Midlands’ top football games to watch this season
A week-by-week look at top high school football games to go to this season:
WEEK 0: GREENWOOD VS. DUTCH FORK AT RIVER BLUFF
Two of state’s top 4A programs meet in the Battle of the Bluff.
Others considered: Fort Mill vs. White Knoll at River Bluff; Westwood at River Bluff; Blythewood at Rock Hill
WEEK 1: WESTSIDE AT LEXINGTON (AT RIVER BLUFF)
Game marks Scott Earley’s return to Midlands to face former team, although matchup will be played at River Bluff.
Others considered: Ben Lippen at Hammond; Goose Creek at Dutch Fork; Brookland-Cayce at Airport
WEEK 2: LEXINGTON AT BLYTHEWOOD
Points shouldn’t be a problem for two high-scoring offenses.
Others considered: Gilbert at Pelion; Hammond at Wilson Hall; Swansea at Chapin
WEEK 3: CHAPIN AT NEWBERRY
Good early season test for two teams expected to make deep runs in playoffs.
Others considered: Irmo at Ridge View; Spring Valley at Richland Northeast; Dutch Fork at Boiling Springs
WEEK 4: DORMAN AT DUTCH FORK
Matchup of two teams who figure to be in thick of 4A title race.
Others considered: Chapin at Brookland Cayce; Lexington at Westwood; Irmo at Spring Valley
WEEK 5: RIVER BLUFF AT CHERAW
River Bluff coach David Bennett faces alma mater, who he helped lead to 1979 state title.
Others considered: Airport at AC Flora; Dutch Fork at Sumter; Hammond at Orangeburg Prep
WEEK 6: KEENAN AT NEWBERRY
Region opener for both and matchup of two teams who made it to state title games last year.
Others considered: White Knoll at Spring Valley; South Florence at Blythewood; Dreher at Lower Richland
WEEK 7: A.C. FLORA AT CHAPIN
Game will go a long way in deciding Region 4-3A title.
Others considered: Blythewood at Spring Valley; Newberry at Fairfield Central; Ben Lippen at Cardinal Newman
WEEK 8: RIVER BLUFF AT LEXINGTON
Teams will try to duplicate thrills of last year’s 16-15 classic won by Lexington.
Others considered: Columbia at Eau Claire; Dutch Fork at Blythewood; Camden at Dreher
WEEK 9: SPRING VALLEY AT DUTCH FORK
Vikings look for first win over Foxes since 2006.
Others considered: Blythewood at Westwood; Strom Thurmond at Batesburg-Leesville; Fairfield Central at Keenan
WEEK 10: WESTWOOD AT DUTCH FORK
Game decided region championship last season.
Others considered: AC Flora at Dreher; Airport at Brookland-Cayce; Chapin at Camden
WEEK 11: LEXINGTON AT WHITE KNOLL
Lexington swept both meetings last year, including first-round matchup in the playoffs.
Others considered: 1st round playoff matchups in SCISA and SCHSL playoffs; Spring Valley at Westwood; Blythewood at Ridge View
This story was originally published August 16, 2015 at 5:38 PM.