Class 3A Lower State First Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It looks like the Class 3A lower state playoffs are filled with potential state finalist contenders – Dillon, Camden, Beaufort and Gilbert might be the frontrunners but don't count a team that could get hot this time of year – Crestwood, Hanahan and Manning among them. Here is breakdown of the first round games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loris (7-3) at Camden (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loris has played without injured starting QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327302' first='Jackson' last='Huff']</strong>, but <strong>Jackson Graham</strong> has thrown for 488 yards in relief. <strong>La'Ontray Knox</strong> (681 yards, 12 TDs) has handled the bulk of the rushing duties. Camden has reached the state finals each of the last two years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White']</strong> (1,693 yards passing, 773 rushing) leads an explosive offense that includes RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448993' first='Averee' last='Hickmon']</strong> (1,037 yards rushing), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane']</strong> (1,011 all-purpose yards) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant']</strong> (50 catches, 788 yards). Shrine Bowl pick DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89338' first='Xzavier' last='McLeod'] </strong>and LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448983' first='Wilson' last='Nash'] </strong>lead the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Camden</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower Richland (4-6) at Philip Simmons (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Diamonds have won three in a row to end the season. Shrine Bowl WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443504' first='Mekhi' last='Campfield']</strong> (49 catches, 754 yards) and North-South selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202736' first='Nate' last='Branch']</strong> (592 all-purpose yards) form a strong 1-2 punch on offense. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='411696' first='Deamonti' last='Garrett']</strong> is also a North-South selection. Sophomore <strong>Tavien Orellana</strong> has thrown for 1,372 yards for Philip Simmons. <strong>Markellis Asbury</strong> and <strong>Isaac Schimpf</strong> have each rushed for over 600 yards for the Iron Horses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Philip Simmons</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marlboro County (5-5) at Dillon (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams met on September 23 with Dillon claiming a 39-14 victory. <strong>Ty Martin</strong> has rushed for nearly 2,000 yards this season for the Wildcats as they've been ranked No. 1 for most of the year. <strong>Chris McCollum </strong>is another talented back. <strong>Sirmond McCallum</strong>, <strong>Anthony Grant </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346196' first='Jamarion' last='Fling']</strong> lead a talented Dillon defense. <strong>Timoun Byrd</strong> threw for two touchdowns in the first meeting between the two schools that gave the Bulldogs an early 14-0 lead. Marlboro County WR <strong>Elijah Chalmers </strong>was selected to the North-South game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Dillon &nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hanahan (7-3) at Brookland-Cayce (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Injuries might end up playing a factor in this one. Late in the regular season finale, B-C QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='199432' first='Tanner' last='Staton'] </strong>and RB <strong>Deshaun Washington</strong> left with injuries on consecutive plays. It looks like they will be a game-time decision. If neither can go, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91137' first='Naahzeikial' last='Mays']</strong> will have to carry the offense. Hanahan will look to use bruising RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91352' first='Kevon' last='Rivera'] </strong>(pictured) as a workhorse and wear down a Bearcats defense that uses a lot of players both ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Hanahan</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orangeburg-Wilkinson (3-7) at Beaufort (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles were runner-up to South Pointe last year in Class 4A. North-South selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='336146' first='Kacy' last='Fields'] </strong>has moved from wide receiver to running back and is well over 1,000 yards in just six games since the move. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds']</strong> has been steady at QB. Orangeburg-Wilkson has been missing Shrine Bowl pick <strong>Jaquawn Sprinkle </strong>on the offensive line and have lost two of three coming into the playoffs. <strong>Deandre Simmons </strong>will have to carry the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Beaufort</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aynor (6-4) at Crestwood (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all know what Aynor wants to do – the Blue Jackets are going to run the football. In fact, in 10 games this season, Aynor has attempted 42 passes. <strong>Daniel Stanley, Ashton Hicks, Wyatt Cody</strong> and <strong>Gavin Kirby</strong> more than make up for that on the ground. <strong>Javion Martin</strong> wants to air it out for Crestwood. Martin has thrown for 2,179 yards this season and rushed for an additional 422 yards. <strong>Dominick West</strong> and <strong>Anthony Steele</strong> are the top two receiving threats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Crestwood</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Battery Creek (3-7) at Gilbert (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running back duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262635' first='Alias' last='Graham-Woodberry']</strong> (1,513 yards, 17 TDs) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> (1,301 yards, 22 TDs) could be the best combination in the state. The Indians also have a healthy <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262616' first='Chance' last='Jennings'] </strong>back in the fold at WR and occasional QB. Linebacker <strong>Brenden Boatwright </strong>and DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262639' first='Jordan' last='Smith']</strong> each have over 100 tackles for Gilbert. Running back <strong>Damien Freeman</strong> will try to counter the Gilbert duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Gilbert</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakewood (5-5) at Manning (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Manning defense is allowing just over 15 points per game behind the play of Shrine Bowl pick <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146354' first='Monteque' last='Rhames']</strong>. WR <strong>Justin Daniels</strong> is explosive on the offensive side of things for the Monarchs. <strong>DiVon Woods</strong> leads the ground attack for the Gators.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Manning</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->