Class 3A Lower State First Round Preview
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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 –…
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Continue ReadingIt 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.
Loris (7-3) at Camden (7-3)
Loris has played without injured starting QB Jackson Huff Jackson Huff 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Loris | 2025 State SC , but Jackson Graham has thrown for 488 yards in relief. La’Ontray Knox (681 yards, 12 TDs) has handled the bulk of the rushing duties. Camden has reached the state finals each of the last two years. Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC (1,693 yards passing, 773 rushing) leads an explosive offense that includes RB Averee Hickmon Averee Hickmon 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB Camden | 2024 State SC (1,037 yards rushing), Cortez Lane Cortez Lane 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2024 State SC (1,011 all-purpose yards) and Jaquarius Mayrant Jaquarius Mayrant 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Camden | 2024 State SC (50 catches, 788 yards). Shrine Bowl pick DL Xzavier McLeod Xzavier McLeod 6'5" | 320 lbs | DL Camden | 2023 State SC and LB Wilson Nash Wilson Nash 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Camden | 2024 State SC lead the defense.
Edge: Camden
Lower Richland (4-6) at Philip Simmons (7-3)
The Diamonds have won three in a row to end the season. Shrine Bowl WR Mekhi Campfield Mekhi Campfield 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Lower Richland | 2023 State SC (49 catches, 754 yards) and North-South selection Nate Branch Nate Branch 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Lower Richland | 2023 State SC (592 all-purpose yards) form a strong 1-2 punch on offense. Linebacker Deamonti Garrett Deamonti Garrett 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Lower Richland | 2023 State SC is also a North-South selection. Sophomore Tavien Orellana has thrown for 1,372 yards for Philip Simmons. Markellis Asbury and Isaac Schimpf have each rushed for over 600 yards for the Iron Horses.
Edge: Philip Simmons
Marlboro County (5-5) at Dillon (10-0)
These teams met on September 23 with Dillon claiming a 39-14 victory. Ty Martin has rushed for nearly 2,000 yards this season for the Wildcats as they’ve been ranked No. 1 for most of the year. Chris McCollum is another talented back. Sirmond McCallum, Anthony Grant and Jamarion Fling Jamarion Fling 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Dillon | 2025 State SC lead a talented Dillon defense. Timoun Byrd threw for two touchdowns in the first meeting between the two schools that gave the Bulldogs an early 14-0 lead. Marlboro County WR Elijah Chalmers was selected to the North-South game.
Edge: Dillon
Hanahan (7-3) at Brookland-Cayce (6-4)
Injuries might end up playing a factor in this one. Late in the regular season finale, B-C QB Tanner Staton Tanner Staton 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC and RB Deshaun Washington left with injuries on consecutive plays. It looks like they will be a game-time decision. If neither can go, Naahzeikial Mays Naahzeikial Mays 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SC will have to carry the offense. Hanahan will look to use bruising RB Kevon Rivera Kevon Rivera 5'9" | 215 lbs | RB Hanahan | 2024 State SC (pictured) as a workhorse and wear down a Bearcats defense that uses a lot of players both ways.
Edge: Hanahan
Orangeburg-Wilkinson (3-7) at Beaufort (9-1)
The Eagles were runner-up to South Pointe last year in Class 4A. North-South selection Kacy Fields Kacy Fields 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Beaufort | 2023 State SC has moved from wide receiver to running back and is well over 1,000 yards in just six games since the move. Samari Bonds Samari Bonds 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Beaufort | 2025 State SC has been steady at QB. Orangeburg-Wilkson has been missing Shrine Bowl pick Jaquawn Sprinkle on the offensive line and have lost two of three coming into the playoffs. Deandre Simmons will have to carry the offense.
Edge: Beaufort
Aynor (6-4) at Crestwood (7-3)
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. Daniel Stanley, Ashton Hicks, Wyatt Cody and Gavin Kirby more than make up for that on the ground. Javion Martin wants to air it out for Crestwood. Martin has thrown for 2,179 yards this season and rushed for an additional 422 yards. Dominick West and Anthony Steele are the top two receiving threats.
Edge: Crestwood
Battery Creek (3-7) at Gilbert (8-2)
The running back duo of Alias Graham-Woodberry Alias Graham-Woodberry 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Gilbert | 2023 State SC (1,513 yards, 17 TDs) and Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC (1,301 yards, 22 TDs) could be the best combination in the state. The Indians also have a healthy Chance Jennings Chance Jennings 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Gilbert | 2023 State SC back in the fold at WR and occasional QB. Linebacker Brenden Boatwright and DB Jordan Smith Jordan Smith 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Gilbert | 2023 State SC each have over 100 tackles for Gilbert. Running back Damien Freeman will try to counter the Gilbert duo.
Edge: Gilbert
Lakewood (5-5) at Manning (8-2)
The Manning defense is allowing just over 15 points per game behind the play of Shrine Bowl pick Monteque Rhames Monteque Rhames 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Manning | 2023 State SC . WR Justin Daniels is explosive on the offensive side of things for the Monarchs. DiVon Woods leads the ground attack for the Gators.
Edge: Manning