Football Friday preview capsules, stats, standings and more

Georgetown (6-2, 2-1) at Myrtle Beach (5-3, 3-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The game: A week after Myrtle Beach extended its all-time record against St. James to 12-0, the Seahawks can run their winning streak over Georgetown to 10 games. Doing so would give coach Mickey Wilson’s team no less than a share of the region championship. To avoid that, Bulldogs coach Bradley Adams knows what his team has to do. “Our defense has got to get a lot better,” he said. “We’re giving up too many points and too many yards. That’s our biggest problem is just getting better. It doesn't matter how many points you score, you’ve got to stop people first.” That may be hard for either team to do. The two electric offenses are both among the top 16 in Class AAA in total points behind quarterbacks Jarvis Brown and Drayton Arnold.

On the air: WGTN-AM, 1400; WYNA-FM, 104.9

Last year: Myrtle Beach 54, Georgetown 25

Favorite: Myrtle Beach

Cavonte Gamble

School: Georgetown

Class: Senior

Position: Receiver/defensive back

The scoop: We already knew Cavonte Gamble was one of the better cornerbacks in this part of the state. Despite routinely being asked to cover the opposing team’s top receiver one-on-one – something he’ll likely be responsible for again this week against Myrtle Beach’s Elijah Rice – he’s also developed into a solid offensive weapon with big-time potential. Gamble’s six touchdowns this year have come from 12, 67, 54, 87, 17 and 83 yards.

South Florence (4-4, 1-1) at Conway (7-1, 2-0)

The game: Chuck Jordan would be more than happy not finding out how well his team plays in close games. Through eight weeks, the Tigers have had just one game decided by a single score and only two determined by less than 24 points. It stands to reason that the next three aren’t going to be lopsided games, despite how well Conway has been playing on both sides of the ball. That likely begins Friday against South Florence, a team that can sling it around with quarterback Lindsey Robinson throwing to three very good receivers and counter with tailback Michael Grimsley. On paper, it looks like a potential shootout.

On the air: WGTR-FM, 107.9

Last year: South Florence 41, Conway 0

Favorite: Conway

Carolina Forest (4-4, 1-1) at Sumter (6-2, 2-0)

The game: While both teams have shown some skill passing the ball, their bread and butter is the running game. By now, we’ve all seen what Carolina Forest junior Dyverse Simmons can do. He’s leading the area with 1,237 yards, an average of 154 per game. He’s also got 13 touchdowns and has had at least one each time out, one of just three area players able to say he’s contributed for a touchdown every game this year. Sumter is going to counter with Quentin Anderson (771 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Rodney Pitts (501, three).

On the air: WSEA-FM, 100.3

Last year: Sumter 63, Carolina Forest 41

Favorite: Sumter

North Myrtle Beach (5-3, 2-1) at St. James (4-4, 1-2)

The game: North Myrtle has already shown an ability to bounce back from losses this season, maybe no more than Friday’s win against Wilson, a game that chased its loss to Georgetown just three days earlier. But what the Chiefs need to prove to everyone is that they can sustain positive momentum when it matters most. Any realistic chance of a Region VII-AAA title requires a win against a St. James team that is especially dangerous when folks are looking the other way.

On the air: WRNN-FM, 99.5; nmbchiefs.com; HTC Channel 4; HTCConnect.com

Last year: North Myrtle Beach 27, St. James 13

Favorite: North Myrtle Beach

Loris (3-4, 1-1) at Dillon (8-0, 3-0)

The game: The only other team in Class AA that has had anywhere near the defensive dominance of Dillon, Academic Magnet, has played a cakewalk of a schedule against mostly smaller competition. That’s not the case for Jackie Hayes’ Wildcats. The state’s most dominant program of the past four years has beat up on everyone. And in giving up 6.6 points per game this season, Dillon has done so while playing three teams from larger classes. That’s not a good sign for Loris, which is still finding its offensive touch.

On the air: WLSC-AM, 1240

Last year: Dillon 37, Loris 20 (playoffs); Dillon 49, Loris 7 (regular season)

Favorite: Dillon

Aynor (4-4, 1-2) at Mullins (3-4, 1-1)

The game: Aynor looked a lot more like its old self in an overtime win against Waccamaw last week. Six players had at least three carries, and five of them went for at least 30 yards. Sure, it’s not the type of production they had with two 1,000-yard backs last season, but the diversified production means the Blue Jackets were able to sustain a handful of drives. That will be necessary against a Mullins squad that took advantage of a scheduling quirk to deliver the upset of the region slate so far with a win against Loris last week.

On the air: WRXZ-FM, 107.1

Last year: Aynor 44, Mullins 35

Favorite: Aynor

Marion (5-2, 1-1) at Waccamaw (2-5, 0-2)

The game: Waccamaw’s overtime loss to Aynor last week stung, as losses usually do. But it wasn’t without good reason. The Warriors, playing their second game in four days, ended up dropping both in what amounted to a uphill climb few teams were able to navigate. But after a full week of practice, Tyronne Davis’ team can finally have the impact win its been working for all season without the restrictions caused by school closures and lack of practices. Beating Marion keeps Waccamaw’s playoff hopes very much alive despite still having Dillon on the schedule.

Last year: Marion 32, Waccamaw 14

Favorite: Marion

Green Sea Floyds (2-6, 0-3) at Creek Bridge (0-7, 0-2)

The game: After a two-win 2014, it appears Creek Bridge has found itself flirting with a winless season – much like Green Sea Floyds had a year ago. The Warriors’ offense has been abysmal; so far this season, they’ve scored only 34 points, an average of 4.9 per game. Both figures are next to last in all of Class A. Now add in a ball-control offense like the Trojans possess, and stats like that are impossible to ignore.

Last year: Creek Bridge 30, Green Sea Floyds 0

Favorite: Green Sea Floyds

Carvers Bay (3-5, 2-1) at Latta (5-3, 2-1)

The game: Latta’s offense will likely account for the best one (outside of Georgetown) that Carvers Bay faces this season. The Vikings’ trio of quarterback Colby Lee (a South Carolina baseball commit), running back Kartilus McFadden and receiver Davonte Porter have teamed up to help Latta average better than 33 points per game. It’s already had five games of 40 points or more and two games of at least 50

Last year: Latta 17, Carvers Bay 14

Favorite: Latta

All Football Friday information by Ian Guerin, ian@ianguerin.com and @iguerin

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Football Friday preview capsules, stats, standings and more."