Here are five things to keep an eye on this week in Midlands high school football action:
Title game rematch
Nationally ranked Dutch Fork looks to continue its blazing start when it travels to Boiling Springs in a rematch of the 2016 Class 5A state title game.
The Silver Foxes won the championship game, 28-21, the first of back-to-back titles.
Dutch Fork is off to its best offensive two-game start of a season since Tom Knotts arrived in 2010. The Silver Foxes have outscored opponents 121-0.
It’s the first time the Silver Foxes have recorded back-to-back shutouts to start a year since 2011. Boiling Springs is 1-1 and coming off a 55-28 loss to Chapman.
Sister schools meeting on college campus
Gray Collegiate and Oceanside Collegiate’s first football meeting will get college treatment.
The two sister charter schools meet at South Carolina State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium.
Oceanside Collegiate is coached by Chad Grier, who is the father of West Virginia quarterback Will Grier.
Familiar opponent for LR’s Barr
It might be Lower Richland’s first time facing Wilson, but it is an opponent LR coach Rodney Barr knows well.
Barr spent eight seasons at Wilson as an assistant football and head baseball coach. He was part of the Tigers’ coaching staff when they won the 2007 Class 3A championship.
River Bluff looks to add to record start
At 3-0, River Bluff is off to its best start in school history and will go for its fourth consecutive win against Lugoff-Elgin.
The Gators are averaging 52.3 points and 500 yards per game on offense. L-E is giving up 42.3 games per contest.
After this week, things get a little tougher for River Bluff, which faces Irmo, Gilbert and Dutch Fork in its next three games.
Ben Lippen looks to slow down Dukes
After facing defending SCISA 3A champion Hammond last week, Ben Lippen gets a crack at last year’s 2A champion, First Baptist, this week.
First Baptist moved up to 3A this season and features one of the top tailbacks in the state in Mikey Dukes. The senior has rushed for 410 yards and 10 TDs in three games this season.
Midlands Top 10 Poll
1. Dutch Fork (2-0)
2. Hammond (3-0)
3. Westwood (3-0)
4. Lexington (2-0)
5. River Bluff (3-0)
6. Spring Valley (1-1)
7. Gilbert (2-1)
8. Brookland-Cayce (2-1)
9. Chapin (2-0)
10. White Knoll (2-1)
Week 4 Picks
Friday
Aiken at White Knoll
Bezjak: White Knoll
Dearing: White Knoll
Airport at Gilbert
Bezjak: Gilbert
Dearing: Gilbert
Batesburg-Leesville at Mid-Carolina
Bezjak: Batesburg-Leesville
Dearing: Batesburg-Leesville
Ben Lippen at First Baptist
Bezjak: First Baptist
Dearing: First Baptist
CA Johnson at Keenan
Bezjak: Keenan
Dearing: Keenan
Camden at Fort Mill
Bezjak: Camden
Dearing: Fort Mill
Cardinal Newman at Augusta Christian
Bezjak: Cardinal Newman
Dearing: Augusta Christian
Dorchester Academy at Northside Christian
Bezjak: Dorchester
Dearing: Dorchester
Dutch Fork at Boiling Springs
Bezjak: Dutch Fork
Dearing: Dutch Fork
Fairfield Central at Calhoun County
Bezjak: Fairfield Central
Dearing: Fairfield Central
Irmo at Brookland-Cayce
Bezjak: Irmo
Dearing: Brookland-Cayce
Laurence Manning at Heathwood Hall
Bezjak: Laurence Manning
Dearing: Laurence Manning
Lower Richland vs. Wilson at Benedict College
Bezjak: Wilson
Dearing: Lower Richland
Lugoff-Elgin at River Bluff
Bezjak: River Bluff
Dearing: River Bluff
Newberry at Chapin (8 p.m.)
Bezjak: Chapin
Dearing: Newberry
North Augusta at Blythewood
Bezjak: North Augusta
Dearing: North Augusta
North Central at Lamar
Bezjak: Lamar
Dearing: Lamar
Oceanside vs. Gray Collegiate at S.C. State
Bezjak: Gray Collegiate
Dearing: Gray Collegiate
Palmetto at WW King
Bezjak: Palmetto
Dearing: Palmetto
Pinewood Prep at Hammond
Bezjak: Hammond
Dearing: Hammond
Richard Winn at Beaufort Academy
Bezjak: Richard Winn
Dearing: Richard Winn
Richland Northeast at Spring Valley
Bezjak: Spring Valley
Dearing: Spring Valley
Saluda at Pelion
Bezjak: Saluda
Dearing: Saluda
South Aiken at Lexington
Bezjak: Lexington
Dearing: South Aiken
Swansea at Wade Hampton (H)
Bezjak: Wade Hampton
Dearing: Wade Hampton
This Season’s Records
Bezjak: 53-20
Dearing: 53-20
September 6, 2018 | State, The: Web Edition Articles (Columbia, SC)
Author/Byline: Lou Bezjak, The State | Section: prep_football