Video: high school football preview for Week 7

No. 10 York (5-2) at Gaffney (3-4)

Last week: York lost to Northwestern 36-7; Gaffney beat Rock Hill 12-3

Last meeting: York won 38-13 (2014)

Key players: YCHS - Sr. DE Deivonne Chalk, Sr. LB Jamar Griffin, Sr. FB Brandon Garvin, Soph. OL Danny Warren. GHS - Jr. WR D.J. Logan, Jr. WR Scott McCluney, Jr. QB Bryson Ward, Sr. DE Jontez Littlejohn.

Need to know: York’s win at The Reservation in 2012 was the Cougars’ first ever, but visiting teams are 5-4 the last two years in Gaffney. York mustered a Bobby Carroll era-low of just 82 yards total offense last week, but if the Cougars can move the football and stretch Gaffney’s defense with some vertical passing plays, the York defense should be able to trouble an Indian offense that has turned the ball over an average of two times per game this fall.

Nation Ford (4-2) at Fort Mill (5-2)

Last week: Nation Ford was idle; Fort Mill beat Clover 46-30

Last meeting: Fort Mill won 67-38 (2014)

Key players: NFHS - Sr. DE Charles Newton, Sr. WR Josh Shade, Jr. OL Damian Peoples, Sr. QB Cole Martin. FMHS - Sr. OL Matt Neill, Sr. P/K Taylor Sheets, Jr. ATH Ronnie Hughes, Sr. RB/LB Brett Ferguson.

Need to know: Rivalry aside, this is a big game for potential Region 3-4A playoff seeding. The previous two times that Nation Ford started region play 2-0 they made the playoffs, so a win over Fort Mill - which would put the Falcons at 2-0 - would be a huge step toward continuing that trend. It is a rivalry game, though, and Nation Ford will have to drastically cut down on its 14 penalties in last year’s blowout loss - 11 coming in the second half - to have a chance Friday at Bob Jones Stadium.

Rock Hill (1-6) at Clover (1-5)

Last week: Rock Hill lost to Gaffney 12-3; Clover lost to Fort Mill 46-30

Last meeting: Clover won 21-14 (2014)

Key players: RHHS - Sr. LB Khari Hunter, Jr. LB Kendrick Hicks, Sr. DL Alan Salgado, Sr. ATH Thailand Adams. CHS - Sr. WB Cody Payne, Soph. OL Garrett Lutz, Jr. DB Chase Hill, Jr. DE A.J. Pennington.

Need to know: Last year’s game was decided in part by a 70-yard Clover touchdown run. In a closely matched affair like this one, an explosive play could be the differentiating factor again between two teams that struggle to turn offensive possessions into points. The loser of Friday’s game is in deep trouble postseason-wise.

No. 2 South Pointe (5-1) at Chester (3-4)

Last week: South Pointe beat Union County 17-14; Chester lost to Lancaster 33-13

Last meeting: South Pointe won 44-24 (2014)

Key players: SPHS - Soph. ATH Derion Kendrick, Soph. DE Eli Adams, Sr. DB Nick McCloud, Sr. WR Josh Wilkes. CHS - Sr. LB Quan Young, Soph. DB Quay Hardin, Jr. LB/RB Jalyn Reid, Jr. DL Jarez Hardin.

Need to know: These two teams have played five times, all South Pointe wins. It would take a huge effort from the Cyclones to break through in the win column against the Stallions on Friday, though Cyclones coach Victor Floyd is a top-level motivator. With a normal week of preparation it seems likely South Pointe will get back to its free-scoring ways.

No. 8 Lancaster (6-0) at Clinton (2-4)

Last week: Lancaster beat Clinton 33-13; Clinton lost to Broome 17-14

Last meeting: Lancaster won 13-12 (2014)

Key players: LHS - Jr. DE Houston Brantley, Sr. QB Darius Robinson, Jr. RB Farrika Grier, Jr. Desmond Ricks. CHS - Sr. ATH Donavan Blackmon; Soph. RB Kris Holmes; Sr. WR Tay Cook

Need to know: Clinton scored twice in the last minute to put a scare into Broome, but the Red Devils struggled for the other 47 minutes. Clinton QB Charlie Craven was banged up in the loss to Broome, so coach Andrew Webb may have a decision to make, especially since backup Donte Reeder led the team to two scores in 42 seconds. If Lancaster can get an early lead, the Bruins should have no problem pulling off a road win against a Clinton team that’s offensively inconsistent at the moment.

Lewisville (1-6) at No. 9 Lamar (3-3)

Last week: Lewisville lost to McBee 18-0; Lamar lost to Andrew Jackson 17-14

Last meeting: Lamar won 56-13 (2014)

Key players: Lewisville- Jr. QB Trey Keels, Jr. ATH Mike Hill, Sr. RB D.J. Robinson, Jr. LB Jene Thompson. Lamar- Sr. RB Trey Ceasar, Jr. OL Alvonte Ward, Jr. RB Dashon Barr.

Need to know: This could go one of two ways for Lamar: the Silver Foxes could bounce back from their surprising last-second loss to Andrew Jackson, or they could struggle again against a Lewisville team that has taken its lumps this year, but is talented. The Lions may be another year away from a possible first win ever against their region foe.

Indian Land (4-2) at Mid-Carolina 2-4

Last week: Indian Land lost to Central 20-0; Mid-Carolina beat Columbia 38-0

Last meeting: Mid-Carolina won 28-23

Key players: ILHS - Jr. RB Lee Massey, Jr. LB Ethan Burdette, Sr. LB Trevor Martin, Jr. ATH Logan Teeter. MCHS - Jr. QB Corey Stone, Sr. RB Chris Lindler, Soph. WR Cade Ruff, Sr. LB Rashon Graham.

Need to know: Indian Land lost its mojo a bit with back to back defeats, but the Warriors get a chance to rediscover it by stepping out of region play. Mid-Carolina’s four losses have come to solid teams in the 2A and 3A levels, and this should be a tough road game for the Warriors. Indian Land was 0-for-10 passing last week, and Michael Mayer’s team needs to be able to hit a few downfield plays to keep opposing defenses from focusing solely on the Warriors’ legitimate run game.

Monday

Gray Collegiate (2-4) at Great Falls (1-5)

Last week: Gray Collegiate beat Scott’s Branch 14-6; Great Falls beat C.A. Johnson 16-12

Last meeting: GCA won 68-0 (Aug. 28, 2015)

Key players: GCA - WR Chylon Thomas, WR Brandon Calloway. GFHS - Jr. ATH Aaron Rice, Sr. Zy White, Sr. Rajean Perry.

Need to know: This game was moved to 6:30 p.m. Monday, so an extra couple days of preparation for Great Falls, while GCA no doubt continues the clean up that last week’s disastrous weather produced down in the Midlands. These two squads already met this year, a 68-point GCA blowout win, so it’s hard to see what there is to gain for either side. This game is the product of the difficulty Great Falls coach Ken Schofield has scheduling opponents to come to Pride Valley.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 7:38 PM with the headline "Video: high school football preview for Week 7."