The last couple of weeks, I’ve got to visit with some of the most die-hard football fans in the Easley area.
It’s been fun!
But in this article, I wanted to included the local high school football fans. A big reason is for you – the fans – to see who the local teams will be battling when the postseason comes around. I just wanted to paint a clearer picture for you and the teams that are in their same region – playing field (as far as numbers go and the postseason)?
A 3-0 start for Pickens football team? I’m still impressed by the crowd that the Blue Flames brought for their season opener at home against Easley. There was a distinct difference with this local 10-mile battle. But for a second, try to picture this: A 3-0 record to start the season. I get that you don’t want to look ahead and overlook anyone. However, it is possible if Pickens can get past Walhalla on Friday night and then travel to play Liberty the next week (on Sept. 6). The home game for Pickens on Sept. 13 is one you might want to circle on your calendar when they host St. Joseph.
Green Wave Golf: As you enter Easley (by McKinney’s Autos), you can see a sign off the side of the road that says: Easley High School Boys Golf – Class 4A State Champions in 2005 and 2012. I’d love to hear some stories from those state championship runs – send me a team picture of them after winning state (jholt@championcarolinas.com). I’ve been fortunate to cover some great golf through the years and hope to hear more about the local golf in the future.
Tight ends in football: I’ve always thought the tight end on offense is such a weapon in football. I have been surprised a bit by not seeing any big tight end, locally, for blocking and short passes.
Early deadline: Due to the Labor Day weekend, we had an early deadline with the newspaper (early last Friday) and were not able to report the final scores from Week 2 of the high school football season. Be sure to follow our Facebook Page.
Local High School Football Standings
Class 2A-1
Blacksburg 1-0 (W 44-28)
Landrum 0-1 (L 20-14)
Clinton 0-1 (L 40-36)
Liberty 0-1 (L 42-34)
Chesnee 0-1 (L 47-21)
Class 3A-2
St. Joseph Catholic 1-0 (W 40-30)
Carolina 0-0
Palmetto 0-1 (L 35-34)
Powdersville 0-1 (L 35-34)
Southside Christian 0-1 (L 41-37)
Christ Church Espiscopal 0-1 (L 56-28)
Class 4A-2
Traveler’s Rest 1-0 (W 14-7)
Daniel 1-0 (def. Chapman 41-21)
Seneca 1-0 (W 35-34)
Pickens 1-0 (def. Easley 47-41 in OT)
Berea 0-0
Blue Ridge 0-0
Greer 0-1 (L 43-0)
Class 5A-1
JL Mann 1-0 (W 56-0)
Hillcrest 1-0 (W 16-0)
T.L. Hanna 1-0 (W 19-16)
Greenwood 0-0
Woodmont 0-0
Mauldin 0-1 (L 39-20)
Greenville 0-1 (L 47-41)
Easley Green Wave Football: You’ve got to give some credit to Easley first-year coach Sam Houston for the coaching staff that he has put together this season. He’s added a real “local” touch to it, too.
They include: Matt Stack (Offensive Coordinator), Brian Strickland (O Line/O Run Game), Holden Martin (Wide Receivers/JV OC/Recruiting), Jacob Peterman (Assistant DL/JV DC/D Run Game), Sean Thomas Faulkner (Defensive Backs/St Coordinator), Clint Freeman (Runningbacks/Player Development), Bert Owens (Defensive Line), Mike Partridge (Linebackers/JV Head), Keith Godfrey (Assistant OL), Corey Willingham (Defensive Asst./MS), Brock Rodgers (Offensive Assistant), Dev Brown (Offensive Assistant), Nate Dillard (Offensive Assistant), Hakiem Warren (Offensive Assistant), Brandaun Addison (Defensive Assistant), Josh Sheriff (Defensive Assistant) and Kevin Ferguson (Defensive Assistant). Support staff: Justin Houng (Strength and Conditioning), Chris Martin (Academic Coordinator) and Brad Miller (Head Equipment).
College Football
Clemson fans: You could not script a better game for Clemson’s football team to make a big-time statement in their season opener – traveling to play Georgia. I’m pulling for the Tigers! I just love the military tradition of Clemson and I can’t wait for when they have Military Appreciation Day (on Nov. 23 at home against The Citadel).
But here are some upcoming games (beyond Friday) for the Clemson Tigers:
Saturday, Sept. 7: APPALACHIAN STATE
Saturday, Sept. 14: Open (off week)
Saturday, Sept. 21: NC STATE
Saturday, Sept. 28: STANFORD
South Carolina fans: The Gamecocks open up at home against Old Dominion on Aug. 31. The one game most everyone has already circled is the Nov. 30 game at Clemson.
Sept. 14: LSU
Sept. 21: AKRON
Sept. 28: OPEN (off week)
National Football League:
First, did you know that Applebee’s is the official sponsor of the National Football League? Listed below are a couple of games to circle on your calendar:
Sunday, Sept.15: Cleveland (Browns) at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. – home opener for Jacksonville.