By MONTE DUTTON

I have a generally positive view of the football programs at both Clemson and South Carolina. I like to watch the games on TV. I watched Georgia Tech edge the Tigers before I drove over to Bailey Memorial Stadium on Saturday to watch PC beat Erskine. I had Vanderbilt’s victory over Gamecocks on my laptop while I was watching the Blue Hose and the Flying Fleet.

I really like Dabo Swinney and Shane Beamer. I think Swinney tries to do his job as close as he can get to the right way. I hate to hear him criticized for not trafficking in mercenaries any more than he has to.

I’ve never met either man. I’m also not hard to please. If Furman and PC win, it’s been a good weekend. They both did Saturday. I’m in a good mood. I do not sense this in most of the fans around me. It’s also true that I haven’t been in circulation today (Sunday).

I will ask Jesus for forgiveness. Clemson and South Carolina both lost. That doesn’t happen often. I think I’m going to enjoy just listening this week. The devotees of the Tigers and the Gamecocks are going to be a grouchy bunch. That means that most of the state is going to be a grouchy bunch.

If someone just happens to ask me what’s wrong with Cade Klubnik, I’m going to say, “He’ll come around.” If someone else says Carolina ought never lose to Vanderbilt, I’ll say, “Stranger things have happened,” which I know because I’ve been following the Blue Hose this year.

But I’m going to be amused. I’m going to be amazed at how much men and women who have never coached know about coaching football.

I know a little football. I get some knowledge by osmosis because I listen to what so many coaches have to say. I try, though, not to substitute my judgment over that of a man who watches the team practice every day.

Friday was a big night at Todd Kirk Field. Laurens Academy has been waiting a long time for its 36-22 victory against Richard Winn.

The Eagles defeated the Crusaders, 43-6, in last year’s SCISA finals This year LA is 4-0 while Winn is 1-3.

The team that plays them eight at a time remains the only undefeated team in Laurens County preps. Sophomore Mason Cooper rushed 27 times for 155 yards (8/12) to lead the Crusaders. The junior quarterback, Ethan Collins, passed for 147 yards and rushed for 31.

The victory broke a 15-game losing streak to the Eagles, dating back to 2009.

Hard times continued at LDHS, where A.C. Flora hammered the Raiders, 49-0. Laurens (0-4) has been outscored, 198-27, and shut out twice.

This week’s open date is sorely needed. The Raiders travel to Lexington on Sept. 26 and to Fountain Inn for the Region 1-4A opener on Oct. 3. Southside, which Laurens defeated 45-0 last year, hosts the Raiders on Oct. 10.

Clinton (2-2) faces Daniel (2-1) next at Wilder Stadium. The Lions are coming off a 31-14 victory over J.L. Mann.

Daniel is 8-5 against the Red Devils all-time and has won the past four meetings. While Clinton leads the series against Union County, 10-6, its predecessor, Union (also the Yellow Jackets) was 30-26-2 against the Red Devils. When Clinton makes the trip to Union on Sept. 26, the overall series between the two will be 36-36-2.

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