The Easley Green Wave, winners of just one game in the previous two seasons, completed an 8-3 regular campaign on High School Friday Night as they rolled over their rivals Wren to even the all-time series at 17 apiece.
For first-year head coach Chad Smith it caps off an amazing reversal. He was promoted from strength coach and had an awful record during his previous stint as a head coach in eastern North Carolina but he's quieted any skeptics with his team's performance this season. The Green Wave grinds out the yards on offense and it wouldn't be stunning if they pull off an opening round upset in the playoffs.
Kudos also go to Dan Jones, who took over as head coach at Gaffney in June following an 18-year stint on the Indians staff as an assistant, and he takes his team into the Big 16 playoffs at 8-3. Their only losses came at home against Dorman (nationally ranked), at Greenwood (10-1), and at Northwestern (nationally ranked). With Shrine Bowl-bound QB DeEdward Burris leading the way they should be a tough out in the playoffs.
On the other end of the spectrum, I really feel for a veteran head coach like Ted Luckadoo, whose Westside Rams capped off a miserable season at 1-10. Luckadoo's been at the school for nearly 30 years and it's sad to see things go in this direction for a coach who's team contended for state titles at various points in the past three decades.
Woodruff has become a dangerous team in AA behind junior quarterback Ryan Perkins, who's really grown into his role in Brian Lane's offense as the season progressed.
Arguably the best quarterback in the area is Union County sophomore Keiston Smith, who led his team to its eighth straight win Friday night. BHP's Cody Spence has also had a tremendous season leading a diverse Bears offense and Glenn Batson of Greenville stpped into the starting job and has guided a lethal attack.
Union Co., Daniel, and BHP (which remains unbeaten with its win over Greer) each advanced to play three mighty teams from Region 4-3A. Union Co. is home next week to a Fairfield Central team that was the region runner-up. Daniel has to go play at South Pointe, which might be one of the top four teams in the state. And BHP is home against Chester, which has a fine quarterback, Tony McNeil, who's bound for Clemson. I'm anxious to see how those three teams from our area compete against three opponents that each have state championship-calibur talent.
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