have nothing to show for it with a 21-9 loss to Byrnes and a 19-14 loss to Gaffney.   Boiling Springs, meanwhile, lost 14-10 to Dorman when the Cavaliers scored late and a Hail Mary on the last play of the game was intercepted in the end zone. They fell in double-overtime to Byrnes, and dropped a 17-7 decision to Gaffney.   So, yeah, these are two pretty good teams who could go on the road to upset a top seed in the playoffs. However, this win is absolutely crucial to making that happen, for either of them. Spartanburg sill has Dorman left, so in theory the Vikings could drop this game, beat the Cavaliers to force a three-way region tie (if Dorman loses to Gaffney), and still make it. For Boiling Springs, however, this is is. It's win and get in, and the season is over if you don't.   Fortunately for both, there are a ton of difference-makers across the board.   Starting with that Spartanburg defense, there are a ton of guys flying around who are having huge years. [player_tooltip player_id='448978' first='Bennie' last='Littlejohn'] is a hybrid monster, playing LB as well as putting his hand in the dirt sometimes. [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'] is as good a linebacker as you'll find anywhere, and [player_tooltip player_id='589014' first='Demario' last='Bookhart'] provides a physical presence in the defensive backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='346191' first='Calvin' last='Choice'] has moved all over, playing offense and defense, and when you add in a dynamic athlete like LaCharles Woodruff, it's easy to see why defense is the Vikings' strength.   Offensively, TJ Johnson is trying to shake off an injury sustained against Gaffney. [player_tooltip player_id='1359184' first='Justin' last='Rice'] has turned into a legit downfield weapon for the Vikings, and they've had several guys step up at RB.   It starts on defense for Boiling Springs, too. Freshman DL [player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn'] has shown glimpses of what looks like it's going to be an outstanding career. [player_tooltip player_id='771223' first='Calvin' last='Jackson'] (pictured) has had another stellar season up front, while [player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite'] is capable of taking away half the field in the secondary. JoJo Barrett plays with reckless abandon, flies to the ball, and provides angry contact when he gets there.   Offensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1012707' first='Lincoln' last='Huskey'] plays QB with a physical edge, much like the standout across player he is during the winter. He throws it well, and when he's on the move he's a physical runner. [player_tooltip player_id='1254206' first='Javen' last='Chhim'] and Ry'shaun Morgan have provided some pop out of the backfield for the Bulldogs.   In the 3A ranks, Region IV-3A has looked like a collision course between Clinton and Chester for a while, and this week, it's here. The winner will lock in the top spot in the region, and the No. 1 seed that goes with it. Both have looked like balanced, deep teams capable of a playoff run.   Clinton has been hit hard with injuries, but that hasn't slowed the Red Devils down. QB Tushawan Richardson is throwing it more than Clinton is used to, but he's been doing it very effectively. It helps to have guys like [player_tooltip player_id='771037' first='Zay' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='949764' first='Kadon' last='Crawford'] to throw it to - both are capable of turning any reception into a big gain in space. The Devils have turned to a committee of running backs, with both Johnson and Crawford getting touches, along with DJ Clark, Javen Cook, and others.   Johnson helps to lead the secondary as a lock-down defensive back. OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='241184' first='Rion' last='Gordon'] is a monster on both sides of the ball.   The Cyclones are winning with their usual hard-nosed, physical style. [player_tooltip player_id='457973' first='Trooper' last='Floyd'] runs the offense, and he's thrown for 1,300 yards and 13 scores, adding 361 on the ground. That rushing game is where the Cyclones shine, and they do it behind [player_tooltip player_id='997385' first='Elijah' last='Coleman'], who has 1,317 yards and 18 TDs. [player_tooltip player_id='771062' first='Reggie' last='Heath'] is a do-it-all guy for Chester on both sides of the field, leading the team in receiving and grabbing five interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='771067' first='Antonio' last='Hopkins'] has been a two-way monster for Chester. The Shrine Bowler has provided a change of pace at RB, and defensively he has 85 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, five sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] and Darriyan Baxley and seniors DJ Stevenson and CJ McCree have all been defensive standouts for Chester.

As region play winds down in the Upstate, there are a couple of huge games on the horizon as region championships look to be decided. However, there are two this week that jump out, with a ton of ranked guys and huge stakes for playoff positioning, with one matchup at the top of a region and another at the bottom.