The exciting, non-region contests are now put aside until the post-season.

The “real” portion of the regular season now begins this Friday for Chronicle Country teams in the SC High School League.

Unlike last year, the top 4 finishers of each region will make the playoffs. Finishing in the top 2 in the standings makes the path easier to reach Charlie W. Johnson Stadium for the state finals in December.

Among the key matchups pits the “Battle of Lexington” in The Swamp between the visiting Wildcats and River Bluff. Lexington won the 1st 4 meetings, but the Gators have taken the last 3 with wins all in double digits.

The winner gets an early inside track of finishing in the top 2 of Region 5-5A as it looks to dethrone 5-time defending champion Dutch Fork.

Over in Batesburg-Leesville, the host team Panthers will open Region 3-2A play against 3-time region champion Gray Collegiate Academy.

The 2nd ranked War Eagles have won 16 consecutive region games, 2nd only to the Silver Foxes for longest region winning streak among Chronicle Country teams.

The game can be heard on radio station WBLR (1430 AM).

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Batesburg-Leesville

Since returning to action after a 2-week covid-19 protocol, the Panthers have won 2 straight victories.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Davin Patterson (Dutch Fork)

The Silver Foxes’ quarterback threw for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 42-13 win over Spartanburg. It was Dutch Fork’s 1st home game this season and extended their home undefeated streak to 28 games in a row.

WEEK 5 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Amah-Dre Leaphart (Batesburg-Leesville) - 171 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Camarius Long (Batesburg-Leesville) - 198 passing yards

Ziggy Merritt (Batesburg-Leesville) - 6 receptions, 99 yards, TD

Bennett Galloway (Chapin) - 102 total yards, TD,; kick return TD

Jarvis Green (Dutch Fork) - 118 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Jayden Bradford (Chapin) - 189 total yards, TD

Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) - 6 receptions, 183 yards, 3 TDs

Alias Graham-Woodberry (Gilbert) - 175 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Jaden Allen-Hendrix (Gilbert) - 156 rushing yards, TD

Chance Jennings (Gilbert) - 110 total yards, 2 TDs

Harley Boatwright (Gilbert) - 14 tackles

Jackson Caulder (Gilbert) - 12 tackles

Josh Gartman (Gilbert) - 11 tackles

Brendon Boatwright (Gilbert) - 10 tackles

Daniel Augustine & Riley Barnes (both of Gilbert) - a combined 7-7 on PATs

KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - 213 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Izayah Whiteside (Irmo) - 247 passing yards, 2 TDs; 1 rushing TD

DeAree Rodgers (Irmo) - 10 receptions, 184 yards, TD

Taiden Mines (Lexington) - 129 passing yards, 2 TDs

Azwan James (Pelion) - 158 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Peyton Whitten (Pelion) - 136 rushing yards, TD

Jacob Osmanski (Pelion) - 5 receptions, 159 yards, TD

Pelion defense - 3 interceptions

Hunter Sheppard (River Bluff) - 134 passing yards, TD

Jaquez Frederick (White Knoll) - 211 rushing yards, 2 TDs

MAKING ‘HISTORY’

The Dutch Fork football team can match Christ Church’s SC High School League record of 55 consecutive wins if it defeats orties White Knoll Friday for its 55th consecutive game without a loss.

The matchup pits the Silver Foxes against their former defensive coordinator Nick Pelham, now the 1st year Timberwolves’ head coach. Dutch Fork will also look to extend its

Dutch Fork will also look to extend its other winning streaks as well:

- 53 consecutive wins over in-state teams

- 30 straight road victories

- 24 consecutive Region 5-5A wins

The Dutch Fork/White Knoll contest is the WACH 57 Sonic Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week. It can be viewed on Channel 1250 on Spectrum Cable or online on www.wach.com.

HOME AT LAST

For the 1st time in over a year, Fort Knox will hold a football game. The Brookland-Cayce Bearcats will take the field against Fox Creek in the Region 5-3A opener. The game can be heard on The Dove 1620 AM (www.thedove1620.com).

BY THE NUMBERS

Gray Collegiate running back KZ Adams is 13 yards shy of reaching 1,000 rushing yards for the 4th straight year...Gilbert has won 11 consecutive Region 5-3A games... Dutch Fork quarterback Davin Patterson has thrown for 778 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Antonio Williams had 21 receptions for 476 yards and 5 TDs.