Championships are on the line. Rock Hill region football teams now in playoff action

A dozen Rock Hill area teams will take to the field Friday night as the first round of high school football playoffs unfold across the state. Here is a quick look at the games that are on tap.

CLASS 5A

Dorman (8-2) at Clover (6-4)

Home field advantage will help Clover. They must be totally ready for a solid Dorman team, which beat them earlier in the year -- in Clover. Both teams have explosive offenses. This game will be decided by which team’s defense plays best.

Listen: WRHI.com

Rock Hill (2-8) at Gaffney (6-3)

Rock Hill takes on a long-time foe in Gaffney. They were in the same region for years, and they have met many times in the playoffs. Rock Hill must execute very well in all phases of the game because playing at Gaffney is always difficult.

Listen: 94.3 FM

Nation Ford (4-6) at Spartanburg (6-4)

Nation Ford closed the year with some solid performances and showed improvement. They will need more of the same against a Spartanburg team that closed the regular season with a one-point win over Dorman.

Listen: Comporium Channel 103

CLASS 4A

Wade Hampton (4-6) at Northwestern (9-1)

Northwestern has been explosive on offense, solid on defense, and excellent on special teams all season. They need that outstanding execution Friday night, and they can not take Wade Hampton lightly.

Listen: 100.1 FM/1340 AM

Riverside (4-6) at Catawba Ridge (9-1)

Catawba Ridge has been excellent in all three phases of the game this year. They will need to put last week’s loss to Northwestern behind them. Catawba Ridge has not lost at home this season.

Listen: 107.1 FM

South Pointe (7-3) at Greer (4-6)

South Pointe is the defending state champion so they know about postseason pressure. All three of their losses have been to teams that are in the playoffs, while four of Greer’s losses have been against 5A competition. South Pointe must be ready for a battle-tested team that is always tough at home.

Listen: 104.1 FM

Indian Land (6-4) at Laurens (4-6)

Indian Land enters the playoffs after a win last Friday night. They must get the most from every offensive possession as well as limit the Laurens offense. Laurens has won its last two outings.

York (5-5) at James Island (9-1)

York has a very difficult assignment. They must make a four-hour bus ride to Charleston, and be totally prepared for an excellent James Island team, which has won its last five games, each by more than 25 points. York’s defense is capable and battle tested.

CLASS 3A

Blue Ridge (5-5) at Chester (6-4)

Chester will have the home field advantage. However, they must shake off being idle last week, and be totally prepared for a good Blue Ridge team.

Listen: 90.3 FM

CLASS 2A

Ridgeland-Hardeville (1-9) at Andrew Jackson (8-2)

Andrew Jackson enters the contest riding an eight-game winning streak. They will enjoy the home field advantage, a place where they have lost only once this season.

Buford (8-2) at Andrews (8-2)

Buford dropped a close game to Andrew Jackson last week. Andrews has the home field advantage as well as a three-game winning streak. Buford must put last week’s close loss behind them.

CLASS 1A

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (6-5) at Lewisville (9-1)

Lewisville has enjoyed an amazing season to date. They are playing excellent on both sides of the ball. Playing at home will certainly be an advantage, but they must not overlook Hunter-Kinard-Tyler.

Final prep rankings

The final Media Top 10 Football Poll for the regular season has been announced.

In 4A the Northwestern Trojans, the Catawba Ridge Copperheads, and the South Pointe Stallions remain. The Trojans moved up one spot to third, the Copperheads dropped one place to sixth, and the Stallions advanced one position to ninth this week.

In 2A the Andrew Jackson Volunteers moved up two spots to eighth place, while the Buford Jackets fell two places to 10th. The Lewisville Lions are ranked fourth again this week’s 1A poll.

The final poll of the year will be announced after the state championship weekend.

5A

1. Dutch Fork, 2. TL Hanna, 3. Hillcrest, 4. Gaffney, 5. Sumter, 6. Lexington, 7. Fort Dorchester, 8. Spartanburg, 9. Dorman, 10. Summerville.

4A

1. South Florence, 2. AC Flora, 3. Northwestern, 4. West Florence, 5. Greenville, 6. Catawba Ridge, 7. James Island, 8. Westside, 9. South Pointe, 10. Ridge View.

3A

1. Daniel, 2. Dillon, 3. Clinton, 4. Powdersville, 5. Beaufort, 6. Belton-Honea Path, 7. Camden, 8. Gilbert, 9. Manning, 10. Seneca.

2A

1. Oceanside Collegiate, 2. Barnwell, 3. Abbeville, 4. Gray Collegiate, 5. Woodland, 6. Strom Thurmond, 7. Marion, 8. Andrew Jackson, 9. Saluda, 10. Buford.

1A

1. Johnsonville, 2. Christ Church, 3. Estill, 4. Lewisville, 5. Bamberg-Ehrhardt, 6. Southside Christian, 7. Lamar, 8. St. Joseph’s, 9. Cross, 10. Lake View.

This story was originally published November 3, 2022 at 8:15 AM.