High school football: See our predictions for Week 9 games across the Upstate

This season, the team at 864 Huddle is bringing back game picks. Each week reporters from Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson will pick 10 games from across the Upstate.

So far this season Kamryn Walker from the Anderson Independent-Mail is 54-15 (8-2  in Week 8) and Joe Dandron of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal is 51-27 (8-2 in Week 8). 

More: 2021 Week-by-Week high school football schedules

Here are this week's picks:

T.L. Hanna at Byrnes

Dandron: Byrnes

I had a conversation with someone about this exact matchup Wednesday night. This pick is not becoming a victim of the moment – this Byrnes team is for real. They proved as much with the dramatic win over Dorman, which was Reggie Shaw's first over the Cavaliers. Miguel Dingle and Will Fowler are playing well at linebacker, Rashard Wright is a good corner and the defensive line is playing much better than they did when Byrnes got into a 60-point shootout with Westside. When you combine all that with a star quarterback and experienced O-Line, you can make things happen. 

Walker: T.L. Hanna 

I am excited about this matchup. Even though this is a non-region game and has no impact on playoffs, this game will be a test for both teams. The Rebels' front seven really stepped it up against Dorman's rushing game. They will need to repeat that performance as the Yellow Jackets had 16 players carry the ball against J.L. Mann last week. Byrnes has been inconsistent this season and I think T.L. Hanna will improve to 9-0. 

Greenville at Greenwood

Dandron: Greenville

The Red Raiders are maybe the best Class AAAA contender from the Upstate. It's due in large to the play of Prometheus Franklin, a three-star quarterback who has received offers from a handful of mid-majors. He's been a star all season and is mainly the reason Greenville is in this position. I'll take Greenville, all though Greennwood is ranked fifth in this week's S.C. Media Poll and could easily surprise their opponent this week. But give me Greenville, which seems like it has it's eyes on the prize of a state title.

Walker: Greenville 

Greenwood sits atop in the Region 2-AAAA standings followed by Greenville. A win for the Red Raiders would solidify the postseason before hosting Eastside in its last regular-season game. Greenwood is no joke, but I think Greenville will get a region win on the road. 

Woodruff at Broome

Dandron: Woodruff

I'm having a hard time doubting the Wolverines right now. They're on a roll since the beginning of region play and the return of quarterback Carson Tucker. The Woodruff offense is clicking heading into this matchup and it'll take a ton of points to win this one – Broome is averaging 35 points a game. I'll take Woodruff because they've shown they can consistently win in the region to this point. This game also has huge implications for who will get into the playoffs from the six-team Region 3-AAA. So expect a battle at Royal Stadium. 

Walker: Broome 

Despite Woodruff's losing 3-4 record, they are sitting at 2-1 in the region. I think the Wolverines will carry the high-scoring past two wins and take down Broome on the road. Woodruff is third in the region followed by Broome. But the Centurions really need this win the secure its region spot as they face the Chapman in Week 10.

Spartanburg at Riverside

Dandron: Spartanburg

Raheim Jeter and the Viking offense has clicked on all cylinders this season. Jeter is a pretty good option at quarterback and is facing off against a Riverside team that has surprised teams this year. It could be close – last year's matchup was – but I'll take the Vikings in a game that helps set up a Region 2-AAAAA title game in the final week of the season. 

Walker: Spartanburg

The Vikings took a couple of weeks to find their groove this season, but things turned around after starting 0-2 are now sitting on top of the Region 2-AAAAA standings. This will be a tough game for Spartanburg. Riverside has only fallen to Byrnes and Dorman. Spartanburg has beaten Byrnes and yet to play Dorman. I think the Vikings will surprise us and take a region win on the road. 

Fort Mill at Boiling Springs

Dandron: Boiling Springs

It has been a down year for Boiling Springs, which won four games last season. This season hasn't gone as planned for the Bulldogs, but they're matched up with Fort Mill. The Yellow Jackets are 1-6 on the year and are moving nowhere fast. So on top of Boiling Springs having one of the best home field environments this season, it should be the first win of the year for the Bulldogs. Their defense will come to play like it has much of the year and help Boiling Springs get this one.

Walker: Boiling Springs

Boiling Springs has had a rough year to say the least (0-8, 0-3 Region 3-AAAAA). However, Fort Mill has not been dominating either (1-6, 0-2), so I think it is time for the Bulldogs to win on its own turf this season and I think they can do it. 

Pendleton at Seneca 

Dandron: Seneca

Seneca has been much better than Pendleton all season. While upsets happen every week, I'll go with the 5-4 Bobcats. They're trying to get into the playoffs and whoever wins this game will determine the fourth team from Region 1-AAA to get in. It's not going to very close and Seneca will solidify their standings as the fourth team in the region. 

Walker: Seneca

Seneca's season started to spiral downward once region play kicked in, but the Bobcats are in a position to get in to the postseason with a win here. However, a very young Pendleton team has done nothing but struggle all season (1-7, 0-2 Region 1-AAA). Seneca's depth should pull this one out at home on Friday.

Pickens at Travelers Rest

Dandron: Travelers Rest

Travelers Rest has been the better team at this point in the season. The Devildogs scored eight fourth-quarter points to come back from a 22-21 deficit in the second half last week. They're on a path to make the playoffs, which won't stop here – Pickens has struggled mightily at times. So I'll take TR to get it done. 

Walker: Travelers Rest

At this point in the season, the Devildogs have a better focus than Pickens (2-5, 0-2 Region 1-AAAA), which shows with their 4-3, 1-1 record. Losses for Travelers Rest include Westside, J.L. Mann and Riverside. I think with the success Travelers Rest has had this season, they will carry that to their home turf Friday. 

Wren at Belton-Honea Path

Dandron: Wren

BHP has done its fair share of winning this season. While Wren is the only team that has just missed beating undefeated Powdersville. In many ways, this is a toss up – but Wren has a freshman in Gavin Owens who has proved he's here to stay for the time being. He threw three touchdowns in the Hurricanes' last win, which came against Seneca. I'll take their passing attack and a ground game that can get rolling in a hurry to the win. 

Walker: Wren

Wren began the season 0-3 to teams who are still undefeated heading into Week 9. They began to reevaluate things and have been 3-2 since. BHP (4-4, 2-0) has a comparable season when compared to Wren. This should be a good game. Both teams will have to play a clean game if they want to win as interceptions are a shared struggle for the two teams. To me, this is a toss up, but I think if Wren quarterback Gavin Owens reads the field correctly he will connect with his receivers for many touchdowns.

Woodmont at Mauldin

Dandron: Mauldin

Mauldin's defense has been pretty stout this year. The Mavericks are only allowing 21 points per contest heading into this game. So I'm going to take take defense in this one... because it wins championships... that's what they tell me at least. This is also a big game for the Region 1-AAAAA standings, so I think the Mavericks will come to play in a big game against a good opponent. They hold a home win over Spartanburg, so this team can get it done when it needs to.

Walker: Woodmont

Woodmont (5-3, 1-2) is sitting in third in the Region 1-AAAAA standings and Mauldin is last. The Mavericks do not have any more chances at advancing to postseason, but a win for the Wildcats will have them 100% playing in November, and I see that in Woodmont's future. 

Powdersville at Blue Ridge

Dandron: Powdersville

The Patriots have been rolling this year. Kind of like a locomotive, they've pushed and smashed everything out of their way en route to win, after win, after win. Give me Powdersville to improve to 9-0 on the season. The Patriotsmay be Daniel's biggest threat in the Class AAA come playoff time. 

Walker: Powdersville 

Powdersville has had everything go right for them this season, and that is due to the accuracy by quarterback Eli Hudgins and trust between his receivers. They go into Week 9 at 8-0 overall and 3-0 in Region 2-AAA and I do not see their first loss coming this week against Blue Ridge (1-6, 1-2). 

You can contact sports reporters Joe Dandron and Kamryn Walker at jdandron @gannett.com and kamryn.walker@independentmail.com. Follow 864Huddle on Twitter: @864Huddle for USA TODAY's coverage of upstate high school sports.