Staff reports
Strom Thurmond vs. ECA
Noah Feit: The chip on the shoulder of Strom Thurmond players, coaches and fans will be a difference maker. Strom Thurmond 27, ECA 21
Jeremy Timmerman: Strom Thurmond will put up a lot of fight, but the Honey Badgers are a different type of program. ECA 35, Strom Thurmond 24
Scott Rodgers: The Honey Badgers are loaded with D-I talent. Strom Thurmond will have a shot, but they'll likely need some luck to pull off the upset. ECA 34, Strom Thurmond 19
Williston-Elko vs. Edisto
Noah: The Blue Devils will run all over the field, with Jarius Jenkins leading the way of a deep pool of running backs. Williston-Elko 35, Edisto 14
Jeremy: Williston-Elko has another stud running back in Jarius Jenkins, and with the experience in front of him, they'll get off the Week Zero schneid. Williston-Elko 27, Edisto 16
Scott: When you score 20 touchdowns as a freshman, teams will start to notice. Teams will also need to make slow, methodical drives against the stingy defense. Williston-Elko 34, Edisto 20
North Augusta at TL Hanna
Noah: North Augusta is what TL Hanna aspires to be as a program. They'll also aspire to be a winner after tonight. North Augusta 38, TL Hanna 17
Jeremy: One thing that North Augusta has shown us is that, despite personnel changes, the Jackets always have more talent in the fold. North Augusta 20, TL Hanna 10
Scott: Trey Morgan will have to lead the Yellow Jackets given the change of guard at quarterback. Of course, for a player of his caliber, that's just another Friday. North Augusta 27, TL Hanna 13
South Aiken at Richland Northeast
Noah: The Thoroughbreds will have to deal with a tough crowd and a talented team seeking revenge for a loss last year, but I like them anyway. South Aiken 28, Richland Northeast 27
Jeremy: South Aiken went on the road a year ago and beat the playoff-bound Cavaliers last year, and I expect more of the same this year. South Aiken 31, Richland Northeast 24
Scott: The T-Breds will go for two in a row against the Cavs, and they'll get it behind Bo Baldwin. South Aiken 20, Richland Northeast 14
Fox Creek vs. Dreher
Noah: The Predators have too many holes to fill to cope with the Blue Devils speed. Dreher 33, Fox Creek 13
Jeremy: Dreher will have too much athleticism and team speed for the Predators to overcome in this home opener. Dreher 31, Fox Creek 14
Scott: The Blue Devils are loaded with burners on both sides of the ball. Fox Creek better not blink. Dreher 28, Fox Creek 13
Ridge Spring-Monetta vs. Pelion
Noah: It will be interesting to see how Heath Corley fares in his first game as Trojans coach, but too much uncertainty about the roster has me picking Panthers. Pelion 23, Ridge Spring-Monetta 9
Jeremy: I believe the Trojans will be a more consistently competitive team this year, but the Panthers will be too talented in this opener. Pelion 34, Ridge Spring-Monetta 14
Scott:Heath Corley's Trojans don't know the definition of the word "quit," but in the end they will get worn down by James McFadden and that will make them susceptible to big plays on the outside by Freddie Phillips. Pelion 28, RS-M 13
Wagener-Salley at Latta
Noah: If the War Eagles can do better along the line of scrimmage this year, they have enough skill players to make the playoffs. Wagener-Salley 23, Latta 16
Jeremy: The War Eagles are looking for early wins, and this is one. Trey Davis starts his senior campaign with a solid game. Wagener-Salley 27, Latta 19
Scott: It will be tough for the Vikings to slow down the War Eagles. Latta was gashed on the ground last year and right out of the chute they play Trey Davis. Tough luck. Wagener-Salley 30, Latta 14![]()
Strom Thurmond vs. ECA
Noah Feit: The chip on the shoulder of Strom Thurmond players, coaches and fans will be a difference maker. Strom Thurmond 27, ECA 21
Jeremy Timmerman: Strom Thurmond will put up a lot of fight, but the Honey Badgers are a different type of program. ECA 35, Strom Thurmond 24
Scott Rodgers: The Honey Badgers are loaded with D-I talent. Strom Thurmond will have a shot, but they'll likely need some luck to pull off the upset. ECA 34, Strom Thurmond 19
Williston-Elko vs. Edisto
Noah: The Blue Devils will run all over the field, with Jarius Jenkins leading the way of a deep pool of running backs. Williston-Elko 35, Edisto 14
Jeremy: Williston-Elko has another stud running back in Jarius Jenkins, and with the experience in front of him, they'll get off the Week Zero schneid. Williston-Elko 27, Edisto 16
Scott: When you score 20 touchdowns as a freshman, teams will start to notice. Teams will also need to make slow, methodical drives against the stingy defense. Williston-Elko 34, Edisto 20
North Augusta at TL Hanna
Noah: North Augusta is what TL Hanna aspires to be as a program. They'll also aspire to be a winner after tonight. North Augusta 38, TL Hanna 17
Jeremy: One thing that North Augusta has shown us is that, despite personnel changes, the Jackets always have more talent in the fold. North Augusta 20, TL Hanna 10
Scott: Trey Morgan will have to lead the Yellow Jackets given the change of guard at quarterback. Of course, for a player of his caliber, that's just another Friday. North Augusta 27, TL Hanna 13
South Aiken at Richland Northeast
Noah: The Thoroughbreds will have to deal with a tough crowd and a talented team seeking revenge for a loss last year, but I like them anyway. South Aiken 28, Richland Northeast 27
Jeremy: South Aiken went on the road a year ago and beat the playoff-bound Cavaliers last year, and I expect more of the same this year. South Aiken 31, Richland Northeast 24
Scott: The T-Breds will go for two in a row against the Cavs, and they'll get it behind Bo Baldwin. South Aiken 20, Richland Northeast 14
Fox Creek vs. Dreher
Noah: The Predators have too many holes to fill to cope with the Blue Devils speed. Dreher 33, Fox Creek 13
Jeremy: Dreher will have too much athleticism and team speed for the Predators to overcome in this home opener. Dreher 31, Fox Creek 14
Scott: The Blue Devils are loaded with burners on both sides of the ball. Fox Creek better not blink. Dreher 28, Fox Creek 13
Ridge Spring-Monetta vs. Pelion
Noah: It will be interesting to see how Heath Corley fares in his first game as Trojans coach, but too much uncertainty about the roster has me picking Panthers. Pelion 23, Ridge Spring-Monetta 9
Jeremy: I believe the Trojans will be a more consistently competitive team this year, but the Panthers will be too talented in this opener. Pelion 34, Ridge Spring-Monetta 14
Scott:Heath Corley's Trojans don't know the definition of the word "quit," but in the end they will get worn down by James McFadden and that will make them susceptible to big plays on the outside by Freddie Phillips. Pelion 28, RS-M 13
Wagener-Salley at Latta
Noah: If the War Eagles can do better along the line of scrimmage this year, they have enough skill players to make the playoffs. Wagener-Salley 23, Latta 16
Jeremy: The War Eagles are looking for early wins, and this is one. Trey Davis starts his senior campaign with a solid game. Wagener-Salley 27, Latta 19
Scott: It will be tough for the Vikings to slow down the War Eagles. Latta was gashed on the ground last year and right out of the chute they play Trey Davis. Tough luck. Wagener-Salley 30, Latta 14