Class 5A Lower State First Round Preview
In this article:
Before Dutch Fork, there was a crop of Class 5A Lower State blue bloods that everyone knew. Summerville and Sumter, Berkeley and Conway. In 2021, it will be up one of them – or maybe one of the upstarts –…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingBefore Dutch Fork, there was a crop of Class 5A Lower State blue bloods that everyone knew.
Summerville and Sumter, Berkeley and Conway.
In 2021, it will be up one of them – or maybe one of the upstarts – to prevent the Silver Foxes’ from reaching Columbia again. Dutch Fork’s own postseason will begin with a home game against a team that eked into the playoffs.
As for the other seven games, there are big storylines that will dictate who moves on to the second round.
No. 4 Socastee (2-5) at No. 1 Dutch Fork (8-0)
Socastee’s offense has found another gear the last two weeks behind quarterbacks Steven Greene and Rocco Wojcik Rocco Wojcik 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Socastee | 2024 State SC and sophomore tailback Caden O’Keefe. And while that’s a huge sign for 2021, the Braves are likely no match for the five-time defending state champs, a squad led by a trio of stat-stuffers in running back Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC , receiver Antonio Williams Antonio Williams 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC and quarterback Davin Patterson.
No. 3 Ashley Ridge (5-4) at No. 2 Cane Bay (8-2)
If you’re a fan of defense, tune in to this one. When Cane Bay headed to Ashley Ridge back on Sept. 24, the teams combined for nine points in the Cobras’ 6-3 victory. Cane Bay’s Wing T offense tends to drain clock and reduce possessions, especially when quarterback Jayvion Johnson and running backs TJ Wright and Jaylen Boudreaux are picking up solid yards after first contact.
No. 4 White Knoll (2-8) at No. 1 Sumter (8-1)
White Knoll was the last team to punch its ticket into the Class 5A field, and its reward is a trip to Sumter. The Gamecocks’ defense, led by linebacker/safety Jabari Tiller Jabari Tiller 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Sumter | 2022 State SC , defensive end Monteque Rhames Monteque Rhames 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Manning | 2023 State SC and safety Zyeir Gamble Zyeir Gamble 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Sumter | 2023 State SC , has punished opponents all year. No one has scored more than 18 points, and Sumter held five opponents to a single touchdown.
No. 3 Stratford (3-4) at No. 2 West Ashley (5-4)
One of three regular-season matches in the Class 5A Lower State field this week, Stratford will have no choice but to play better against Wildcats’ senior running back (and defensive back) Jahleel Porter Jahleel Porter 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB West Ashley | 2022 State SC . The first time around, Porter (pictured) went off for 234 yards and four touchdowns in a 27-13 victory. West Ashley also held the Knights to just 128 yards of offense in that first meeting.
No. 4 Summerville (4-4) at No. 1 Goose Creek (6-3)
When Summerville beat Goose Creek 20-13 back on Sept. 24, it was in large part due to the efforts of defensive linemen Carnell Jones Carnell Jones 6'3" | 280 lbs | DL Summerville | 2022 State SC and DeAndre Jones. They duo helped contain Goose Creek’s dynamic tailback, Demetri Simmons Demetri Simmons 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Goose Creek | 2022 State SC , to his worst game of the season. Carnell Jones Carnell Jones 6'3" | 280 lbs | DL Summerville | 2022 State SC is out for this one, though, and Goose Creek has put even more of the onus to win on Simmons’ shoulders.
No. 3 Conway (3-4) at No. 2 Lexington (7-2)
Conway is starting to play much better on both sides of the ball now that first-year starting quarterback Devin Grainger Devin Grainger 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Conway | 2024 State SC and (former QB) and new standout receiver Carlton Terry Carlton Terry 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Conway | 2022 State SC II have gelled and defensive lineman Jonah Freshley Jonah Freshley 6'0" | 230 lbs | DL Conway | 2022 State SC is fully healthy. Lexington is a much more fundamentally sound squad, but more than a handful of folks are looking at this game as a potential seedings upset.
No. 4 Berkeley (2-5) at No. 1 Fort Dorchester (9-0)
Berkeley is one of the lone Charleston-area Class 5A teams Fort Dorchester hasn’t already beaten this year, and the reason for the Patriots’ advantage in this one once against goes back to defensive linemen Devin Geddis Devin Geddis 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Fort Dorchester | 2022 State SC and Demetrius Watson Demetrius Watson 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Fort Dorchester | 2022 State SC , quarterback Zolten Osborne Zolten Osborne 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Fort Dorchester | 2023 State SC and a slew of receivers who can go the distance any time they touch the ball.
No. 3 Chapin (7-3) at No. 2 Carolina Forest (5-4)
The high-flying Eagles’ offense has been problematic for most opponents this year, as the likes of Zavier Short Zavier Short 6'2" | 200 lbs | WR Chapin | 2022 State SC , Chase Sweigart Chase Sweigart 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Chapin | 2022 State SC , Jayden Bradford Jayden Bradford 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Osceola | 2023 FL and Bennett Galloway Bennett Galloway 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Chapin | 2022 State SC are quite developed together. Carolina Forest, meanwhile, this game could come down to how well it functions with its best player (running back and linebacker Luke Janack Luke Janack 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Carolina Forest | 2022 State SC ) at least hobbled after he sprained his ankle last week.