KICKOFF 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Greer spoiled Eastside’s homecoming en route to a 49-7 win over the Eagles in a Region II-3A game. D’Anta Fleming had a spectacular game – 3 TDs (two receiving, one punt return), 2 interceptions – and Quez Nesbitt had a little better than average day with 250 net yards rushing and 3 touchdowns including a 91-yard gallop. Nesbitt has 1,225 yards rushing, averaging 10.5 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns. He has 3 TD runs of 91-plus yards this season. Berea lost to Pickens 43-0. Including a 52-7 loss to Blue Ridge two weeks ago Berea have given up 95 points and scored once.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“Maybe the next school will think twice before having Homecoming for the Greer High game.”
– Greer Head Coach Will Young
On Eastside picking Greer
“Quez (Nesbitt) has such a good field of vision that he sees things before it happens.”
– Young on the Jackets’ dynamic junior running back
THE RUNDOWN:
Will Young understands the difference between Greer and Berea is so wide he won’t discuss the game in the context of playing an inferior opponent. Instead, Young prefers to focus on areas of improvement his team can focus on. Quez Nesbitt needs to gain 204 yards, averaging 10.5 yards a carry and score three touchdowns just to have an average night. Don’t be surprised to see a running scoreboard clock in the second half. Berea has a new coach, Robbie Cole, former Greenville High offensive coordinator, who has installed the spread offense. Results have not been positive so far this year for the Bulldogs’ offense. The best offense Berea has shown this year was a 22-point second half against Southside that closed the final score to 32 – 22. Quarterback Tamize Wakefield threw three TD passes.
TRAVELERS REST (1-5, 0-3) at BLUE RIDGE (6-0, 3-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Blue Ridge edged Greenville 14-7, erasing a 7-0 halftime deficit with two third-quarter scores. Travelers Rest was beaten by Southside, 41-21.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“They have a lot of really good skill players. . . . They have a lot of guys who make a lot of plays on offense, so that’s going to challenge our defense, which is under-sized anyway. It could give us a lot of trouble.” – Blue Ridge head coach Wade Cooper.
THE RUNDOWN
Unbeaten Blue Ridge is coming off its toughest challenge of the season so far and sits atop the Region II-3A standings with Pickens. The Tigers will be without senior leader Justin Howard, a safety and team captain who suffered a concussion against Greenville and could be out for the season. The Devil Dogs have lost five straight games after a season-opening victory over West Oak. Their ground game is led by Denzel Dennis, who turned in a 229-yard performance in a loss to Chapman.
RIVERSIDE (1-5, 0-2) at BYRNES (6-0, 2-0)
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
Television: CSS Sports (Greenville market only)
LAST WEEK:
Riverside suffered a 66-7 home loss to Boiling Springs, giving up 43 points in a disastrous second quarter. Byrnes stayed unbeaten with a 49-7 win over Spartanburg.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“The game is on TV. I don’t even want to figure that one out. I don’t even want to look at it from the sidelines.”
“We’ve watched the film on Byrnes and we see the protection the line gives their quarterback and understand how he does the things he does.”
– Riverside head coach Steve Eoute
THE RUNDOWN
The tests don’t get any easier for Riverside. Byrnes is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 4A and No. 4 nationally by USA Today. Quarterback Shuler Bentley threw five touchdown passes in last week’s win over Spartanburg. The Warriors are coming off lopsided Region II-4A losses to Spartanburg and Boiling Springs.