Friday night football preview

South Florence (2-7) vs. Hartsville (5-4)
7:30 p.m. Kelleytown Stadium

The Foxes are coming off of a let down against West Florence last week in which the team looked outmatched. South Florence is coming into this game having played Sumter in a game that was close until the fourth quarter. This game will be a litmus test for the Foxes. The way they play in this game will show the team's make up. This is a must-win for Hartsville if they want to advance to the playoffs. The offense rolled up the yards for most of the season, but they have been held out of the end zone a few times in the past two weeks against Conway and West Florence.
The Bruins are only averaging 16.5 points per game this season on offense, despite scoring 21 on Sumter. The South Florence defense is giving up 37 points per game, and the team squeaked out a 34-32 win over Carolina Forest, a team Hartsville decimated 69-12.
The Foxes' offensive front has been seeing a lot of pressure from opposing defenses recently, so the offensive line will have to work to continue to open holes for Red Fox running backs.
Hartsville's defense will need to be very stingy against the Bruins to make this a sure win. The Bruins' offense has struggled throughout the season being held to 10 or less points in five different games.
Hartsville should get back on track and rack up the rushing yards against the Bruins, and the defense will have an opportunity to step up for the Foxes.

Wilson (4-5) vs. Darlington (2-7)
7:30 p.m. Darlington High School

Both Wilson and Darlington are coming off of disappointing games in which they were shutout. Darlington fell to Crestwood 21-0, and Wilson lost to Marlboro County 23-0. While Darlington is out of the playoff picture, they have a chance to hurt Wilson's opportunity to advance in the post season. Wilson is 2-2 in region play, and they must defeat Darlington to have any shot at the playoffs.
The Falcons are struggling offensively and have only scored one touchdown in their past three games. That touchdown came on Oct. 10 against Lakewood. Wilson only has one touchdown in its past two games as well.
Darlington will need a stellar performance from its running backs to keep the Wilson offense off the field. The Falcons will need to play good 'ol smashmouth football by running the clock and slowing down the Tigers.

Game of the week
Lamar (7-2) vs. Timmonsville (4-5)
7:30 p.m. Timmonsville High School

These two teams met in week two in Lamar, and the Silver Foxes eeked out a 30-22 victory. This game should be another close contest. Both of these teams are 3-1 in region play, so this one is for the whole ball of wax.
Timmonsville shut out Murray last week, so they come into this game on a bit of a high. Lamar is coming off of a surprising 20-8 loss to East Clarendon. The Whirlwinds defeated East Clarendon 24-20 three weeks ago.
Both teams average about the same points per game offensively, 27, while Lamar is only giving up 17 points per game defensively.
This game has a lot of potential.
Look for Lamar to keep the ball in Jonathan Dargan's hands as he tries to carry them to another region championship. Turnovers will be huge in this game.

McBee (4-5) vs. Chesterfield (8-1)
7:30 p.m. Chesterfield High School

This will be the Panthers' toughest game of the year. Chesterfield is the defending Class A Division I state champion, and they have played at that level throughout most of this year. The Rams are averaging 35 points per game, and their defense is only giving up 7 points per game, including five shut outs.
McBee has had an up and down season battling inexperience and injuries. The Panthers had the week off last week to get ready for this game and heal injured players.
The Panthers will need their best performance of the season to get a win tonight.