Columbia Gears Up for a Thrilling Football Weekend
Columbia, SC – After a couple of weeks of postponed and canceled games due to Hurricane Helene, the football scene is all set to bounce back with a full schedule of matchups all across the state and the Midlands this week! It’s time to dust off those jerseys, grab your friends, and head out to support your favorite teams.
Top Matchups to Keep an Eye On
This week promises some exciting clashes, so let’s take a quick look at some of the key games to watch:
- Lexington vs Chapin – This rivalry is heating up! Lexington leads the all-time series 8-4 and has had good fortune lately, winning five of the last six encounters. Both teams are looking for their first win in Region 4-5A after tough losses last week. Keep an eye on Chapin’s impressive QB Brady Albro, who has already racked up 1,608 passing yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
- Richland Northeast vs AC Flora – Tied for second place in Region 3-4A, this matchup is critical for both teams. RNE’s QB Will Wilson will be sorely missed due to a knee injury, but QB Roper Wentzky from AC Flora has been lighting it up with 1,281 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
- River Bluff vs Irmo – Both teams enter with unbeaten records, with River Bluff narrowly defeating White Knoll in a recent overtime thriller. Irmo’s AJ Brand has been a sensation this season and has just crossed the impressive milestone of over 9,000 total yards for his career. This game will be one for the history books!
- Blythewood vs West Florence – It’s the first time these two schools face each other. Blythewood’s QB Johnny Collins is having a standout season with over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns, while West Florence’s Terry Lowery boasts 869 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns of his own!
- White Knoll vs Dutch Fork – A rematch of last year’s state championship game. Dutch Fork came out on top last year, and the tension is high as White Knoll seeks revenge. Keep an eye on WK’s QB Landon Sharpe and Dutch Fork’s defensive powerhouse Josh Smith.
Power Rankings Update
With the football season heating up, here’s a look at this week’s power rankings! These are the top ten teams making waves this season:
- 1. Dutch Fork (5-0)
- 2. Irmo (6-0)
- 3. River Bluff (6-0)
- 4. Hammond (6-0)
- 5. Saluda (4-0)
- 6. Batesburg Leesville (5-0)
- 7. White Knoll (4-2)
- 8. Richland Northeast (6-1)
- 9. Swansea (6-1)
- 10. Blythewood (6-1)
It seems Chapin and Lexington have dropped out of the top ten, but they are still contenders and should not be underestimated. It will be interesting to see if they can bounce back this week!
What’s Next?
As these matchups unfold, fans are bound to experience the thrill and intensity of high school football. Remember to stay safe and cheer loudly for your teams! Whether you’re on the sidelines or enjoying the game from home, this weekend promises plenty of unforgettable moments.
So lace up those sneakers, grab your gear, and let’s get ready for an action-packed weekend of football here in Columbia!
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
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