5 intriguing first-round SC playoff matchups, plus this week’s Midlands game picks
South Carolina public and private school football playoffs kick off across the state this week.
There are plenty of interesting first-round matchups on tap. Here is a look at five of the most intriguing ones across the state in the opening weekend.
Top football games this week
Dorman (4-5) at T.L. Hanna (9-1): Before the season, some thought this could be the possible 5A Upper State championship matchup. T.L. Hanna played for the title last year while Dorman was in it the year before. Dorman has struggled at times, and Hillcrest’s win over Hanna put the two powerhouses in this position. Bezjak’s prediction: T.L. Hanna
Chapin (6-3) at Carolina Forest (5-4): The Class 5A Lower State matchup should feature plenty of offense. Chapin’s offense has Division I commitments Zavier Short (57 receptions, 859 yards, 17 total TDs) and Bennett Galloway (914 rushing yards, 21 total TDs) and nationally-ranked quarterback Jayden Bradford The sophomore has thrown for 1,605 yards and has 22 total TDs. The Eagles average 37.3 points a game. Carolina Forest has a strong running attack led by Luke Janack. Bezjak’s prediction: Chapin
Irmo (5-3) at York (7-2): Irmo is making its second-straight playoff appearance under Aaron Brand. The Yellow Jackets finished in a three-way tie for the Region 4-4A title but were the No. 3 seed because of tiebreaker and open playoffs on the road. The Yellow Jackets have a dynamic 1-2 punch on offense in QB Izyah Whiteside and receiver DeAree Rogers plus an improved running attack with Erick Tucker. South Carolina commit Nick Emmanwori is the team’s leading tackler. York finished second in Region 3-4A after losing to South Pointe last week. Sophomore quarterback Aiden Davis leads York with 900 yards rushing and nine total touchdowns. Bezjak’s prediction: Irmo
South Florence (7-3) at Beaufort (8-2): Matchup of two teams ranked in final S.C. High School Football Media Poll. Tenth-ranked Beaufort, the Region 7-4A runner-up, has a strong dual-threat quarterback in Tyler Haley, who has thrown for almost 2,000 yards this season. The Eagles have a solid defensive front led by Division I prospect Eamon Smalls. Eighth-ranked South Florence was the No. 4 seed out of Region 6-4A because of a tiebreaker. The Bruins played the second half of the season without quarterback and Virginia commit LaNorris Sellers (collarbone). Quincy Rhodes has taken over at QB and Bruins have a 1,000-yard rusher in Malik Terry. Bezjak’s prediction: Beaufort
Catawba Ridge (5-4) at Westwood (5-4): Westwood won a share of its first region title in school history as it finished tied with A.C. Flora and Irmo for the Region 4-4A crown. The Redhawks are the No. 2 seed from the region and host a playoff game for the first time since 2014. Westwood quarterback Cam Brown has thrown for 1,316 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Julian Milligan leads the team with 886 yards and 13 scores. Catawba Ridge made it to the 4A Upper State championship game last season and have quarterback Jayden Davis, the No. 1 recruit in the country for the class of 2024. Davis hasn’t played since Oct. 8 but is expected to play Friday. Davis has thrown for 1,229 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bezjak’s prediction: Catawba Ridge
THIS WEEK’S MIDLANDS GAME SCHEDULE, PICKS
All games at 7:30 p.m.
——Class 5A——
Conway at Lexington
Bezjak’s prediction: Lexington
Nation Ford at Spring Valley
Bezjak’s prediction: Spring Valley
Ridge View at Clover
Bezjak’s prediction: Ridge View
Socastee at Dutch Fork
Bezjak’s prediction: Dutch Fork
White Knoll at Sumter
Bezjak’s prediction: Sumter
——Class 4A——
Airport at Hartsville
Bezjak’s prediction: Hartsville
Indian Land at AC Flora
Bezjak’s prediction: AC Flora
Richland Northeast at South Pointe
Bezjak’s prediction: South Pointe
——Class 3A——
Bishop England at Camden
Bezjak’s prediction: Camden
Fairfield Central at Wren
Bezjak’s prediction: Wren
Keenan at Daniel
Bezjak’s prediction: Daniel
Loris at Gilbert
Bezjak’s prediction: Gilbert
Seneca at Lower Richland
Bezjak’s prediction: Lower Richland
Waccamaw at Brookland-Cayce
Bezjak’s prediction: Brookland-Cayce
——Class 2A——
Andrew Jackson at Saluda
Bezjak’s prediction: Saluda
Batesburg-Leesville at Christ Church
Bezjak’s prediction: Christ Church
Columbia at Chesterfield
Bezjak’s prediction: Chesterfield
Landrum at Newberry
Bezjak’s prediction: Newberry
North Central at Gray Collegiate
Bezjak’s prediction: Gray Collegiate
Pelion at Timberland
Bezjak’s prediction: Timberland
——Class A——
Wagener Salley at CA Johnson
Bezjak’s prediction: CA Johnson
SCISA 3A
Ben Lippen at Trinity Collegiate
Bezjak’s prediction: Trinity Collegiate
First Baptist at Hammond
Bezjak’s prediction: Hammond
Heathwood Hall at Porter-Gaud
Bezjak’s prediction: Heathwood Hall
——SCISA 8-man——
Clarendon Hall at Richard Winn
Bezjak’s Prediction: Richard Winn
Patrick Henry at WW King
Bezjak’s Prediction: Patrick Henry
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 11:04 AM.
