Football Friday preview capsules, standings, stats and more

Conway (8-1, 3-0) at Sumter (7-2, 3-0)

When | 7:30 p.m.

The game | Sumter has some top-shelf offensive threats, to be sure. But where the Gamecocks have developed into the type of team that can dominate is on the other side of the ball. Coach Mark Barnes’ defense has been stout, especially in region play. In those three games, the Gamecocks have allowed just 10 total points and made sure that nearly everything it gives up is fruitless yards. Oddly enough, what Sumter has done comes without huge tallies of turnovers. Through nine games, the Gamecocks have forced just nine interceptions and recovered only nine fumbles. That means what they are doing is simply muscling up when it truly matters. Early downs have also been a problem for Sumter’s opponents. So far, the Gamecocks have 69 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. Conway will have to continue to be efficient so that it isn’t chasing yards trying to get back to the line of scrimmage.

On the air | WGTR-FM, 107.9

Last year | Sumter 40, Conway 21

Favorite | Sumter

Jah’Maine Martin

School | Conway

Class | Senior

Position | Running back

The scoop | It stands to reason that Sumter isn’t going to spend so much of its energy away from the line of scrimmage now that Conway receiver Bryan Edwards is out for the rest of the year. And if the Gamecocks do stack the box, Martin and the offensive line in front of him are going to find their yards even tougher to come by against a bigger Sumter front seven. The Tigers aren’t going to abandon the passing game by any means, but the load on Martin’s shoulders just got that much heavier.

All games 7:30 p.m.

West Florence (1-8, 0-3) at Carolina Forest (4-5, 1-2)

The game: Carolina Forest is coming off by far its worst offensive showing of the season. The Panthers had scored at least three touchdowns against every other opponent through the first eight games; against Sumter, they scored just three points. Carolina Forest was still able to run the ball for 234 yards, including 188 from Dyverse Simmons. But the struggles in the passing game reared their head, as quarterback Matt Beale was unable to find open receivers and threw for just 52 yards. Considering West Florence has allowed region opponents to score 60, 42 and 34 points, this may be a perfect opportunity for Carolina Forest to put its offense back to good use.

On the air: WSEA-FM, 100.3

Last year: West Florence 31, Carolina Forest 7

Favorite: Carolina Forest

Socastee (2-7, 1-2) at South Florence (4-5, 1-2)

The game: Two schools trying to keep playoff hopes alive are going to be relying upon relatively inexperienced quarterbacks. Socastee, which has used primarily Hunter Illing in recent weeks, went to a lot of Wildcat sets last week against West Florence. The move brought Keyon Clora into the backfield alongside Malachi McClendon, the team’s best offensive weapon. Illing and Clora will split reps again this week, and a similar bit of success will go that much further if it happens against a South Florence team that has also moved on to a back-up quarterback. The Bruins will be without quarterback Lindsey Robinson, and according to the Florence Morning News, sophomore Austin Moore will take over.

On the air: WSYN-FM, 103.1

Last year: South Florence 27, Socastee 20

Favorite: South Florence

Myrtle Beach (6-3, 4-0) at North Myrtle Beach (5-4, 2-2)

The game: There may not be another team around with the head-scratching type of results North Myrtle Beach has had this season. The Chiefs have managed to avoid back-to-back losses, but they’ve also never really sustained any sort of consistency. Their performance during region play is a perfect example. In addition to alternating wins and losses, North Myrtle Beach has also gone on a roller coaster with its offense. In wins over Lake City and Wilson, it scored at least 30 points; in losses to Georgetown and St. James, the final production was 10 points or less. If nothing else, there is a high ceiling against Myrtle Beach, a team that, like a year ago, came into the game with a region title already in its back pocket. And like last year, North Myrtle Beach has the potential to pull off a much-needed win at the perfect time.

On the air: WYNA-FM, 104.9; WRNN-FM, 99.5; nmbchiefs.com; HTC Channel 4; HTCConnect.com

Last year: North Myrtle Beach 14, Myrtle Beach 11

Favorite: Myrtle Beach

Wilson (3-6, 0-4) at Georgetown (6-3, 2-2)

The game: The Bulldogs got a bit of good news earlier this week when they found out it appeared quarterback Jarvis Brown would be OK after suffering a mild knee injury and being forced out of last week’s blowout loss to Myrtle Beach. That’s a good sign, because the Bulldogs need to not only win to guarantee a postseason berth, but they badly need to get back on track if they expect to do much once they get there. A loss doesn’t necessarily rule Georgetown out of the playoffs, but backing in could lead to a first-round match-up that equates to a quick exit.

On the air: WGTN-AM, 1400

Last year: Georgetown 35, Wilson 16

Favorite: Georgetown

St. James (5-4, 2-2) at Lake City (6-3, 2-2)

The game: We should probably quit calling what Robby Brown has done in a short time at St. James a surprise. The Sharks are a Friday win over Lake City away from guaranteeing its first winning season in school history. The bigger concern on this team’s mind, though, is making sure it qualifies for the playoffs. A victory over the Panthers does just that (it would be the third postseason trip for the school), and with some help from Myrtle Beach and Wilson, the Sharks could even be at home when the playoffs open in two weeks. If a St. James defense led by Jamarius Faulkner, Sage Pascoe and Alijah Pursley shows up again, all the number crunching at the end of the night may not be necessary.

Last year: St. James 14, Lake City 12

Favorite: Lake City

Aynor (4-5, 1-3) at Loris (3-5, 1-2)

The game: Ta’Jay Williams has had plenty of big games for Loris in his two years as a starter. But few have been as dynamic as his performance against Aynor from a year ago. It was then, in a 41-14 win over the Blue Jackets, that the quarterback threw for a career-high 261 yards and two touchdowns while running for two more scores. His offensive output was balanced, as he contributed a touchdown in each quarter. With Aynor needing two wins for any shot at the playoffs, there is little doubt that slowing Williams down will be the Blue Jacket defense’s first priority.

On the air: WRXZ-FM, 107.1; WLSC-AM, 1240

Last year: Loris 41, Aynor 14

Favorite: Loris

Waccamaw (3-5, 1-2) at Dillon (9-0, 4-0)

The game: Waccamaw’s reward for its biggest win of the season and finally starting to get some positive momentum is a trip to Dillon. And while beating the Wildcats would be the upset of the year in the state of South Carolina, expecting it to happen probably isn’t realistic. But here’s the good news for Tyronne Davis’ team: There’s no reason to believe Waccamaw can’t continue to improve on the offensive side of the ball in advance of a crucial regular-season finale at home against Mullins next week. While no one has tested Dillon yet, there are three additional playoff spots still available for the other five teams in the region. The Warriors aren’t out of anything yet.

Last year: Dillon 56, Waccamaw 0

Favorite: Dillon

Latta (6-3, 3-1) at Green Sea-Floyds (3-6, 1-3)

The game: With a decent amount of Class A games still a week away, the exact playoff scenarios for Green Sea-Floyds won’t be known until seven days after the Trojans’ final regular-season contest. However, Tony Sullivan’s team would give itself a massive boost toward reaching the postseason if it is able to do what most of the region couldn’t so far - handle a stout Latta offense. The Vikings are putting up 32 points per game. They’ve scored at least 40 points five times so far, and if Green Sea-Floyds doesn’t control the ball, it could turn into the next team to see the opposing scoreboard light up early and often.

Last year: Latta 35-8

Favorite: Latta

Hemingway (3-5, 1-2) at Carvers Bay (3-6, 2-2)

The game: Of all the rivalries involving a local team, it would be hard to find another one played as closely as the Hemingway-Carvers Bay game each year. In 19 all-time meetings, the Tigers have won 12 times, including last season’s 8-6 victory in the regular-season finale. Eight of the 19 match-ups have been decided by a single score, and Hemingway’s all-time scoring advantage against the Bears is roughly a point and a half. Adding in playoff implications for a pair of teams hoping to find a way into the postseason has mattered before, but with or without plans for November football, there’s little reason to believe this won’t be another close one.

Last year: Hemingway 8, Carvers Bay 6

Favorite: Carvers Bay

Region VI-AAAA

Thursday

Socastee 34, West Florence 21

Friday

Conway 50, South Florence 29

Sumter 38, Carolina Forest 3

Conway at Sumter

Carolina Forest at West Florence

Socastee at South Florence

Region VII-AAA

Myrtle Beach 42, Georgetown 7

Lake City 28, Wilson 21

St. James 17, North Myrtle Beach 7

Myrtle Beach at North Myrtle Beach

Wilson at Georgetown

St. James at Lake City

Region VIII-AA

Waccamaw 20, Marion 14

Dillon 52, Loris 0

Mullins 16, Aynor 14

Aynor at Loris

Mullins at Marion

Waccamaw at Dillon

Region VIII-A

Latta 22, Carvers Bay 8

Green Sea Floyds 44, Creek Bridge 16

Lake View 20, Hemingway 14

Lake View at Creek Bridge

Hemingway at Carvers Bay

Latta at Green Sea Floyds

Here are the top teams in the Grand Strand area as ranked by The Sun News’ Ian Guerin:

BIG CLASS

1. Conway: How Tigers respond to bad news will determine how long their season lasts.

2. Myrtle Beach: Seahawks have already clinched their seventh region title in last decade.

3. Georgetown: Needing a bounce-back game, Bulldogs play the lone winless team in region.

SMALL CLASS

1. Loris: Jamie Snider’s team isn’t done making noise just yet.

2. Aynor: Any hopes of a playoff berth realistically rely upon a win at Loris on Friday.

3. Carvers Bay: Bears’ playoffs hopes improve with win over their biggest rival.

Rushing

Passing

Receiving

Touchdowns

Alan Blondin

@alanblondin

West Florence at *Carolina Forest

Conway at *Sumter

Socastee at *South Florence

*Myrtle Beach at North Myrtle Beach

Wilson at *Georgetown

*St. James at Lake City

Aynor at *Loris

Waccamaw at *Dillon

*Latta at Green Sea-Floyds

*Hemingway at Carvers Bay

Last week: 7-3

Overall record: 57-18

Shane Bowen

@MBRealtorShane

West Florence at *Carolina Forest

Conway at *Sumter

Socastee at *South Florence

*Myrtle Beach at North Myrtle Beach

Wilson at *Georgetown

St. James at *Lake City

Aynor at *Loris

*Waccamaw at Dillon

*Latta at Green Sea-Floyds

Hemingway at *Carvers Bay

Last week: 8-2

Overall record: 51-24

Ian Guerin

@iguerin

West Florence at *Carolina Forest

*Conway at Sumter

Socastee at *South Florence

*Myrtle Beach at North Myrtle Beach

Wilson at *Georgetown

*St. James at Lake City

Aynor at *Loris

Waccamaw at *Dillon

*Latta at Green Sea-Floyds

Hemingway at *Carvers Bay

Last week: 5-5

Overall record: 49-26

Max McKinnon

@mmckinnonTSN

West Florence at *Carolina Forest

Conway at *Sumter

Socastee at *South Florence

Myrtle Beach at *North Myrtle Beach

Wilson at *Georgetown

*St. James at Lake City

Aynor at *Loris

Waccamaw at *Dillon

*Latta at Green Sea-Floyds

Hemingway at *Carvers Bay

Last week: 6-6

Overall record: 47-28

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 11:06 PM with the headline "Football Friday preview capsules, standings, stats and more."