Class 3A Upper State Third Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chalk. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's how the bracket has gone for the most part in the 3A playoffs, and that's where we stand in the third round. All four region champions and No. 1 seeds have survived to set up a couple of matchups that could be absolute classics. Two teams with gunslingers for QBs and a host of weapons at their disposal will play in the top half, while two teams who look to overwhelm you with a power rushing attack and who can hit big plays downfield in spots face off at the bottom. Here's a look at the matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel (12-0) at Powdersville (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is one that most folks who watch 3A have been pointing to all season long. Daniel is the two-time defending champion, rolling along after some graduation losses, but none on the field. Powdersville is the upstart program, perfect in last year's regular season before a second-round exit, and with just one loss to 5A power Hillcrest this season. The two have been on a collision course.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions are led by QB Blaine Simmons, who has stepped in for Trent Pearman, last year's Gatorade Player of the Year. He's got a ton of weapons at his disposal, notably speedsters [player_tooltip player_id='91140' first='Eli' last='Merck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='204866' first='Jaylen' last='Brown-Wallace'] at WR. [player_tooltip player_id='91144' first='Misun' last='Kelley'] does a little bit of everything from the Lions, [player_tooltip player_id='146355' first='Bryce' last='Smith'] is a force up front, and the defense has been solid with contributions from a bunch of guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powdersville counters with one of the best two-way players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='91152' first='Thomas' last='Williams']. He's going to play DB at Virginia Tech, and is an athletic defender and run-stopper. But offense is where he's shined for the Patriots, leading the team in rushing and threatening to score every time he touches it. QB [player_tooltip player_id='448984' first='Eli' last='Hudgins'] and WR <strong>Drake Sloan</strong> are the other big-time playmakers for Powdersville, and a stout defense has helped pave the way for the Region II-3A champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one might be a classic, and it might come down to the moment. Daniel's been here, and is used to the bright lights. But the Patriots look more than ready for the test.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Daniel</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chapman (8-4) at Clinton (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a regular-season rematch, which Clinton won handily way back in Week 4. These teams don't look a whole lot like those did.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First off, Chapman was breaking in a ton of new starters, and getting some more healthy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray'] </strong>has steadily improved at QB, with [player_tooltip player_id='448811' first='Devin' last='Roe'] and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1142680' first='Rashawn' last='Cunningham']</strong> as his main targets. But the Panthers' commitment to the run is what's been startling. It looked as good as it's looked this year in last week's playoff win over Seneca: Chapman rushed for more than 450 yards behind <strong>Matthai Scott</strong>, <strong>Alvin Lewis</strong>, and Gray - and without sometime starter <strong>Keanu Na</strong>. Defensively [player_tooltip player_id='146361' first='Abraham' last='Fyffe'] and <strong>Reece Lynch</strong> are a wrecking crew.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton, meanwhile, only hit a few speedbumps along the way to a Region IV-3A title. However, the Red Devils did lose QB <strong>Austin Copeland</strong> to a season-ending injury. Bryce Young has filled in admirably, and the Clinton offense hasn't lost a step. The Red Devils have a bunch of guys who play both ways, and the leaders are the same guys: Mr. Football finalist <strong>Bryson James</strong> makes it go, but [player_tooltip player_id='336141' first='Justin' last='Copeland'], <strong>Jishun Copeland</strong>, and <strong>Jayden Robinson</strong> call all fill up the stat sheet on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapman head coach Harry Cabaniss said it last week: "When it's cold, you have to run the ball and stop the run." Gonna be cold Friday night. These teams can do both. The home team might do it just a little better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Clinton</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->