Class A Upper State First Round Preview

The two-time defending champs didn't even win their region. A No. 3 seed has a play-up win over a 3A playoff team. Five teams have at least seven wins, and the bracket is packed with athletes who have already put together phenomenal individual performances this season. Here's a look at the first round of the Class A Upper State playoffs.   McBee (4-6) at Christ Church (9-1)   The Panthers run the ball almost exclusively, as they very much want to extend drives and eat clock. They do it a lot with Evan Sullivan, who's over 1,000 rushing yards on the season and is also a defensive standout for McBee. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, have been as under-the-radar as a 9-1 team could be. They thumped then-No. 1 St. Joseph's, and beat rival Southside Christian to claim the region title. For Christ Church, [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'] has been as good as it gets. He's got 1,456 rushing yards, averages 10 yards per carry, and has scored 30 TDs on the ground. Oh, and he's added a receiving score.   Edge: Christ Church   Dixie (3-7) at Calhoun County (7-3)   The Hornets will take a power rushing attack to Calhoun County, with Tae Donald and Hunter Satterfield providing much of the punch on the ground. The Saints, meanwhile, will be led by a ton of talented skill guys including [player_tooltip player_id='202751' first='Justen' last='Brunson'], Ahmir Smith, and an absolute shut-down DB in Marquez Davenport.   Edge: Calhoun County   Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (5-5) at Lewisville (9-1)   HKT spreads it out and throws it around, with a special player at the trigger. QB JayShawn Smalls is huge at 6-3, has a big arm, and is extremely athletic. He plays some defense, too: last week he had a pick-6 to put the finishing touches on the win that gave the Trojans the win that clinched their spot in the playoffs. Lewisville has been more than solid all year, with their only setback by one score to a red-hot Andrew Jackson team. QB Ian Grissom has right at 2,000 yards passing, and the Lions aren't shy about using him to attack downfield. De'Adrian Robinson, Denari Carcia, Andrew Langley, and Jacorreun Howze all have plenty of speed at WR.   Edge: Lewisville   McCormick (5-5) at Denmark-Olar (6-3)   There's no secret to what the Chiefs like to do - they're a rugged rushing team led by a big offensive line and by North All-Star [player_tooltip player_id='91145' first='A'Chean' last='Durant'], who already has a 200-yard rushing outing to his credit this season. For the Vikings, it can be put pretty simply: Keithan Washington is a problem. The senior QB has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and 8 TDs. But it's when he's out of the pocket that he's most dangerous. He's run for 1,401 yards and 22 scores, averaging more than 9 yards per carry. Pair that with Christopher Sanders' 1,310 yards on the ground and 13 TDs, and the Vikings can get it done on the ground.   Edge: Denmark-Olar   Ware Shoals (2-8) at Wagener-Salley (7-3)   When the Hornets have success, it's on the ground. And it's usually because Justice Lomax has done something special. The junior back has rushed for 738 yards and 8 TDs to lead Ware Shoals. Wagener-Salley has a pair of monsters on the offensive and defensive lines, as Jawaine Gleaton and [player_tooltip player_id='997142' first='Brandon' last='Pontoon'] are leaders on both sides of the ball. Dakota Vargas adds some power on the defensive side for the War Eagles.   Edge: Wagener-Salley   Ridge Spring-Monetta (3-7) at C.A. Johnson (6-4)   The Trojans' success starts up front with the massive [player_tooltip player_id='91139' first='Kanaan' last='Ligons'] (pictured). The North All-Star at OL is a big, physical player who presents a ton of problems for defenders. C.A. Johnson QB [player_tooltip player_id='1142538' first='Caleb' last='Pearson'] can do enough with his arm to keep defenses honest, throwing for 441 yards and 6 scores. He shines on the ground, though, rushing for 1,316 yards and 11 TDs. He's joined in the backfield by Dawan Rice, who's rushed for 849 yards and 13 touchdowns.   Edge: C.A. Johnson   Blackville-Hilda (3-6) at Southside Christian (5-4)   Sophomore Samari Williams will look to lead the Hawks, and he's put together a solid season through the air and on the ground. The Sabres, the two-time defending 1A state champions, struggled early in the year before righting the ship. [player_tooltip player_id='89349' first='Ja'Corey' last='Martin'] is a tough, fast, experienced QB, and will try to lead the Sabres to another title.   Edge: Southside Christian   St. Joseph's (8-2) at Whitmire (6-4)   A quirk in the bracket didn't do Whitmire any favors. St. Joseph's was No. 1 in Class A for much of the season before late region losses to Christ Church and Southside Christian sent them on the road. The Knights boast a balanced rushing attack behind QB Walker Wood. The Wolverines' Blake Stribble and [player_tooltip player_id='1253974' first='Kayshaun' last='Schumpert'] will look to lead Whitmire against a stout St. Joseph's defense.   Edge: St. Joseph's

The two-time defending champs didn't even win their region. A No. 3 seed has a play-up win over a 3A playoff team. Five teams have at least seven wins, and the bracket is packed with athletes who have already put together phenomenal individual performances this season. Here's a look at the first round of the Class A Upper State playoffs.