Playoff Third-Round Game Balls: CSRA, Pee Dee and Lowcountry
We lead our next edition of our playoff game balls with a special hat tip to a SCISA player who completed his high school legacy with a fine run. Hilton Head Christian Academy quarterback Jace Blackshear ensured his team would…
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Continue ReadingWe lead our next edition of our playoff game balls with a special hat tip to a SCISA player who completed his high school legacy with a fine run.
Hilton Head Christian Academy quarterback Jace Blackshear ensured his team would finish with a second consecutive Class 2A title by throwing for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns while running for another 60 yards in the win over Williamsburg Academy.
Now, on to our SCHSL Game Balls.
Franklin Emerson, West Florence
In the Knights’ third-round win over regular region foe Hartsville, Emerson was a beast. He piled up nine solo tackles (and three assisted stops). The sophomore linebacker had a forced fumble and recovery. He blocked a kick. The blue-collar player basically did what he has throughout a season in which he’s led the team in tackles and occasionally produced those high-impact plays that turn a game on its head.
Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC , Silver Bluff
The future Power-Five tailback in training did it again against Cheraw, blasting the Braves for 287 yards and four touchdowns. He accounted for roughly 85 percent of his team’s offense in the victory, and he surpassed 100 rushing yards by the end of the first quarter. The only thing that stopped him from going over the three-century mark in the game was a handful of huge Bulldog defensive plays (and scores) that limited Silver Bluff’s possessions.
Patrick Anderson, Lamar
With the big boys of Class 1A football on the horizon – and a dream of taking on defending champs Southside Christian on everyone’s mind – all Anderson did was rush for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 36-16 win over visiting Ridge Spring-Monetta in the third round. Lamar is as battle-tested as they come in Class 1A; its losses have come against high-quality higher-class programs. Anderson doing this against RSM wasn’t a surprise.
Justin Graham, C.E. Murray
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior linebacker had himself a game in the 47-0 victory over a Whale Branch squad that many believed was the Lower State front-runner. Graham (pictured) had nine solo tackles and four assist. He also forced a fumble and later recovered another and took it to the house for a 45-yard touchdown return. It was another solid effort from one of the War Eagles’ most consistent players all season.
Hunter Rast, Beaufort
The Eagles’ offense wasn’t playing at its peak in a third-round win against Myrtle Beach. However, Beaufort got a huge boost from Hunter Rast in the return game. The team’s starting safety had seven tackles (including one for loss) against the Seahawks in the 20-19 victory. Where he made his biggest impact was a pair of punt returns. The first was a 65-yard return for a touchdown. The second set up the offense inside the red zone. It scored two plays later.