Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK
Greer walloped Travelers Rest, 56-17, and moved more players into the offense with Emmanuel Kelly getting more snaps and seeing more diversity in getting the ball. Brook Chapman got a chance to run and then was quickly shutdown after reeling off a 34-yard TD run in the second quarter. Quarterback Josh Gentry completed 8 of 10 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Eastside considered a 12-6 loss a moral victory after being shoved around for 82 points by Blue Ridge two weeks ago.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“The big thing is to get into the playoffs and go deeper than we did last year. I don’t want to be home on the second week of the playoffs like I was last year.
– Greer Head Coach Will Young
“The losses are starting to hurt. Mentally the team is a little down right now. If there is a moral victory it was this week, 70 points better losing to Pickens 12-6.”
– Scott Campbell, Eastside line coach talking about the 82-20 loss to Blue Ridge on Sept. 14
THE RUNDOWN
It’s hard to see this game anything but a one-sided shootout with Greer holding all the weapons. Greer is averaging 45 points a game and Eastside is giving up an average of 34 per game. Quez Nesbitt will go over 1,000 yards anytime he wants. He’s accumulated 975 yards for the season and averaging 195.5. per game. Greer is averaging 425 yards a game. One more touchdown and Nesbitt (96 points) goes over the 100 point scoring mark. Eastside coaches have methodically been working on changing the culture of the football program to a more competitive, prepared and winning team.
BLUE RIDGE (5-0, 2-0) at GREENVILLE (3-2, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK
Blue Ridge was dominant for the third straight week with a 52-7 victory over visiting Berea that included four takeaways and a touchdown recorded by the Tigers’ defense. Greenville struggled to get its offense on track, but came away with a 10-6 win over Southside.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Our guys come to practice ready to work. They always give us great effort. We don’t have to coach their effort during the week. We know they’re going to get up.”
– Blue Ridge head coach Wade Cooper on his team’s preparation for Greenville.
THE RUNDOWN
Since an 0-2 start that included losses to Abbeville and Daniel, the Red Raiders have won three straight games and sit in a three-way tie atop the Region II-3A standings along with Blue Ridge and Pickens. Meanwhile, Blue Ridge has been a juggernaut during its 5-0 start to the season, averaging 49.4 points per game.
BOILING SPRINGS (3-2, 0-1) at RIVERSIDE (1-4, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK
Riverside is coming off a 54-3 home loss to Spartanburg and is still looking for its first Region II-4A conference victory since joining the region two years ago. Boiling Springs suffered a 35-7 loss to top-ranked Byrnes.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“It’s the little things that we’ve got to take care of. If we do that, the big things will take care of themselves. We can’t do things to beat ourselves.”
– Riverside head coach Steve Eoute.
THE RUNDOWN
The Warriors are still trying to find a way to be competitive against teams in what is arguably the toughest region in the state. Boiling Springs was unable to take advantage of four early turnovers by Byrnes, but returns players from a talented team that made it to the state quarterfinals a year ago.
Friday’s Region II-3A Schedule
All games at 7:30 p.m.
Greer at Eastside
Blue Ridge at Greenville
Southside at Travelers Rest
Pickens at Berea