Todd Shanesy,Sam AlbuquerqueSpartanburg Herald-Journal
Here’s a look at Friday night’s top South Carolina high school football matchups in the Upstate for Week 1. Rankings are from the 864Huddle's Upstate Super 25 list of best teams in the area. Staff writers Sam Albuquerque and Todd Shanesy make their predictions.
Game of the Week
No. 7 Westside (0-0) at No. 11 Belton-Honea Path (0-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Neither team played in Week 0, so it's a highly anticipated opening night for these standout Anderson County teams. Westside is No. 7 in the Class AAAA statewide media poll and Belton-Honea Path is No. 6 in AAA.
Westside will play fast and throw the ball around under new coach Brian Lane, who polished that style at Byrnes and Woodruff. The Rams have an outstanding quarterback in Cutter Woods and a pair of elite receivers in Jimmar Boston and Josh Williams, both of whom were in the Dandy Dozen players to watch this season.
Belton-Honea Path has a run-based offense that will share the ball between top returning backs Marquise Henderson, Justin Lathon and Shaheem Robbs. The Bears passed on only about 25 percent of plays last year.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Westside 34, Belton-Honea Path 28
Shanesy's prediction: Westside 35, Belton-Honea Path 21
No. 1 Byrnes (1-0) at No. 8 Chapman (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The No. 1-ranked Rebels travel to Inman to take on the top-rated Class AAA team in Chapman. In 2022, Byrnes beat Chapman 54-7, but that shouldn't be the case this season.
Chapman was a team full of new starters last season. This season, 17 starters return. For Byrnes, there’s so much talent that it’s hard to imagine the Rebels losing to any lower classification team. Add in the emergence of star freshman running back David Segarra III and the Rebels are even scarier.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Byrnes 31, Chapman 24
Shanesy's prediction: Byrnes 34, Chapman 14
Week 0 top performers: Greenville County | Spartanburg County | Anderson and Pickens counties
WEEK 1 SCHEDULE: High school football schedule for Upstate teams in Week 1 of 2023 season
No. 2 Greenville (1-0) at No. 9 T.L. Hanna (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Greenville took care of step one in a brutal non-conference schedule by beating Dorman, 34-21. The Red Raiders after this one will have Byrnes, Mauldin and J.L. Mann before region play begins.
The Red Raiders took over the No. 1 statewide media ranking in Class AAAA, while T.L. Hanna is No. 7 in AAAAA. Greenville’s defense and special teams set the tone last week and will have to do that again.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Greenville 35, T.L. Hanna 24
Shanesy’s prediction: Greenville 31, T.L. Hanna 30
No. 4 Spartanburg (0-1) at Dutch Fork (0-1)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
In this highly anticipated matchup, both teams have one loss. For Spartanburg, it was a 16-14 loss to South Pointe. And for Dutch Fork it was a 48-17 loss to Georgia power Colquitt County.
Spartanburg showed glimpses of its talent and the second game should show a bit more growth. Dutch Fork has won six out of the last seven AAAAA state championships, but first-year starting quarterback Jonathan Hunt suffered a shoulder injury in Week 0.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Spartanburg 24, Dutch Fork 21
Shanesy's prediction: Dutch Fork 22, Spartanburg 21
No. 18 Easley (0-0) at No. 10 Daniel (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
In last week’s game against Greer, Daniel switched quarterbacks in the second quarter. Despite not starting, Lee Turnipseed finished the game with three touchdown passes. Will coach Jeff Fruster keep Turnipseed under center or return to initial starter Kolton Chapman?
On the other side, last season’s starter Kaleb Sutton is now at Hillcrest and sophom*ore Jay Stoker appears to be his replacement at quarterback. In the Green Wave’s first game and in Stoker’s first-ever start, it will be interesting to see how he fairs against a talented Lions defense.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Daniel 38, Easley 21
Shanesy's prediction: Daniel 35, Easley 17
Abbeville (1-0) at No. 17 Powdersville (0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The defending Class AA state champions travel to the AAA state runners-up for a rematch of last season’s Week 1 game that saw the Patriots win at Abbeville, 51-44. The difference then was that do-it-all athlete Thomas Williams was carrying the ball for Powdersville. Now he’s at Virginia Tech.
In the 22-21 opening loss to Broome, Powdersville showed it still has to grow if it wants to get back to the state championship game. But with returning quarterback Eli Hudgins and star linebacker Harrison Jefferies, the Patriots have the talent to right the ship. Can they do it this week?
Albuquerque’s prediction: Abbeville 24, Powdersville 21
Shanesy's prediction: Abbeville 28, Powdersville 14
No. 12 Riverside (1-0) at No. 6 J.L. Mann (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
J.L. Mann has a potent offense led by quarterback Ethan Anderson and last week had an easy time against Eastside, 49-0. Riverside won, 49-7, but that was against an overmatched Travelers Rest from AAA and is more difficult to gauge.
This game also features two of the Upstate’s best offensive athletes. Mikel McClellan of J.L. Mann and Mikkel Skinner of Riverside are dynamic wide receivers who will run the ball, too.
Albuquerque’s prediction: J.L. Mann 27, Riverside 24
Shanesy’s prediction: J.L. Mann 35, Riverside 31
No. 20 Greer (0-1) at No. 3 Hillcrest (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Hillcrest had an impressive debut for new coach Bennett Swygert last week in a 55-7 win against Laurens. The Rams feature dynamic wide receiver Avery McFadden and Sutton, the transfer quarterback.
Greer’s defense had a tough time at home against AAA power Daniel, 48-20, and this is an even bigger challenge. The Yellow Jackets will run, run, run with LaDainnian Martin and try to limit the Rams’ possessions.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Hillcrest 42, Greer 18
Shanesy’s prediction: Hillcrest 35, Greer 14
