Week 10 Upstate Games To Watch: Five For Titles
In this article:
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. The Upstate is a notable…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAll 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.
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.
Funny how that works out.
Here’s a look at the five games in the Upstate zone that will directly decide region titles on Friday night.
Region II 5A: No. 3 Byrnes at No. 6 Gaffney
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.
Gaffney is loaded. They’ve got one of the best backs in the state in sophomore Jaiden McDowell Jaiden McDowell 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2026 State SC , who’s just as good catching it out of the backfield as he is running it. QB Riley Staton Riley Staton 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2024 State SC just seems to get better every time out, and he made some big plays in last week’s win over Dorman. Out wide, Emazon Littlejohn Emazon Littlejohn 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Gaffney | 2024 SC and Jamarcus Smith Jamarcus Smith SC are legit big-play threats on every snap, and it seems like all Drew Medley does is make huge catches.
Defensively, the Indians have a slew of guys up front who just seem to keep running at you. Jarriel Jefferies, Caron Foster Caron Foster 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Gaffney | 2024 State SC , and Imari Foster-Boyd are all piling up big stats, while Andrew Ruppe Andrew Ruppe 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2025 State SC (pictured) leads a deep LB corps.
Byrnes’ defense has been their strong suit this year as well. Chris Foster Chris Foster 6'0" | 205 lbs | DL Byrnes | 2024 State SC leads the DL, while James Oates James Oates 6'4" | 195 lbs | LB Byrnes | 2024 State SC has been a force at LB. Knai Cook Knai Cook 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Byrnes | 2024 State SC , Chamarruys Bomar, and Armoni Weaver Armoni Weaver 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Westside | 2025 State SC are lock-down guys in the secondary.
Offensively, Andrew Stevens has gotten progressively better at QB, while Tre Segarra Tre Segarra 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Byrnes | 2027 State SC 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.
Region II-4A: Riverside at Greer
Crosstown rivals will meet for the Region II-4A title, and Riverside comes in with a wealth of offensive firepower. Mikkel Skinner Mikkel Skinner 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Riverside | 2025 State SC has combined for nearly a thousand total yards, and Jaiden Taylor Jaiden Taylor 5'4" | 160 lbs | WR Riverside | 2026 State SC 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. Ty Breeze has thrown for more than 1,000 yards for the Warriors. Defensively, Quinton Hood is a tackle machine, while Jack Merriman Jack Merriman 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Riverside | 2025 State SC has six sacks and Robbie Robertson has nabbed a team-high five of the Warriors’ 13 total interceptions
Greer has been a different team since Chris Hall took over at QB. His complement in the backfield, LaDainnian Martin LaDainnian Martin 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB JL Mann | 2025 State SC , is one crease away from a score wherever he touches it on the field, while Chase Byrd Chase Byrd 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Greer | 2024 State SC keeps turning in big plays downfield. Greer’s defense is stout, with Tycorien Gist, Anthony Lyons, and Darius Johnson helping to lead the way.
Region III-3A: No. 7 Broome at No. 5 Chapman
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.
Broome comes in as an offensive machine, led by RB Jaylen McGill Jaylen McGill 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Broome | 2026 State SC and QB Kamajay Brackett-Brannon. 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 Steven O’Dell leads the Centurions up front, with Tre’Sean Suber as one of Broome’s main downfield targets.
Defensively, North All-Star DT Thompson leads a gambling, opportunistic defense that forces a bunch of turnovers and gets after the quarterback.
For Chapman, success starts on the ground. North All-Star Coleman Gray Coleman Gray 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Chapman | 2024 State SC leads the way at QB, and he’s as much of a threat with his fullback-style rushing as with his arm. Matthai Scott and Keanu Na also churn up yards for the Panthers. Fellow North All-Star Rashawn Cunningham Rashawn Cunningham 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Chapman | 2024 State SC 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.
Defensively, Reese Lynch 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. Harrison Bridges is a standout up front for Chapman on both sides of the ball.
Region I-2A: No. 9 Ninety Six at No. 1 Abbeville
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 Demarcus Leach has taken over at QB. He leads the Abbeville offensive machine, with Karson Norman Karson Norman 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Abbeville | 2025 State SC and Jha’Louis Hadden providing plenty of firepower. Defensively, Justin Rollinson is a lockdown corner, Mikhelyn Bowie Mikhelyn Bowie 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Abbeville | 2024 SC is a do-everything LB, and Jae Harris is a force up front.
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 Braden Mitchell back at QB after an early-season injury, and he’s played well in his return. Zay King handled the bulk of the offensive duties in his absence, and the Wildcats find a ton of ways to get him the ball. Briant Witherspoon, Ladarion Waldrop, and Kayden Payne Kayden Payne 5'9" | 185 lbs | LB Ninety Six | 2026 State SC all contribute heavily both offensively and defensively for Ninety Six.
Region I-1A: No. 2 Christ Church at No. 5 Southside Christian
The defending state champions have one of the biggest weapons in the state returning, with Dashun Reeder Dashun Reeder 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Christ Church | 2024 State SC 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 Tucker Hendrix Tucker Hendrix 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Christ Church | 2025 State SC and WR Jackson Repp Jackson Repp 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Christ Church | 2025 State SC have emerged as offensive weapons themselves for the Cavaliers. On defense, Jake Good Jake Good 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Christ Church | 2024 State SC and Will Marguet have terrorized opposing QBs, while Matthew Covington’s four interceptions anchor the defensive secondary.
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 Paul Cobin and Carson Bolemon have combined for more than 1,900 yards. Ethan Chandler, Zachary Brewster, and Josh Hennum 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 Micah McGowan Micah McGowan 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Southside Christian | 2024 State SC and Jeremiah Jackson lead the way on the defensive line.