T.L. Hanna vs. J.L. Mann highlights Upstate high school football games with predictions
Here are the area’s top high school football games for Week 7.
Rankings are from the 864 Huddle Super 25 list of Upstate teams. Staff writers Sam Albuquerque and Todd Shanesy make their picks.
Game of the Week
No. 8 T.L. Hanna (6-1, 1-0) at No. 11 J.L. Mann (6-1, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Mann, what a start. The Patriots haven’t been 6-1 since their last region championship. That was in 1984. Mann coach Scoot Watson, in his fourth season, has built this from a team that went 2-26 from 2018-20. The Patriots, statistically, have the best offense (43.4 points per game) and the best defense (9.4 points) in Region 1-AAAAA. They made the state rankings for the first time this week at No. 10.
Hanna is a traditional power, currently No. 4 in the state. The Yellow Jackets have lost three region games in the past seven years. They’ve had more than two overall losses just once since 2016. In its last three games, Hanna has outscored opponents, 148-20. The Yellow Jackets are as strong as ever and occupying a space Mann would like to join.
Albuquerque's prediction: T.L. Hanna 41, J.L. Mann 34
Shanesy's prediction: T.L. Hanna 35, J.L. Mann 31
No. 4 Gaffney (4-2) at No. 7 Spartanburg (4-3), 7:30 p.m.
The last time Spartanburg beat Gaffney was in November 2016. The Vikings are 0-6 over the past six seasons to Cherokee County powerhouse, including last season’s overtime loss in Gaffney.
This is a game the Vikings have had circled on their calendars, and after last week’s loss to Byrnes this is more than a rivalry game for Spartanburg, its a must win to stay in the hunt for a region title and the ever important No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
But Gaffney knows this too, and over those past six matchups, it’s had Spartanburg’s number. You throw in an open week to scout and game plan a team it already knows very well and you have to assume Gaffney coach Dan Jones has something special in store for this Region 2 clash of titans.
Albuquerque’s prediction: Spartanburg 27, Gaffney 21
Shanesy's prediction: Gaffney 28, Spartanburg 26
No. 20 Eastside (4-2, 0-0) at No. 25 Greer (2-5, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Eastside features a remarkable running back in Kalvin Banks. The senior is already only 44 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards on the season and has scored 13 touchdowns. Banks in his last 15 games has run for 2,551 yards (6.3 per carry) and 33 touchdowns. Against Blue Ridge, Banks ran for a school-record 420 yards and another school record six touchdowns. He's averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
While Eastside has one of best running backs in the state, Greer has two. The problem for the Yellow Jackets is that one of them, Chris Hall, is really a wide receiver taking snaps at quarterback. Hall, a senior who played QB in junior high, filled in at running back and did well earlier this season when junior star Ladainnian Martin was hurt. So, Greer now is a unique double-wildcat offense behind a strong offensive line.
Albuquerque's prediction: Greer 27, Eastside 20
Shanesy's prediction: Eastside 21. Greer 20
No. 1 Byrnes (6-1, 1-0) at No. 19 Boiling Springs (3-4, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Both teams are coming into this game from different directions. Byrnes defeated Spartanburg at home for its fifth straight win. Boiling Springs on the other hand has lost three of its last four games, including to region foe Dorman — which means the Bulldogs face an uphill battle to make the playoffs.
The Rebels have been dominant this season, especially on defense. So far through seven games, led by linebacker James Oates and defensive backs Armoni Weaver, Chamarryus Bomar and Knai Cook, Byrnes held its opposition to 9.86 points a game and none have scored more than 17 in a game. While on offense, freshman running back David Segarra III and a supporting cast has led the Rebels to an average of 31.71 points. Boiling Springs will have to do a lot to slow down Byrnes and protecting quarterback Lincoln Huskey.
Albuquerque’s Prediction: Byrnes 40, Boiling Springs 24
Shanesy's prediction: Byrnes 31, Boiling Springs 14
Week 6 top high school football performers: Greenville County | Spartanburg area | Anderson and Pickens
No. 2 Hillcrest (6-0, 0-0) at Woodmont (4-3, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Hillcrest is looking to build on what has become one of the best programs in the state and first-year coach Bennett Swygert is doing just that. The Rams, ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA, open region play in a tough league that includes T.L. Hanna and J.L. Mann. They scored 108 points in the past two games and are coming off an open date.
Woodmont, though, has high hopes. The Wildcats have a pair of talented junior running backs in Ezekiel Belcher and Tavorace Williams. Belcher is averaging 96.2 rushing yards per game and 8.2 per carry. Williams is averaging 104.3 per game and 5.8 per carry. It’s a balanced offense, though, and quarterback Jordan Sink has thrown for 13 touchdowns.
Albuquerque's prediction: Hillcrest 37, Woodmont 24
Shanesy's prediction: Hillcrest 42, Woodmont 35
Last week: Albuquerque 2-4, Shanesy 2-4
Season: Albuquerque 24-20, Shanesy 24-20
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: SC high school football: Predictions for best Upstate games in Week 7
