1A Lower State Second Round Preview
In this article:
In the playoffs, it’s all about taking it one game at a time. You can’t focus on what’s behind or ahead of you, but if you accomplish the task at hand on each play, you’ll find a road that will…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn the playoffs, it’s all about taking it one game at a time. You can’t focus on what’s behind or ahead of you, but if you accomplish the task at hand on each play, you’ll find a road that will lead you to Columbia in December. Which teams will see that road end on a wet and wild round two? Let’s preview the four Lower State matchups in Class 1A.
Bamberg-Ehrhardt (9-2) at Johnsonville (10-0), Saturday, 3 p.m.
They may be a perfect 10-0 on the season, but the Johnsonville Flashes will be in for a daunting second-round test against a Bamberg-Ehrhardt team finding its groove at the right time. Breakout sophomore quarterback Chanston Crosby Chanston Crosby 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2025 State SC has sparked the Red Raiders to five consecutive victories including a 30-point first-round blowout win over Latta behind a tenacious defensive core. Johnsonville has been the more complete team this season, but Bamberg’s playoff experience and strong form could lead to an upset on Saturday. This one is a complete toss-up and could be very fun down the stretch.
Edge: Johnsonville
Baptist Hill (8-2) at Lamar (8-3), Saturday, 6 p.m.
The Red Foxes stormed past Allendale-Fairfax to open the postseason last week, and now they’ll get an always-sneaky Baptist Hill squad in round two. The Bobcats are led by efficient junior quarterback Harold Gathers Harold Gathers 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB Baptist Hill | 2024 State SC who doesn’t turn the ball over much and can also pick up chunks of yardage on the ground alongside electric senior runner Kevin Townsend Kevin Townsend 6'0" | 160 lbs | ATH Baptist Hill | 2023 State SC . Lamar’s defense has rounded into form over the season’s second half behind senior linebacker Roshad McAlister who will need to be on his best game on Saturday. If Lamar’s offense can get rolling early, the Red Foxes’ stout defense should find a way to make some gritty stops and move on to next week.
Edge: Lamar
Carvers Bay (7-4) at Estill (10-1), Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
After surviving a wild 60-56 first-round thriller against Hannah-Pamplico, the Estill Gators will be back on their home field Saturday to host Carvers Bay. There was no stopping Estill quarterback Xaviar Garvin last week, who rushed for a whopping 218 yards and added 225 more yards through the air. Carvers Bay has a pair of strong runners in Tyrese Richards and Tyshaun Grice who will look to find some holes against a Gator defense that struggled a week ago. If Estill can tighten things up defensively, Garvin and versatile 6-foot-2 playmaker Jeremiah Taylor should roll and power the Gators to a spot in the lower state semis.
Edge: Estill
Lake View (8-3) at Cross (9-2), Saturday. 6:30 p.m.
Maybe the biggest surprise in the Class 1A Lower State after winning just two games a year ago, the Cross Trojans have steamrolled their way to a region title and a playoff win over East Clarendon. The Trojans’ sensational defense has posted an impressive four shutouts in a row thanks to a dominant linebacking tandem of Damion Haines and Karmello Jones. If that group comes out hot again, the Trojans should ride their stellar ground game of Carmello Montgomery against a Lake View run defense that has struggled the last two weeks. But don’t sleep on a Gators offense that dismantled a strong Whale Branch group in round one.
Edge: Cross