Blue Flame Sports Network
Pickens heads to Seneca with a first-round bye in reach
A ninth win would be a fitting end to Pickens' regular season. It could also buy the Blue Flame a week off.
Pickens was projected as the No. 4 seed in the Class 3A Upper State bracket following last week's games, the final position carrying a first-round bye. Holding that spot would mean sitting out November 6 and opening the playoffs at home November 13 against the winner of the No. 5-No. 12 matchup.
First, the Blue Flame has to take care of a Seneca team chasing its own postseason opportunity.
Both teams are 3-1 in Region 1-3A behind champion Daniel. Friday's winner finishes second and moves into the runner-up seeding group. The loser finishes third, leaving its placement to the RPI selection of the remaining qualifiers.
A Pickens win would keep the bye within reach, but the final seed also depends on results elsewhere. Belton-Honea Path's visit to Emerald deserves attention, as do games involving the contenders' opponents. RPI accounts for a team's record, its opponents' records and the records of those opponents' opponents.
Pickens enters 8-1 after a 49-14 win at Walhalla. The Blue Flame led 21-0 after one quarter and 35-0 at halftime, answering its first loss of the season against Daniel with a decisive road victory.
Through nine games, Pickens has scored 429 points and allowed 180. Its 47.7-point scoring average includes seven games of at least 40 points.
Seneca's 5-4 record conceals a strong recent run. The Bobcats have won four of their last five, including a 56-13 victory over Walhalla and a 72-6 win against Berea. They have outscored those last two opponents 128-19.
Against their four common region opponents, the teams are remarkably close: Pickens has scored 198 points and allowed 63; Seneca has scored 190 and allowed 64. Both beat Berea, Southside and Walhalla. Both lost to Daniel.
Friday breaks that tie. Pickens is playing for its ninth win, second place and a chance to retain the final bye. Seneca can claim the runner-up spot and change both teams' playoff paths with a victory at home.
Listen to Blue Flame Sports Network Friday at 7 p.m. for coverage of Pickens at Seneca.