Class 3A Lower State Finals Preview

Chris Dearing November 21, 2022 @ 09:53 PM

The Class 3A Lower State finals are about the best you can expect. On one side, you have Dillon, a team coming in undefeated that is very familiar with playing for and winning state titles. In fact, since 2008, Dillon has played for 11 state titles and won seven times - 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017. They finished as state runner-up in 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The title drought seems like a long one for the Wildcats.   On the flip side, Beaufort was in the title game last year. But it was in Class 4A, where they lost to South Pointe. After realignment, the Eagles find themselves as one of the bigger Class 3A schools in the state.   Beaufort (11-1) will travel to Dillon (13-0) this Friday night. Here is a look at what makes this an intriguing matchup.     OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH   When you begin to discuss the Beaufort offensive attack, it must begin with [player_tooltip player_id='336146' first='Kacy' last='Fields']. In the third round win over 31-21 victory over Gilbert, Fields ran for 140 yards and touchdowns of 6 and 35 yards. His 35-yarder clinched things with just over two minutes remaining. In the past two playoff games, Fields has accounted for 291 yards rushing, five rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for a score.   If Dillon finds a way to slow Fields, they still must contend with QB [player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds']. He threw for 64 yards but added 73 yards rushing and a 37-yard scoring run. He did that on an ankle that caused him to miss the end of the second round victory.   Dillon will rely heavily on Chris McCullum and Ty Martin at running back. In the 31-14 win over Camden in the third round, McCullum ran for three scores and Martin added one. They each scored a TD the week prior in a win over Brookland-Cayce. The Wildcats will go as far as their rushing attack will carry them.   DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH   Beaufort doesn't have one standout on the defensive side of the ball but relies on an entire unit that has allowed just over 13 points per game. If you had to single out a few that might end up being game changers, it would have to be [player_tooltip player_id='336140' first='Colton' last='Phares'], Lamar Knight and Will Codding.   Phares will play on both sides of the ball and is a bigger safety at 6'2”, 185 pounds. Knight is another player in the secondary that can play in coverage or come up in run support. Codding is the middle linebacker and can be a tackling machine against a strong running game.   Junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1056203' first='Sirmod' last='McCallum'] has over 100 tackles for Dillon. He and defensive end Anthony Grant are also adept at putting pressure on the quarterback in passing situations. Another two to watch will be defensive end Elijah Fulmore and defensive back DonNez Alford.   X FACTOR   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='346196' first='Jamarion' last='Fling'] has done a little bit of everything for Dillon this season. He's made a huge impact on the defensive side of things with at least six interceptions on the season. Two weeks ago, he ran for three touchdowns. Martin and McCullum might get the bulk of the carries, but Fling is a big-play threat anytime he touches the ball.   Edge: Dillon

The Class 3A Lower State finals are about the best you can expect. On one side, you have Dillon, a team coming in undefeated that is very familiar with playing for and winning state titles. In fact, since 2008, Dillon has played for 11 state titles and won seven times - 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017. They finished as state runner-up in 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The title drought seems like a long one for the Wildcats.