Head coach Gary Adams is not just facing a South Carolina coaching legend this Friday when his Batesburg-Leesville team plays host to Newberry.

He’s squaring off against the winningest head coach in Panthers’ history in Phil Strickland. Adams played under Strickland, who posted a 131- 24 record in 11 seasons at Batesburg-Leesville, when the now-Bulldogs’ head coach won the 1st of 2 Class 2A titles in 1995 with the Panthers.

Strickland now stands in the way of his former school returning to the post-season. The winner clinches 2nd place and will join top seed Gray Collegiate as a playoff representative out of Region 3-2A.

The loser still has an opportunity at an at-large berth, whose reward is a 1st round matchup at topranked Abbeville.

Both teams saw their schedules interrupted due to covid-19 quarantines and resumed play 2 weeks ago. Newberry (2-1, 2-1) is playing just their 4th game of the season after ending Saluda’s reign as defending Class 2A champion in a 13-8 win.

Batesburg-Leesville (3-1, 3-1) is coming off a 35-6 road win over Columbia and have won 3 straight since the season-opening loss to the War Eagles.

Another Panthers’ team in Lexington Country playing for their postseason lives against a former Batesburg-Leesville championship coach is Pelion. It faces Wade Hampton, led by Jerry Brown, on Thursday.

A victory would not only clinch a playoff berth, but the Panthers’ 1st Region 5-2A title since 1999. The Chronicle County teams who have already qualified for the playoffs are Brookland-Cayce, Dutch Fork, Gilbert, Gray Collegiate and River Bluff.

River Bluff will clinch 2nd place outright in Region 5-5A with a win over Lexington. A loss creates a 3-way tie for 2nd with the Gators, Wildcats and Chapin with the tiebreaker based on the margin of victory in a loss to top seed Dutch Fork.

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Dutch Fork

The 4-time defending champions and Class 5A top-ranked team continued their domination with a convincing 35-7 road win over 4th ranked Class 4A opponent South Pointe. It was the 19th nationallyranked Silver Foxes’ 46th straight game without a loss, 45th consecutive win against Palmetto State teams and 28th straight road win.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Bennett Galloway (Chapin)

The Eagles’ running back rushed for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns and had over 200 kick return yards. This include an 82-yard kickoff return TD to open the 2nd half of the 55-38 win over Irmo.

GRIDIRON GIANTS

Marvin Gantt (Batesburg-Leesville) - 156 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Jenavus Williams (Batesburg-Leesville) - 172 passing yards, 3 TDs

Will Way (Brookland-Cayce) - 165 rushing yards, 2 TDs Ian Myers (Brookland-Cayce) - 3

Ian Myers (Brookland-Cayce) - 3 interceptions; 1 TD

Jayden Bradford (Chapin) - 273 passing yards, 4 TDs

Zavier Short (Chapin) - 7 receptions, 155 yards, 3 TDs

Marcus Taylor (Dutch Fork) - 151 rushing yards, 3 TDs

THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Will Taylor (Dutch Fork) - 276 passing yards, 2 TDs

Izayah Whiteside (Gilbert) - 251 passing yards, 4 TDs

Colton Mason (Gilbert) - 147 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Chance Jennings (Gilbert) - 4 catches, 154 yards, 2 TDs

Harley Boatwright (Gilbert) - 16 tackles

LP Snelling (Gilbert) - 13 tackles

Jarrett Cason & Tyler Nachel (both of Gilbert) - 11 tackles each

Dylan Williams (Irmo) - 231 passing yards, 2 TDs, 2 rushing TDs

KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - 253 yards, 3 TDs

Tre Robinson (Gray Collegiate) - 240 passing yards, 2 TDs Justen Brunson (Gray Collegiate)

Justen Brunson (Gray Collegiate) - 3 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs

THE 1,000-YARD CLUB

Running backs Colton Mason of Gilbert and KZ Adams of Gray Collegiate have each surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season. Adams leads with 1,312 yards, followed by Mason with 1,168 yards.

MILESTONES

Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart is tied with Barry Harley for 2nd most wins in school history (47).

BY THE NUMBERS

Dutch Fork quarterback Will Taylor has thrown for 1,540 yards and 17 TDs. Teammate wide receiver Elijah Spencer has 32 receptions for 618 yards and 9 TDs. Antonio Williams has 519 kick returns yards and 2 touchdowns and 572 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns... The 93 combined points scored between Chapin and Irmo was the most in the 8 all-time meetings... Chapin wide receiver Zavier Short has 40 receptions for 595 yards and 8 TDs...Brookland-Cayce has outscored their last 2 opponents 75-0... Gilbert’s Harley Boatwright has 74 tackles this season.

SCHEDULE CHANGES

The 2020 season ended last week for White Knoll as it cancelled its 2 remaining games. Airport scheduled a Thursday home contest against Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Chapin will face York on the road Friday.

Thursday’s Games

(All Games at 7:30 pm)

Wade Hampton at Pelion

Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Airport

Friday’s Games

(All Games at 7:30 pm)

Newberry at Batesburg-Leesville

Chapin at York

River Bluff at Lexington

Westwood at Irmo