Class 3A Lower State Second Round Preview
In this article:
The first round went as planned according to the seedings in Class 3A Lower State. With four No. 2 seeds going on the road to face the four No. 1 seeds this week, that might change. The closest win in…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe first round went as planned according to the seedings in Class 3A Lower State. With four No. 2 seeds going on the road to face the four No. 1 seeds this week, that might change. The closest win in the first round was a 16-14 victory by Aynor over Orangeburg-Wilkinson followed closely by Hanahan’s 31-28 win over Lakewood. The other six games were decided by 23 points or more.
Here’s a look at this week’s games.
Class 3A Lower State
No. 2 Hanahan (8-2) at No. 1 Brookland-Cayce (8-2)
Brookland-Cayce shutout Waccamaw a week ago and that has been a recent trend for the Bearcats. They have allowed six points in the past three games while averaging 38 points a game during that span. Deshuan Washington scored three rushing TDs in the opening round win. QB Tanner Staton Tanner Staton 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC is over 2,000 yards on the season with WR Skylar King being his top target. Hanahan will lean on RB Josh Shaw, who is averaging over 11 yards per carry and has 1,280 yards this season. Kevon Rivera Kevon Rivera 5'9" | 215 lbs | RB Hanahan | 2024 State SC has almost 800 yards rushing. Shaw is the best defender at defensive end as well. LB Kayden Gaddist Kayden Gaddist 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Summerville | 2024 State SC is a player to watch as well.
No. 2 Aynor (6-2) at No. 1 Camden (8-2)
After scoring 30 or more points in five of the first six games of the season, Aynor has mustered just 28 points in its last two games. They squeaked by O-W in the first round and now will face one of the best defenses in the state in Camden. The Bulldogs shutout Bishop England and are allowing just 12 points a game with back-to-back shutouts. Aynor received two TDs from QB Garrison Gasque Garrison Gasque 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Aynor | 2022 State SC and his interception sealed the win late. Coach Jason Allen will return to the sidelines after serving a two-game suspension. Camden will counter with sophomore RB Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC and sophomore QB Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC . Defensively, DL Dontrell Stradford Dontrell Stradford 6'2" | 310 lbs | DL Camden | 2022 State SC , Tevin Eley Tevin Eley 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Camden | 2022 State SC and DB DeAmonte Halley are playing well.
No. 2 Crestwood (6-2) at No. 1 Dillon (7-0)
Dillon flexed its muscle in a first round win over Fox Creek. The Wildcats recorded the shutout and have allowed just over 8 points a game this season. RB Nemo Squire Nemo Squire 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Dillon | 2022 State SC , an East Carolina commitment, continues to lead the way offensively with 19 rushing TDs. Sophomore QB Javion Martin scored accounted for five touchdowns in the first-round victory over Battery Creek. DB Khalil Moody had an interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
No. 2 Gilbert (9-2) at No. 1 Oceanside Collegiate (7-3)
This one has the potential to be an offensive showcase even though the respective defense has played well of late. Oceanside Collegiate is on a six-game winning streak in which it is outscoring opponents 43-5 with three shutouts in that span. Gilbert has won three in a row and are outscoring opponents 40-7 during that span. QB Colby Shirey Colby Shirey 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Oceanside Collegiate | 2022 State SC , RB Vaughn Blue Vaughn Blue 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2023 State SC and WR Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC lead the way for Oceanside. Gilbert counters with an RB duo or Alias Graham-Woodberry (1,519 yards) and Jaden Allen-Hendrix (983 yards) that has accounted for 33 touchdowns. WR Gage Gunter and TE Gray Leaphart Gray Leaphart 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Gilbert | 2022 State SC are other options.