Class 2A Lower State Third Round Playoff Preview
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Three No. 1 seeds are joined by a surprising No. 4 seeded-team in the third round of the Class 2A Lower State Bracket. Here is a breakdown of the two third round matchups. No. 1 Silver Bluff (9-0) at No.…
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Continue ReadingThree No. 1 seeds are joined by a surprising No. 4 seeded-team in the third round of the Class 2A Lower State Bracket.
Here is a breakdown of the two third round matchups.
No. 1 Silver Bluff (9-0) at No. 1 Cheraw (8-3)
Cheraw had to stop a two-point conversion attempt in overtime to escape with a 27-26 over Timberland. Dwight Harrington made the stop and the Braves moved on to the third round.
Cheraw trailed 13-6 at the half but a change to a spread offense helped the comeback. Zay Brown scored two second half touchdowns as well as a touchdown in overtime. Thomas Chapman kicked the extra point for what proved to be the difference-maker.
Derron Pegues, JuJu Hood and Damon McCaskill will all need big games to keep up with the firepower of one of the more impressive Class 2A all season.
Silver Bluff has six shutouts on the season including last week in a 49-0 victory over Central. They are allowing just over four points a game while scoring 46.5 points per game.
Running back Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC and quarterback Maleik Williams Maleik Williams 5'8" | 165 lbs | ATH Silver Bluff | 2023 State SC led the way. Dunbar had two touchdowns and 63 yards. Williams threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score. Vernon Lawrence and Jaden McLeod Jaden McLeod 6'0" | 210 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2022 State SC are a couple of leaders on the defensive side of things. They helped limit Central to 69 yards of total offense.
No. 4 Barnwell (8-4) at No. 1 Philip Simmons (11-1)
This one is experience against the newcomer.
Barnwell has a rich playoff tradition while Philip Simmons is into uncharted territory. The Iron Horses have never made it this deep into the playoffs in their short history.
Barnwell did not have any passing yards in a 22-13 victory over Woodland but relied on the running game behind Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2022 State SC (131 yards) and Mario Jones (90 yards). Quarterback Weston Sandifer added 47 yards.
Jaden James and Mandrell Simmons led the way defensively in the second round, but Maurice Odom has over 100 tackles on the year. Clay Pender Clay Pender 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Barnwell | 2023 SC excels on both sides of the ball. After losing three in a row to end the season, the Warhorses are into the third round.
Quarterback Tripp Williams did not have his best effort in Philip Simmons 15-14 win over Wade Hampton in the second round. He threw three interceptions including one that was returned for a pick-six. His other two came in the end zone and halted scoring chances. But he threw the game-winning touchdown on a 9-yard strike to Riley Beard with just a minute remaining.
Isaac Schimpf added the other score. Tristian Skipper had over 100 yards receiving. Dan Wojtech and Hunter Ramey each have 100 tackles for a defense that is allowing a little over 10 points a game.