What Lincoln is Thinkin’ - Rivalry Week Preview
What Lincoln is Thinkin' - Rivalry Week PreviewBefore I get into this week's games, here are a few thoughts from last week.
A large number of teams came back to win games last Friday. West Florence, Wilson, Hannah-Pamplico and Conway all trailed at the half, and came back and won, plus North Myrtle Beach, Loris and Carvers Bay also faced early deficits but still were victorious. Some very impressive showings (even if it screwed us up because our photographers went to these games early).
Myrtle Beach refuses to lose. Two straight weeks against tough opponents, two late scores to win. Jordan Butler's 32 yard field goal as time expired kept Myrtle undefeated and left Hartsville Harts-broken. When a team is like this it always means two things: 1. It's good because it shows they can win close games, and 2. If they keep teams too close, at some time it will jump up and bite them in the butt.
Wilson and Lake City are fine. These two teams that will be linked all season long because of their brawl and subsequent suspension both pulled out big-time wins. Wilson trailed Timmonsville in the fourth quarter and found a way to pull it out. And Lake City took one of the best teams in AA (Manning) and pounded them to a pulp.
New coaches performing well. Lamar's J.R. Boyd, Latta's Jeff Bley and Georgetown's Tyrone Davis are a combined 10-4 in their first seasons at their schools, and Timmonsville's Jimmy Woods is 1-3, but his three losses have each been to better teams, and by single digits.
There are five huge games this week before region play starts for most teams, that are more about pride than anything else
#2 Conway @ #1 Myrtle Beach Both teams come in undefeated for the first time in decades this late in the year. Both teams have picked up impressive wins so far, and have earned their high spot in the Terrific 13 rankings. Conway's region road will be tough, while Myrtle's will be much easier, so this game may mean more to the Tigers. No one so far has been able to stop the Everett Golson to Jamere Valentine connection, and Morgan Byrd is proving to be a pretty decent #2 receiver. The key for Conway? Stop Valentine. The key for Myrtle Beach? Stop Tiger RB Seth Moreland.
#4 Central @ #3 Chesterfield The battle for Chesterfield County supremacy usually is decided by Cheraw. But this year it won't be, because both of these teams have beaten the Braves in back-to-back weeks. At the beginning of the year, Central was a darkhorse team in AA, now they've proven they are as good as anyone this side of Timberland. Meanwhile, Chesterfield is the reigning state champion in Class A, and no one else can argue they are better this year. Central's size advantage may be the determining factor.
#8 West Florence @ #13 Wilson West Florence came in as the favorite last year in this matchup, and lost 10-5 in a slobberknocker. The Knights are definitely the favorite again, and the Tigers will have trouble keeping this thing close. But Darryl Page's crew has done far more unbelievable things in the past few years, and the comeback win over Timmonsville last week was a confidence booster.
#7 Dillon @ #6 Marlboro County Both of these teams will carry a chip on their shoulder coming into this game - they lost to Horry County schools their last game out. I think Marlboro's size should be the determining factor, but Dillon has had two weeks to prepare for the Bulldogs, and you never know how Marlboro's loss to Conway will linger. Dillon kept it closer against Myrtle Beach than many people thought, so the Wildcats may be, dare I say it, underrated. This game, of course, could show everyone how good they really are.
#5 Carvers Bay @ Hemingway Early on, this game looked as if it could determine the region title. With a rash of injuries for Hemingway, it's tough to see them hanging with Carvers Bay in this game. But Bears QB Arlington Scott is banged up, and that may cause problems for the Bay offense. But the Bears defense is still one of the best in the state, and the Tigers third-string sophomore quarterback will find trouble moving the ball. But Hemingway has a lot of pride, and, even with all of their injuries, can still pull off the big play. As much as I think Carvers Bay should prevail, this one could be an upset in the making.
What do you think will happen this week?
Posted by
on 09/23 at 11:44 PM
You’re right about Chesterfield and PC.
PC has a couple of big offensive linemen on that left side. I’m sure they will try to pound away at the smaller C’field line. That style (wishbone) should bode well in this wet, sloppy weather. I had hoped it would dry up. Our best chance, like last year, is to run them to death trying to defend our passing attack. It’s going to be tough in this rain.
Go Rams!