Football Friday preview capsules, standings, stats and more

Socastee (1-5, 0-0) at Carolina Forest (3-3, 0-0)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The last time these teams met, it was Carolina Forest just finding its legs. The Panthers were still morphing into a run-first squad while Socastee was riding much of the success it had in its final years in Class AAA. Now, the tables have turned. It is Carolina Forest that has shown significant promise for this year as Region VI-AAAA play opens while the Braves are adjusting to their spread passing attack behind a quarterback who has had just two starts. Still, quarterback Hunter Illing’s passing abilities mean Carolina Forest has even less room for error. He and receiver Taylor Karnap have quick-strike potential, and they don’t need much time on the field to put points up. The Panthers will need to ensure that running game is functioning well from the beginning, or else it could be another rough start to region play.

On the air | WSYN-FM, 103.1; WSEA-FM, 100.3; HTC Channel 4; HTCConnect.com

Last year | Socastee 30, Carolina Forest 14

Favorite | Carolina Forest

PLAYER TO WATCH

Dyverse Simmons

School | Carolina Forest

Class | Junior

Position | Running back

The scoop | The Grand Strand’s leading rusher has gone for at least 100 yards in five of the team’s six games this year, and he’s topped 150 in half of the Panthers’ contests. Dating back to last year, his first with the varsity, he’s already up to 13 career 100-yard games, including last year’s against Socastee, when he rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

West Florence (1-5, 0-0) at Conway (5-1, 0-0)

Where | Brooks Stadium, Coastal Carolina

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Since beating Camden to open the season, West Florence’s struggle with a youthful roster has been very much real. The Knights have dropped five straight, and it is clear the transition to the Wing-T offense hasn’t been as quick as anyone hoped. But where Trey Woodberry’s squad has had bigger issues against better teams has been defensively. They’ve give up at least five touchdowns in half of their games. Now, considering this one is being played on the ultra-fast FieldTurf at Coastal Carolina’s Brooks Stadium, and Conway could be ripe for yet another night of fireworks. The Tigers’ offense is leading the area in scoring, averaging 36 points per game, a figure that also stands within the top 10 teams in all of Class AAAA.

On the air | WGTR-FM, 107.9

Last year | West Florence 27, Conway 13

Favorite | Conway

Marion (4-1, 0-0) at Aynor (3-3, 0-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | The offensive capabilities the Blue Jackets were showing in their first few games of the year have nearly evaporated in the last two games. Aynor, which was averaging better than 325 yards rushing through its first four games, was held to 34 last week against Dillon in a game that was called at halftime due to weather. The previous week, in a loss to Lake View, the Blue Jackets were able to manage just 129 yards. Those are unacceptable figures for a team so reliant upon running the ball. At the same time, the defenses that did that were two of the top-ranked teams in their respective classes. Marion is giving up 26 points per game so far, meaning Aynor should be able to at least somewhat return to form.

On the air | WRXZ-FM, 107.1

Last year | Aynor 26, Marion 24

Favorite | Marion

Myrtle Beach (3-3, 1-0) at Lake City (4-2, 0-1)

When | 12 p.m.

The game | A week ago against North Myrtle Beach, Lake City looked ill-prepared to stop the run against a Chiefs team that topped 300-yards on the ground. Against Myrtle Beach this week, the Panthers will have to not only watch out for tailback Brandon Sinclair; they’ll have to stop a passing attack coming off one of its best showings of the year. The emergence of Elijah Rice at receiver gives quarterback Drayton Arnold another viable target and makes the Seahawks that much more dangerous. If the two, along with fellow receiver Cortez Brown and Sinclair get rolling, it should keep coach Mickey Wilson’s team moving in the right direction.

On the air | WYNA-FM, 104.9

Last year | Myrtle Beach 45, Lake City 7

Favorite | Myrtle Beach

St. James (3-3, 0-1) at Wilson (3-3, 0-1)

When | 2 p.m.

The game | One of the notable aspects of an improved St. James defense giving up a respectable 20 points per game is that the Sharks have minimized the big play. There are still some - Andrews had a 65-yard scoring run; Carolina Forest had a couple long ones in a lopsided win and Georgetown had a 76-yarder to Deakidd Anderson in the closing minutes a week ago. What all those games had in common was that St. James lost. Now, they’re facing a Wilson team with home run potential. Tailback Xavier Thomas busted a 71-yard run already this season and four players have at least one reception of 25 yards or longer. So containing those types of single-snap performances has to be a top priority for Robby Brown’s defense.

Last year | Wilson 35, St. James 32

Favorite | St. James

Expert picks

Alan Blondin, @alanblondin

West Florence at Conway

Socastee at Carolina Forest

North Myrtle Beach at Georgetown

Myrtle Beach at Lake City

Waccamaw at Loris

Marion at Aynor

Green Sea-Floyds at Carvers Bay

Last week: 6-0

Overall record: 38-11

Shane Bowen, @MBRealtorShane

West Florence at Conway

Socastee at Carolina Forest

North Myrtle Beach at Georgetown

Myrtle Beach at Lake City

Waccamaw at Loris

Marion at Aynor

Green Sea-Floyds at Carvers Bay

Last week: 5-1

Overall record: 32-17

Ian Guerin, @iguerin

West Florence at Conway

Socastee at Carolina Forest

North Myrtle Beach at Georgetown

Myrtle Beach at Lake City

Waccamaw at Loris

Marion at Aynor

Green Sea-Floyds at Carvers Bay

Last week: 6-0

Overall record: 34-15

Max McKinnon, @mmckinnonTSN

West Florence at Conway

Socastee at Carolina Forest

North Myrtle Beach at Georgetown

Myrtle Beach at Lake City

Waccamaw at Loris

Marion at Aynor

Green Sea-Floyds at Carvers Bay

Last week: 6-0

Overall record: 31-18

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 9:43 PM with the headline "Football Friday preview capsules, standings, stats and more."