I don't want to call it a down week on the South Carolina side of the river, but the high school football match ups aren't exactly dynamite compared to last week. But that's exactly the attitude that could result in an upset or two as Week 2 of the high school football season plays out around the area. Not to brag, but I did a fairly decent job of predicting last week's action. Here, once again, are my predictions for the South Carolina area games:

Last week's picks: 8-0

Season: 8-0

This week:

South Aiken (0-1) at Midland Valley (0-1)

Both teams lost their season-openers and are looking for a little redemption this week. The Mustangs return home from a loss to North Augusta, while the Thoroughbreds were pounded by Richland Northeast. South Aiken's offense seemed to be the problem. Midland Valley's defense gave up far too much. Though it's not a region game anymore (South Aiken moved up to Class AAAA this year), this game still has plenty of bragging rights attached to it. I'll take Midland Valley in a close one.

Prediction: Midland Valley wins 21-10

North Augusta (1-0) at Dutch Fork (1-1)

Don't let the one loss fool you. The Silver Foxes won't be an easy team to beat. But the Yellow Jackets do have an added advantage this week. Dutch Fork's game at Chapin Friday night was postponed due to lightning, and the Silver Foxes had to wait 'til Monday night to resume play. Though Dutch Fork eventually won, the team lost a day's worth of practice. It's hard enough to stop North Augusta's offense. Take away a day of practice, and it doesn't get any easier.

Prediction: North Augusta wins 35-21

Aiken (1-0) at Crestwood (1-0)

Does that Crestwood name sound familiar? It's the team that lost to Midland Valley in the Class AAA state playoffs last year. Though the Knights run a similar offense when compared to Aiken, they can't match the weapons the Hornets have this year. Aiken looked impressive in a solid victory over Silver Bluff last week. I expect to see more of the same.

Prediction: Aiken wins 21-14

Saluda (1-0) at Strom Thurmond (2-0)

Is there a better defense out there than what the Rebels have this season? It's probably too early to tell, but Strom Thurmond is certainly the leader out of the gate. They've beaten two teams that are better than Saluda. Only a Rebel let down will keep this from being a blowout.

Prediction: Strom Thurmond wins 24-0

Ninety Six (0-1) at Silver Bluff (0-1)

What's worse than facing Silver Bluff? Facing Silver Bluff after a loss. Of course, it was a quality loss suffered at the hands of Aiken, and the Bulldogs have nothing to be ashamed of. But they're still looking for win No. 1 and that will come this week at home.

Prediction: Silver Bluff wins 21-7

Williston-Elko (1-1) at Ridge Spring-Monetta (1-1)

What happens when nine teams are crammed into the same region? Region play starts in Week 2. The defending Region 4-A (and state) champs, Williston-Elko, appear to have recovered from their season-opening loss to Strom Thurmond. After the Rebels shut them out, the Blue Devils racked up 56 points at rival Barnwell. Now it's on to the region schedule where Ridge Spring-Monetta, though improved, won't be a match for the defending champs.

Prediction: Williston-Elko wins 40-6

Fox Creek (2-0) at Blackville-Hilda (1-1)

This is easily the toughest game to predict this week. I know Fox Creek has improved dramatically. The problem is I don't know how much the Predators have improved, because they've played some fairly rotten teams to start the season. How good are they? We'll find out this week. Blackville-Hilda always has a good team, though their 2009 season certainly wasn't up to Fighting Hawks standards. I think there's a very real possibility Blackville-Hilda will overlook Fox Creek a bit, but I'm not confident enough to pull the trigger on an upset.

Prediction: Blackville-Hilda wins 21-14

Wagener-Salley (0-2) at Calhoun County (1-1)

An already strong Region 4-A got a little bit tougher in the offseason when Calhoun County, 11-2 last year, came into the region. They'll ease into region play this week with an opponent that has lost 16 consecutive games dating back to 2008. The losing streak is the longest in the area (thanks to Butler's win last week), and Wagener-Salley's streak will continue for at least one more game.

Prediction: Calhoun County win 42-0