Class 3A Lower State Third Round Playoff Preview
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This is the only bracket with four No. 1 seeds still alive. And what you will see is strength against strength in the two third round games. Camden and Brookland-Cayce is a rematch from last year and Oceanside Collegiate will…
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Continue ReadingThis is the only bracket with four No. 1 seeds still alive. And what you will see is strength against strength in the two third round games. Camden and Brookland-Cayce is a rematch from last year and Oceanside Collegiate will have to take the long bus ride to Dillon.
No. 1 Camden (9-2) at No. 1 Brookland-Cayce (9-2)
These teams met in the first round last year and it was an offensive explosion with Camden pulling out a 52-44 victory. With the way this season has gone, it’s unlikely they will match those numbers this time around.
Camden has won six in a row and recorded shutouts the last three weeks. Defensive linemen Dontrell Stratford and Xzavier McLeod Xzavier McLeod 6'5" | 320 lbs | DL Camden | 2023 State SC , linebackers Tevin Eley Tevin Eley 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Camden | 2022 State SC and Dorian Ferguson have caused havoc most of the season and seem to be peaking at the right time. McLeod had seven tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, three quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery in the win.
The one thing that has given the Bulldogs a little trouble has been teams that spread it out offensively. Crestwood scored 25 and Marlboro County added 20 in the six-game winning streak.
Offensively, Camden will lean heavily on quarterback Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC . He scored both touchdowns in a 13-0 win over Aynor in the second round. But the Bulldogs are likely to be without Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC , who is a major contributor to the rushing attack. Davonte McCray, Ja Mayrant and Averee Hickman must be productive. They finished with less than 200 yards of total offense against Aynor.
Brookland-Cayce ended up in a nail-biter against Hanahan, holding on for a 28-27 victory. Quarterback Tanner Staton Tanner Staton 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC threw for 199 yards and one touchdown and carried it seven times for 29 yards. Running back Naahzeikial Mays Naahzeikial Mays 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC added three rushing touchdowns and caught four passes. Skylar King is a big part of the passing attack.
Defensively, linebacker Owen Plane Owen Plane 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Brookland-Cayce | 2022 State SC was selected to the Shrine Bowl team and has been productive in the middle. Benjamin Pugh and Evan Sloan have been key contributors as well. Will Young recorded eight tackles and added a 53-yard punt return in the second round victory.
No. 1 Oceanside Collegiate (8-3) at No. 1 Dillon (8-0)
Oceanside Collegiate advanced with two touchdowns in a 19-second span late in the fourth quarter to secure a 36-28 victory over Gilbert. Vaughn Blue Vaughn Blue 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2023 State SC scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:50 remaining and Carson Arnold Carson Arnold 6'4" | 225 lbs | LB Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2022 State SC sealed it with an interception return for a touchdown with 2:31 left.
Blue ran for three touchdowns and 88 yards with quarterback Colby Shirey Colby Shirey 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Oceanside Collegiate | 2022 State SC adding 105 passing yards and 66 yards on the ground. Rhett Brooks added a 49-yard touchdown run. Oceanside Collegiate allowed 350 yards of total offense but Arnold added five tackles to go with his interception and Rhett Powell had a sack, a tackle for loss and four solo tackles.
The balanced attack will be instrumental going against a stout Dillon defense.
Dillon had an easy time in a 41-14 victory over Crestwood. Dillon did allow 277 yards passing but intercepted three passes in the process. Charles Brayboy returned one of those 80 yards for a touchdown. Xzavion Davis and Quinton Harrison Quinton Harrison 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Crestwood | 2022 State SC also had interceptions.
Brayboy added 150 yards receiving and a touchdown as well. Nemo Squire Nemo Squire 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Dillon | 2022 State SC added 162 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Jack Grider Jack Grider 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Dillon | 2022 State SC threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns.