Week 7 matchup previews

Seneca (1-5, 1-0) at Daniel (6-0, 1-0)

Radio: 103.3 WNSW, 104.9 WCCP

Seneca: RB Chris Robinson had 18 carries for 80 yards last week. Daniel: RB William Wingard could get more carries than usual with Brandon Anderson and C.J. Davidson banged up.

Lowdown: Seneca’s 30 points last week more than doubled its output to date (24). Daniel has 3 shutouts, and has allowed 21 points to opponents. Daniel has won 2 straight in the series, and 7 of the last 10, including 14-0 last year. Because of realignment, this is the first game at Singleton Field in the series since 2006.

Prediction: Daniel 21, Seneca 7

Westside (0-6) at Greenwood (4-2)

Radio: 1280 WANS

Westside: LBs/DEs Rocky Jones and Chad Johnson each have 72 tackles and 2 sacks. Greenwood: LB Quinn Backus has 60 tackles, 9 for a loss, 2 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.

Lowdown: The Rams have yielded at least 35 points in 4 straight games. In 3 of its 4 wins, Greenwood has scored at least 31 points. The Eagles have also given up 77 points, lowest in Region 1. After winning 2 in a row, Westside has dropped 3 straight in the series, including 16-7 last year when the teams combined for 12 punts.

Prediction: Greenwood 28, Westside 14

Easley (1-5) at T.L. Hanna (2-4)

Radio: 1230 WAIM

Easley: RB Malcolm Arnold has 347 rushing yards and 3 TDs, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Hanna: WR Martavis Bryant had 4 catches for 130 yards and a TD in this game last year.

Lowdown: Hanna will unveil the naming of Jim Fraser Field before the game. The Green Wave have been shutout the last 2 weeks to Wren and Mauldin by a combined score of 91-0. Hanna won 25-0 last year when it forced 4 turnovers. Last week in a win over Hillcrest, the Jackets caused 5. Hanna’s won 3 straight in the series and 7 of the last 8.

Prediction: Hanna 28, Easley 7

Laurens (0-6) at Wren (4-2)

Laurens: RBs Tori Patterson, Michael Morton and Latarus Guest have combined for 672 rushing yards. Wren: WRs Chris Perdomo and Sidney Rhodes have combined for 66 catches and 9 TDs.

Lowdown: The Raiders have given up at least 41 points in their last 2 games, but have also lost 3 by 9 points or less. Wren, off to its best start since 1996, hasn’t won its region opener since 2004.

Prediction: Wren 35, Laurens 21

Belton-Honea Path (5-1, 1-0) at Pickens (3-3, 0-1)

Radio: 103.1 WRIX

B-HP: DBs Dajun Martin and Corey White each have 2 INTs. Pickens: RB Jordan Freeman has 596 rushing yards, averaging 7 yards per carry.

Lowdown: Pickens had turnover problems last week as QB James Lawson threw 3 INTs, and it had a punt blocked and returned for a TD. Pickens was 3-0 to start the year, but has dropped 3 straight to Travelers Rest, Berea and Seneca. The Bears have won 9 straight in the series.

Prediction: B-HP 28, Pickens 17

Pendleton (5-1, 1-0) at Liberty (0-6, 0-1)

Pendleton: RBs Lionell Brown, Reggie Earle, Ty Sutherland each have 4 rushing TDs. Liberty: QB Justin Smith was 6-for-13 passing last week for 75 yards and 2 TDs.

Lowdown: This is the second straight winless opponent for Pendleton, a week before it plays host to Abbeville. Last week was the first time a Liberty opponent didn’t score at least 42 points. Liberty’s lost 11 straight including 10 in a row in region play. Pendleton has won 6 straight in the series.

Prediction: Pendleton 35, Liberty 14

Palmetto (2-4, 0-1) at Woodruff (6-0, 1-0)

Palmetto: In 2 games, QB Hunter Green is 14-for-27 for 188 yards and 2 TDs. Woodruff: QB Jake Lambert has passed for 1,947 yards with 25 TDs and 3 INTs.

Lowdown: Both of Palmetto’s wins have come on the road, but Woodruff, the top-ranked team in Class AA, has scored at least 36 in every game including wins over Abbeville (36-35) and Clinton (39-36). Palmetto’s been outscored 57-6 in the first quarter. Woodruff won last year 48-14 en route to a region title.

Prediction: Woodruff 42, Palmetto 21

Crescent (2-4, 0-1) at Emerald (0-6, 0-1)

Crescent: FB Anthony Wykle and RB Maury Norman have combined for 401 rushing yards and 7 TDs. Emerald: DL Lucas Mathis, an all-region player, recently returned from a severe ankle injury.

Lowdown: Crescent’s lost 3 straight, and scored a total of 19 points in those games. In non-region play, Crescent played 3 Class A teams, while Emerald played 2 Class AAAA teams. The common opponent, Ninety Six, beat Crescent 26-6 and Emerald 33-28.

Prediction: Emerald 21, Crescent 7

Woodmont (0-6, 0-1) at West-Oak (3-3, 0-1)

Radio: 96.3 WGOG

Woodmont: RB Treis Suber is an all-purpose threat, but was held to 43 rushing yards last week. West-Oak: RBs Austin Maness, Austin Doyle and Adrien Bibb have each scored 3 rushing TDs and average at least 55 rushing yards per game.

Lowdown: Woodmont’s yielded at least 32 points in 4 games this season. West-Oak’s totaled 24 points in its 3 losses. West-Oak rushes for 206 yards per game, and holds opponents to 151. The loser of this game would have a tall order to make the playoffs.

Prediction: West-Oak 28, Woodmont 14

Walhalla (5-1, 1-0) at Abbeville (5-1, 1-0)

Radio: 92.9 WZLA

Walhalla: WR Mike Brown, who got his first TD last week on a kickoff return, averages 17.6 yards per catch. Abbeville: DL Chris Tinch has 4 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss.

Lowdown: Walhalla hasn’t won 4 in a row since 1995, and hasn’t started 5-1 since 1994. The Panthers have won the last three 35-7, 24-7, and 55-0. Abbeville is 9-0 all-time against Walhalla. Abbeville averages 36 points per game, and gives up 14. Walhalla scores 23 points per game, yields 17.5

Prediction: Abbeville 35, Walhalla 21

Dixie (1-6) at Ware Shoals (3-3)

Dixie: QB Jordan Hall has provided an offensive spark after moving from tight end. Ware Shoals: RBs Eric Spencer and Osharmar Abercrombie have each missed time with injuries recently.

Lowdown: Dixie’s scored 41 points the last 2 weeks. In its first 5 games, Dixie scored 22, including 2 shutouts. Dixie’s win over Blacksburg last week snapped an 11-game losing streak. Ware Shoals’ losses are to teams with a combined record of 14-4.

Prediction: Ware Shoals 21, Dixie 7

Hart County (4-1, 2-0) at Eastside (3-2, 2-0)

Radio: 980 WKLY

Hart: LB Tavares Mahoney had 11 tackles, 2 for a loss last week. Eastside: RB Git Aiken had 158 rushing yards and a TD last week.

Lowdown: Some are calling this a potential region championship game. Hart was the only Region 8-AAA team to beat Eastside last year, 24-7 at Herndon Stadium. Turnovers have been a main factor in the teams’ 3 combined losses this season. Hart is the highest scoring team in the region, while Eastside’s given up the second fewest points.

Prediction: Hart 28, Eastside 21

Stephens County (1-4, 0-2) at Oconee County (0-5, 0-2)

Radio: 630 WNEG

Stephens: RB Chaz Thornton rushed for 180 yards and 2 TDs last week. Oconee: RB Jamie Stephens is capable of a 100-yard rushing night.

Lowdown: The Indians have hit a bunch of big passing plays in several games and will likely look for the Dacen Cash to Kadaryl Burtch connection once more. The Indians have won 4 straight in the series including last year, 28-14. Injuries have hampered Stephens with 4 starters out, and 12 players on crutches.

Prediction: Oconee County 28, Stephens County 21

Morgan County (1-4, 1-1) at Elbert County (4-1, 1-1)

Elbert: RB Valdon Cooper had 13 carries for 123 yards and a TD last week.

Lowdown: In its 4 losses, Morgan has yielded at least 28 points each time. Elbert is the second high-scoring team in the conference at 25.4 points per game. Elbert won last year 21-14.

Prediction: Elbert County 28, Morgan County 14

Jackson County (3-2, 0-2) at Franklin County (3-2, 2-0)

Radio: 92.1 WLHR

Jackson: WR/S Charlie Waycaster has big play potential. Franklin: LBs Seth Strickland and Matt Jackson combined for 30 tackles last week.

Lowdown: The Lions have won 3 straight, averaging 23 points after they were held to 6 combined in first 2 games. The Panthers have dropped 2 straight after starting 3-0. Franklin won 14-0 last year.

Prediction: Franklin County 28, Jackson County 14

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