Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Breakdown of tonight's high school football games

Carolina Forest (3-5)

at Sumter (6-2)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Sumter opened the season 0-2, but has reeled off six straight wins behind a high-scoring offense. The Gamecocks have scored 101 combined points in their first two region games. The Panthers have a short week to prepare for Sumter, while the Gamecocks have an extra day of preparation after playing on Thursday last week. Carolina Forest quarterback Robert Gray has started to pick up the offense since taking over a few games into the season. The 6-foot-3 sophomore had 307 yards passing and a touchdown against South Florence and coach Drew Hummel sees Gray getting better each time he takes the field.

Last season | Sumter 40, Carolina Forest 0

Favorite | Sumter

Georgetown (2-6)

at Myrtle Beach (7-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The Bulldogs likely won't be back in the playoffs this season, but they have hope for the future with their top three rushers Tevin Johnson, Leonard Leak and Devante Geathers all sophomores and a junior at quarterback in Patrick Ward. Myrtle Beach junior quarterback Everett Golson is now at 103 career touchdown passes and needs just 47 passing yards to reach the 8,000-yard mark for his career. Going by the 2009 national high school record book, his current pace gives him a chance to finish in the top 10 nationally for his high school career in both categories, but nowhere near the leaders.

On the air | The Team: 93.9-FM, 93.7-FM, 1050-AM; live streaming video at htcnetracer.net

Last season | Myrtle Beach 54, Georgetown 8

Favorite | Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach (3-5)

at St. James (2-6)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The Chiefs and Sharks are still fighting for a playoff spot. North Myrtle Beach has continued to improve and stayed close with Lake City into the fourth quarter last week. A Chiefs win coupled with a Georgetown loss to Myrtle Beach would lock up a playoff spot for North Myrtle Beach. The Sharks can still play their way into the playoffs, but they have to win tonight for any scenario to play out in their favor.

On the air | WRNN-FM, 99.5; nmbchiefs.com

Last season | North Myrtle Beach 49, St. James 32

Favorite | North Myrtle Beach

Socastee (4-4) at Lake City (7-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The Braves are so balanced offensively opposing defenses can't focus on one player or even one side of the field. P.J. Brave has 89 carries for 615 yards, Zack Elliman has 89 for 589 and Michquan Brown has 73 for 564 plus throw in fullback Brendan Hyde with 50 for 243. Socastee should be able to move the ball against the Panthers and put up some points, but the challenge will be slowing down Lake City's potent rushing attack.

Last season | Lake City 32, Socastee 7

Favorite | Lake City

Kingstree (4-4) at Waccamaw (6-2)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Waccamaw hasn't been at full strength since the second or third game of the season, but they are slowly getting there. Even though running back Matt Smith did get a couple of carries last week against Timberland, he wasn't the complimentary force to John Gibbs that will require defenses to turn some of its attention away from Gibbs. A win in this game last year is what propelled the Warriors to the playoffs, and while Waccamaw is positioned for a better seeding for this year's postseason, this is not a game it can afford to lose. A Waccamaw loss would put even a playoff appearance in jeopardy.

Last season | Waccamaw 31, Kingstree 21

Favorite | Waccamaw

Manning (5-3) at Andrews (2-6)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Manning's three losses have been to Crestwood, Lake City and Timberland. The 55-3 blowout loss to Timberland two weeks ago came a day after the funeral for teammate Rashadd Jackson, who drowned the previous weekend. The Monarchs' attack includes talented quarterback Brandon Miller and Georgia commit Dexter Morant, a lineman who has missed time this season to injuries. Andrews has struggled on offense in the last three weeks, scoring just 20 points in its three region games after averaging nearly 20 points per game in their first five contests.

Last season | Manning 58, Andrews 12

Favorite | Manning

Aynor (1-7) at Mullins (3-5)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The Blue Jackets still have hopes of returning to the playoffs. Their biggest reason to believe is they are finally getting healthy. Senior running back Nick Asbury, the team's unquestioned focal point on offense, is expected to play this weekend after missing the past three games with an ankle injury. If Asbury is back, coach Jody Jenerette said it will be the first time the team has had running backs Asbury, Blair Fleming and Vonte Kinlaw on the field together since the Blue Jackets' lone win in the second game of the season. While a playoff appearance would require winning its final two games, it is the same scenario as last season when a 1-7 Aynor squad knocked off Mullins and Loris in the final two weeks to make the postseason. Mullins averaged 27.6 points per game in its five non-region games but just 9.3 in its three region matchups.

Last season | Aynor 13, Mullins 12

Favorite | Mullins

Loris (5-3) at Dillon (6-2)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Loris beat Mullins last weekend for the first time since 1991, a span of 13 games. The Lions will have to find a way to keep the Wildcats' speed from overwhelming them. Twins Anquawn and Antuawn Blue give the defending Class AA state champion two explosive playmakers. Dillon's losses have been to Myrtle Beach and Marlboro County.

Last season | Dillon 19, Loris 0

Favorite | Dillon

Carvers Bay (7-1)

at Creek Bridge (1-7)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The Bears return from a bye week and this could be the night heralded senior running back/defensive back Clayton Geathers plays his first game of the season. Carvers Bay coach Nate Thompson said as long as things go well in practice this week, Geathers will play. Whether that is defense only, or a half on defense and a half on offense, or some other combination will depend on Geathers' conditioning and health. The host Warriors picked up their first win of the season last week.

Last season | Carvers Bay 26, Creek Bridge 8

Favorite | Carvers Bay

Hemingway (7-1)

at Green Sea Floyds (2-7)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The Tigers are on a seven-game winning streak and have given up just 3.9 points per game during that span including three shutouts. The Trojans opened their season in Week 0 and never had a bye, so this is their final game of the season. Green Sea Floyds' leading rusher Perry Oliver (102 carries for 459 yards), leading receiver Antonio Dixon (25 catches for 550 yards) and starting quarterback Zach Elliott (509 yards and five touchdowns passing) are all seniors.

Last season | Hemingway 20, Green Sea Floyds 0

Favorite | Hemingway

East Bladen (N.C.) (8-0)

at South Columbus (N.C.) (4-4)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | East Bladen has two shutouts in its three conference games and haven't had a game closer than 19 points all season. The Eagles use a power running game to attack opposing defenses. The Stallions are on a two-game losing streak with costly turnovers crippling their offensive production. To make matters worse, sophomore running back Jamal Hemingway, who had 483 yards rushing and six touchdowns, is no longer part of the Stallions football team.

On the air | WTAB-AM, 1370; www.wtabradio.com

Last season | East Bladen 51, South Columbus 48

Favorite | East Bladen