Upstate Games To Watch In Week 10

There are a TON of top games in the Upstate this week, across classifications. From Ware Shoals and Abbeville squaring off for a region title in Class A to a huge 4A battle between Westside and Wren, region championships are at stake across the board.   But you'll read about the guys in those games for weeks to come. This week, we're taking a look at some matchups that are just as crucial a little lower in the standings. Some are win or go home. Some will determine where teams are going in the playoffs, and what kind of draw they'll have. Here's a look at one game in each classification that will help set the playoff bracket.   Region I-A: Calhoun Falls at Whitmire - The Blue Flashes and the Wolverines will battle for the difference in fifth and sixth place in Region I-A, and the difference in playing at the Lewisville-Lamar winner or loser. Calhoun Falls have an absolute monster offensively in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1825569' first='Preston' last='Thomas-Smalls'], who's accounted for more than 2,000 offensive yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1865444' first='Braylon' last='Patterson'] has 961 total yards and 12 touchdowns, while senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1817510' first='Derek' last='Jackson'] has notched 26 catches for 401 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, DJ Roundtree fills up the stat sheet for Calhoun Falls, with 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. [player_tooltip player_id='1270685' first='Jashawn' last='Lewis'] adds 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble, and OJ Jackson has 45 tackles three tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery.   Whitmire's offense hinges around the one-two punch of [player_tooltip player_id='1467816' first='Kingston' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825123' first='D'Angelo' last='Ruff'] out of the backfield. They've combined for more than 200 carries and nearly 1,000 yards on the ground. They've also got an incredible athlete in [player_tooltip player_id='1825126' first='Crue' last='Keller'], who's played TE, DE, and QB for the Wolverines and who's scored a rushing TD, two receiving TDs, and has 24 tackles, three pass deflections, and a forced fumble. [player_tooltip player_id='1824834' first='Dalton' last='Williams'] and TJ Oliver are also standouts both ways for Whitmire, as both are high-grading offensive linemen who double on the DL, where Williams has 23 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss and Oliver has 17 tackles and 5.5 stops behind the line.    Region I-2A: Landrum at Chesnee - This one could create a tie for third place in Region I-2A. If Blacksburg falls to Liberty and Landrum wins in this one, the three teams will all be 1-3 with one win and one loss in the round-robin. There's a lot to do to get there, though. The Cardinals need a little momentum headed into the playoffs, and will look to a balanced running game to try to create it. The Cardinals have four guys in a bunch with right around 50 carries, as [player_tooltip player_id='1822467' first='Braylon' last='Revis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1592305' first='Ty' last='Foster'] (pictured), [player_tooltip player_id='1592581' first='AJ' last='Lindsey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1715570' first='JP' last='Branyon'] have combined to lead the rushing attack. Revis leads in carries and touchdowns, but Lindsey is close behind despite missing a bunch of time with an injury. He's back as the Cardinals need his help for a stretch run. Branyon, just a freshman, is also a leader on defense, along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1822469' first='JT' last='Gist'], who has 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.   Chesnee will rely on the dual-threat ability of [player_tooltip player_id='1809232' first='Evan-Reece' last='Lawter'] and the big-play potential of [player_tooltip player_id='1732649' first='Braylon' last='Blanton'], both of whom do a little bit of everything for the Eagles. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1822679' first='Kai' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1820171' first='Kale' last='Thrift'], and Taven Pesaro have led the way for Chesnee.    Region III-3A: Broome at Chapman - A pair of old Spartanburg County rivals will fight it out for the third seed in Region III-3A, with No. 3 earning the No. 8 overall seed in the playoffs. Broome will likely have to navigate the game without QB [player_tooltip player_id='1592321' first='Jameson' last='Dearybury']. Instead, they'll rely on the running game behind [player_tooltip player_id='1592026' first='Tyqwon' last='Booker'] and Devo Brown. [player_tooltip player_id='1453176' first='Brayden' last='Simpson'] filled in at QB when Dearybury went out on Friday, with [player_tooltip player_id='1676737' first='Asher' last='Littlejohn'], Reese Waugerman, and Jordan Ramirez among his top targets.   Chapman will try to slow down the Centurions with a defense keyed by DE [player_tooltip player_id='1732638' first='Khamari' last='Turner'], a North All-Star selection who plays with speed, size, and power off the edge. [player_tooltip player_id='1822131' first='Keilon' last='Tucker'] has looked good for the Panthers on both sides of the ball at WR/DB. And when the Panthers have turned in strong offensive performances, [player_tooltip player_id='1819563' first='Jasiah' last='Copeland'] has been a big part of the reason why, helping to lead the team on the ground.    Region I-4A: Emerald at Laurens - In 4A, it all comes down to RPI. And while a win here doesn't assure anything, you don't want to be on the losing side of this one with the playoffs looming. The Vikings will look to use a balanced offensive attack, as sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='1467847' first='Beau' last='Hite'] has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards, and junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1819707' first='Christopher' last='Dean'] has almost 1,000 yards rushing. Fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1773739' first='Coleson' last='Marino'] has been Hite's main target, with more than 400 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, the Vikings have some guys putting up monster numbers, with [player_tooltip player_id='1592540' first='Christian' last='Foster'] and his 134 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and four hurries at the top of the list. [player_tooltip player_id='1603997' first='Marquise' last='Anderson'] is close behind with 72 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and five sacks.   Laurens will lean on a running attack led by Nehemias Fernandez and Denari Lee-Jackson, but they'll also showcase freshman QB Logan Bragg, who's thrown for more than 1,000 yards. His top targets include sophomore Damajia Crooks and fellow freshman Travion Robinson, giving a glimpse at the Raiders' offensive future. Logan Martin has been a bright spot on defense, with 79 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.    Region II-5A: Riverside at Spartanburg - This is another case where RPI will rule the day, and the results will be a little more complicated as the teams will be headed into different brackets for the playoffs. Spartanburg was without RB [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] in last week's game against Byrnes, and the Vikings' offense suffered against the Rebels and one of the best defensive lines in the region. [player_tooltip player_id='1592374' first='Trey' last='Burke'] has looked good at QB for Spartanburg, and he'll be crucial against the Warriors. [player_tooltip player_id='1809722' first='Skyler' last='Douglas'] has been a bright spot for the Vikings, and [player_tooltip player_id='1823474' first='Zeke' last='Bell-Boyd'] does a little big of everything for Spartanburg.   Riverside got up off the mat and got a key win over Boiling Springs last week, thanks in part to a big game from QB [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'], who threw for a score and ran for two, including the game-winner in overtime. He also chipped in with 40 receiving yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1025814' first='Jaiden' last='Taylor'] is a multi-position weapon for the Warriors, and [player_tooltip player_id='1341039' first='Tyvin' last='Grady'] is a leader defensively, a high-motor guy who always seems to be around the ball.

There are a TON of top games in the Upstate this week, across classifications. From Ware Shoals and Abbeville squaring off for a region title in Class A to a huge 4A battle between Westside and Wren, region championships are at stake across the board.