This week’s top games, picks as rivalries highlight Midlands football schedule
Old school rivalry matchups and an intriguing game added to the slate highlight this week’s high school football schedule in the Midlands.
Top Midlands football matchups
A look at some of the games to keep an eye on for Week 1, with predictions for the winner:
▪ Abbeville at Newberry
Matchup of two of Class 2A’s best programs. Abbeville is the defending state champion and ranked No. 1, while Newberry is No. 5. Newberry leads the series 6-5-1. Bulldogs coach Phil Strickland is 8-7 all-time against Abbeville since 1992.
— Bezjak’s prediction: Abbeville
▪ Lugoff-Elgin at Camden ... and Mid-Carolina at Chapin
Two of the longest-running rivalries in the Midlands. The Wateree River Rivalry between Lugoff-Elgin and Camden wasn’t played last year, because of COVID, for the first time since 1982. The Chapin-MC rivalry is called for the Battle for The Bell and dates back to 1961. Chapin has won eight straight in the series and leads it 47-18.
— Bezjak’s predictions: Camden and Chapin
▪ North Augusta at Ridge View
Both teams are ranked in their respective classes and won their season openers last week. Ridge View, No. 4 in Class 5A, defeated Westwood 40-20. North Augusta, No. 9 in Class 4A, defeated Lakeside (Georgia) 17-0. RV quarterback Andre Washington had 319 all-purpose yards and five total touchdowns last week. NA running back DJ Curry rushed for 180 yards and a score against Lakeside.
— Bezjak’s prediction: Ridge View
▪ Oceanside Collegiate at Gray Collegiate (at Midlands Sports Complex)
Third meeting between the two sister schools. Both games have been close, with Gray winning 40-34 last year and Oceanside 34-33 in 2018. Gray’s KZ Adams rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns last week against Camden. Oceanside lost its opener, 34-0, to Butler (North Carolina). Oceanside offensive lineman Monroe Freeling is the No. 2 prospect in South Carolina for the Class of 2023.
— Bezjak’s prediction: Gray Collegiate
▪ Spring Valley at River Bluff
Matchup between two teams ranked in The State’s Midlands Top 10 power rankings. River Bluff is No. 5 and Spring Valley No. 9. RB’s Apollos Cook caught two touchdown passes and also had a special teams touchdown last week against Lugoff-Elgin. SV quarterback DQ Smith had 283 yards in total offense and three touchdowns against White Knoll.
— Bezjak’s prediction: River Bluff
▪ Sumter at AC Flora
This game is a new addition to the schedule, added last week when both teams had opponents cancel because of COVID. It’s the season opener for Flora, the defending Class 4A champions and top-ranked team in 4A.. Outside of a two-quarter jamboree against Lower Richland, Flora hasn’t faced too much competition in the preseason. The Falcons were in quarantine and missed out on their first two scrimmages. Sumter, No. 7 in Class 5A, defeated Lakewood 55-18 on Saturday.
— Bezjak’s prediction: AC Flora
The rest of this week’s games, picks
Predictions and schedule for this week’s games involving Columbia-area teams.
Aiken at Gilbert
Bezjak’s prediction: Gilbert
Andrew Jackson at Richland Northeast
Bezjak’s prediction: Richland Northeast
Ben Lippen at Hammond
Bezjak’s prediction: Hammond
Cardinal Newman at First Baptist
Bezjak’s prediction: First Baptist
Cathedral Academy at Newberry Academy
Bezjak’s prediction: Cathedral
Eau Claire at Great Falls
Bezjak’s prediction: Great Falls
Goose Creek at Blythewood
Bezjak’s prediction: Goose Creek
Heathwood Hall at Laurence Manning
Bezjak’s prediction: Laurence Manning
Lancaster at Fairfield Central
Bezjak’s prediction: Fairfield Central
New Hope at CA Johnson (Bolden Stadium)
Bezjak’s prediction: CAJ
Pelion at Columbia (Keenan High School)
Bezjak’s prediction: Pelion
Richard Winn at Conway Christian
Bezjak’s prediction: Richard Winn
Ridge Spring Monetta at Saluda
Bezjak’s prediction: Saluda
White Knoll at Lower Richland
Bezjak’s prediction: Lower Richland
WW King at Faith Christian
Bezjak’s prediction: WW King
——————
Games canceled: Irmo at Dutch Fork; Brookland-Cayce at Airport; Wilson at AC Flora; Lexington at South Aiken; Batesburg-Leesville at Gilbert; Dreher at Swansea; Lakewood at Richland Northeast; Dutch Fork at Gaffney; Blythewood at Westwood; Keenan at North Central
——————
Bezjak’s record last week: 13-5
Bezjak season total: 13-5
This story was originally published August 26, 2021 at 9:13 AM.
