Published: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 / Updated: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 01:31 PM

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Crunch time arrives as region battles take shape

Next Friday will be a night for determining region championships for the Class AAAA high school football teams in the area.

But tonight is gut-check time as far as the playoffs are concerned.

The state's three lower classifications end the regular season tonight, and there are a couple of issues needing to be resolved.

In Region 4-AAA, Chester and Fairfield Central are tied for first place at 3-1. Fairfield Central has the tiebreaker if both win because it won their regular-season meeting. But Chester, with a little help, could win the title and get home-field advantage when the postseason starts next week.

Chester is home against Lower Richland and is heavily favored. Fairfield Central hosts Chapin, the region's third-best team. A Fairfield Central win gives the Griffins the title, but if Chester, which has played in the last two Class AAA state championships and is 8-1, wins and the Griffins lose, the Cyclones get the top seed.

There was a little jumping the gun earlier this week when it was reported Lewisville had clinched fourth place and a playoff berth in Region 3-A. It's not a done deal.

If the Lions win, they are in and finish fourth. They host 0-9 North Central. But if they lose and Great Falls beats Indian Land, the Red Devils get the spot. If there is a three-way tie between Lewisville, Great Falls and Indian Land, each would finish 2-4, and the tiebreaker goes to the Lions for beating both teams head-to-head.

The two local Class AAAA regions are headed to the wire, and there is a possibility that both could end up in ties for the top spot.

In Region 3-AAAA, either Northwestern or Gaffney can win the titles if they win their final two games. But If Clover beats Gaffney tonight and wins next week against York, and if Northwestern beats Fort Mill and loses to Gaffney next Friday, there will be a three-way tie between Clover, Gaffney and Northwestern.

“If that happens, the champion will be determined by the points system based on Class AAAA non-conference teams each has played based on their winning or losing records. We haven't figured that out yet,” Clover athletics director Carroll Hester said. “But if there is a two-way tie, it will come down to head-to-head.''

Clover lost 38-31 to Northwestern two weeks ago, but neither has played Gaffney yet. Northwestern and Gaffney are 3-0 in the region; Clover is 2-1.

“Our game with Gaffney tonight is big, but we have some starters battling the flu and are questionable,'' Clover coach Jet Turner said. “We have had eight offensive starters and seven on defense miss games this season because of illness, injury and a couple of other reasons. We've had a hard time getting continuity.

“Gaffney is a good team. Their quarterback, DeEdward Burris, is a double threat, and he concerns us. He has good feet, can run when he needs to and throws the deep ball well.''

Region 4-AAAA is almost as confusing. If Rock Hill or South Pointe win out, that team is the champion because they meet next Friday. The fly in the pudding is Blythewood, which comes to town tonight and plays Rock Hill.

Rock Hill and South Pointe are each 3-0 in the region. Blythewood is 2-1, losing to South Pointe last week. If Blythewood wins tonight and South Pointe beats Spring Valley, there will be a three-way tie if Blythewood beats Ridge View next week. Like in Region 3-AAAA, tiebreakers will be used to decide the top three spots.

Lancaster goes to Ridge View tonight, and York hosts Nation Ford. If the Bruins and Cougars win out, they will have a slight shot at earning a Class AAAA at-large bid.

The other local team is Westminster Catawba, which ends the regular season at home tonight against St. Joseph's Catholic School of Greenville. The Indians have made the playoffs and will find out their first-round home game opponent on Sunday.

NOTES — York's football game against Nation Ford will be the last varsity game played on Pratt Field at York Comprehensive High School's present location.