S.C. Prep Football Week 10 — It's the week we've all waited for

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Byrnes' show a sign of unity prior to a game earlier this season. The Rebels will travel to Roebuck Friday night to face rival Dorman.

Trick or treat.
Undoubtedly, schedule makers in South Carolina knew what they were doing this year, arranging a slew of games sure to bring some clarity to the upcoming state playoffs.
Around the Palmetto State, programs in classes A-3A are preparing for week 10 - for many, one which will decide whether they proceed on or go home.
Preparing for the season, a quick look at the 2010 football schedule revealed the weekend just before Halloween would be a special one, revealing which teams are contenders or pretenders on the state -- and for all intents and purposes, national -- scene.
Here’s a look at what week 10 has in store:

Byrnes (7-2) at Dorman (9-0): The Cavaliers have not lost since Byrnes defeated them in the rivals’ regular season match-up in Duncan last year. Dorman likes to refer back to the last time the two met, however, a 28-17 win for the Class 4A state championship last December.
While not overly impressive, the Cavaliers have got the job done, coming into the rivalry game with an unblemished record. Analysts believed going into the year that head coach Dave Gutshall would utilize his passing game more in 2010, yet it has been his team’s running game leading the way, just as it did during Dorman’s title run last year.
Byrnes has found things a bit tougher than in previous seasons when winning seemed automatic for the team. It has also relied more on the running game this season, the Rebels personnel dictating more of a balanced offense under quarterback Zack Blair than the one under the direction of departed signal caller Chas Dodd.
In the end, Dorman is just a step ahead of Byrnes, the Cavaliers’ unsung defense bringing home the team’s third win in five games against the hated Rebels. PREDICTION: Dorman 24, Byrnes 16

Gaffney (7-2) at Northwestern (9-0): This time last year the Trojans walked into The Reservation in Gaffney as an underdog -- yet left with a 23-20 victory and the Region III-4A crown. Roles have reversed this year as the teams meet at Rock Hill’s District 3 Stadium, Northwestern branded as one of the nation’s elite teams, ranked No. 11 in the latest RivalsHigh 100 list of the country’s top high school teams nationally.
Meanwhile, the Indians follow not far behind, eagerly waiting for its chance to atone for last season’s loss on senior night.
The question for Gaffney is whether it can not only keep up with the Trojans, but also whether it can keep from turning the ball over in a big game. In contests earlier this season against nationally ranked Dorman and Greenwood, turnovers were the difference for the Indians, losing the games by a total deficit of 12 points.
Even if Gaffney does not turn the ball over, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping Northwestern’s Justin Worley and the rest of the “Air Raid” offense, which has torched opponents all season. One team has held the Trojans under 35 points this season … that number should remain intact after Friday night. PREDICTION: Northwestern 38, Gaffney 28

Batesburg-Leesville (7-2) at Strom Thurmond (7-2): A conference title is at stake as these Region III-2A foes match-up on the gridiron. The Panthers roll into the game riding a seven game winning streak, aided by the return of quarterback K.J. Johnson three weeks into the season. However, it is the B-L defense which has led the way, using its strong defensive line and pressure packages to force opposing offenses into mistakes.
It will take a workmanlike effort to claim the conference championship against Strom Thurmond, which is averaging 30 points per game in addition to a stout defense of its own.
The Rebels have won five of the last six games in this series, and this year should be no different. PREDICTION: Strom Thurmond 31, Batesburg-Leesville 20

Predictions for other big contests around the Palmetto State:
Camden 21, Marlboro County 18
Beaufort 24, Summerville 17
Lexington 45, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 41
Irmo 35, Blythewood 17
Christ Church 37, Landrum 21