Class 2A Lower State Final Preview
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Barnwell (9-4) at Silver Bluff (10-0) History will be on display for a couple of region opponents that are remarkably familiar with each other. Barnwell and Silver Bluff will be playing for the seventh time in the state semifinals. They…
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Continue ReadingBarnwell (9-4) at Silver Bluff (10-0)
History will be on display for a couple of region opponents that are remarkably familiar with each other.
Barnwell and Silver Bluff will be playing for the seventh time in the state semifinals. They split the previous six meetings with five of those coming during a seven-year stretch. Barnwell won in 1985, 1987, and 1988 with Silver Bluff winning in 1990, 1991 and 2000. Barwell won the state title in two of those years and Silver Bluff won in all three seasons.
This is a rematch from earlier this season when Silver Bluff trailed 20-14 but scored 41 unanswered points in 55-20 victory. In that meeting, Silver Bluff held Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2022 State SC to 114 yards rushing while Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns and Maleik Williams Maleik Williams 5'8" | 165 lbs | ATH Silver Bluff | 2023 State SC added 122 yards rushing. Silver Bluff ran for 400 yards.
Barnwell has won three straight road playoff games by a combined score of 115-80. The last one was a 42-27 victory over Philip Simmons.
Smith was again the workhorse for the Warhorses. He had touchdown runs 23, 1 and 61 yards on his way to 360 yards rushing on 45 carries. That pushes Smith’s season total to 2,007 yards. Britten Sturkie and Weston Sandifer added rushing touchdowns.
Sandifer was 11-for-11 for 101 yards and added 70 yards rushing as Barnwell ran for 472 yards.
Jaden James added two sacks and Clay Pender Clay Pender 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Barnwell | 2023 SC returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown.
Dunbar finished with 282 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 26 carries in a 56-14 third round win over Cheraw. This one was tied at 14 at the half but it was all Bulldogs in the second half.
Arthur Walker connected with Williams on a 33-yard touchdown pass. Williams would also add a 1-yard TD run.
They sealed the game with two defensive scores in a 51-second span – a Ricardo Jones 95-yard interception return and Christian Washington 30-yard fumble return.
Silver Bluff’s defense is allowing 5.5 points per game and has allowed just 14 in three postseason games.