SCISA First Round Previews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a thrilling regular season, the brackets are set for SCISA's first-ever four-classification playoff. In just three frantic weeks, we'll find out which squads will stand out above their rest and stand on Buccaneer Field as state champions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to preview an exciting slate of first-round matchups before the road to Charleston Southern kicks off on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SCISA 4A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Augusta Christian at Hammond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending champion Hammond has been dominant in SCISA play once again in 2022, surrendering just seven combined points in its last three games. The Skyhawks should make quick work of an Augusta Christian team they dismantled in Week 6. <strong>Wes Michaelson</strong> has put together a monster year for the Lions with 141 tackles and will need to show some more heroics at linebacker to help pull off the stunner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Hammond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter-Gaud at Heathwood Hall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two offenses looking to find their form will clash on Friday in Columbia. Heathwood Hall came away with the head-to-head win back in Week 3 thanks to a 100-yard performance by leading receiver <strong>Thompson Dubose</strong>, and the junior wideout has continued to pace the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk']</strong> has performed well in his freshman season under center and will be tested by a solid Cyclone defensive core. The Highlanders have the advantage in talent, but they'll have to earn it against a motivated Porter-Gaud squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Heathwood Hall&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Newman at Laurence Manning</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laurence Manning was stymied last week by Trinity Collegiate to snap a five-game win streak, and the Swampcats will look to put it behind them in a home clash with Cardinal Newman. The Cardinal offense has been rolling through the last few weeks on the strength of dominant 270-pound senior lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='263158' first='Logan' last='Locklear']</strong> who has opened running lanes for electric back <strong>AJ Reyes</strong>. Dual-threat Swampcat quarterback <strong>Tyler June</strong> has been tough to contain and is complemented by running back <strong>Bryson Smith</strong>. This could have the makings of a back-and-forth shootout if Manning can rekindle its offensive form. Expect the Swampcats to get back on track on their home field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Laurence Manning</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Collegiate at Ben Lippen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons have turned it on down the stretch, rattling off four straight wins in SCISA play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Titans have found some momentum of their own after an impressive shutout win over Laurence Manning. Trinity Collegiate will need to channel its stellar defensive effort a week ago to slow down powerful 1000-yard Falcon rusher <strong>Bryce Craft</strong>. Ben Lippen has a strong core on defense led by veteran linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='263157' first='Will' last='Helmadollar']</strong> and junior <strong>Jed Essig</strong>, but Trinity will counter with an excellent young core featuring defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267473' first='Courtlyn' last='Brunson'] </strong>and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272703' first='James' last='Herbert']</strong>. A strong start for Ben Lippen's ground game could be critical to go along with a Falcon defense that has dominated over the past month.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Ben Lippen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SCISA 3A&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*NOTE* Hilton Head Prep has forfeited its first-round matchup to top-seeded Pee Dee Academy, the Dolphins announced Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Baptist at Pinewood Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The red-hot Pinewood Prep Panthers enter the postseason after a dominant three-game win streak including a victory over four-time Class 1A state champ Thomas Heyward. But a high-flying Pinewood offense led by breakout sophomore quarterback <strong>Asa Windham</strong> and speedy wideout <strong>Shane DaRe</strong> will be tested by a strong Hurricanes' defensive core that hasn't allowed more than 30 points since Week 3. Standout First Baptist lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202734' first='Roy' last='Maybank']</strong> will be needed to help kickstart an improved rushing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Pinewood Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Paul II at Wilson Hall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After playing each other to close out the regular season in Week 10, John Paul II and Wilson Hall will run it back - that's right - just a week later in the first round of the playoffs. It was all Barons on Friday, as<strong> Clark Kinney</strong> and an explosive Wilson Hall offense dominated the Golden Warriors 49-14. Expect to see a better effort this time around for quarterback <strong>Christian Tilton</strong> and John Paul II, but the Warriors' inconsistency on defense should be enough for the Barons to pull away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Wilson Hall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Florence Christian at Hilton Head Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After suffering three straight defeats including two by just a single point to close out the regular season, Florence Christian will be hungry coming into Bluffton. But new HHCA quarterback <strong>Dylan Clark </strong>has become a star under center and should find ways to put up points with a trio of electric receivers. It will take a terrific effort from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262434' first='Juels' last='Huntley'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332696' first='Juw-el' last='Huntley']</strong> to keep up with Ron Peduzzi's explosive spread offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Hilton Head Christian&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SCISA&nbsp; 2A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas Sumter at Williamsburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is this year for Williamsburg? It looks very much like it. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322302' first='Teague' last='Ward'] </strong>and the Stallions have been a juggernaut in the regular season, running the table with nine wins including an impressive victory over Pee Dee Academy. <strong>Gatlin Kimbro</strong> has turned in a stellar year for the Generals at quarterback, but a stout Williamsburg defense should have his number on Friday night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Williamsburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethesda Academy at Spartanburg Christian&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers have rebounded well this year after a down 2021 and will be a tough out in the first round. Winners of three straight to close out the year, the Spartanburg Christian Warriors have a potent ground attack led by 1200-yard rusher <strong>Asante Jenkins</strong>. Bethesda will bring a tough defensive game to Spartanburg with relentless linebacker <strong>Tristan Randall</strong> and lineman <strong>Romond Robinson</strong>. The Blazers scored an impressive 30 points on Beaufort Academy, setting up what could be a tight grinder. The winner could give a larger-than-anticipated test to Williamsburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Bethesda Academy&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orangeburg Prep at Beaufort Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaufort Academy's expectations were high heading into 2022, and the Eagles delivered with a region title. Can they take it all the way to Charleston Southern? They've got a lethal one-two punch on the ground with <strong>Jaxen Porter</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976400' first='Devonte' last='Green']</strong> alongside a two-way stud in quarterback <strong>Braydon Dineen</strong>. All the pieces are there for Mark Clifford's squad, and the Eagles should get their run started with a win over an Orangeburg Prep squad that they beat 43-13 in the regular season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Beaufort Academy&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northside Christian at Colleton Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a story it has been for the War Hawks in 2022. After losing senior quarterback <strong>Drew Murdaugh </strong>to graduation, <strong>Cole Davis</strong> has become a sensation under center to lead his team to a near-perfect season. Their only loss was a 20-19 heartbreaker at Beaufort Academy, but they'll get another shot at the Eagles with a win over Northside Christian. With another well-executed game from Davis and a stellar defensive core of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434712' first='Noah' last='Catterton']</strong> and <strong>Walker Nettles</strong>, the War Hawks should make that happen against a Crusaders squad that surrendered 36 points to Spartanburg Christian last week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Colleton Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SCISA 1A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The King's Academy at Lee Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee Academy has been to the SCISA 1A state title game for two straight years, and the Cavaliers are eyeing a third in a row after a perfect regular season. On Friday, they'll face a King's Academy squad they took down 40-0 in Week 10. It should be business as usual for the Cavaliers to open their playoff run as they eye a third consecutive shot at a state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Lee Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patrick Henry at St. John's Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patrick Henry Patriots were without starting quarterback <strong>Hugh Fairey</strong> for the better part of the regular season, but that didn't stop them from putting together a stellar 6-3 record thanks to versatile sophomore <strong>Mikell Tucker Mathis</strong>. Fairey is back and will need to be sharp under center in a tough first-round matchup. PHA's stingy defense will also have to step up if the Patriots want to fend off a sneaky-good St. John's Christian team led by senior veteran <strong>Hayden Redders</strong>. This one is looking like a toss-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Patrick Henry&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorchester Academy at Thomas Heyward&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas Heyward may not be the dominant squad we've seen over the last few years, but the Rebels are still the team to beat in Class 1A with sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268686' first='Dietrich' last='Shuford']</strong> alongside electric runners and two-way stars&nbsp; <strong>Anthony Fripp</strong> and <strong>Tony O'Banner</strong>. The Rebels vanquished Patrick Henry Academy a week ago and should roll against a limping Dorchester Academy squad that has lost four in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Thomas Heyward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarendon Hall at Calhoun Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most underrated sides in Class 1A, Calhoun Academy has quietly put up a stellar 9-2 record thanks to its terrific defensive core. The Cavaliers have allowed less than 14 points in each of their last three games with seniors <strong>Mason Polin </strong>and <strong>Cooper Canaday</strong> leading the way on defense. A quick start for Calhoun could mean an uphill battle for the Saints, who will need to rely on <strong>Darius Aiken</strong> with over 1300 rushing yards in nine games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edge: Calhoun Academy&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->