SCISA 3A State Championship Preview

Photo: Prep Redzone

Wes Kerr

November 17, 2022 @ 04:00 PM

If you're looking to watch a SCISA state championship game this weekend, the 3A title clash will be the one. Two explosive offenses will go head-to-head on Saturday, as the Pee Dee Academy Eagles meet the surprise Florence Christian Eagles at West Florence High School at 1 p.m. Let's break down what should be a sensational championship game in the Palmetto State.   We all knew that Pee Dee Academy would be the team to beat coming into 2022. Led by phenomenal senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='89346' first='Hudson' last='Spivey'], the Eagles used their potent aerial attack and ground game to blitz past Pinewood Prep in the semifinals. But they could very well meet their match on the opposite side of the field. Florence Christian certainly wasn't looking like a championship squad to begin the year, but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='332696' first='Juw-el' last='Huntley'] and brother [player_tooltip player_id='262434' first='Juels' last='Huntley'] have propelled their Eagles to new heights. Juels has been the catalyst on the ground, eclipsing over 1,700 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns over 13 games this season. His burst off the snap and ability to make defenders miss has sparked a Florence Christian offense that befuddled two-time defending state champion Hilton Head Christian Academy before knocking off Wilson Hall on the road Friday. And Juw-el has gotten it done at quarterback, connecting with Juels for what proved to be the go-ahead score against the Barons. But it was the emergence of the defense that led the way to the title game. Linebacker Jameson Berry has shined with his quickness and physicality, and Jayce McLaughlin is a reliable run-stopper by his side. The best matchup of the night might be Spivey against [player_tooltip player_id='262434' first='Juels' last='Huntley'], who may be even better on the other side of the ball at free safety. Huntley has fantastic speed to cover the field and can locate and play the football beautifully. He's already picked off six passes this season and will force Spivey to be on the very top of his game.    Florence Christian's defense will need to be great against a versatile and talented Pee Dee attack. It's Spivey's first and only shot in the state title game, and expect him to be dialed in from the start after besting a school record on Wednesday with his 102nd touchdown pass of his career. Fellow senior Coleby Sinclair has been a steady source of yards on the ground and is a perfect complement to the outstanding passing prowess of Spivey.   It's everything you want in a state championship game- two terrific playmakers and leaders going head-to-head. Spivey seems destined to finish his storied Pee Dee Academy career on top, but the Huntley brothers have embraced the underdog mentality all postseason long and have made enormous plays at every step. The game will be played in Florence, which will even heighten the atmosphere of what could be a back-and-forth thriller. Expect the battle at the line of scrimmage to set the tone and to see one of those big-name stars make the championship-sealing play. We could be in for an all-time classic on Saturday.

If you're looking to watch a SCISA state championship game this weekend, the 3A title clash will be the one. Two explosive offenses will go head-to-head on Saturday, as the Pee Dee Academy Eagles meet the surprise Florence Christian Eagles at West Florence High School at 1 p.m. Let's break down what should be a sensational championship game in the Palmetto State.