Breaking down area high school teams’ chances for playoffs as region play begins

For all intents and purposes, the past six weeks of high school football (for most) was just for the fun of it.

Business picks up a bit this week, however, the bulk of area teams diving into the region portion of their respective schedules.

No matter how well a team has fared up to this point, none of it matters unless it can be validated in league play.

Here is a breakdown of regions that include teams from Horry or Georgetown counties:

Region 6-5A

What we know: As has been the case in previous years, this league runs through Sumter — even if Conway is the favorite to claim ultimately claim it. That is the only certainty in Region 6-5A, though, as four evenly matched ball clubs vie for the final two guaranteed playoff spots.

Keep an eye on: Socastee. The Braves are off to a 4-1 start, and aside from a meltdown at North Myrtle Beach have proven unstoppable on offense, averaging 41 points per game. But with 27 players at their disposal, can Socastee survive the war of attrition that is S.C. Class 5A football?

Player to watch: D’Wuan Grainger, Conway. The senior quarterback is coming off his worst game as a starter, completing only 10 passes for 66 yards as the Tigers lost to Myrtle Beach. Prior to that performance, he was completing 60 percent of his passes, eight of them going for touchdowns. Conway’s offense needs balance, and runs at optimum level when he is at his best.

Key game: Conway at Sumter, Oct. 20. It’s been an old rule of thumb that perennially this region runs through Conway and Sumter. With the Gamecocks joining peers from the Midlands under the S.C. High School League’s latest realignment plan, this may be the last matchup between the two old rivals as league foes. Expect this game to decide what team will claim the Region 6-5A title.

Predicted order of finish: 1. Conway, 2. Sumter, 3. Carolina Forest, 4. Socastee, 5. West Florence, 6. South Florence

Region 7-4A

What we know: North Myrtle Beach certainly can be considered the favorite, coming into the league slate undefeated and ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. But Myrtle Beach and Marlboro County have shown signs of improvement of late, and could potentially have a say in how this region plays out.

Keep an eye on: Wilson. It would be easy to say Myrtle Beach, but rarely does anyone take their eye off of the Seahawks. Hired mere days before camp opened, Derek Howard has the Tigers believing they can accomplish big things. Sitting at 4-2, Wilson’s only losses have come to Conway and Dillon.

Player to watch: Cason McClendon, North Myrtle Beach. Through six weeks, the junior quarterback hasn’t been asked to do much, completing 50 percent of his passes for 689 yards and nine touchdowns. North Myrtle Beach features a vaunted rushing attack, but eventually there will come a time where McClendon’s arm will be needed to shoulder the load.

Key game: A trio of games will offer guidance as to how this region will play out. Of course, Thursday’s game between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach is important, but the same can be said for Marlboro County’s Oct. 13 visit to Myrtle Beach. On Oct. 20, North Myrtle Beach will pay a visit to Bennettsville and Marlboro County, which is never an easy place to leave with a win.

Predicted order of finish: 1. North Myrtle Beach, 2. Myrtle Beach, 3. Marlboro County, 4. Wilson, 5. St. James

Region 6-3A

What we know: A year ago, it seemed the league was starting to catch up with Dillon. Twelve months later, the old tale is being told again: Dillon rules. The question remains who — and how — the rest of Region 6-3A will shake out.

Keep an eye on: Aynor. In a season where nothing is a certainty, the Blue Jackets present a change of pace in Region 6-3A. With the added dimension of a passing game, they have averaged nearly 30 points per game. Much of that was against lesser competition, however. Beginning Friday night, Aynor can prove it belongs in the playoff conversation.

Player to watch: Deakidd Anderson, Georgetown. A true threat on the outside for the Bulldogs, he has 11 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns in his team’s last three games. A veteran presence on a squad full of young pups, his contribution will be pivotal if Georgetown wants to punch another ticket to the postseason.

Key game: Georgetown at Lake City, Oct. 6. Despite both teams’ early season struggles, both possess the most athleticism among squads in Region 6-3A this side of Dillon. This game went to overtime last year, so one should not be surprised if this year’s clash does the same.

Predicted order of finish: 1. Dillon, 2. Georgetown, 3. Lake City, 4. Aynor, 5. Loris, 6. Waccamaw

Region 7-2A

What we know: This league was actually one of the early ones out of the gate, starting region play on Sept. 15. Only two teams remain unscathed early on, Carvers Bay and Mullins. Andrews has already lost to the Bears, while it hosts the Auctioneers on Friday night. The other favorite, Latta, is off this week. Stakes couldn’t be higher in this league, the winner earning home cooking for the duration of their stay in the playoffs.

Keep an eye on: Mullins. Losses coming only to Dillon and Lake View, the Auctioneers have proven rather dominant, albeit against overmatched competition. We’ll quickly learn whether they are for real Friday night, when Mullins pays a visit to Andrews.

Player to watch: Janaz Sumpter, Carvers Bay. Blessed with plenty in his arsenal, Bears coach Nate Thompson knows who to give the ball to when in need of tough yards. The dual-threat quarterback has accounted for nine touchdowns in the past three games, helping Carvers Bay to a 5-1 start.

Key game: Carvers Bay at Latta, Oct. 27. Each of the past two years, Latta has scored wins over Carvers Bay. Meeting to end the season, this year’s clash could help settle the Region 7-2A title.

Predicted order of finish: 1. Carvers Bay, 2. Andrews, 3. Latta, 4. Mullins, 5. Johnsonville, 6. Marion, 7. Kingstree

Region 6-A

What we know: Hemingway and Lake View (again) have asserted themselves as the class of the league, both also ranked in the top five of state football polls. Hannah-Pamplico and Green Sea Floyds look to be the favorites to nab the final two playoff spots.

Keep an eye on: Lake View. Weird to be saying that about a defending state champion, right? But the Wild Gators are trending upward, winners of four in a row since a season opening loss to Latta. Lake View has scored better than 20 points in each game thus far.

Player to watch: Troy Singletary, Hemingway. Under his direction, the Tigers have scored no less than 46 points this season. The dual-threat quarterback has certainly done his part, throwing for 16 touchdowns and rushing for seven more.

Key game: Lake View at Hemingway, Oct. 27. This one will likely be for the Region 6-A championship. On its way to a state championship, the Wild Gators beat Hemingway twice — including a 41-14 win in the Lower State final.

Predicted order of finish: 1. Hemingway, 2. Lake View, 3. Green Sea Floyds, 4. Hannah-Pamplico, 5. East Clarendon, 6. Creek Bridge

This story was originally published September 26, 2017 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Breaking down area high school teams’ chances for playoffs as region play begins."