Football Friday preview capsules, standings, stats and more

Carolina Forest (5-5, 2-2) at Conway (8-2, 3-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The game: The biggest matchup of the week has a history of some big offenses putting up big point totals. Carolina Forest’s trip to Conway on Friday may be no different. Since 2008, when the Panthers moved up to Class AAAA, the local rivals have averaged a combined 62.9 points in this game. They’ve scored a total of 70 points or more three times, and the lone meeting in that span that didn’t equate to at least 51 points came in 2011, when the Tigers breezed to a 32-0 victory. This season, Conway is the top-scoring team on the Grand Strand, averaging 38 points per game. Carolina Forest (28.7 ppg) is third. What’s more, against each of their first four region opponents, both teams have actually seen their scoring increase. All that means that each team has to put a premium on slowing down the other late in the game. Like some of the other recent matchups between these two – three of the last five meetings have been decided by a touchdown or late – and the defense that finds a fourth-quarter stop could be the one celebrating when the game is over.

On the air: WSEA-FM, 100.3; WGTR-FM, 107.9; HTC Channel 4; HTCConnect.com

Last year: Carolina Forest 42, Conway 35

Favorite: Conway

Austin Manchester

School: Conway

Class: Senior

Position: Linebacker

The scoop: The Tigers’ top overall tackler and the rest of the Conway defense must find a way to rebound quickly after getting decimated by Sumter’s run game a week ago. And while Carolina Forest’s offensive line may not be built quite like the Gamecocks’ front five, the Panthers’ rushing attack is every bit as dangerous. Carolina Forest is going to feed Dyverse Simmons time and again, and if Manchester can play a role in limiting Simmons, it should mean good things for Conway.

Sumter (8-2, 4-0) at Socastee (2-8, 1-3)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The game: Much like the rest of the Region VI-AAAA teams that have had to face off against Sumter running back Quentin Anderson, Socastee now has to deal with the senior scoring machine. Anderson has 21 rushing touchdowns, three more receiving and has even thrown for two on halfback passes. What he’s done against the first four region opponents has been a major boost for the already-crowned division champs. In those games alone, he’s rushed for 13 scores – including five against Conway last week – and averaged 113 yards. There’s little reason to believe the offense won’t go through him again. Although the Gamecocks have locked up the region title, they’re still fighting for a higher seed for the postseason.

On the air: WSYN-FM, 103.1

Last year: Sumter 31, Socastee 15

Favorite: Sumter

Mullins (4-5, 2-2) at Waccamaw (3-6, 1-3)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The game: Waccamaw coach Tyronne Davis saw that his game against Dillon was going about as well for the Warriors as most of the Wildcats’ opponents this season. So he decided to pull some of his starters to make sure they were ready for this game. It was a smart move, as Waccamaw’s chances of a fifth consecutive trip to the Class AA playoffs rely upon a victory against Mullins. Getting there may mean a steady diet of Kevin Gasque. A year ago, the tailback when for 110 yards and a touchdown. The game was dominated early by the Warriors’ defense, but it was a late 55-yard run from Gasque that put the game away. Without the same defense Waccamaw had last season, he will need to have more of an impact early.

Last year: Waccamaw 34, Mullins 18

Favorite: Mullins

Loris (4-5, 2-2) at Marion (6-3, 2-2)

When: 7:30 p.m.

The game: There was a point in last week’s win over Aynor in which coach Jamie Snider was nervous at how well the Blue Jackets were moving the football. After a handful of series, that anxiety turned into confidence. Loris’ defense showed the same type of dominant capability it has in the past two years by shutting out Aynor in the 27-0 win. Against Marion, a team running a similar run-based scheme, the Lions will need to do exactly what they did last week. Led by tailback Janarick Reed, the Swamp Foxes are averaging more than 300 yards per game on the ground.

On the air: WLSC-AM, 1240

Last year: Loris 34, Marion 6

Favorite: Loris

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

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 2:54 AM with the headline "Football Friday preview capsules, standings, stats and more."