Heavyweight matchups, game predictions as high school football kicks off 2022 season
The high school football season kicks off in South Carolina, and several Midlands teams have high-profile matchups in the first week of the season.
Top Midlands games this week
▪ Dutch Fork vs. Hough (NC): The Silver Foxes open on Thursday night at 5 p.m. in a doubleheader that’s part of Charlotte Kickoff Night at Memorial Stadium in North Carolina. It’s the third time Dutch Fork was scheduled to play in this event — rain canceled its 2019 game against Mallard Creek; COVID-19 canceled the 2020 matchup vs. Vance. Hough is one of three out-of-state teams Dutch Fork has on its 2022 schedule. The others are Creekside (Ga.) and St. Frances Academy (Md.). Dutch Fork had its 61-game unbeaten streak snapped last year in the Class 5A championship game against Gaffney. Bezjak’s Prediction: Dutch Fork
▪ Brookland-Cayce at Byrnes: The Bearcats will take on the Class 5A Rebels. Both teams are ranked in their respective classes, with B-C No. 5 in Class 3A and Byrnes tied for 7th in Class 5A. B-C is led on offense by quarterback and Elon commit Tanner Staton, who threw for 2,445 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Byrnes features Texas Tech commit and linebacker Michael Dingle Jr., son of former South Carolina running back Michael Dingle. Bezjak’s Prediction: Byrnes
▪ Blythewood at Ridge View: Two Richland 2 rivals open up the season again, this time with Ridge View moving down to Class 4A. It will be the first time Ridge View has hosted Blythewood in its on-campus stadium, which opened last year. The Blazers offense features two Division I commits in Chris Lawson (Appalachian State) and Zion Agnew (ECU). Blythewood leads the series 14-5, but RV won last season 43-7. Bezjak’s Prediction: Ridge View
▪ Chapin at Irmo: Two Lexington-Richland 5 foes face off to start the season. Both teams are breaking in new sophomore quarterbacks — Irmo with AJ Brand and Chapin with Brady Albro. Chapin won the last matchup 55-38 in 2020. Bezjak’s Prediction: Irmo
▪ Gray Collegiate at Oceanside Collegiate: The two sister schools are title contenders in Class 2A. Gray Collegiate is the defending 2A champions and is ranked No. 1 in the S.C. High School Prep Media poll. Oceanside has a new coach in Chad Wilkes and is ranked No. 3 after dropping from Class 3A to 2A this year. Oceanside has the No. 1 prospect in the state for the Class of 2023 in offensive lineman Monroe Freeling. Bezjak’s Prediction: Gray Collegiate
▪ Greenwood at A.C. Flora: Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A, with A.C. Flora at No. 4 and Greenwood at No. 6. It will be the debut for new Flora coach Ken Floyd. Carew Bates will start at QB after moving over from receiver. Flora running back Markel Townsend rushed for 1,444 yards and 21 total touchdowns last year. Both teams made it to the second round of playoffs. Bezjak’s Prediction: AC Flora
▪ Hammond at Prince Avenue Academy (Ga.): Defending SCISA 3A champion Hammond will travel to Georgia for its season opener. It’s part of a home-and-home series between the two teams. The Skyhawks have won five-straight SCISA 3A state championships. Prince Avenue QB Aaron Philo threw for 4,540 yards and 47 touchdowns last season. PA also returns 1,000-yard receivers Elijah Dewitt and Bailey Stockton. Bezjak’s Prediction: Prince Avenue
▪ Myrtle Beach at Camden: It’s the sixth meeting all-time between two schools and first since 2002. Myrtle Beach leads the all-time series 3-2. Camden is No. 2 ranked in Class 3A and has played in the last two state championship games. Camden’s defense features Division I prospects Xzavier McLeod and Shymeik Jones. Myrtle Beach QB Trey Dunn is a transfer from West Virginia and replaces Appalachian State signee Ryan Burger. The Seahawks are ranked No. 9 in Class 4A. Bezjak’s Prediction: Myrtle Beach
This Week’s Schedule, Picks
All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted; Lou Bezjak’s prediction in parenthesis
——Thursday——
Heathwood Hall at Great Falls, 7 p.m. (The pick: Heathwood Hall)
——Friday——
Asheville Christian at Ben Lippen (Ben Lippen)
Batesburg-Leesville at Clinton (Clinton)
C.A. Johnson at Columbia (C.A. Johnson)
Carvers Bay at Fairfield Central (Fairfield Central)
Crestwood at Richland Northeast (Richland Northeast)
Dreher at Keenan (Dreher)
Hunter Kinard Tyler at Eau Claire (HKT)
Northside Christian at Calhoun Falls (Calhoun Falls)
Lexington at West Florence (Lexington)
Lower Richland at West Ashley (Lower Richland)
Mid-Carolina at Saluda (Saluda)
North Central at Johnsonville (Johnsonville)
Orangeburg-Wilkinson at White Knoll (White Knoll)
River Bluff at Lugoff-Elgin (River Bluff)
Swansea at Airport (Airport)
Union County at Newberry, 8 p.m. (Union)
Westwood at Spring Valley (Spring Valley)
This story was originally published August 18, 2022 at 9:21 AM.
