Here's your guide to this week's high school football games

Time | 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast | None

Last meeting | First meeting in 20+ years

About the game | It’s been three weeks since Green Sea Floyds played a game, and for as many partial practices and film study as the Trojans have had in that time, this is a squad that is going to rely on its biggest strength, and that’s tailback Dan Johnson. Against Blacksburg in the season opener (again, back on Aug. 27), Johnson had 129 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries. While that wasn’t half of Green Sea Floyds’ total yards or carries, this is clearly a run-first team while quarterback Banks Lovett tries to find his rhythm.

Loris (0-3) at Dillon (0-0)

Time | 7:30 p.m. 

Broadcast | WLSC-FM 106.7

Last meeting | Dillon 63, Loris 27 (2020)

About the game | Lions fans see the winless start to the season and the impending matchup with Dillon, one of the state’s best Class 3A programs, and probably feel a little bit of dread. But while Loris’ offense is clearly struggling to put the pieces together, there is a sign of hope on the other side of the ball. Greg Mance’s team has quietly held all three of its opponents considerably below their season scoring averages. Some of that can be attributed to early season woes, yes, but the Lions also dealt with some of their own, namely a depleted roster in two of those three games. Even if this is a unit that is carrying too much of the weight, Loris keeping this game respectable would be a boon for Mance and his defensive staff.

Hannah-Pamplico (2-0) at Aynor (1-0)

Time | 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast | None

Last meeting | Aynor 52, Hannah-Pamplico 13 (2013)

About the game | The part of Aynor’s Hammer offense that rarely gets talked about is how little non-region games give anything away in terms of the scheme. Opponents know there will be misdirection with all those inside handoffs, but outside of some personnel changes here and there, the Blue Jackets don’t have to worry about tipping their hand. Why is that important? Because after Aynor plays Hannah-Pamplico this week, it has to turn around and face expected Region VII-3A front-runner Dillon. So, expect the Blue Jackets to use a steady diet of Ahmad Gerald, Garrison Gasque, Daniel Stanley and Adam Graham in this one and let the cards fall where they may.

Myrtle Beach (1-0) at Darlington (0-2))

Time | 7:30 p.m. 

Broadcast | WYNA-FM, 104.9

Last meeting | Myrtle Beach 69, Darlington 0 (2020)

About the game | As far as season openers last week, Myrtle Beach certainly put together a good one against a star-studded Oceanside Collegiate squad. If the Seahawks are really going to be state title contenders, though, it will be games like Friday’s at Darlington that could ultimately mean more. Against a Darlington team that may fail to win a game for the third season out of the last four, Myrtle Beach needs to establish some weapons outside of Ryan Burger and Adam Randall. The line will need to prove it can establish the run with Malachi Washington and receivers like Jon Simmons, Jake Doty and Antonio Brown will need to become more reliable. The pieces to make a potential run are there, and getting them all on the same page against an inferior opponent — in a region game, no less — could kickstart success down the line.

Conway (0-0) at Sumter (2-1)

Time | 7:30 p.m. 

Broadcast | WLFF-FM 106.5

Last meeting | Sumter 35, Conway 0 (2020)

About the game | The Tigers finally get their season opener this week, and thanks to some last-minute shifting, it will happen in Sumter instead of Columbia against Blythewood. The challenge didn’t get any easier though. For now, this game falls into the non-region category, which means the stakes aren’t very high. That is key for a Conway team that hasn’t had much competition outside of losing to Aynor in the CNB Kickoff Classic. The lengthy layoff did buy the Tigers some time, though, and that means the return of defensive lineman Noah Freshley, who suffered an ACL injury during basketball season. He’ll be available Friday, and it could boost Conway’s defense against a Sumter team that has some top-flight talent on the other side of the ball. 

HORRY COUNTY POWER RANKINGS:

1. Myrtle Beach - Seahawks are likely to move to 2-0 after playing Darlington this week.

2. North Myrtle Beach - The tales of the Chiefs’ demise may have been overstated.

3. Carolina Forest - Splitting the first four games knocked the Panthers down a peg.

4. Aynor - Blue Jackets have been waiting quietly for three weeks to get back on the field.

5. St. James - The Sharks picked up a quality win, but then immediately quarantined again.

STAT LEADERS