This season couldn't be shaking out better for area football fans without a particular team.
Local regions in all four classes are still up for grabs, and it's clear that no one is unbeatable. Socastee showed that against Myrtle Beach in advance of Friday's game against fellow Region VII-AAA foe Georgetown.
Conway and Carolina Forest are very much in the thick of the Region VI-AAAA race, and Loris, Aynor and Carvers Bay are all pushing for bigger and better things in their respective regions.
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Should be another good one.
On to this week's predictions:
GREEN SEA-FLOYDS (1-6, 0-2) AT LATTA (3-4, 1-1): Things aren't getting any easier for Green Sea-Floyds, and that second win of the season may not come until Week 10 when the Trojans play Creek Bridge. Friday, though, Tony Sullivan's team will be playing a team that has an ability to score in a hurry. Prediction: Latta 35, Green Sea-Floyds 16
CARVERS BAY (6-1, 2-0) AT HEMINGWAY (3-4, 0-2): Carvers Bay would love to keep Hemingway, the Bears' primary rival, in what has become a season-long funk. The Tigers are typically one of the state's best Class A programs, but this year, Carvers Bay is grabbing that distinction. The Bears' efficient offense and stout defense should end a five-game skid to Hemingway. Prediction: Carvers Bay 34, Hemingway 12
ANDREWS (2-5, 1-1) AT LAKE CITY (1-6, 1-1): With game against Timberland next week, Andrews is running out of realistic chances to make an impression in the region schedule. Another big game from running back Jaleel Filmore (173 rushing last week) would be a step in the right direction toward making that happen. Lake City's lone victory this season was two weeks ago against Lake Marion. Prediction: Andrews 27, Lake City 25
MULLINS (2-5, 1-1) AT LORIS (5-2, 2-0): In 2011, the Loris defense set the tone for nearly all of the Lions' games. It gave up just 13.1 points per game. You know where I'm going with this. Through eight games this season, Loris is actually statistically better. The Lions are allowing just 7.7 points per game. For that reason alone, the Lions should be able to get past a Mullins squad scoring fewer than 20 points a week. Prediction: Loris 39, Mullins 12
AYNOR (5-2, 1-1) AT WACCAMAW (3-4, 0-2): What was so impressive about Aynor winning its first region game since 2010 last week was that the Blue Jackets did it without top running back Hunter Windham (stomach virus). Windham should be back Friday night, and it should be the spark Aynor needs to get this offense back on track. Predicition: Aynor 31, Waccamaw 17
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH (4-3, 0-2) AT WILSON (2-5, 0-2): The Chiefs have had a rough start to region play. But they are going to get their two best players back at a good time. A loss to Wilson effectively ends North Myrtle Beach's playoff hopes, and you better believe that quarterback Kendrick Furness and tailback Delonzo Williams are primed for a big game. Prediction: North Myrtle Beach 27, Wilson 21
MYRTLE BEACH (6-1, 1-1) AT ST. JAMES (2-5, 1-1): Myrtle Beach now has to do something none of its current players have ever had to: Bounce back from a region loss. Think Mickey Wilson and Co. need to search for motivation? If the Seahawks win out, they'll finish no worse than second place in Region VII-AAA, and that's still solid playoff positioning. St. James, though, has a knack for keeping games close. Prediction: Myrtle Beach 30, St. James 20
WEST ASHLEY (1-6) AT CONWAY (3-4): The Tigers picked up a key region win last week at West Florence, and now they will have a week where the game doesn't mean much. Still, it's obvious this Conway team has been different in the last four weeks. It should be able to help coach Chuck Jordan win career game No. 255 - which would be good enough to pass long-time Greenwood coach Shell Dula for sole possession of 11th place in state history. Prediction: Conway 45, West Ashley 28
SOUTH FLORENCE (5-2, 0-1) AT CAROLINA FOREST (1-6, 0-0): This AAAA region is going to be a fun one to watch shake out. All five teams have a shot at the title, and for Carolina Forest, it doesn't matter that the Panthers have an abysmal record. Nothing Drew Hummel's team sees in region play is going to be more overwhelming than some of the non-region opponents, and it has a chance to put South Florence in a massive hole early. Prediction: Carolina Forest 42, South Florence 39
GEORGETOWN (5-2, 2-0) AT SOCASTEE (7-0, 2-0): Our game of the week should be another good one. Both teams are in search of top billing in Region VII-AAA, and it's going to take a win here to do it. Near-perfect football weather should help both teams play at a decent pace, which - for Socastee and Georgetown - means a healthy dose of running the ball. Don't show up late; you may miss the first quarter. Prediction: Socastee 31, Georgetown 23
Last week: 8-2
Overall: 52-14
