Class 4A Lower State Finals Preview

The super spread offenses have withered out of the Class 4A Lower State playoffs. What we’re left with is two teams who want to beat up everyone in their path. West Florence and Beaufort have made it to the Lower State championship game by doing just that. In the finals, then, it’s going to come down to who can summon that something a little extra. These are the five players from each team we believe will play the biggest impacts. <strong>WEST FLORENCE KNIGHTS (10-2)</strong> 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153221" first="Avion" last="McBride"]</strong>, TE - The Georgia State commitment and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection has star written all over him - even if it’s not for the traditional reasons. While McBride can catch the ball here and here, his skills as an extra blocker have proven critical to a Knight’s offense that’s rushed for just shy of 3,200 yards this season. 2. <strong>Franklin Emerson</strong>, LB - Even using the college metric (half tackles for assisted stops), Emerson is sitting at 99.5 total tackles for the season. He’s also got three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss and two interceptions. Yeah, he’s sort of important to this Knight’s defense. 3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208334" first="Kelvin" last="Hunter"]</strong>, DB - In the last four games - three playoff victories and the all-important win over South Florence to close the regular season - Hunter has been making some huge plays. During that stretch, the safety with the ability to crowd the line has five tackles for loss, a couple pass break-ups and a fumble recovery that he took back to the house. 4. <strong>Orlando Hudson</strong>, QB - The first-year West Florence player has rushed for 316 yards and a pair of touchdowns during the playoff run (he’s got 1,030 yards overall on the season). He’s also thrown for 828 yards, meaning his emergence as one of the team’s two offensive stars couldn’t have come at a better time. 5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91198" first="Terry" last="McKithen"]</strong>, RB - No Knight has had a bigger role for this team in 2021 than McKithen. In 262 carries (an average of 22 per game), the tailback has rushed for 1,683 yards and 27 touchdowns. He’s had at least 150 yards and two touchdowns in each of the team’s three playoff games and has five consecutive 100-yard games. Yeah, he’s a problem. <strong>BEAUFORT EAGLES (11-2)</strong> 1. <strong>Hunter Rast</strong>, SS/PR - How could we not start Beaufort’s side of this list with anyone other than Rast? After all, it was in the third round that he sparked the Eagles’ win with a punt return for a touchdown, another long return that led to another score and seven tackles. If this one is the physical battle we’re expecting, Rast could again make waves. 2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89319" first="Tyler" last="Haley"]</strong>, QB - The senior left is likely going to surpass 3,000 total yards on the season in this game. Haley has already thrown for 2,410 yards and 15 touchdowns while running for another 504 yards and nine touchdowns. If the dual-threat quarterback (pictured) gets in a big one or two, it could help offset potential offensive deficiencies.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> 3. <strong>Amarie Morris</strong>, RB - Morris didn’t really get going in the win over Myrtle Beach, rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Most backs would be so lucky to consider that a “bad” game. Morris helped Beaufort extend a few drives and burn the type of clock that limited possessions. That will be the goal against West Florence, too. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="89341" first="Eamon" last="Smalls"], DL - Smalls is one of the biggest reasons Beaufort’s defense is so dominant. Opposing offensive coordinators attempt any combination of players to double- and even triple team the future college lineman. Still, he’s produced to the tune of 61 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. What’s more, it’s taken pressure off others. Like… 5. [player_tooltip player_id="200665" first="Alvin" last="Wilson"], DL - All Wilson has done during his senior year is pile up an eye-popping 25 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks (both team highs) and earn himself a spot on the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl roster. Wilson is a beast, and if he’s in the backfield again early, expect West Florence to throw the kitchen sink at him.