More than any other year, the last 2 weeks of this regular season are critical.

Only 2 teams from each SC High School Football region will qualify for the playoffs.

So far, 3 Chronicle Country teams (Dutch Fork, Gilbert and Gray Collegiate) are in the playoffs as region champions. For several others, these final 2 weeks are a time of opportunity.

Such is the case for Pelion which looks to claim its 1st region title since 2000. The Panthers have won 2 straight games and head to Petticoat Junction to face Silver Bluff with a chance to at least clinch a playoff berth.

A victory sets up a Thursday night showdown on Nov. 5 with Wade Hampton for the Region 5-2A title. The Panthers would be in position to win the region outright with wins in their final 2 games, but a split could create enforce a 3-way tiebreaker with the Red Devils and Barnwell.

Meanwhile, Lexington, River Bluff and Chapin are all fighting for the final playoff spot out of Region 5-5A. While Chapin has completed region play at 2-2, the Wildcats will have 2 more games to even its mark, 1 of which is against the archrival Gators.

Lexington will need to win this week at White Knoll and at home against River Bluff to create a 3-way tiebreaker. It’s a much simpler path for the Gators - just win next week and they’re in.

A season-ending showdown is also what stands in the way of Irmo returning to the post-season berth in its 1st season back in Class 4A. The Yellow Jackets face Chapin in a matchup of Lexington-Richland District 5 schools, then close the season at home against Westwood to determine the final playoff berth out of Region 4-4A.

The SCISA football season ends this week for Northside Christian and WW King Academy. There’s still plenty at stake for the Crusaders, who can clinch their 2nd winning season in program history with a win at Palmetto Christian Academy.

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Batesburg-Leesville

THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

A 2-week layoff did not leave nary a sign of rust on the 7th ranked Panthers. They forced 9 turnovers in the 52-28 victory over defending Class 2A champion Saluda to keep alive its post-season hopes in Region 3-2A. A win at Columbia this week sets up a showdown for the final playoff spot at home Nov. 6 against Newberry.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate)

The dynamic junior running back rushed for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the 2nd ranked War Eagles to a 34-28 win over 3rd ranked Newberry to wrap up the Region 3-2A title.

GRIDIRON GIANTS

Marvin Gantt (Batesburg-Leesville) - 188 rushing yards, 4 TDs

Will Way (Brookland-Cayce) - 2 rushing TDs

Conner Lehmann - 14 tackles

Sam Greer - 12 tackles

Hunter Sheppard (Chapin) - 227 passing yards, 3 TDs

Zavier Short (Chapin) - 8 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs

Bennett Galloway (Chapin) - 124 rushing yards, TD

Will Taylor (Dutch Fork) - 218 passing yards

Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) - 7 receptions, 126 yards, 1 passing TD

Colton Mason (Gilbert) - 105 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Harley Boatwright (Gilbert) - 10 tackles.

Izayah Whiteside (Gilbert) - 279 passing yards, 4 TDs Marcum Reese (Lexington) - 146

Marcum Reese (Lexington) - 146 passing yards, 2 TDs

Max McKenna (Northside Christian) - 249 passing yards, 5 TDs, 1 rushing TD.

Brayden Ross (Northside Christian) - 10 receptions, 81 yards, 3 TDs

Charlie Compton (Northside Christian) - 8 receptions, 100 yards, TD

Azwan Jones (Pelion) - 2 rushing TDs

Riley Myers (River Bluff) - 212 rushing yards, 4 TDs

THE 1,000-YARD CLUB

Despite playing just 5 games, both 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 1,059 yards, followed by Mason with 1,021 yards.

MILESTONES

Chapin sophomore wide receiver Zavier Short became the school’s all-time leader in receptions...Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart is 1 win shy of tying Barry Harley for 2nd most wins in school history (47). Marty Woolbright sits 1st with 67 career wins.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Dutch Fork football team posted its 13th shutout win since 2016. It has gone 45 straight games without a loss, defeated 44 consecutive in-state teams and have won 26 straight road games entering Friday’s contest against South Pointe... Dutch Fork quarterback Will Taylor has thrown for 1,264 yards and 15 TDs. Teammate wide receiver Elijah Spencer has 27 receptions for 551 yards and 9 TDs. Antonio Williams has 446 kick returns yards and 2 touchdowns and 1,090 all-purpose yards and 8 touchdowns...Pelion is 0-5 all-time against Silver Bluff... Irmo leads the all-time series with Chapin 5-1-1. The Eagles’ win over Lexington was the 1st in the series since 1996..Airport holds a 46-32 advantage over Brookland-Cayce, but lost both meetings last year… Lexington is 14-5 all-time against White Knoll...Batesburg-Leesville is 10-4 all-time against Columbia...4 teams from Region 3-2A (Gray Collegiate, Newberry, Batesburg-Leesville and Saluda) were ranked in last week’s SC Prep Football Media Class 2A poll......Chapin linebacker Sam Greer has 65 tackles. Teammate wide receiver Zavier Short has 33 receptions for 444 yards and 5 TDs...Gilbert’s Harley Boatwright has 58 tackles.

1ST TIME MEETINGS

The shortened schedule has resulted in 1st time matchups. 4-time defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork heads to Rock Hill to Class 4A state power South Pointe, while 5th ranked Gilbert makes the trip up Interstate 26 to face Laurens.