Region By Region, what is left?

[Rebel-Fan-74]

.. ….. Region One ….. W - L
1 ….. T L Hanna ….. 3 - 0
2 ….. Westside ….. 3 - 0
3 ….. Easley ….. 1 - 2
4 ….. Woodmont ….. 1 - 3
5 ….. J L Mann ….. 0 - 3

1 T.L. Hanna 254.6 Westside 229.1 13
1 Ealsey 192.5 J.L. Mann 163.1 16
Easley and J L Mann determines who doesn't get into the playoffs. If Easley wins they are in and will likely travel to the Reservation, sorry Jack. However, a Spartanburg win and you get to go to lovely Gibbs stadium, home of the Wofford Terriers who proudly rent the stadium to the homeless Vikings. The other game is for the Region Championship and I'm thinking there might be a fan or two at the game?? Anderson will be closed after 6:00 pm on Friday because everyone will either be at the game or hiding from all the rabid fans. #1 seed, Region Championship, possible undefeated season for T L Hanna, and bitter rivalry.... did I forget anything?


.. ….. Region Two ….. W - L
1 ….. Hillcrest ….. 4 - 0
2 ….. Greenwood ….. 3 - 1
3 ….. Mauldin ….. 3 - 1
4 ….. Laurens ….. 2 - 2
5 ….. Wade Hampton ….. 0 - 4
6 ….. Riverside ….. 0 - 4

2 Hillcrest 237.5 Mauldin 236.3 1
2 Greenwood 233.9 Laurens 202.4 16
2 Wade Hampton (G) 188.8 Riverside 150.9 19

Hillcrest and Mauldin get together in a similar match up in Region Two. Rivals, already played one time this season and will meet again with a lot on the line. Hillcrest makes it real easy with a win, while a Mav win gets the tiebreakers going. Then the Greenwood game becomes more interesting. Greenwood {depending on how the tiebreakers work out} could be the most undetermined team in the entire classification. They could end up in a three way tie for first seed and fall in any of the three, or they could be 4th. The only game that doesn't impact the playoffs will determine who gets their first Region win of the season.

.. ….. Region Three ….. W - L
1 ….. Dorman ….. 3 - 0
2 ….. Gaffney ….. 2 - 1
3 ….. Byrnes ….. 1 - 2
4 ….. Spartanburg ….. 1 - 2
5 ….. Boiling Springs ….. 1 - 3

3 Gaffney 238.6 Spartanburg 226.1 6
3 Dorman 242.4 James F. Byrnes 234.1 4
3 Boiling Springs 228.7 Clover 192.3 19

Region Three had Spartanburg pencilled in as Region Champions a couple of weeks ago after the {what we thought then} big showdown at Nixon Field. Now, that is just a footnote. The Vikings can finish second or be eliminated from the playoffs Friday night. Simple solution, JUST WIN. Then you likely host Easley in round one of the playoffs. A Viking loss and a Rebel win over Dorman, and the Vikings start looking for the basketballs. Hard to fathom. Dorman clinched the Region because the worst case for them is a loss to the Rebels and they could end up in a tie with Gaffney and they hold the head to head victory over the Indians. Gaffney will be at home next week with a win this Friday night and would likely be the spot EHSMeanGreen lands. Boiling Springs is out of Region and waiting on scores. The Bulldogs are Indian and Rebel fans this week as they need both of those teams to win to make the playoffs.


.. ….. Region Four ….. W - L
1 ….. Rock Hill ….. 3 - 0
2 ….. Northwestern ….. 2 - 1
3 ….. Nation Ford ….. 2 - 1
4 ….. Fort Mill ….. 1 - 2
5 ….. Clover ….. 0 - 4

4 Northwestern 209.3 Rock Hill 203.9 3
4 Nation Ford 212.1 Fort Mill 203.9 4

OK, Rock Hill is playing for the Region Championship and the right to play next Friday Night at home, not Thursday. Should Rock Hill win and take the Region Title, Northwestern has to hope that Fort Mill beats Nation Ford, or the Trojans would be on the road week one of the playoffs. A Rock Hill loss, coupled with a Nation Ford win and we have a three way tie at 3-1 and someone has to educate us on the Region Four tiebreaker process. Wow, not like I had this one back in August, what about you?


.. ….. Region Five ….. W - L
1 ….. Dutch Fork ….. 5 - 0
2 ….. Spring Valley ….. 4 - 1
3 ….. Lexington ….. 3 - 2
4 ….. Irmo ….. 2 - 3
5 ….. White Knoll ….. 2 - 3
6 ….. Blythewood ….. 1 - 4
7 ….. River Bluff ….. 1 - 5

5 Lexington 212.6 White Knoll 207.8 3
5 Dutch Fork 278.1 Irmo 210.8 34
5 Spring Valley 243.3 Blythewood 172.3 36

Dutch Fork seems to have everthing set now to represent the Region as their #1 seed, as long as they take care of Irmo and Doodles says they are a 34 point favorite, so it looks like this one may be settled at the top. Spring Valley is locked in at #2 since they own the tiebreaker over Lexington, so Lexington and White Knoll seem to be playing for third place and a home playoff game. Of all the Regions, this one fell more in line with expectations than any of the others, top to bottom.


.. ….. Region Six ….. W - L
1 ….. Conway ….. 4 - 0
2 ….. Sumter ….. 3 - 1
3 ….. Carolina Forest ….. 2 - 2
4 ….. West Florence ….. 2 - 2
5 ….. Socastee ….. 1 - 3
6 ….. South Florence ….. 0 - 4

6 Conway 236.2 Carolina Forest 208.6 14
6 Sumter 233.7 Socastee 196.3 19
6 West Florence 213.3 South Florence 187.9 13

Conway won the Region Title with the closest of scores on Friday night. Worst they can do is tie Sumter and the first tiebreaker is head to head, so that is done. Sumter would seem to be poised for second place, but from reports, they have lost their version of Derek Watson {oh wait, I can't use a Clemson metaphor for a team called the Gamecocks, can I?}. Well, the QB is out! Hate to see that for any player at any time, but it seems especially painful to see at this time of the season when everything was on the line. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.


.. ….. Region Seven ….. W - L
1 ….. Fort Dorchester ….. 6 - 0
2 ….. Summerville ….. 6 - 0
3 ….. Ashley Ridge ….. 4 - 2
4 ….. Wando ….. 3 - 3
5 ….. West Ashley ….. 2 - 4
6 ….. Goose Creek ….. 2 - 4
7 ….. Stratford ….. 1 - 5
8 ….. James Island ….. 0 - 6

7 Wando 209.8 West Ashley 205.3 3
7 Goose Creek 199.6 Stratford 171.9 14
7 Ashley Ridge 212.4 James Island 170.2 21
7 Fort Dorchestr 296.5 Summerville 222.9 37

OK Greenwave, it is time for the big boys to lock heads. Doodles doesn't seem to like your chances, and I've been very open about my thoughts as well; HOWEVER, me and Doodles don't matter come Friday night at 7:30. The results are all on you and the Patriots. I think I'd take Fort D and give the points in most circumstances, but knowing how much "love" there will be on that field, it is a little harder to give 37 points. While I don't think this game will come down to the final drive, it is hard to think that it would be over before halftime? Good news, the Wave can finish no worse than 2nd. Ashley Ridge has 3rd while Wando and West Ashley appear to be playing for 4th place or winner gets Spring Valley and loser gets Conway... which drive would you prefer?

[Tigerific]

If Goose Creek beats Stratford and West Ashley beats Wando. I think we have a 3 way tie for 4th?

[trojangrad78]

.. ….. Region Four ….. W - L
1 ….. Rock Hill ….. 3 - 0
2 ….. Northwestern ….. 2 - 1
3 ….. Nation Ford ….. 2 - 1
4 ….. Fort Mill ….. 1 - 2
5 ….. Clover ….. 0 - 4

4 Northwestern 209.3 Rock Hill 203.9 3
4 Nation Ford 212.1 Fort Mill 203.9 4

OK, Rock Hill is playing for the Region Championship and the right to play next Friday Night at home, not Thursday. Should Rock Hill win and take the Region Title, Northwestern has to hope that Fort Mill beats Nation Ford, or the Trojans would be on the road week one of the playoffs. A Rock Hill loss, coupled with a Nation Ford win and we have a three way tie at 3-1 and someone has to educate us on the Region Four tiebreaker process. Wow, not like I had this one back in August, what about you?

My 2 cents worth.....
Northwestern of 2017 is NOT the Northwestern of the last few years. As for the current team, we have a sophomore qb that plays like a sophomore qb most of the time. If our ol can give him time, he is reasonably accurate. If he gets any pressure, he consistently eats it for a loss. He is prone to try and force the ball into coverage to his primary read. We have way too many 3-and-outs. Our defense is getting gassed because they are being worn out being on the field too long.

Against Nation Ford, a lot of "stuff" was exposed. We started strong and built a 17-0 lead, but the qb threw 3 picks. About halfway through the second period, Nation Ford started bring pressure...lots of pressure....very often and started overwhelming the ol. The qb (sophomore!!!) would tuck and crumple. So, what I said in the previous paragraph came into play. Eventually, our defense wore down and Nation Ford was able to drive for scores.

IMPORTANT, at least to me, was that our defense was bending, but didn't break. The game was tied with just a little over a minute to go. We had them held about midfield and it was definitely looking like a punt, Northwestern would run out the clock, and the game would go to overtime, when...WHAM...a 15 yard personal found on one of our dbs. Our radio guys said it was an obvious late hit, in that it was a big two armed shove of a standing Nation Ford player right around the tackle....and it was right in front of the official. That moved the ball from our 41 to our 26. Nation Ford ran the clock down and kicked the game winning field goal on the last play of the game.

Exposed was our inability to consistently pick up the blitz and provide the qb with time to throw. I expect Rock Hill to do the same thing....lots of blitzes and pressure. Will it result in big plays for the Rock Hill defense or big plays for the Northwestern offense????????? Good question.

I keep commenting on our sophomore qb. Let me add a couple of things about our offense this year. Our best/biggest running back has been hurt and pretty much lost for the season since the Byrnes game. Also, our best wr has a high ankle sprain....missed one game and is currently running at what looks to be about 60% speed....that hurts. Also, our sophomore qb became the starter after last year's back up...meaning this year's starter, transferred to York right before school started. That was because the PREVIOUS hc wouldn't commit to him being the starter, even after all the 7-on-7 camps this summer.....geeeezzz. So, our sophomore qb had ZERO experience with the 1st team offense until practice started a couple of weeks before school.

Northwestern vs Rock Hill:
It is not the rivalry between 2 top 10 teams like so often years ago, nor is it with Northwestern significantly better than Rock Hill. What most expect is a very evenly matched game between two teams who KNOW they are pretty equal. Rock Hill is playing for a "first" win in a long time and for a region championship. Wow....that has been a long time coming!!!! Northwestern is playing their hearts our for the current coaching staff, and even with the inexperience and injuries, has that region championship carrot still dangling in front of them.

Note to R74.... If Northwestern loses to Rock Hill and loses in the first round of the playoffs, my original prediction for the season will come true....sadly....but, hey....it is JUST high school football

[EHSMeanGreen]

If Goose Creek beats Stratford and West Ashley beats Wando. I think we have a 3 way tie for 4th?

Goose Creek, Wando, and West Ashley would be tied for 4th at 3-4.

The Points Against tiebreaker "currently" favors Wando by a wide margin.(between these 3 teams)
The "likely" finish in this scenario.
4th. Wando (Points Against)
5th. Goose Creek (head to head over West Ashley)
6th. West Ashley

[GoBigGreen]

Great post R74. Just hoping we do not get too banged up this Friday headed into the playoffs. It should be a fun atmosphere this Friday in Summerville. You know Fort D is going to bring the entire town. One interesting question to be answered is "if" the game is clearly in hand in the 2nd half will Laprad start playing backups like he has all year or will he run the score up. I hope to see the starters in the entire game....because the final outcome is not determined until late in the game.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

I hope to see the starters in the entire game....because the final outcome is not determined until late in the game.

Yeah, I kind of had the same feeling last week. We played very lifeless and didn't seem to be pumped up for the game. Offensively, we have not been consistent and then we lost a key member of that defensive front early in the game. I've been going to Gaffney for a lot of years {too many to mention} and as any visitor to Gaffney will tell you, they seem to get a lot of calls from the zebras { is that the PC way to say the officials are scared to make a call against Gaffney, and seem to give them way more than the benefit of the doubt? }. This week, I saw some calls that Stevie Wonder would have questioned. Now don't get me wrong, that is not why we lost. We lost because we couldn't move the ball on offense with any consistency. But when they get 4 consecutive drives extended with controversial {read: really BAD} calls, that sure helps.

This week, I'm very likely going to pick Dorman and I would rather give Slicker a hug than pick Dorman, but we can't seem to move the ball and the defense has to stop them all night, sounds like a disaster waiting to be unleashed.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Note to R74.... If Northwestern loses to Rock Hill and loses in the first round of the playoffs, my original prediction for the season will come true....sadly....but, hey....it is JUST high school football

JUST High School Football?? You mean the world doesn't end if you lose Friday night? WOW?

[CITYSLICKER]

BURNS AND PEBBLE94 SUCK

[trojangrad78]

Note to R74.... If Northwestern loses to Rock Hill and loses in the first round of the playoffs, my original prediction for the season will come true....sadly....but, hey....it is JUST high school football

JUST High School Football?? You mean the world doesn't end if you lose Friday night? WOW?

Now last year's first round loss to Gaffney really hurt. That loss left many fans, boosters, and players way more angry than disappointed........reference is anger towards the previous hc/oc. However, the sun came up the next morning and life went on.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Coaches get too much credit when things are good and way too much blame when things are bad.

Right now, lot of grumbling about our play calling and it is kind of funny to me some times. I hear someone say, "We need to run the ball!" and someone else about the same time on the other side of me will say "Running the ball against this defense is not going to work, why ain't we passing it more?"

I hear them calling for the JV quarterback to be given a chance and move the current QB to Wide Receiver or Running Back.

I admit, sometimes I question a play call {we all do it from time to time} but I understand not every play will result in a TD, heck not all plays will result in a positive yardage. Some plays work and some don't. For the most part, I've realized that the head coach knows the team better than I do, he sees them every day between video and practice and he is in a much better position to decide if the JV quarterback should be called up or left at the JV level gaining experience.

I personally believe getting back to where we were is not going to happen as quickly as we thought it was going to happen. We got off to a great start and some fans saw that as "WE ARE BACK!"; but we seemed to hit the ceiling with our offensive capabilities somewhere about game 5. We have experienced a good start to the rebuilding and are lightyears ahead of where we were this time last year. But we still have some growing to do, and it was painfully obvious last Friday night. We had some bad calls and we let them get to us and knock us from our focus and our plan. Bad Calls and turnovers happen, you have to re-group and move forward, and we didn't.

I like what I have seen from this team for the most part and I'm proud of the steps they have made to get back on the winning track and I think it is not that far away, but it is still away, not here yet.