Class 1A Upper State Third Round Preview

Photo: Prep Redzone

Jed Blackwell November 17, 2022 @ 02:08 PM

With the two-time defending champions out of the playoffs, the 1A Upper State bracket is wide open. Here's a look at the four teams left, and at Friday's semifinal matchups.   Lewisville (11-1) at Christ Church (11-1)   The Lions are on a roll, and have a high-octane spread attack to thank for it. Ian Grissom does plenty of good things at QB, but his biggest asset is the way he allows the Lions to be aggressive down the field. De'Adrian Robinson, Denari Garcia, Andrew Langley, and Jacorreun Howze are his top targets. Damion Fee provides Lewisville with a big back, running behind an experienced, solid line. Defensively, the Lions are solid on the line and at LB, and S Zack Rogers seems to always be around the ball, and in on every play.   The Cavaliers have put together an exception season with a balanced offense and a stingy defense. [player_tooltip player_id='262618' first='Woods' last='Windham'] has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards at a 70 percent completion rate, and averages five yards per carry when he takes off. [player_tooltip player_id='262681' first='BJ' last='Atkins'] leads a receiving corps that boasts four guys with more than 200 yards, while [player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp'] is just behind. [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'] is the offensive workhorse, with 1,572 yards rushing, a 9.6 yards per carry average, and 34 TDs on the ground. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='262677' first='Carson' last='Shaw'] is a monster at DE, with 64 tackles, 21 TFL, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.   This one could be a shootout. The Cavaliers might just have too many playmakers.   Edge: Christ Church   St. Joseph's (10-2) at Wagener-Salley (9-3)   St. Joseph's trailed Christ Church 21-0 last week, before QB Walker Wood scored twice, and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1144052' first='Johnny' last='Jaraczewski'] provided a pair of goal-line scores. Wood's two-point conversion in OT gave the Knights a win over two-time defending state champion Southside Christian.   The War Eagles started 1-3, but haven't lost since. QB Cameron Davis anchors an offense that doesn't really throw much, having moved from RB. He's one of the school's all-time leading rushers, and a threat to go every time he touches the ball. When they do throw, Chris Kitchings and Mekhi Williams are solid threats.   Defensively, Wagener-Salley has good athletes and good size, but don't have the depth they've enjoyed in recent years. In a war of attrition, St. Joseph's has the advantage.   Edge: St. Joseph's

With the two-time defending champions out of the playoffs, the 1A Upper State bracket is wide open. Here's a look at the four teams left, and at Friday's semifinal matchups.