Class 2A Upper State Second Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second round of the Class 2A upper state playoffs feature a traditional postseason matchup, a couple of high-powered QBs doing battle, a strong offense against a powerful defense and maybe the best second round matchup of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newberry (5-6) at Abbeville (9-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbeville scored 70 points despite running just 11 offensive plays in the first round against Columbia. <strong>Antonio Harrison</strong> returned from injury and made his mark on both sides of the ball. He returned an interception for a touchdown and added a receiving TD as well. <strong>Ty Cade</strong> and <strong>Javario Tinch</strong> also had big games. Cade had a receiving TD and added an interception on defense. Tinch blocked a punt for a score. QB <strong>Zay Rayford</strong> is a threat with both his legs and arm. Newberry has won four of its last six games. <strong>OD Robinson</strong> has powered the offense with Tyrell Brown leading the defense. <strong>Shaquile Good</strong> plays both ways and is a threat. Game is scheduled to be played on Thursday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Abbeville</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield Central (8-3) at Silver Bluff (6-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfield Central freshman QB <strong>Cam McMillon</strong> continued his stellar play this season with 272 yards and two touchdowns in the first round win over Ninety-Six. <strong>Jai Boyd</strong> was his favorite target with three receptions for 98 yards and one score. <strong>JaShaun Manning </strong>recorded 22 tackles in the win. <strong>Donovan Watkins</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012718' first='TyDarion' last='Grier'] </strong>will also play a huge factor for Fairfield Central. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91161' first='Maleik' last='Williams']</strong> (pictured) continued his stellar play for Silver Bluff in the first round of the playoffs. Williams has thrown for 1,684 yards and added 708 yards rushing. He threw for 180 yards and rushed for 100 yards last week. <strong>DesJuan McCorkle,</strong> <strong>Carson Browder</strong> and <strong>Arthur Walker</strong> have been his top receiving threats. <strong>Ricardo Jones</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272710' first='Malik' last='Mozone']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139299' first='Jordan' last='Boyd']</strong> lead the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Fairfield Central</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keenan (6-5) at Strom Thurmond (9-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hernandez O'Neal had a huge night in Keenan's first round win over Keenan. O'Neal was 21-of-22 passing for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for 64 yards and two additional TDs. <strong>Antonio Adams</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359164' first='Amarii' last='King']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578660' first='Tyheim' last='McNeil']</strong> and <strong>Rashard Robinson </strong>each had big games as well. Strom Thurmond will pose a different challenge as the Rebels are allowing just over 10 points a game. Only once have they allowed more than one touchdown in the last seven games of the season. The Rebels are on a 9-game winning streak. <strong>Michael Blocker, Chase Brightharp</strong> and <strong>Jayden Culbreath</strong> each had big games in the first round on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Strom Thurmond</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saluda (9-2) at Gray Collegiate (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe the most even match-up in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Saluda was ranked No. 1 earlier in the season before suffering back-to-back losses late in the season. Gray Collegiate is the defending Class 2A champions coming in on an 8-game winning streak. <strong>Drew Arant</strong> threw for 205 yards and five touchdowns for Saluda in the win over Liberty last week.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262551' first='Zion' last='Wright'] </strong>also returned a kickoff for a score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262674' first='Tyleke' last='Mathis']</strong> and Wright each caught two TD passes and <strong>Jamarcus Mobley</strong> added another. Gray Collegiate played the first round game without QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119009' first='Riley' last='Staton']</strong> but he's expected to be back this week. <strong>BJ Montgomery</strong> rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns in the win. <strong>Blaine Redmond</strong> also rushed for 100 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord']</strong> had a 90-yard pick six as well. The game will be played at Irmo High School Friday night at 8 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Gray Collegiate</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->