Football Friday capsules, standings and more

St. James (4-3, 1-1) at Myrtle Beach (4-3, 2-0)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Brandon Sinclair doesn’t always crush opposing defenses, but the Myrtle Beach offense certainly seems to have a harder time when he’s not on the field. More than likely, it means opposing squads can set a game plan that looks a little more one-dimensional. There was evidence of that last week against Lake City, when the Panthers jumped out to a 20-6 lead in the second quarter. The Seahawks made the necessary adjustments and won the game in double overtime, but it was certainly closer than Myrtle Beach hoped. The bad news is that Mickey Wilson’s team will be playing one of the better defenses it has seen so far this year. St. James is giving up just 18.3 points per game. The good news is that Sinclair will be back on the field after sitting out the Lake City game after suffering a concussion. Myrtle Beach is going to need every weapon in its arsenal, and Sinclair would certainly qualify.

On the air | WYNA-FM, 104.9

Last year | Myrtle Beach 38, St. James 31

Favorite | Myrtle Beach

Zach Werba

School | St. James

Class | Senior

Position | Quarterback

The scoop | It’s apparent the coaching staff at St. James trusts Werba to do more than a year ago, when he threw for 1,173 yards and seven touchdowns. The quarterback’s production, though, has basically forced their hand. Just seven games into this season, he’s already tossed 11 touchdowns and is 116 yards shy of last year’s overall tally. And even though the Sharks haven’t won every game, it’s hard to find one in which Werba didn’t play well. He’s completed at least half of his passes all but once, and his good decisions are putting St. James in solid position each time out.

Conway (6-1, 1-0) at Socastee (1-6, 0-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Conway will be looking to jump all over Socastee for the second time this season, and that means relying on its Big Three again. When they played on Sept. 4, the Tigers got 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns from running back Jah’Maine Martin, Peyton Derrick threw for 144 yards and two touchdowns and receiver Bryan Edwards finished with 130 yards and a score. Anything close to that type of three-pronged production, especially early, will mean another long night for the injury-depleted Braves.

On the air | WSEA-FM, 100.3; WGTR-FM, 107.9, HTCConnect.com

Last meeting | Conway 43, Socastee 8 (Sept. 4)

Favorite | Conway

Carolina Forest (4-3, 1-0) at South Florence (3-4, 0-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | This isn’t the same Bruins team that was consistently competing for Region VI-AAAA titles the last half decade or so. South Florence, in fact, is reeling a bit coming into this game. After winning three straight games against smaller schools, the Bruins have dropped three straight to fellow Class AAAA competition. The biggest blow was last week against Sumter. The Gamecocks’ physical defense shut out South Florence 35-0. Carolina Forest may not be as strong on that side of the ball, but it does have an offense that is truly clicking at the right time.

On the air | WSEA-FM, 100.3

Last year | South Florence 55, Carolina Forest 49

Favorite | Carolina Forest

Wilson (3-4, 0-2) at North Myrtle Beach (4-3, 1-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | That big-play potential of Wilson’s that St. James was able to corral last weekend is now North Myrtle Beach’s problem. And it could be a big one based on recent weeks. The Chiefs gave up four touchdowns of 22 yards or longer on Tuesday against Georgetown, with two of those scores coming from 67 yards or more. North Myrtle Beach also gave up a 66-yard touchdown run two weeks ago to Lake City. Considering the Tigers have a number of players with that type of capability - namely sophomore Xavier Thomas - and the top priority here is about as obvious as it gets.

On the air | WRNN-FM, 99.5; nmbchiefs.com

Last year | Wilson 37, North Myrtle Beach 34 (2OT)

Favorite | North Myrtle Beach

Lake City (4-3, 0-2) at Georgetown (6-1, 2-0)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | What Georgetown did in its lopsided win over North Myrtle Beach on Tuesday was fairly spectacular given the quick turnaround (the game wasn’t announced until Monday) and the lack of practice - the Bulldogs had just two to prep. But for as big as that win was, and the emotions tied to it were, dropping a home game against at team North Myrtle Beach dispatched two weeks ago would evaporate those good feelings quickly. Georgetown’s defense can make sure that doesn’t happen by keeping up the same defensive intensity that has stymied most of its opponents, especially late in games.

On the air | WGTN-AM, 1400

Last year | Georgetown 18, Lake City 13

Favorite | Georgetown

Waccamaw (3-3, 0-1) at Aynor (3-4, 0-2)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | It’s hard to put so much emphasis on a single game at the midway point of the region slate, but for Aynor, this one is probably nothing short of must-win if it has realistic hopes of making the playoffs. The Blue Jackets’ losses to Dillon and Marion to open region play put them in a huge hole. Considering it’s going to take at least two region victories to make the postseason - and with Loris still on the schedule - Aynor can’t afford a third loss here. On the flip side of that, Waccamaw can start to position itself for the postseason if it is able to lock down the Blue Jackets’ offense and get Kevin Gasque and Kelton Grant going early.

On the air | WRXZ-FM, 107.1

Last year | Waccamaw 34, Aynor 6

Favorite | Waccamaw

Loris (3-3, 1-0) at Mullins (2-4, 0-1)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | If Jamie Snider was worried about his team being rusty after nearly three weeks without a game, well, his players put that idea to rest quickly Tuesday. Loris took out Waccamaw 31-6 on the strength of another fine Ta’Jay Williams passing game in which he hooked up with his favorite receiver (Desmond Dozier) for a pair of scores and then added his team-leading sixth rushing touchdown of the year. Against Mullins, Loris should have little problem keeping that momentum going.

On the air | WLSC-AM, 1240

Last year | Loris 36, Mullins 0

Favorite | Loris

Hemingway (2-4, 0-1) at Green Sea-Floyds (2-5, 0-2)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Green Sea-Floyds had gotten back to basics earlier in the year, and it helped the Trojans start the season with a pair of victories. However, against teams with better athletes, and for the most part, bigger rosters, coach Tony Sullivan’s squad has started to look more like last year’s squad. Green Sea-Floyds has lost five straight game by an average of 26.6 points, and now its looking at a game against Hemingway, another team that has traditionally had little problem dispatching it.

Last year | Hemingway 32, Green Sea-Floyds 8

Favorite | Hemingway

Carvers Bay (3-4, 2-0) at Lake View (5-2, 2-0)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Wins over Creek Bridge and Green Sea-Floyds were nice for Carvers Bay. The Bears pulled out a pair of necessary wins after using the first portion of the season to find itself. But the next two weeks are likely going to determine if this team is one that can qualify for the playoffs. In Lake View, the Bears will be facing one of the state’s best Class A team. An effort similar to what Carvers Bay put up against Green Sea-Floyds on Tuesday would help. It was then that the Bears rushed for 197 yards and posted a shutout, its first of the season.

Last year | Lake View 14, Carvers Bay 0

Favorite | Lake View

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 9:39 PM with the headline "Football Friday capsules, standings and more."