Class 1A Upper State Playoff Preview

There are "prohibitive favorites", and then there's what's expected of Southside Christian in this year's 1A football playoffs. The Sabres have been the wire-to-wire No. 1, are the defending state champs, and could probably be competitive for a deep run in several classes, as evidenced by a couple of hallmark wins on their schedule. Still, playoff season is the reason we play the games. Here's a look at the 1A Upper State bracket, and the teams that will attempt to challenge Southside Christian. &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 6 Williston-Elko (3-7) at  No. 1 Southside Christian (8-0)</strong></p> Williston-Elko has a tough task. <strong>Merkel Sanders</strong> and <strong>Kentrell Brown</strong> are standouts at receiver for the Blue Devils, with [player_tooltip player_id="91217" first="Bryce" last="Washington"] providing some punch at RB. The Sabres are as close to complete as it gets. DT [player_tooltip player_id="91186" first="Michael" last="Kennedy"], a North All-Star, leads a loaded defense that has allowed 28 points all year, 15 of those in one game against 4A Greer. Offensively, dual-threat QB [player_tooltip player_id="89349" first="Ja’Corey" last="Martin"] (pictured) makes it go. &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 4 Wagener-Salley (4-6) at No. 2 C.A. Johnson (5-3)</strong></p> The Hornets are a legit threat in the bracket. [player_tooltip player_id="91245" first="Isom" last="Harris"] is a three-year starter at QB, with <strong>Dawan Rice</strong> and <strong>Cecilius Bailey</strong> each filling time in C.A. Johnson’s split-back rushing attack. Wagener-Salley is a little bit down after a couple of deep playoff runs. The War Eagles are big up front and want to keep it on the ground, with [player_tooltip player_id="91159" first="Ian" last="Stroman"] and <strong>Cameron Davis</strong> both putting up good rushing numbers. &nbsp; <strong>No. 1 Calhoun County, Bye</strong> The Saints were to take on Military Magnet, but the 0-9 Eagles have opted out of the postseason. When they're back in action, Calhoun County will be led by North All-Star <strong>Russell Brunson</strong>. &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 4 Ware Shoals (3-7) at No. 3 McBee (2-5)</strong></p> Ware Shoals will look to playmaker <strong>Myles Nelson</strong> on both sides of the ball at WR and SS. <strong>Justice Lomax</strong> gives the Hornets big-play potential from the RB position. McBee is a straight wishbone team, rarely varying from that offensive look. They use multiple backs, with <strong>Evan Sullivan</strong> and <strong>James Goodie</strong> leading the way. <strong>Gabe Caston</strong>, the Panthers’ kicker, could make a difference in a tight game. <p style="font-weight: 400;">.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 5 Whitmire (2-6) at No. 2 Ridge Spring-Monetta (7-2)</strong></p> Whitmire is young, and has struggled on both sides of the ball at times. Last week against Dixie, QB <strong>Blake Stribble</strong> opened up the offense, throwing 28 times. <strong>Kayshaun Schumpert</strong>, <strong>Trey Brewer</strong>, and <strong>Wyatt Harsha</strong> handle most of the duties at RB. The Trojans have one of the best 1A QBs in the state in<strong> Remedee Leaphart</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id="91353" first="Jamarious" last="Lockett"] is a do-everything guy for Ridge Spring - Monetta, playing RB and catching a lot of passes. &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 4 Great Falls (6-3) at No. 2 Dixie (7-2)</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For the Red Devils, the offense begins and ends with QB <strong>Xavier Brown</strong> and RB <strong>Foxx Moore</strong>. Both average over 8 yards a carry, both have 10 rushing scores, Brown has 1,891 total yards (in 9 games) and Moore has 1,324. Both are explosive and can break one whenever they touch it and both start on defense. Dixie is a double wing team that milks the clock and plays good defense. LS <strong>Landon Mitchell</strong> made the North-South team. .</p> &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 5 Blackville-Hilda (3-5) at No. 1 Lamar (6-3)</strong></p> Blackville-Hilda was down defensively this season, particularly in comparison with recent years. <strong>Omarion Buckmon</strong> has been one of the bright spots for the Hawks, with a four-touchdown game at RB in a close loss to Denmark-Olar. Lamar operates offensively out of both the spread and the wishbone, with QB <strong>Tyler McManus</strong> leading the way. He’s battled injuries, and when <strong>Montavis Dolford</strong> fills in, the Foxes show more of a wishbone look. <strong>Ja’quan Toney</strong> is the guy at RB for Lamar, and is outstanding. &nbsp; <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>No. 3 McCormick (3-4) at No. 3 Denmark-Olar (6-3)</strong></p> The Chiefs have leaned on junior RB [player_tooltip player_id="91145" first="A’Chean" last="Durant"], with <strong>Omarium Key</strong> at WR/DB and freshman <strong>Markese Stevens</strong> at QB. Denmark-Olar has put up a ton of yardage and points this year. <strong>Keithan Washington</strong> is the Vikings’ QB, with <strong>T.J. Williams</strong> and <strong>Chris Sanders</strong> at RB. All three are athletic and make a bunch of big plays, and all three also start on defense. <p style="font-weight: 400;"></p>