Class 4A Lower State Third Round Preview
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The pretenders are gone, and the four teams with the best records in all of Class 4A are now left to duke it out the Lower State final four. West Florence-AC Flora and James Island-South Florence includes the teams who…
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Continue ReadingThe pretenders are gone, and the four teams with the best records in all of Class 4A are now left to duke it out the Lower State final four.
West Florence-AC Flora and James Island-South Florence includes the teams who were Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 7, respectively, in the final regular-season media poll for Class 4A. Thanks to their region finishes (and one early upset that benefitted West Florence), this will be the first time the Knights and Trojans hit the road in the playoffs.
Either way, it’s time for a few players to try to add to their legacies, no matter how short or long they’ve already been.
West Florence (11-1) at AC Flora (12-0)
We’re trying our best not to make this game all about Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC and Darren Lloyd. But, man, these two 2,000-yard rushers are making it very difficult.
In Lloyd, West Florence, the Knights have watched as their one-year wonder has put up some of the best rushing totals in the state. Lloyd has already put up 2,111 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns after serving as a back-up to Terry McKithen a year ago and playing mostly on the defensive side of the ball. In the two playoff games alone, Lloyd has rushed for 599 yards and six touchdowns. There’s also been a 386-yard, six-touchdown game against Hartsville, a 219-yard, five-touchdown performance against North Myrtle Beach and five others with at least 150 yards on the ground.
Townsend has been just as electric. Take last week against Hartsville (a team known for its own rushing acumen), when the Falcons’ senior finished with 272 yards and four touchdowns (and added another 46 receiving yards). That was only the latest big night for him. Since being held to 59 yards in the season opening win over Greenwood, Townsend’s next worst game was a 136-yard effort in game two. He’s piled up seven 200-yard games and is a yard shy of 2,300 on the season. He’s also scored at least one touchdown in all 12 games and has 33 rushing scores.
Edge: AC Flora
James Island (11-1) at South Florence (12-0)
The Trojans have been one of the true feel-good stories of the state’s football scene this year. James Island came into the season with decent expectations behind returning starting quarterback Braxton Scott Braxton Scott 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB James Island Charter | 2024 State SC . However, when he went down and senior Liam Nixon took over, few believed the Trojans would go on to win seven straight games, none more dramatic than the second-round win over Irmo last week. In that one, Nixon helped orchestrate a 90-yard drive in the final 55 seconds of the fourth quarter to set up a game-winning field goal. The most notable play was a long pass to standout junior receiver Wushi Ravenel Wushi Ravenel 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR James Island | 2024 State SC , who hauled in a deep throw with a diving catch at the 5-yard line to set up the winning kick. It proved James Island could operate under pressure.
But, can the Trojans keep it close against South Florence for that to matter?
Even though James Island enters with the best statistical defense in Class 4A (8.75 points per game allowed), LaNorris Sellers LaNorris Sellers 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB South Florence | 2023 State SC , Shikeem Shilow, Evin Singletary Evin Singletary 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR South Florence | 2023 State SC (pictured), Jayden Sellers Jayden Sellers 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR South Florence | 2025 State SC and the rest of the Bruins’ offense has averaged 47 points per game this year and won all but two of its contests by lopsided margins. What’s more, linebackers Jaylin William Davis Jaylin William Davis 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB South Florence | 2023 State SC , Noah Moore and Trokel Prew Trokel Prew 5'8" | 185 lbs | LB South Florence | 2023 State SC and defensive back Quincy Rhodes Quincy Rhodes 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB South Florence | 2024 State SC have led a productive defense that has limited opponents to a measly 12 points per game.
Edge: South Florence