Gaffney to rejoin Region II-4A, Blacksburg to Skyline 2A

Reunited, and it feels so good.

Separated for the past several years due to realignment by the S.C. High School League (SCHSL), Region II-4A may again become whole next season, welcoming back the likes of Gaffney and Spartanburg.

SCHSL officials released the proposal on Monday. Schools wishing to appeal the decision must do so in writing by Aug. 12, to which the league's executive committee will convene Sept. 21 to make its final decision.

After competing in the region for a number of years, the Indians were moved to Region III-4A in 2008, joining a contingent consisting primarily of York County schools including Clover, Rock Hill and Northwestern. The Vikings joined the region following the 2010 realignment process.

Perennial rivals Byrnes and Dorman will join Gaffney and Spartanburg in the region, in addition to Boiling Springs, Mauldin, Riverside, and Class 4A newcomer Wade Hampton of Greenville. According to head coach Dan Jones, the conference could possibly be the state's toughest by far.

"Personally, I think it is the best," he said. "How many regions have the past two state champions, both of whom have played each other in Columbia the past two years in the same conference? Add us and Spartanburg into the mix, and that makes for a lot of history and intrigue. I assure you that it can't get any better than that."

Though separated for the past four years, Gaffney has kept many of its former Region II-4A foes on its schedule, keeping old flames ablaze.

"Of course, Boiling Springs, Dorman and Byrnes are old rivalries; with the possibility of joining them once again I know the kids are excited and I most definitely am excited. It's just the way things are supposed to be," Jones said.

Blacksburg is also on the move, jumping from its familiar digs in Class A to that in Skyline (Region I) 2A, joining Carolina, Chesnee, Crescent, Landrum, Liberty, Pendleton and Powdersville.

As part of the SCHSL's new realignment plan in which classifications consist of 52 schools instead of the typical 48, the Wildcats —the largest school in Class A according to the league's 135-day numbers—become one of the smaller programs in Class 2A. The football program will be part of the classification's lower tier for its football playoffs, which beginning this season is open to all.

Gaffney's Davis lands another scholarship offer

Photo by Larry Hilliard/ The Gaffney Ledger

Shortly after walking off the practice field Tuesday, Gaffney's Quinshad Davis learned he had received another scholarship offer, this time from Illinois.

Requests for Quinshad Davis’ services keep rolling in.
Illinois was the latest to offer the Gaffney standout a scholarship, according to head coach Dan Jones, who received the offer by way of a fax on Tuesday.
“We are quite excited for him; Quinshad’s talent will be able to write him a check to go to the college of his choice,” Jones said.
The Fighting Illini join a crowd of schools including Clemson, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Wake Forest hoping the talented receiver chooses them come National Signing Day in February.
Davis earned quite a name for himself last season, hauling in 86 balls for 1,380 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver was ranked No. 250 among the nation’s top prep football players in the Class of 2012 on a list compiled by Rivals.com.
“You’ve got to like his size, a little bit like former Georgia and recently drafted Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green; he provides quite the target for an offense to work with, which is important,” said Rivals Southeast football recruiting analyst Keith Niebuhr. “He definitely will be difficult to cover, as he knows how to separate from defenders using his body, and times the ball well. Also, he’s quite the weapon in the red zone.”
The list also features Palmetto State talents like Allendale-Fairfax defensive back Ronald Geohaghan (No. 216), Bamberg-Ehrhardt defensive end Martin Aiken (No. 189), and Lexington all-purpose man Shaq Roland (No. 63).
While players don’t typically announce their college intentions prior to the end of their senior season, Jones admits times have changed — and the time is drawing near that Davis will have to make a decision.
“He’s got to make a decision; but he had a good visit at Wake (Forest), and really seems to like them,” Jones said. “They are definitely in the mix.”

Class AAAA-Big 16 outlook

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Dorman's Raymond Smith hopes to again lead the Cavaliers to the promised land in 2011. However, getting past rival Byrnes could be quite the task in Class AAAA's Big 16 ranks, which could be as hotly contested as it has been in recent years.

Arguably, no other title is more coveted in South Carolina high school athletics than the Big 16 football championship.
Three out of the past four years, however, the hardware has found a home in Duncan on the Byrnes High School campus, including last season when the Rebels disposed of cross-county rival Dorman 34-14 in the state championship game. It was the program’s 10th state title overall.
Last season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Byrnes, replacing several Division I talents such as South Carolina star running back Marcus Lattimore and Rutgers signal caller Chas Dodd. At least through the end of the regular season another championship seemed in doubt, head coach Chris Miller’s squad losing three games -- the most it had lost since 2007-- equaling its total from the preceding two seasons.
Keyed by the hard running of Shakeem Wharton and a steady defense which gathered itself at the right time, Byrnes easily defeated Mauldin before impressive wins at Dutch Fork and against Lexington en route to the final.
Wanting to gain a measure of revenge from its loss to Dorman in the 2009 final, the Rebels jumped quickly on their rivals and seized control of the game and the crown, winning 34-14.
Byrnes is again in a familiar role to begin the 2011 season, favored to repeat as Class AAAA Big 16 champion. Returning the likes of Wharton, speedy wide receiver Akia Booker and many pieces of a quick, disciplined defense including “Doc“ Dillard and Jamal Johnson, one should expect the squad to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Inexperience at quarterback could derail such aspirations however, the high octane offense of the Rebels expected to start sophomore signal caller Shuler Bentley. Byrnes last great quarterback, Dodd, first led the squad as a sophomore, part of a unit which won two state titles.
Bentley, his half brother, could become the next to be fitted for a ring.
Among those at the head of the line hoping to dethrone Byrnes again is Dorman, returning running back Raymond Smith, who rushed for 2,000+ yards last season, in addition to Patrick DeStefano, the state’s top offensive lineman. One has to wonder whether the squad can overcome the amount of talent it lost last year, including Clemson signee wide receiver Charone Peake.
Gaffney is also expected to make a run this year at adding to its state record total of 16 championships. Though losing veteran signal caller DeEdward Burris, a talented core returns, including highly sought after wideout Quinshad Davis. The Indians are expected to be as stout as they have been in several years on defense, keyed in the middle by linebacker Savon Dukes.
Dutch Fork, which lost to the Rebels 31-14 last November in the Class AAAA Big 16 quarterfinals, should make strides in head coach Tom Knotts’ second season on the job. The Region IV-AAAA champions return quite a talent at running back in Brandon Quattlebaum, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season, and is expected to shoulder the load again in 2011 for the Silver Foxes.
No one needs to be introduced to Lexington’s Shaq Roland. However, the X-Factor in the Wildcats’ potential to make a run at a state title lies with Kevin Miller, whose tough running was instrumental in the squad to the Region V-AAAA title last season.
Lexington made its deepest run in the state playoffs in 2010 since Demetrius Summers roamed the gridiron at the school, and is looking to take that final step this year.
Don't be surprised if Summerville rebounds and contends for a title this season following a disappointing 2010 according to its lofty standards.

FAVORITE: Byrnes
CONTENDERS: Dorman, Gaffney, Dutch Fork, Lexington, Summerville
LOOK OUT FOR: Spartanburg - The Vikings come into 2011 with its most talented squad in years, particularly at the quarterback position. Look for the squad to make quite a bit of noise in Region III-AAAA this season.

A Week 13 whip around the Palmetto State

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Rushing for more than 200 yards in his team's Class AAAA Division I second round match-up with Fort Dorchester, junior running back Raymond Smith was a big reason Dorman's offense was able to kick things into high gear last Friday night.

It’s all depends on who you ask.
According to Gaffney fans, it was bad officiating and missed opportunities. In the eyes of those backing Irmo, it was the product of a good defensive effort.
No matter the combination of those ingredients, the Yellow Jackets were happy it fell in their favor, escaping W.C. Hawkins Stadium Friday night with a 12-7 victory.
Irmo’s Kevin Baxter returned an interception in the end zone off of Indians’quarterback DeEdward Burris 70 yards the first play of the fourth quarter, setting up the game’s deciding score, a 2-yard run by Dawan Scott.
The Yellow Jacket running back would wind up with 167 yards and two touchdowns on the night. With the win, his team advances to the Class AAAA Division I semifinals against defending state champion Dorman.
“Our kids made plays when they had to,” said Irmo head coach Bob Hanna to The State (S.C.). “We gave up some yards, but when it came time to play, we found a way to get it done.”
The Indians seemingly moved the ball at will against their Midlands contemporaries, spending much of the night inside Yellow Jackets territory. However, with the exception of a DeEdward Burris connection with wide receiver Quinshad Davis in the first quarter, that is where Gaffney drives would die, the result of mental errors in the form of three turnovers, several penalties and a number of dropped passes.
“When you come on somebody else’s home field and they are 10-2, you have to play better than them. We just didn’t make the big plays when we needed them,” said Gaffney head coach Dan Jones.
“We made some mistakes, dropped some passes, made some bad decisions. We just didn’t execute,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dorman put on arguably its most impressive performance of the season, disposing of Fort Dorchester 49-28. Raymond Smith ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns, including a 94-yard romp in the game’s final stanza.
Not to be outdone, Clemson commitment Charone Peake also had a big night, hit pay dirt three times in the contest, twice on throws from Cavaliers quarterback Nelson Hughes and another by way of a punt return.

A Sleeping Giant Awakens
Class AAAA powerhouse Byrnes may be down a bit this year … but they are definitely not out.
Junior running back Shakeem Wharton was quite the dual threat for the Rebels, racking up 170 total yards and three touchdowns in the team’s 31-14 Class AAAA Division I playoff win at Dutch Fork.
The performance was quite the statement for Byrnes, perceived as a bit vulnerable after a squad laden with stars was decimated by graduation. Yet it stands 48 minutes from another appearance in the state title game.
In the Lowcountry however, a thorough beating was being given to one of the state’s most recognizable figures in high school football. Summerville’s John McKissick, the nation’s all-time leader in coaching wins at the high school level, could only describe it as the worst beating any team has given his Green Wave on the field named after him.
Lexington delivered a whipping Summerville fans are sure to remember for some time, dismantling the traditional power from the Lowcountry 45-14.
Wildcats’ running back K.J. Miller toted the pigskin 31 times for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while his teammates on defense held Summerville star to a total of 152 yards and a meaningless touchdown late in a contest seemingly never in doubt.
In the “Lower 32” tournament better known to most as Class AAAA Division II, things went as expected with each of the top four seeds advanced, setting up a (4) Northwestern - (1) Goose Creek and (3) North Augusta- (2) Greenwood state semifinal round.
North Augusta was the only one of the four to struggle on the night, erasing an early deficit and surviving a late flurry from T.L. Hanna , 28-21.

"Thriller"
When they say enjoy every moment, do so; you never know when it will be taken from you.
Belton-Honea Path could not have believed the end was near after pulling ahead 28-27 with 1:18 left to go against Fairfield Central, thinking it had delivered the final salvo in the wild Class AAA Upper State semifinal contest.
The Griffins had other ideas, turning out the lights on the Bears and their undefeated 2010 campaign with a 35-28 heart-stopping win in the state’s upcountry.
Shaquille Young hauled in a pass from Fairfield Central quarterback Danny Miller with 25 seconds left to snare victory from defeat. The miraculous 34-yard grab, caught between two Belton-Honea Path defenders and also tipped twice, earned the Griffins a rematch with region rival South Pointe in the Upper State title game, the Stallions humbling Greenville 50-7.
South Pointe dealt Fairfield Central its lone defeat in 2010, winning 17-7 in Winnsboro last month.
Lower State juggernaut Myrtle Beach put an end to Berkeley’s playoff winning streak, taking care of the Stags 42-28. Seahawks quarterback Everett Golson passed for 381 yards and four touchdowns in the game, eliminating Berkeley, last year’s winners of the Class AAAA-Division II crown.
Myrtle Beach wants a Class AAA crown of its own, however, and will earn at least the right to do so with a win in the Lower State title game Friday against Bluffton, a 40-35 winner at Hartsville.

Thrice as Nice
Things seem to come in threes.
For Strom Thurmond and Timberland, the third time did not wind up being the charm, both falling to familiar opponents for the third consecutive year.
Meanwhile, Central (Pageland) and Dillon remained on a collision course to meet in the Class AA title game, the Eagles advancing past Strom Thurmond 35-30; while the Wildcats moved on with an impressive 31-14 win over previously undefeated Timberland.
Dillon again advances to the Lower State title game where it will host Manning, a 30-20 winner over region rival Lake City.
The Monarchs again did a good job in limiting Panthers’ star running back Shon Carson, who though gaining 137 yards and scored the 100th touchdown of his prep football career, Manning won the rushing battle as it was able to churn out 205 yards of its own on the ground -- 120 of which were contributed by Marcos Pearson -- wearing out an active Lake City defense.
Central faces a familiar foe for a second straight week, this time in the form of Woodruff, which earned a hard fought 37-30 victory over Columbia.
In Class A on the other hand, Scott’s Branch and Williston-Elko again earned the right to meet each other with a state title hanging in the balance.
Christ Church gave the Blue Devils all they could handle in the Class A Division I Upper State final, drawing to within six points after being down three touchdowns early on in the contest. However, Williston-Elko’s wishbone attack chewed valuable clock time and the Cavaliers’ final heave fell into the arms of an opposing defender, giving W-E the 27-21 win.
Scott’s Branch fell behind early, but it was only a minor setback between it and the program’s third consecutive date with the Blue Devils, defeating Hardeeville 36-20.
Might as well call it a grudge match, the teams splitting the last two Class A Division II championship games. The game is Friday at 3 p.m. at Benedict University Stadium in Columbia.
In Class A Division I play, a Randon Sandifer 22-yard field goal as time expired gave Bamberg-Ehrhardt a Lower State title, defeating Hemingway 17-14. It will face Abbeville for a championship Friday at noon in Columbia, the Panthers getting past Lamar 20-12 in a highly contested Upper State final.

Palmetto State Roundup
Class AAAA Division 2 Second Round
Goose Creek 49, Easley 0
Greenwood 35, South Florence 7
North Augusta 28, T.L. Hanna 21
Northwestern 49, Ashley Ridge 35

Class AAAA Division 1
Second Round
Irmo 12, Gaffney 7
James F. Byrnes 31, Dutch Fork 14
Lexington 35, Summerville 14
Dorman 49, Fort Dorchester 28

Upper State Class AAA
Third Round
Fairfield Central 35, Belton-Honea Path 28
South Pointe 50, Greenville 7

Lower State Class AAA
Third Round
Bluffton 40, Hartsville 35
Myrtle Beach 42, Berkeley 28

Upper State Class AA
Third Round
Central 35, Strom Thurmond 30
Woodruff 37, Columbia 30

Lower State Class AA
Third Round
Dillon 31, Timberland 14
Manning 30, Lake City 20
Upper State Class A Division I Semifinal
Abbeville 20, Lamar 12

Lower State Class A Division I
Semifinal
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 17, Hemingway 14

Upper State Class A Division II
Semifinal
Williston-Elko 27, Christ Church Episcopal 21

Lower State Class A Division II
Semifinal
Scott's Branch 36, Hardeeville 20

Northwestern makes statement - Trojans get last word against Gaffney, win dogfight 42-28

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Northwestern wide receiver Rontavious McClure hauls in his second touchdown over the outstretched arms of a Gaffney defender to clinch the Region III-AAAA title for the Trojans, who defeated the Indians 42-28.

Northwestern head coach Jimmy “Moose” Wallace warned his team in the week leading up to the Trojans’ contest with Gaffney that it would be nothing short of a war.
The two Class AAAA heavyweight went back and forth for three quarters Friday night at Rock Hill’s District 3 Stadium, however, it was Northwestern which had a little more ammo left in its chamber, defeating the Indians and claiming the Region III-AAAA title.
It took a complete team effort for the Trojans to notch the victory, as quarterback and Tennessee prospect Justin Worley found the end zone six times -- five through the air and once on the ground -- while safety Montrece Kennedy grabbed three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter to halt Gaffney drives.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Wallace said. “We told our kids all week it was going to be a war, a dogfight. … We knew we had to play as good as we could, and our secondary did a good job.”
Things got off to a fast start for Northwestern, intercepting Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris on the game’s first play. A few plays later, Worley was able to find his favorite target, wide receiver Robert Joseph, for a 13-yard score to give the team a 7-0 advantage.
Burris and the Indians did not stay on the mat long, however, engineering a drive keyed by the star signal caller’s athleticism both with his arm and legs, with the senior hitting pay dirt on a 6-yard run to tie the game. After forcing a rare Trojans’ three-and-out, Gaffney would take the lead on a 4-yard score from C.J. Miller
During the drive, Burris separated his left (non-throwing) shoulder, an injury that would impact how he and his team played the rest of the game.
Northwestern would tie things at 14 apiece to end the first stanza, hitting Brandon Lewis 24 yards down the center of the field for the score.
With just over four minutes remaining in the first half, Gaffney’s Burris returned to a standing ovation by Indian faithful, driving the offense 56 yards to reclaim the lead at 21-14, with backup quarterback Joey Copeland doing the honors by running it in from a yard out.
A controversial call to end the first half drew the Trojans even as the teams went in for intermission, Worley hitting big target Rontavious McClure on a fade route just over the outstretched hands of a Gaffney defender to make the score 21-21.
“That was big, big, big; we’ve been wanting Rontavious to just go up and get the ball,” Wallace said.
Things slowed down quite a bit in the third quarter, as Northwestern was the only ones to score in the stanza. Following Burris’ second interception of the game, Worley directed a 12 play, 94 yard drive which ended with the quarterback crossing the goal line on a seven yard run, giving the Trojans a 28-21 lead.
As had been the case all game though, Gaffney would again return the favor, the drive ending with Copeland’s second score of the game. But Northwestern would seize control of the contest for good on its next possession, using its short passing game to chip away at the Indians’ defense before hitting it big, this time a 10-yard completion to B.J. Boyd for a 35-28 lead.
The Trojans would put things out of reach with Worley’s sixth score, a 9-yard pass lofted to McClure in the corner of the end zone to give them a 14-point advantage, one it would not relinquish.
The Northwestern quarterback finished 37 of 48 passing, throwing for 427 yards and five scores. He had one interception in the contest. Worley’s top target on the night was Boyd, who hauled in 11 balls for 112 yards.
Gaffney’s Burris was 15 of 25 for 246 yards and four interceptions, gutting things out despite sustaining a shoulder injury early in the first half. Quinshad Davis had 258 yards receiving for the Indians in a losing effort.
Northwestern improves to 10-0 (4-0 S.C. Region III-AAAA), while Gaffney falls to 7-3 (3-1).

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 3A & 4A Week 10 Stock Watch

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

South Pointe defenders deliver some punishment to a Fairfield Central runner during the teams' recent contest in Winnsboro. Both squads are among the favorites to bring home the Class 3A title in a few weeks.

Should I buy or sell? Or maybe just keep an eye on the stock?
For nine (or in Williston-Elko's case, 10) weeks we have kept a close eye on teams around the Palmetto State, particularly wondering how each would figure into their respective classification's playoff picture. With things beginning to clear up as the regular season draws to a close for classes 1A-3A, here's a look at the squads whose stock you should buy, sell, and a couple to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks.
Today I will begin with South Carolina's largest two classifications before taking a look at classes A & 2A later this week.

Class 4A— Of course, it is easy to look at the classification's three unbeaten squads— Dorman, Northwestern and Goose Creek — and believe they are just a notch ahead of their competition around the state. However, there are several squads who can deny each of the powerhouses of the championship they have so longed for.

STOCKS UP:
— Greenwood (8-1): Blessed with a stout defense (giving up only 12 points per game) and an effective running game, the Eagles have earned much respect in the Palmetto State in addition to attention from analysts nationwide. In all honesty, you remember few names outside of linebacker Quinton Backus and there's nothing too "sexy" or flashy about this squad— but they darn sure know how to win ball games.
Greenwood's only defeat being a 35-28 loss to defending Class 4A champion Dorman, the program is trying to add another title to its already extensive collection.
— Gaffney (7-2): Snake-bitten by turnovers in early season losses to Dorman and Greenwood, the Indians have won six straight going into this weekend's clash with region for Northwestern. Gaffney seems to have caught its stride on offense as quarterback DeEdward Burris seems to have formed quite a bond with receivers Quinshad Davis and Khris Brown. The team's defense has also improved as the season has went along, displaying such flashes of brilliance in a 31-0 shutout of Lancaster in which it gave up a total of 45 yards on the night.
— Summerville (8-1): Every year around this time, the chant begins down in the state's Lowcountry ... "Win one for Coach McKissick!" For the nation's all-time leader in wins for a high school football coach, this may be his best chance in a number of years.
Led by running back DeAngelo Henderson, the Green Wave have one of the more explosive offenses in the state. The question remains whether Summerville's defense can hold down some of the state's better offensive squads, many of whom also reside in the Big 16 with the Green Wave.

STOCKS DOWN:
— Wren (6-3): It would take quite a collapse in the Golden Hurricanes' final two contests for this team not to make the playoffs. While blessed with an explosive offense, do not expect this team to go far in the postseason if its defensive woes continue.
Wren has given up more than 30 points four times this season. In three out of those four contests, the Golden Hurricanes have walked away with a loss.
— Orangeburg-Wilkinson (7-2): Following a close loss to Class A power Bamberg-Ehrhardt to begin the year, the Bruins led by quarteback Cyril Davis were able to rattle off seven consecutive wins, a stretch in which the team did not score less than 36 points. Since jumping back into region play, however, O-W's defense has shown it cannot stand up to capable offensive schemes, the weakness particularly coming to fruition last Friday in a 65-42 loss to White Knoll in which the Bruins found themselves down 43 points at halftime.
They say defense wins championships; if so, it will take quite the four game stretch by Davis and his mates on offense to pull out a state title because right now they are the best defense O-W currently has.
— South Florence (7-2): It has been quite a breakthrough season for the Bruins, the team finding itself a mere victory away from earning the Region VI-4A title. While earning a conference title is admirable, doing so in one of the state's weakest regions likely will not equate to much postseason success for South Florence, only defeating four opponents with winning records, the most impressive of those last week's 41-31 win over Conway, a team only a game above .500.
I'm not saying this squad cannot make a run, you just won't see me placing much stock in the Bruins doing so.

WATCH OUT FOR:
— Irmo (8-1): Led by one of the state's best running games, the Yellow Jackets have won seven in a row after a week one defeat to nationally ranked Goose Creek. While defense is somewhat an issue, if Irmo is allowed to dictate the clock by continuing to feed the ball to Dawan Scott and others in the Yellow Jackets' stable of running backs, this team could surprise some people en route to a December date down the road at Williams-Brice Stadium.
— Clover (7-2): Do not sleep on the Eagles. Though falling in defeat to state powerhouses and region foes Gaffney and Northwestern, Clover did do its part to give each of the teams' defenses fits using its brand of the Wing-T offense. The difficult part of the schedule is seemingly in the Eagles' rear-view mirror, as it will take a team with offensive might similar to that of the Trojans or Indians to knock this squad out of the playoffs.

Class 3A— In my opinion, the best of the state's classifications from top to bottom. At least eight teams believe they have the ingredients to hoist the championship trophy at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia on the first Saturday night in December. Here are a few of those.

STOCKS UP:
— South Pointe (8-1): The Stallions, aside from a mistake-prone third quarter against rival Northwestern in the season's opening week, has been dominant — particularly on the defensive side of the ball. South Pointe showcased how important that side of the ball is in its success over then-No. 3 Fairfield Central, holding one of the classification's more prolific offenses to under 200 yards of total offense and only seven points.
It does help to have the nation's top prospect on your defensive line as well, Jadeveon Clowney.
— Myrtle Beach (8-1): Like their contemporaries South Pointe in the Upper State, the Seahawks find themselves minutes from being undefeated as well. Playing most of the season without starting quarterback Everett Golson, backup signal caller Mitchell Campbell has been effective in his stead, throwing for 2,067 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Myrtle Beach's defense has also been a forced to be reckoned with, particularly of late, holding region opponents to a total of 21 points in four games.
— Fairfield Central (8-1): While the Griffins were on the wrong end of a 17-7 defeat at the hands of South Pointe, few can argue the team gave their rivals from Rock Hill all they could handle. Fairfield Central should be equally as potent when the playoffs roll around... that is unless its old nemesis Clinton winds up in the same bracket; then things could become quite interesting.

STOCKS DOWN:
— Chester (6-3): The Cyclones feasted upon mediocre competition early on the 2010 season, jumping out to a 3-0 mark before meeting with Class 2A's Central—Pageland, a contest in which they gave up a fourth quarter lead and eventually lost, 36-28. Since then, things have not quite been the same for Chester, losing the following week to nationally ranked Mallard Creek (N.C.), followed by sub par efforts against Nation Ford ( a win nevertheless) and a 55-17drubbing at the hands of South Pointe.
Beating quality teams is what champions are made of. I see little of that in the Cyclones' resume.
— Clinton (6-3): You hate to put the defending state champions in a category like this, but losing two consecutive region games to the likes of Greer and Union County is cause for concern for the Red Devils. However, last season following a mediocre region slate in which Clinton finished fourth in its conference, the team found a way to win five straight games and the Class 3A championship.
Can it happen again? Of course. But if that's the case, the Red Devils sure like to take the long road instead of the easy one.
—Marlboro County (6-3): There are few teams more of a mystery in the Palmetto State than the Bulldogs. Blessed with an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball, it seems this team has simply not been able to put it together, the low points coming in consecutive weeks in losses to Conway and Dillon.
Last week's 24-14 defeat at the hands of Hartsville put a conference title in doubt, and with a road test at Camden this Friday, Marlboro County could be looking at several road games en route to a trip to Columbia and the Class 3A title game.

WATCH OUT FOR:
—Union County (6-3): No squad circles the wagons late in the season like the Yellow Jackets, who again after a rough start have fought their way to a region championship. Since beginning the season 0-3, Union Co. has rattled off six straight wins, averaging 33 points a game during that stretch. Getting the Clinton bug off their backs also was big for the Yellow Jackets, losing two close contests last season to the Red Devils, including a 17-14 loss in the state playoffs.
— Greenville (8-1): Few squads in Class 3A can light up the scoreboard in the fashion the Red Raiders can, averaging 33 points per game this season. But the biggest contributor the Greenville's success this year has to be its defense, only allowing more than 10 points once this year — that being a 33-31 setback at Gaffney in September.

S.C.'s Top Performers (Week 7) — Quarterbacks steal show

Photo by Larry Hilliard/ The Gaffney Ledger

Gaffney senior quarterback DeEdward Burris was virtually unstoppable in his team's contest against Clover, scoring five times in dropping the Eagles from the ranks of the unbeaten in the Indians' 41-27 win.

Mitch Campbell, Myrtle Beach: Stepping in for injured Seahawks' starting quarterback Everett Golson, the senior again made the most of his playing time in Myrtle Beach's 62-7 win over Socastee. Campbell was nearly perfect in the game, going 10-for-12 for 246 yards and five touchdowns for the Seahawks.
Daiquone Ford, Myrtle Beach: Not to be outdone, Ford also had a game to remember vs. Socastee, rushing for 163 years on four carries, including a 99-yard touchdown run in the 62-7 romp. He nearly reached the century mark for reception yards in the contest, catching three passes for 96 yards and a touchdown grab.
Robert Joseph, Northwestern: Joseph continues to be Trojans' quarterback Justin Worley's top target in the team's "Air Raid" offense, last week catching six balls for 122 yards in Northwestern's 35-12 win over region for Spartanburg. The scoring receptions were from 22, 86 and 20 yards.
Justin Worley, Northwestern: You can only describe the Tennessee commitment in one word: special. Worley, though not showing his typical pinpoint accuracy, went 19 for 34 for 321 yards in the Trojans' 35-12 win over Spartanburg last week.
In addition, the Northwestern senior signal caller set a new state record against the Vikings, eclipsing Byrnes standout quarterback Willy Korn's mark (123) by throwing his 124th touchdown pass in the contest.
Shamier Jeffery, Calhoun County: The beginning of a good weekend for Calhoun County kids with the last name of "Jeffery," Saints' quarterback Shamier Jeffery made his mark last Friday night in passing for 338 yards on 21 of 27 passing in the teams' 50-0 drubbing of Fox Creek. He also passed for five touchdowns in the game.
Cyril Davis, Orangeburg-Wilkinson: The Bruins' offense remained hot under the direction of Davis, who was 15 of 28 for 361 yards and four touchdowns in O-W's 36-21 victory over South Aiken.
DeEdward Burris, Gaffney: The dual threat under center for the Indians wreaked havoc all night on the Clover defense, scoring three times with his legs and twice with his arm to give the Eagles their first loss of the season, 41-27. Burris ran for 129 yards in the game, while throwing for 248 more.

Week 5 — Irmo's Scott, Summerville's Henderson continue to stuff stat book

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Gaffney's Khris Brown (middle) is mobbed by teammates after hauling in an interception to seal a 33-31 win for the Indians.

Justin Suber, Dutch Fork: The senior quarterback came up big for the Silver Foxes last Friday night, posting 435 yards of total offense as the team defeated cross-county rival Lexington, 49-43. Suber threw for 219 yards while gaining 216 more on the ground.

Dawan Scott, Irmo: It seems every week the senior running back is asked to carry the Yellow Jackets offense -- and every week he delivers. Last Friday was no different as Scott ran for 303 yards and five touchdowns in Irmo’s win over Aiken.
The victory was the fifth straight for the Yellow Jackets, the 10th ranked team in Class 4A according to state prep writers.

Justin Worley, Northwestern: The Tennessee commit continues to light up opposing defenses, the latest victim being cross-county rival Nation Ford. Worley torched the Falcons last Friday, completing 27 of 35 attempts for 332 yards and four scores to lead his Trojans to a 45-35 win.

Khris Brown, Gaffney: The Indians, looking to take a little pressure off of talented receiver Quinshad Davis, got just that Friday night as the senior hauled in six receptions for 168 yards and two scores. His final touchdown would wind up deciding the game, capping off a comeback for Gaffney in its 33-31 victory over Greenville.
Brown also hauled in an interception with seconds to go, ending the Red Raiders' final drive.

Brandon Cannon, Landrum: Cannon was a dual threat for Cardinals in their contest against Liberty, accounting for 301 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in the team’s 56-14 win.

De’Angelo Henderson, Summerville: The Green Wave senior seems to get compared to former University of Georgia Garrison Hearst these days. If he keeps accumulating yards in bunches like he did last week in his team’s 41-27 win over Stratford, the comparison undoubtedly will continue.
Henderson ran for 300 yards and four touchdowns against the Knights, pushing his no. 4-ranked Summerville squad its fourth win in five games.

Cyril Davis, Orangeburg-Wilkinson: The Bruins' quarterback completed 21-of-29 passes for 410 yards and five touchdowns to lead his team to a 48-34 win over previously undefeated Richland Northeast. The performance pushed Davis past the 2,000 yards passing for the season.

Fab Five Games in the Palmetto State — Week 5

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Greenwood hopes to spring to an early lead in Region I-4A all while exacting a measure of revenge tonight in its contest vs. Wren.

1. Wren (3-1) at Greenwood (3-1): Wren ambushed the region rival Greenwood last season in Piedmont, scoring 28 unanswered points en route to a win and eventually a region crown. The Eagles are seeking revenge for that matchup, welcoming the Golden Hurricanes in for an early Region I —4A contest.
Wren's offense has put up big numbers in 2010, not being held under 20 points once thus far. However, Greenwood's defense is not to shabby it's self, allowing only defending Class 4A champion Dorman into double digits.
PREDICTION: Greenwood 28, Wren 21

2. Greenville (4-0) at Gaffney (3-2): It seemed Gaffney received quite the shot in the arm last week with a win over rival Byrnes, erasing three years of bad memories in the process. But there is no rest for the weary, as the undefeated Red Raiders visit The Reservation looking to continue its winning ways.
The past several games in this series have been quite thrilling, particularly last season's contest in which the Indians pulled out a 39-35 victory in the game's final moments. With both teams averaging more than 20 points per game, points could come in bunches as a result of these two potent offenses.
PREDICTION: Gaffney 35, Greenville 24

3. Irmo (3-1) at Aiken (3-1): No matter how balanced offensively head coach Bob Hanna wants his band of Yellow Jackets to be, the running game remains the team's bread and butter. Irmo running back Dawan Scott looks to be a shoe-in to pass the 1,000 yard plateau against the Green Hornets, with his Yellow Jackets having yet to be held under 28 points this year.
Aiken's first test against a quality opponent did not go well last week, being held to 14 points by a stingy Richland Northeast defense. It will have to tighten up soon if it wants any chance of winning against its region rival.
PREDICTION: Irmo 31, Aiken 14

4. Dillon (4-0) at Marlboro County (3-1): Dillon has been dominant this season, outscoring opponents 148-14 up to this point in 2010. It will attempt to keep the streak going all while trying to end another Friday night, taking on Marlboro County, winners of two of the last three games in the series.
The Bulldogs found themselves in the proverbial trap last week, receiving a thorough beating at the hands of Conway, 28-7. They will do their best to atone for the loss against the Wildcats, the defending Class 2A champions.
PREDICTION: Marlboro County 21, Dillon 18

5. Chesterfield (2-2) at Central (4-0): If one were to select a pound-for-pound best team in South Carolina, it would be hard to choose a team other than Central. The undefeated Eagles, in some polls regarded as the top team in Class 2A, already has an impressive win to its credit, defeating Class 3A power Chester 36-28.
Rival Chesterfield this week makes the trip to Pageland, losers of two straight yet winners of three of the past four games in the series. The game should definitely be a contrast in styles, with former University of South Carolina quarterback and current Golden Rams head coach Steve Taneyhill liking to move the ball through the air, while Central prefers to grinding yards out on the ground.
PREDICTION: Central 27, Chesterfield 10

Week 4- Several players put up HUGE numbers

Photo by Scott Powell/ The Gaffney Ledger

Blacksburg's Chase Hames followed up a 364 yard effort with another performance Wildcats fans will not soon forget.

Week 4 was one for the books as several players around the Palmetto State put up big numbers. Here are just a few of whom stuffed the stat sheet on the gridiron:

Chase Hames, Blacksburg: If the run is working, there’s no need to change what you’re doing.
Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss definitely has done that the past two weeks, his gameplan solely built on the strong running of Hames, who rushed for 437 yards and five touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 41-27 victory over Liberty. He also was the recipient of a touchdown pass.
It was the senior running back’s second consecutive standout performance, running for 364 yards and seven touchdowns the previous week.

Dawan Scott, Irmo: Few schools in South Carolina lean on the run like the Yellow Jackets, and this year is no different.
The latest running back to prosper in head coach Bob Hanna’s system is Dawan Scott, now 20 yards from the 1,000 yard mark following a 295 yard performance in Irmo’s 45-28 victory over Lexington.
Scott scored on runs of 70, 67 and 26 yards in the win, the Yellow Jackets’ 11th straight win the “Battle of the Dam.”

DeEdward Burris, Gaffney: Has Gaffney lost a bit of its swagger?
Burris did his best to silence pundits, going 24 for 37 for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians’ 26-16 win over hated Byrnes. The senior also added 65 yards and a score on the ground in the win, Gaffney first over the Rebels since 2006.

Dayton Ayers, Chapman: The Panthers did not have enough to keep up with Woodruff last Friday, but it wasn’t because of Ayers, who caught seven passes for 224 yards and touchdowns passes of 61 and 59 yards in his team‘s 64-40 loss.

Nick Rodgers, Dorman: Defense led the Cavaliers all the way to a state crown last year. Rodgers’ head coach undoubtedly was proud of his effort vs. T.L. Hanna last Friday, racking up 16 tackles, including one for a loss in Dorman’s 31-14 win.

Randon Sandifer, Bamberg-Ehrhardt: Sandifer needed each of his 387 passing yards and three touchdowns last Friday, which proved to be just enough for the Red Raiders to pull out a 35-33 win over Ridgeland.

Justin Worley, Northwestern: Worley continues to put up big numbers in the Trojans’ “Air Raid” offense, going 29-of-39 for 365 yards in their 36-24 win over Blythewood. The Tennessee commit connected with six different receivers and threw for five touchdowns in the contest.

Byrnes-Gaffney: Two of S.C.'s top programs enter annual rivalry game with something to prove

Photo by Larry B. Littlejohn/ The Gaffney Ledger

A Gaffney defender attempts to run down Byrnes quarterback Willy Korn (right) during the first of two contests between the rival programs in 2006. The Indians won both games en route to claiming a second consecutive state title. However, Byrnes has dominated the rivalry and ran roughshod over state competition since, winning the Class 4A crown in two of the past three years.

If there is one thing for sure, kids in the Upstate know how to play some football.
Particularly in South Carolina’s top classification, Class 4A, in which the likes of Byrnes, Dorman, Gaffney, Greenwood, and Rock Hill each won multiple championships last decade.
In fact, only two teams from outside the region left Columbia or Clemson with a hold of the state’s top prize in that time, Marlboro County in 2001 and Berkeley last season.
No two schools achieved more success during the first decade of the new century like Byrnes and Gaffney, the Upstate rivals combining for nine state titles -- sharing Class 4A supremacy twice during the span.
In 2006, the South Carolina High School League amended new rules changing the former playoff format allowing the state’s largest 16 schools -- the “Big 16” -- into the postseason, regardless of record. The revision finally allowed the schools the opportunity to settle their debate as to who was best on the field with everything on the line.
Gaffney prevailed in both meetings that season, the first in front of a national television audience and the second in the state quarterfinals, ending the Rebels pursuit of setting a new state record with its fifth consecutive championship.
The Indians would earn their 16th state crown, it in itself a S.C. record. However, since trouncing Irmo at Columbia's Williams-Brice Stadium in Dec. 2006, Gaffney has not defeated its rivals from Lyman.
Nor have too many other schools around the Palmetto State in the three years since, as the likes of Marcus Lattimore and Chas Dodd helped Byrnes run roughshod through competition en route to a 42-3 record and two state titles. Meanwhile, the Indians have gone 28-13 over that stretch, making no appearances in the Class 4A championship game and losing three straight games to the Rebels, including a 60-7 spanking last season at Nixon Field.
Without a doubt, Gaffney fans are hungry to end the streak. Already having lost two games this season, albeit to two of the state’s traditional powers Dorman and Greenwood, the Indians can ill afford another defeat.
Byrnes also has a blemish to its record, a 14-0 loss to nationally ranked Hoover (Ala.). Since then, it seems the Rebels have regained some of the swagger which they earned in winning six championships last decade, claiming a last second victory over Class 3A power Myrtle Beach and drubbing Forestview (N.C.) 52-6.
The game will mark the second time Byrnes has traveled to “The New Reservation,” the Indians on-campus facility which replaced venerable W.K. Brumbach Stadium in 2008. Gaffney hopes to call up some of the spirits which enabled it to down the Rebels’ in their final two appearances at “The Old Reservation,” the contest sure to provide a good litmus test as to how things will go in South Carolina’s top classification this season.
They’ll have a chance to decide all of that and more at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

It's a question of where...

Former Gaffney and current S.C. State quarterback Malcolm Long leaps across the goal line during the Indians' drubbing of Irmo in the 2006 S.C. Class 4A "Big 16" title game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Programs in the state's highest classification discussed the possibility of moving its two championship contests from the venue earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Larry B. Littlejohn/ The Gaffney Ledger)

Published : Aug. 13, 2010 — The Gaffney Ledger

By Joe L. Hughes II

Some summers are best spent inside.

This year happens to be one of them, with temperatures near or surpassing 100-degrees, the easy stroll to the mailbox has become somewhat laborious. I almost feel sorry for those who must make a living in the sun — construction workers, street crews and especially the mailman who must deal with both the afternoon heat and a pit bull nipping at his heels.

It is hard to believe that in a few short months the temperature will go from the 90s to near freezing.

Being a football fan, each week sitting among the crowd at the nearest high school football stadium yields the opportunity to see nature at work. During the first few weeks of the season, it seems the sun does not go down until the second half, fans typically getting a glimpse of the sunset — the makings of a perfect date in my opinion.

My wife may tend to differ — yet she still winds up in the crowd with me every Friday night. Now, back to the subject.

With every week, it seems the weather gets a bit more nippy, with a torrential downpour every ruining the plans of those wanting to see the home team play.

Then just like that, it's the playoffs and a state champion has been crowned.

With the exception of a few years in which the games were held in Clemson and Orangeburg (Class 1A held state title games at S.C. State University for the past several years), Columbia and the University of South Carolina's Williams- Brice Stadium has been the goal of high schools throughout the Palmetto State. Providing the opportunity for some athletes to achieve the dream of walking onto the venue's hallowed turf, it is quite a reward for players and coaches alike — win or lose.

However, with each passing year it seems the debate of whether to move the event, aptly named the "Weekend of Champions", from the capital city.

Following last year's Weekend of Champions, the Class 4A football committee consisting of a representative from each of the classification's eight regions toyed with the idea of moving the Division I and II games to separate venues, with expenses from the event being at the heart of the issue.

Under the current format, the schools involved in a title game receive an equal amount of revenue from ticket sales despite the number of tickets sold.

In an effort to cut costs, the Class 4A football committee proposed the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) move its Division II title tilt to Saturday, being played the same afternoon as the Class 2A and Class 3A championship games. The committee went as far as to solicit bids from other venues including Clemson, Furman and Spring Valley High School in Columbia to host the games.

The Class 4A football committee later wound up keeping the state title game in Williams-Brice Stadium, deciding not to bail on their peers in Classes 2A and 3A, who would have had to find a way to come up with $62,000 for use of the venue and the fact it would not bring the savings once perceived by the governing body.

With school districts scrambling to stay afloat in today's unstable economic climate, I can definitely understand why Class 4A football officials at least looked into moving the game. After all, what should take preference — making sure every student has a book or how much money the school and school district should commit should it be lucky enough to advance to Columbia?

Speaking of Columbia, my hometown really is the one which benefits most from the weekend, bringing in a large amount of money from visitors lodging at the city's hotels and eating at the municipality's many restaurants.

Two years ago, the SCHSL tinkered with the idea of moving the Weekend of Champions to Clemson, which offered a change of pace for all involved. According to friends who went to games during the two-day event it was a resounding success, not to say if it were in Columbia it would not do well.

In my opinion, the state's high school athletic commission ought to follow the blueprint of its contemporaries in Alabama, which chose to alternate between Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Auburn, Ala., as hosts for its high school title games. The championship games were previously held in Birmingham, Ala., the home of the Super 6 Championships for more than a decade.

The school not hosting the annual Iron Bowl matchup between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers would a week or so later welcome the 12 schools advancing to their respective classification's championship game. For example, with the Iron Bowl being held in Tuscaloosa this year the Super 6 Championships will take place in Auburn this year, alternating each year.

If the SCHSL adopted this measure, it would have little bearing on this year's games as Williams-Brice Stadium would host the Weekend of Champions, with Death Valley being the site of the 2010 renewal of the Carolina-Clemson game.

While the plan would not necessarily ease all complaints or ever will, rotating the site of the Weekend of Champions would ease the burden of Upstate schools one year and those from the Midlands down the following season. It would also offer some student-athletes the opportunity to walk the same field Frank Howard, Woody Dantzler and more recently C.J. Spiller walked, instead of only being offered the chance to see where Gaffney product Sidney Rice spent four years.

It would offer the total experience for them — if they cared. These kids are only concerned with making their dreams of a championship come true.

However, if money is the issue, there is nothing wrong with looking at other options. When sports and athletic success becomes more important than the hard work necessary in the classroom, that's when I have a problem.

After all, that's why the word student comes before athlete when referring to athletes (student-athlete) in high school and college, right?