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

S.C. Prep Football -- Classes A & 2A Week 10 Stock Watch

CLASS 2A -- It seems this classification is defined by the play of two teams -- Central-Pageland(9-0) and Dillon (9-0). The Wildcats have prevailed by a single point in the past two state title games, and it seems the squads are again on a collision course.
Or are they? Here are a few teams who could spoil the party… or not.
STOCKS UP:
- Timberland (9-0): Likely Dillon’s stiffest test in the Lower State on its way to a three-peat. The Wolves have remained undefeated primarily due to the play of its defense, which has only given up 11 points per game.
In addition, Timberland is battle-tested, already having defeated region foes Manning and Lake City as well as the 2009 Class 3A champion Berkeley.
- Silver Bluff (8-1): Aside from a season opening loss to crosstown rival Aiken, it has been business as usual for the Bulldogs, reeling in eight consecutive wins and a Region V-2A title. Stout on defense and supremely balanced on offense, this squad has the potential to make things interesting in a loaded Lower State bracket.
- Lake City (7-2): Honestly, any squad that has a back as talented as South Carolina commitment Shon Carson has the potential to go a long way. While Timberland was able to put the clamps on the star running back, few defensive units have been able to do so during his stellar career, one which has him in the conversation as one of the state’s best backs this year.
Oh… they’re defense isn’t half bad either, giving up around 16 points per game.

STOCKS DOWN:
- Indian Land (8-1): After padding its record on mediocre competition, the Warriors were laid to waste by a dominant Central squad, losing by 26 points. While it was the two-time state runners-up it was playing, Indian Land must show more against tougher competition before being considered a legit threat to the Class 2A title.
- Mid Carolina (8-1): While it had run roughshod through competition through eight games, last week’s contest at Woodruff -- for a conference title, no less -- truly was a litmus test for the Rebels, one where they see where they are compared to other competition around the state. A 35 point loss proved rather telling, as Mid Carolina had no answer for the Wolverines fast paced offensive attack, one it is sure to see against opponents in the state playoffs.
WATCH OUT FOR:
-Batesburg-Leesville (7-2): This is typically the Panthers’ favorite time of year, and they are again proving this to be true, winning seven consecutive games going into its week 10 tilt with Strom Thurmond. No matter the record, this team is not one you want to see in the postseason.
- Woodruff (6-3): The record may not be the best, but just take a deeper look at who the Wolverines’ losses are to. Each of Woodruff’s three defeats are to Class 3A teams likely to qualify for their classifications’ state playoffs, with only one of the losses - a 14 point setback to Greenville - coming by more than a touchdown.
The Wolverines have virtually been a lock to score more than 30 points each game. If this continues, it could be hard for opponents to slow this team down.
CLASS A -- In the belief of sportswriters around the Palmetto State, there is one thing seemingly all of them can agree on -- yes, Williston-Elko (9-1) is that dominant. The defending Class A - Division II champion, only seven points separates the Blue Devils from an undefeated season.
Since that season opening loss to Strom Thurmond, Coach Dwayne Garrick’s squad has outscored opponents 513-85.

STOCKS UP:
- Bamberg-Ehrhardt (9-0): Since a surprising season opening victory over Class 4A’s Orangeburg-Wilkinson, the Red Raiders have plugged right along, flashing signs of brilliance as well as toughness and resiliency in close wins over Barnwell, Ridgeland, and most recently Allendale-Fairfax.
Last season, B-E was embarrassed in a second round matchup with Calhoun County 20-0.This year it hopes to extend its stay in postseason play.
- Hemingway (9-0): Arguably no defense has been more dominant than the Tigers, giving up a total of 34 points while racking up a 9-0 record. Playing in one of the classification’s toughest conferences, joined in Region 8-A by the likes of Johnsonville, Lake View and Carvers Bay, this squad has set itself apart, making it one to watch in coming weeks.
-Scott’s Branch (7-2): Since consecutive losses to Class 2A foes Manning and Woodland, no one has been able to stop the Eagles, who during their seven game winning streaked have beaten three-time defending Class A champion Chesterfield as well as region rival Lamar. The squad hopes to achieve a conference title Friday vs. C.E. Murray, paving its way for another run at a state title.

STOCKS DOWN:
-Chesterfield (6-3): It is hard to put a squad with three rings on this list. But following three straight losses midseason, it is even more difficult to tab the Rams as a contender for a fourth consecutive Class A title. While young and inexperienced heading into the playoffs, history is on Chesterfield’s side- head coach and former University of South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill’s first championship team in 2007 lost three games that year.
Maybe he has a little magic in the bag… who knows?
- Christ Church (9-0): How can an undefeated team whose lowest margin of victory this season is five points, while scoring more than 40 points eight out of nine games in 2010 not getting the respect it deserves? The Cavaliers must earn respect in my opinion, having bowed out in the second round of the playoffs each of the past two years.

WATCH OUT FOR:
- Lamar (8-1): A one point loss to Scott’s Branch is the only thing keeping coach J.R. Boyd’s Silver Foxes out of the conversation as one of the front runners for a state title. However, I’m sure they like it that way.
At its best, Lamar can beat any team its classification has to offer.