The high school football season is getting ready for the stretch run as region play begins for all teams across the state this week.

Some of the bigger regions already have begun region play, but the rest will start beginning Wednesday and Thursday with games moved up this week because of Hurricane Ian.

Here is a look at The State’s predictions on how the region races and playoff teams could shake out.

Class 5A

Region 3: This one is definitely tough to figure out with only Blythewood (3-2) beginning region play with a winning record. Clover (2-3) has played a tough non-region schedule and others like Spring Valley and Nation Ford have struggled.

The top four teams in the region are guaranteed a playoff spot with the fifth-place team eligible for an at-large spot in the Upper State.

Prediction: 1. Clover; 2. Blythewood; 3. Nation Ford; 4. Spring Valley; 5. Rock Hill; 6. Fort Mill

Region 4: Dutch Fork has been the dominant team in the region and is the favorite once again despite coming off a loss to nationally-ranked St. Frances.

The Silver Foxes need to find more consistent quarterback play, but their defense and running game are solid. White Knoll (6-0) has been the surprise of the first half of the season and is off to the best start in school history.

Lexington and River Bluff each have one loss but against strong opponents in West Florence and Dorman. Chapin (3-3) enters region play with a two-game losing streak.

This is a hybrid region this year with region champion and fourth-place team in the upper state for playoffs and No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the lower state. The fifth-place teams could be eligible for an at-large spot.

Prediction: 1. Dutch Fork; 2. Lexington; 3. River Bluff; 4. White Knoll; 5. Chapin

Class 4A

Region 4: Airport is the lone area team in the region, and this is another conference that struggled in the non-region with only Midland Valley (3-3) winning more than one game. South Aiken and North Augusta both are talented but played a brutal non-region schedule.

Teams from this region will be in the upper state playoffs.

Prediction: 1. North Augusta; 2. South Aiken; 3. Airport; 4. Midland Valley; 5. Aiken

Region 5: This is a very strong region especially at the top with A.C. Flora (5-0), Ridge View (4-1) and Irmo (4-1) all ranked in latest Class 4A polls. The region champion most likely will come out of one of those teams.

Lugoff-Elgin (3-2) has been a surprise in the first half and will contend with Westwood (1-4) and Richland Northeast (1-4) for the fourth spot. The fifth-place finisher is eligible for an at-large spot. Playoff teams in this region will be in the lower state.

Prediction: 1. A.C. Flora; 2. Ridge View; 3. Irmo; 4. Lugoff-Elgin; 5. Westwood; 6. Richland Northeast

Class 3A

Region 5: Brookland-Cayce and Gilbert were the favorites in the region coming into the season and entered region play that way. Gilbert has just one loss to Lexington, and Brookland-Cayce looks to be a contender despite having played a tough non-region schedule.

Prediction: 1. Gilbert; 2. Brookland-Cayce; 3. Lower Richland; 4. Orangeburg-Wilkinson; 5. Swansea; 6. Dreher

Region 6: Camden is the lone area team in the region and is the defending champion. The Bulldogs have had ups and downs in the first half but still are the team to beat in the region. Marlboro County and Crestwood could make things interesting for the Bulldogs.

Prediction: 1. Camden; 2. Marlboro County; 3. Crestwood; 4. Lakewood; 5. Lake City; 6. Darlington

Class 2A

Region 3: Saluda enters region play as the top-ranked team in Class 2A and is the clear favorite. Strom Thurmond might be the Tigers’ toughest challenge. The rest of the region will be up in the air. The top five teams are guaranteed spots in the postseason.

Prediction: 1. Saluda; 2. Strom Thurmond; 3. Batesburg-Leesville; 4. Silver Bluff; 5. Pelion; 6. Fox Creek

Region 4: This seven-team region already started conference play two weeks ago. Gray Collegiate is the defending state champion and the favorite to win the region.

Fairfield Central should pose as the War Eagles’ toughest challenge. The rest of the region race will be fun to watch. Six of the seven teams make the playoffs and will be in the upper state.

Prediction: 1. Gray Collegiate; 2. Fairfield Central; 3. Keenan; 4. Newberry; 5. Mid-Carolina; 6. Columbia; 7. Eau Claire

Region 5: North Central is the lone area team and has struggled after losing coach Tyronne Drakeford close to the start of fall practice. Buford and Andrew Jackson are the teams to beat in this region.

Prediction: 1. Buford; 2. Andrew Jackson; 3. Chesterfield; 4. Central; 5. Cheraw; North Central

Class A

Region 3: C.A. Johnson is the lone area team in Class A and is in Region 3. The Green Hornets open region play against Lewisville and the winner will have the inside track to win the region.

Prediction: 1. Lewisville; 2. C.A. Johnson; 3. Whitmire; 4. McBee; 5. Great Falls

SCISA 4A

With the move to four classifications, there are nine teams in SCISA Class 4A with eight making the playoffs. Hammond is the team to beat again, but Heathwood Hall, Cardinal Newman and Ben Lippen all are locks to make the playoffs.

SCISA 3A

Northside Christian is in Class 2A for football and is off to 2-0 start in region play and is in line to make the postseason.

SCISA 8-Man

W.W. King (5-0) is unbeaten on the season and Richard Winn (3-2) tied for third with Newberry Academy. Both should be headed to the postseason.

Lou Bezjak: (803) 771-8419, @LouatTheState

Caption:

Joshua Boucher jboucher@thestate.com

A.C. Flora’s Carew Bates (19) plays Dreher at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, Aug. 27.

September 28, 2022 | State, The (Columbia, SC)
Author/Byline: Lou Bezjak; Staff Writer | Page: 2B | Section: Sports