2A Lower State Finals Preview
OCA lineman Monroe Freeling
David Shelton
In this article:
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<p>The 2A Lower State championship game will involve one team that most observers felt would be there in the end and another that may be somewhat of a surprise.</p>
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<p>Oceanside Collegiate enters Friday's contest in Kershaw as the state's top-ranked 2A team. The Landsharks have sat atop the rankings since about midseason, having lost only to 4A state title contender South Florence, by a single point.</p>
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<p>The home team in this matchup, the Volunteers of Andrew Jackson, have been a top 10 team for most of the season and enter the game on an 11-game winning streak after losing their first two games of the season.</p>
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<p>The Volunteers pulled a minor surprise last week, dismantling an undefeated Barnwell team, 41-14. Oceanside Collegiate had very little trouble with Woodland, winning, 59-18.</p>
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<p><strong>Oceanside Collegiate (11-1) at Andrew Jackson (11-2)</strong></p>
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<p>This game will feature two of the top running backs in 2A in senior [player_tooltip player_id='89344' first='Vaughn' last='Blue'] of Oceanside Collegiate and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317140' first='Trey' last='Thompson']</strong> of Andrew Jackson. Blue returned from injury (six weeks) last week and put up more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. Thompson has been a workhorse for his squad, topping 2,500 yards on the ground. Andrew Jackson averages just under 300 yards rushing per game.</p>
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<p>OCA is very good along the offensive and defensive lines. Top prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89337' first='Monroe' last='Freeling']</strong> is starting at tackle on both lines when needed. 2023 <strong>Timmy Castain i</strong>s an anchor in the middle and 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139300' first='Ben' last='Britton']</strong> is a two-way performer.</p>
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<p>Defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146381' first='Zach' last='Hagedon']</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202746' first='Jace' last='Kraftchick']</strong> are two of the leaders behind the dominant line. The Landsharks allow just 11.5 points per game.</p>
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<p>Linebackers also lead the defensive prowess for the Volunteers. Senior <strong>Fuller Sims</strong> and junior <strong>Kaden Hornsby</strong> each have more than 120 tackles this season. Senior linebacker<strong> Devontae Bracey </strong>has more than 15 sacks. Andrew Jackson's defense limited a powerful Barnwell offense to less than 200 total yards.</p>
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<p><em>Edge: Oceanside Collegiate</em></p>
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The 2A Lower State championship game will involve one team that most observers felt would be there in the end and another that may be somewhat of a surprise.
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