Class A Upper State First Round Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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, Dashun Reeder Dashun Reeder 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Christ Church | 2024 State SC 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 Justen Brunson Justen Brunson 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Calhoun County | 2023 State SC , 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 A’Chean Durant A’Chean Durant 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB McCormick | 2023 State SC , 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 Brandon Pontoon Brandon Pontoon 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Wagener-Salley | 2024 State SC 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 Kanaan Ligons Kanaan Ligons 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Ridge Spring-Monetta | 2023 State SC (pictured). The North All-Star at OL is a big, physical player who presents a ton of problems for defenders. C.A. Johnson QB Caleb Pearson Caleb Pearson 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH CA Johnson | 2024 State SC 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. Ja’Corey Martin Ja’Corey Martin 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Southside Christian | 2023 State SC 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 Kayshaun Schumpert Kayshaun Schumpert 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Whitmire | 2025 State SC will look to lead Whitmire against a stout St. Joseph’s defense.
Edge: St. Joseph’s