Class 5A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season three is set to begin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school coaches tend to divide the season into three phases. There's the first, non-region, where you see where you stand. The second, region play, dictates where you fall in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now it's time for the payoff. And the road ends at the state title game in Orangeburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5A Upper State playoff field is loaded. Here's a look at the contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 5 FORT MILL (2-8) at NO. 1 T.L. HANNA (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Mill's record doesn't indicate the way they look on the field, especially a hard-nosed defense led by the likes of <strong>Josh Welch,</strong> <strong>TJ Cornelius</strong>, <strong>Landon Kurtz</strong>, and<strong> Josef Anderson</strong>. Welch has 14 of Fort Mill's 66 tackles for loss on the year, while Cornelius has four sacks. Offensively, though, Fort Mill has struggled. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149056' first='Quinn' last='Kelly']</strong> plays well at QB, with <strong>Tyson Helms</strong>, <strong>Jackson Smith</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1246944' first='Tanner' last='Mays']</strong> standing out at receiver. Fort Mill struggles to run the ball, so there's a challenge in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanna has no such challenges. They run it, then run it some more, and their option-look attack is tough to figure out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144047' first='Chase' last='Gregorek']</strong> and <strong>Travonte Richardson</strong> help anchor a deep offensive line, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157743' first='KD' last='Patterson']</strong> has been a gamebreaker offensively for Hanna. Defensively, <strong>Cam Strong</strong> and <strong>Khilon Groves</strong> help lead the way for Hanna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 3 BOILING SPRINGS (4-6) at NO. 2 DUTCH FORK (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs will go as far as QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012707' first='Lincoln' last='Huskey']</strong> and their defense take them in the postseason. Huskey is back from an injury suffered against Spartanburg in Week 9, and will look to direct the Bulldogs as a true dual-threat guy. Defensively, it starts up front with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='771223' first='Calvin' last='Jackson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn']</strong>, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite']</strong> is capable of taking away half the field in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dutch Fork has been on fire since the return of QB <strong>Jonathan Hunt</strong> from a Week 0 injury. He's played six games for the Silver Foxes, and since a 17-14 loss to White Knoll, they've rolled up 135 points and three straight wins with Hunt at the helm of the offense. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley'] </strong>and <strong>Bryce Nuttall</strong> have combined for 150 tackles for Dutch Fork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 WOODMONT (5-5) at NO. 1 CLOVER (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodmont has been led by QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='421471' first='Jordan' last='Sink']</strong>, who throws it well and has spread his more than 1,700 yards passing among four receivers with more than 200 yards each. <strong>Drake Stewart </strong>is the leader, with 547 yards and six scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='347760' first='Tavorace' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254085' first='Ezekiel' last='Belcher']</strong> have powered the Wildcats' ground game, combining for more than 1,900 yards. <strong>Caden Jeter</strong> leads Woodmont in tackles, while <strong>RJ Flemmings </strong>tops the team in both tackles and tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Eagles doubled down on the running game when their top receiver transferred to Lewisville, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012627' first='Landon' last='Stone'] </strong>has been the beneficiary. He's got more than 1,600 yards on the season.<strong> TJ McCluney</strong> runs it, catches it, and returns kicks, and he's a big play waiting to happen. Defensively, Coastal Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997351' first='Jayden' last='Bryant']</strong> leads the way. He's a walking tackle for loss. <strong>Deontae Star</strong>r is a lockdown corner, while <strong>Jaylen Holmes</strong> and <strong>Peyton Root</strong> make a ton of plays for Clover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 3 LEXINGTON (7-4) at NO. 2 GAFFNEY (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats put together a good season under new head coach Dustin Curtis. They've looked good defensively, with North all-star LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton']</strong> helping to lead the way, along with fellow LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997334' first='Montrell' last='Byrd']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines']</strong> is a true dual-threat at QB for Lexington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaffney is loaded. The Indians have a balanced offense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell']</strong> at RB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448239' first='Emazon' last='Littlejohn']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251135' first='Jamarcus' last='Smith']</strong> on the outside, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119009' first='Riley' last='Staton']</strong> at QB. But where Gaffney truly shines is on defense. The Indians are deep and talented at DL, with <strong>Jarriel Jefferies</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142651' first='Caron' last='Foster']</strong>, and <strong>Imari Foster-Boyd</strong> helping lead the way, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605522' first='Andrew' last='Ruppe']</strong> anchors a rock-solid LB corps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 SPARTANBURG (5-5) at NO. 2 ROCK HILL (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have got to feel a little bit like they've got new life, as their first region win in Week 10 vaulted them into a secure spot and a trip to Rock Hill. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448978' first='Bennie' last='Littlejohn']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589014' first='Demario' last='Bookhart']</strong>, and the rest of the Spartanburg defense have led the way, and the Vikings seem to have found offensive threats in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359184' first='Justin' last='Rice']</strong> on the outside and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch']</strong>, whose Week 10 performance was the best this season for a Vikings' back. Rock Hill is led by Shrine Bowler <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139293' first='Matthew' last='Wilson']</strong> at QB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012834' first='Malik' last='Clark']</strong> is his top WR target, and ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins']</strong> has scored in multiple ways on both sides of the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997363' first='Landon' last='Armstrong']</strong>, <strong>Isaiah Palmer</strong>, and <strong>Keith Moore</strong> lead the way on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 BLYTHEWOOD (4-6) at NO. 2 J.L. MANN (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals have the talent of a No. 1 or No. 2 seed, with some tough losses knocking them down to No. 4. They're led by <strong>Trent Lewis</strong>, who has great hands and is a walking safety net for his QB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804333' first='Kaleb' last='Kelly']</strong> is a guy who can go up and high point the ball, contributing a number of big catches. On the defensive side, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771091' first='Edward' last='Robinson']</strong> stands out at LB/DE, as he brings constant pressure and makes plays in the defensive backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mann is an offensive juggernaut behind what's shaping up to be a huge year from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144060' first='Ethan' last='Anderson']</strong>. The senior signal-caller has thrown for 2,570 yards and 33 touchdowns on the year, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142457' first='Mikel' last='McClellan']</strong> bringing in more than 1,100 receiving yards and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249825' first='Keyshun' last='Henderson']</strong> adding more than 900. <strong>Na'cyus Morrison</strong> and <strong>OJ Jones</strong> have combined for 1,300 yards rushing. Defensively,<strong> Jacari Bennett</strong> is a force for the Patriots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UPPER STATE AT-LARGE DORMAN (3-7) at NO. 1 BYRNES (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a pretty long way from a regular playoff game. Two rivals, separated by a dozen or so miles, who just played in mid-October. That's what's on tap as the Cavaliers, who grabbed the Upper State at-large bid, return to No. 1 seed Byrnes. The Cavaliers have put some things together late in the season, notably <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1308084' first='Brice' last='O'Neal']</strong> at QB. He's gotten progressively better, and the Cavaliers nearly pulled of an improbable win with him at QB in the teams' first matchup. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth']</strong> is a big-play threat, while <strong>Owen Hendricks</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144090' first='Brannon' last='Teamer']</strong> lead the Cavaliers' defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Byrnes,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1144103' first='James' last='Oates']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267455' first='Knai' last='Cook']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267454' first='Chris' last='Foster']</strong> have been defensive standouts, while the offense is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272705' first='Armoni' last='Weaver']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 3 HILLCREST (8-2) at NO. 3 NATION FORD (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams feature one of the most dynamic players in the Upstate in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267431' first='Avery' last='McFadden']</strong>. They get him the ball a bunch of ways, but he's a true standout at receiver, where he's got most every record in the Hillcrest books, and at kick returner. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809746' first='Kalab' last='Sutton']</strong> is electric on the move at QB, <strong>Thomas Stanley</strong> is a grinder at RB, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346198' first='Bryce' last='Rainwater']</strong> leads a good group up front. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997218' first='Tyson' last='Moses'] </strong>has been a monster for the Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253889' first='Kaden' last='Barnett']</strong> can spin it at QB for the Falcons, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575429' first='Josh' last='Ameo']</strong> uses track-star speed to make big plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253939' first='Kaleb' last='White']</strong> has been an eye-opener at tailback, averaging five yards per carry. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574612' first='Rylee' last='Cook']</strong> and <strong>Brayden Flores</strong> are the anchors for the Falcons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->