Games of the Week: Week Two

GREENWOOD AT GAFFNEY
7:30 p.m. — The Reservation, Gaffney
LAST MEETING: 2010 — Greenwood won 10-7
Another week, another night in the spotlight for Gaffney. Last week before a national audience, the Indians dismantled a talented Dorman squad, embarrassing their rivals from Roebuck en route to a 35-14 victory. The team has outscored its opponents 82-14 through two games. Meanwhile, Greenwood looked equally impressive in its win over Boiling Springs, multiple ball carriers toting the ball into the end zone in a 35-0 win at Boiling Springs.
Last season's meeting between the squads was quite the nightmare for Gaffney, turnovers and mental mistakes dooming the team in a 10-7 loss. However, afterward the Indians reeled off six consecutive victories, including a 26-16 triumph over eventual state champion Byrnes. Meanwhile, the Eagles used momentum from their conquest of Gaffney to springboard the team to a berth in the Class 4A Division II title game.
Both teams are equally talented; but differ in what they hope to accomplish. Greenwood hopes to bog things down, using a "ground and pound attack which chews up clock and limit opponents' possessions. Gaffney on the other hand hopes to turn it into a track meet, striking quickly by air or ground.
KEY MATCHUP: Call it strength on strength. Gaffney's offense has been virtually unstoppable through two contests, running up and down the field with ease. The Indians may get a little resistance from Greenwood in this one, the Eagles blessed with an abundance of team speed. However, it is nothing Joey Copeland and his teammates have not seen, taking on a similar type of defensive unit last week in Dorman.
PREDICTION: Gaffney may not operate like the well-oiled machine it has for the past two weeks, but in a game where points will come at a premium, the Indians will have the last word. — Gaffney 21, Greenwood 18

MYRTLE BEACH AT BYRNES
7:30 p.m. — Nixon Field, Duncan
LAST MEETING: 2010 — Byrnes won 21-14
Everything must be right in the world if Byrnes and Myrtle Beach are sitting on the throne of their respective classifications. For the second time in three years, both the Rebels (Class 4A –Big 16) and Seahawks (Class 3A) claimed state championships. Th squads were similarly successful in their season debuts last week, Byrnes taking its road show to Kentucky and demolishing a Ballard (Ky.) team, 68-0. Meanwhile, Myrtle Beach began life without legendary quarterback Everett Golson, by smothering nearby Carolina Forest in a 31-0 rout.
Both squads know this week's game will be much closer and infinitely tougher, facing off against a quality opponent equally steeped in history.
While a lot has changed on offense for Myrtle Beach after losing a number of key cogs to graduation, its defense remains intact, expected to lead the team until its offensive unit can get on its feet. Byrnes, on the other hand, returns virtually everyone from last season's championship squad — that is, at every position but quarterback, where sophomore Shuler Bentley is hoping to etch his name as the next Rebel quarterback to lead the program to the promised land.
The teams played to a virtual stalemate last year in Myrtle Beach, a late touchdown giving Byrnes a 21-14 win. An equally close game could be in store for the teams this time as well.
KEY MATCHUP: Myrtle Beach's defense will cause plenty of problems for Byrnes' young quarterback, but expect the Rebels to have a few opportunities down the field against an aggressive Seahawks unit. That is not where this game will be decided, however, as the only way Myrtle Beach returns home is if it gets some sort of production on offense. Coach Mickey Wilson has been worried about the unit, claiming it is not clicking on all cylinders as it has in past years. Guess what coach? Golson's not walking back through the door. Just don't leave it open for a fast Byrnes' defense, which is still seeking to get out of the shadow of its peers on offense.
PREDICTION: Myrtle Beach's defense will keep it in the game for a while. But it can bend for so long before breaking under the pressure to which Byrnes will exert on offense, particularly due to the inefficient play of the Seahawks' own offensive unit. This will not be the 65-14 debacle of a few years ago, but the Rebels will get the job done nevertheless. — Byrnes 27, Myrtle Beach 17

AIRPORT AT FAIRFIELD CENTRAL
8 p.m. — E.K. McClendon Stadium, Winnsboro
LAST MEETING: 2010 — Fairfield Central won 47-13
Former Fairfield Central and current Blythewood head coach Reggie Kennedy may know all of the tricks of the trade. But sometimes you have no answer for speed. He found that out last week in facing the band of Griffins he left this past offseason, physically manhandling his Bengals squad in a 21-7 loss. Though still trying to adjust to new head man Demetrius Davis' scheme, FC's physicality ruled the day, pummeling their rivals from just a few miles up Interstate 77 in their final meeting for some time.
Airport was similarly successful, using its own smashmouth brand of football to utterly destroy Brookland-Cayce 44-6.
The Griffins dismantled the Eagles with a balanced attack last season, but don’t expect too much passing this season as this one is expected to be won in the trenches. FC quarterback Nyjawoh McKinstry threw for two touchdowns and passed for another in the team’s win against Blythewood. But without a doubt, the Griffins would rather run than pass. Kirk Burnett’s offense has a similar philosophy, running until the other defense can stop it. Quarterback Kelvin Harris ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 55 more and another score last week vs. B-C.
KEY MATCHUP: It will be quite interesting to see how both of these offenses deal with the overall team speed exhibited by both defensive units. The Griffins’ ability to swarm to the ball overwhelmed the strong running attack of Blythewood last week, and is a very confident group going into this week’s contest with Airport. The Eagles had no answer for the speed and intensity displayed by FC last season, and if it wants to win, it must match it or it could be a long night.
PREDICTION: Airport will put together a better performance than it did in last season’s debacle. But it still will not be enough as the Griffins’ dominance at home continues. — Fairfield Central 28, Airport 21

OTHER PREDICTIONS:
Woodruff 35, Clinton 21
Dorman 28, Spartanburg 24
Daniel 31, Greenville 21
Dutch Fork 33, North Augusta 27
Summerville 21, Berkeley 13