Class 1A Lower State Second Round Preview
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There’s nothing like the excitement and the mayhem of the first round of the playoffs. But it’s the second round where the great teams start to separate from the rest. With a wide-open field throughout the Lower State in Class…
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Continue ReadingThere’s nothing like the excitement and the mayhem of the first round of the playoffs.
But it’s the second round where the great teams start to separate from the rest.
With a wide-open field throughout the Lower State in Class 1A, we should be in for a treat this Friday. Here’s a rundown of what to expect as round two gets set to kick off.
No.3 Lake View (7-3) at No.1 Johnsonville (8-2)
With a gritty road victory over Whale Branch in the books, the Lake View Gators will set their eyes on top-seeded Johnsonville in the SCHSL 1A second round. The Gator offense came up clutch with excellent blocking from Luke King and tight end Daniel Ray Daniel Ray 6'5" | 215 lbs | ATH Lake View | 2025 State SC to open up space for electric quarterback Kason Herlong and breakthrough junior running back Tyrell Foxworth. Johnsonville runs on the strength of senior signal-caller Malik Shippy Malik Shippy 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Johnsonville | 2024 State SC with a potent combo of burst and agility from Zaghe Davis alongside some power from 215-pound back Neal Martin Neal Martin 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Johnsonville | 2024 State SC . A good start from Lake View’s defense could make the difference on the road, and talented sophomore linebacker Keawe Jackson has the athleticism and the intangibles on the field to make that spark and keep an eye on an elusive Shippy with the help of versatile defensive end Ja’Mire Barden.
No.3 Carvers Bay (5-6) at No.1 Lamar (8-3)
After an explosion of points at the expense of Baptist Hill on Friday, the surprise Carvers Bay Bears will head to top-seeded Lamar and its strong defensive unit. The Silver Foxes have surrendered just under 14 points per game this year, giving a tough challenge to Carvers Bay quarterback Kenneth Bateman and a stellar offensive line led by junior guard Bakari Grice and breakout sophomore tackle Zyon Guiles Zyon Guiles 6'5" | 260 lbs | OL Carvers Bay | 2026 State SC . The stellar Lamar unit feasted in round one, picking off two passes thanks to Alvion Ward and Zoom Jackson Zoom Jackson 5'8" | 140 lbs | ATH Lamar | 2025 SC along with the pass rush and defensive pressure forced by Nazir Stevenson and a hungry Silver Foxes line. They’ll look to give the ball back to an offense led by a lethal two-headed monster on the ground of Travion McPhail and Zori Pierce Zori Pierce 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Lamar | 2026 State SC , the latter going off for 172 yards a week ago on just eight carries.
No. 2 East Clarendon (5-5) at No.1 Bamberg-Ehrhardt (10-1)
Bamberg-Ehrhardt looks the part of a top contender in SCHSL 1A, but the Red Raiders will need to produce against a sneaky-solid East Clarendon team on Friday. The Wolverines rolled past Military Magnet 42-0, as senior quarterback Rod Shaw and backfield mate Jyre Fulton excelled behind a hard-working line of breakout sophomore center Jaylon Barron. But they might meet their match on the other end in Bamberg’s Y’Zorion Washington Y’Zorion Washington 6'2" | 290 lbs | DL Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC , who has been a dynamite force at nose guard with a dominant frame at 6-foot-2 and 288 pounds. And Jamie Downing Jamie Downing 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC has been a relentless wrecking ball on both ends with endless energy who has melded in beautifully with clutch junior quarterback Chanston Crosby Chanston Crosby 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2025 State SC and high-powered back Nick Folk Nick Folk 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC .
No.3 Allendale-Fairfax (5-6) at No.1 Cross (10-1)
The Allendale-Fairfax Tigers pitched a shutout on the road over Latta, setting up what could be a tight defensive battle between two well-coached units. Cross has been on another level defensively, stringing together an impressive six consecutive shutouts. It’ll be hard to see that continue, but Cross’ defense has a great chance to stay dominant with sophomore standouts William Grant and Devaughn Sutter leading the way. The Tigers delivered on the road to start off the postseason, and they’ll need a quick start from hard-nosed defensive lineman Zyshonne Rollins and Keith Rollins on the other side of the ball to give room for speedy senior back Terry Wright. Cross senior quarterback Tyler Mungin Tyler Mungin 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Cross | 2024 State SC could be the difference-maker in a tight clash, averaging 8.4 yards per carry on the ground while producing through the air with 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions.