Class 2A Upper State Third Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three 10-win teams along with another that has nine wins and a freshman QB that has dazzled all season are featured in the Class 2A Upper State playoffs. All four teams are traditional powers looking to make its way back to the state championship contest. Here is a look at the two matchups in the upper state bracket this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield Central (9-3) at Abbeville (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of teams that play stingy defense and featured high-powered offense – one passing and the other on the ground – make for an intriguing third round matchup. Fairfield Central freshman QB&nbsp;<strong>Cam McMillon</strong>&nbsp;has thrown for 3,056 yards and 32 touchdowns. His three main targets continue to be&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012718' first='TyDarion' last='Grier']&nbsp;</strong>(69-1059),&nbsp;<strong>Jai Boyd</strong>&nbsp;(41-954) and&nbsp;<strong>Donovan Watkins</strong>&nbsp;(34-583) accounting for most of the yardage. The Griffins are out-scoring opponents 38-15.9 points per game. The defense is led by&nbsp;<strong>JaShaun Manning&nbsp;</strong>(133 tackles),&nbsp;<strong>Miles Roberson</strong>&nbsp;(119 tackles),&nbsp;<strong>Stephano Gadsden</strong>&nbsp;(114 tackles) and&nbsp;<strong>Josh Green</strong>&nbsp;(101 tackles). Fairfield Central defeated Silver Bluff 22-8 last week. Abbeville had an easy time with Newberry, winning 49-7. The Panthers are outscoring opponents 45.2-12.3 per average. Five different players had rushing TDs last week –&nbsp;<strong>Altavious Patterson, Zay Rayford</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Ty Cade</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Jamal Marshall</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Jha'Louis Hadden</strong>&nbsp;each scored.&nbsp;<strong>Javario Tinch</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach']</strong>&nbsp;each had interceptions.&nbsp;<strong>Antonio Harrison</strong>&nbsp;is back from injury and plays a role on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Abbeville</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saluda (10-2) at Strom Thurmond (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a rematch from October 7 when Strom Thurmond knocked off previously undefeated Saluda 6-3. <strong>Nate Nordeen</strong> kicked a 27-yard FG on the final play for the win. Saluda lost the next week to Silver Bluff but has played strong defense to win four in a row, including a 23-16 over defending Class 2A state champion Gray Collegiate last week. Since the back-to-back losses in October, the Tigers have allowed just 30 points in four games. The defense is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142771' first='Kenmane' last='Brunson'], Jaquavious Moore</strong>, and a pair of sophomore standouts in <strong>Kyree Etheredge</strong> and <strong>JT Lott</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262674' first='Tyleke' last='Mathis']</strong> (pictured) never leaves the field. He's a threat to take it the distance anytime he touches the ball, as evident by his 67-yard TD run against Gray Collegiate. <strong>Drew Arant, Jonah McCary</strong> and Mathis could all see playing time at QB. Strom Thurmond has won 10 in a row and only allowed 7.8 points per game during that winning streak. <strong>Michael Blocker, Chase Brightharp</strong> and <strong>Jayden Culbreath </strong>are the leaders on that side of the ball. Offensively, QB <strong>Quan Edmond </strong>and the WR duo of <strong>Gregory Bryant</strong> and <strong>Dallas Hitt</strong> will be counted on. Strom Thurmond defeated Keenan 21-6 in the second round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Saluda</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->