Class 4A Upper State First Round Preview
In this article:
The first round of the 4A Upper State Playoffs features teams who are starting to find their rhythm at the right time, like South Pointe and Greenville, while others, like Northwestern and Catawba Ridge are looking to avoid first round…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe first round of the 4A Upper State Playoffs features teams who are starting to find their rhythm at the right time, like South Pointe and Greenville, while others, like Northwestern and Catawba Ridge are looking to avoid first round upsets. Let’s jump into all the games this week:
No. 16 Aiken (1-9) at No. 1 Greenville (7-3)
Greenville has found their stride and it has a lot to do with Tenneseee commit Mazeo Bennett and Tyler Brown Tyler Brown 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Greenville | 2023 State SC . Ramani Burton leads the team in interceptions and will look to have an impact. Aiken has struggled offensively throughout the year and has given up an average of 59 points a game.
Edge: Greenville
No. 9 South Pointe (7-3) at No. 8 Greer (4-6)
Malachi Marshall threw for 3 touchdowns last week against York. South Pointe will go as he goes in the playoffs. Demari Kendrick is a threat at receiver while DJ Barksdale and Zantawn Nelson are hard hitters who will be counted on as leaders for the Stallions defensively. Chase Byrd Chase Byrd 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Greer | 2024 State SC and Ladainnian Martin lead the Yellow Jackets in touchdowns while Bryce Foster leads the team in tackles.
Edge: South Pointe
No. 14 Indian Land (6-4) at No. 3 Laurens (4-6)
Look for Indian Land to run the ball with Jaden Peoples and execute the quick game with Jaxon Scheidt Jaxon Scheidt 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Indian Land | 2024 State SC . Keep an eye on Myles Stinson, who can make plays on both sides. Gemire Darden Gemire Darden 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Laurens | 2023 State SC is an impact player on both sides of the ball for Laurens, averaging 29.2 rushing yards per game while Jay Pulley leads the Raiders in receiving yards with 67.3 yards per game.
Edge: Indian Land
No. 15 Wade Hampton (4-6) at No. 2 Northwestern (9-1)
For Northwestern, they will have to avoid the slow start that has plagued them the last two weeks. Turbo Richard Turbo Richard 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Northwestern | 2024 State SC will be a focal point, as he ran for 237 yards last week against Catawba Ridge. Keep an eye on Elijah Caldwell Elijah Caldwell 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2023 State SC and Jayden Burris at receiver. Nigel Bruster and Cooper Tankersley Cooper Tankersley 6'4" | 170 lbs | QB Wade Hampton | 2023 State SC average over 100 yards rushing per game for the Generals, and you can look for them to shorten the game.
Edge: Northwestern
No. 12 Riverside (4-6) at No. 5 Catawba Ridge (9-1)
As long as Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC is in the lineup, the Copperheads will have a chance to make a run, which begins Friday. Rasean Marajah and Brody Teismale will make life difficult defensively. Riverside has won 3 out of their last 4 games and Cayden Crosby leads the team in touchdowns with 14, and will look to keep it going to pull the upset.
Edge: Catawba Ridge
No. 7 South Aiken (4-6) at No. 10 Greenwood (4-6)
Terrence Smith Terrence Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB South Aiken | 2024 State SC is a dynamic dual threat QB for the Thoroughbreds, averaging 188.7 yards per game and has 26 TDs on the year. Jaxsen Britatico leads South Aiken in tackles and he’ll need to be active against the Eagles’ run game. Kaleb Burton and Deterrious Gray will look to keep Smith on the sidelines as they are averaging over 120 yards per game.
Edge: South Aiken
No. 11 Midland Valley (6-4) at No. 6 Westside (8-2)
Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC will try to keep it going in the run game and keep the Rams off the field, as he averages 119.3 yards per game. Dominic Morgan leads the Mustangs in tackles and he’ll need to get after Westside QB Cutter Woods Cutter Woods 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Westside | 2025 State SC if they want to leave Anderson County with a win. Joshua Williams is a vertical downfield threat for the Rams to watch.
Edge: Westside
No. 13 Easley (6-4) at No. 4 North Augusta (5-5)
DJ Curry DJ Curry 5'11" | 225 lbs | LB North Augusta | 2023 State SC averages 145.9 yards rushing per game and has scored 10 touchdowns in the 2022 season for North Augusta. Jacquez Ryans Jacquez Ryans 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB North Augusta | 2023 State SC leads the Yellow Jackets in tackles with 7 on the year. Ryans will be looking to get after an Easley offense that has struggled down the stretch in region play as they were shut out last week vs. Greenville. Will Patton Will Patton 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR Easley | 2024 State SC at receiver is one to watch along with Talan Scott defensively.
Edge: North Augusta