Class 1A Lower State Third Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The chalk has held through the first two rounds of the SCHSL 1A Lower State playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But there's no clear favorite on who will survive from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We could make a case for any of these four teams to make their way to SC State two weeks from now, but we'll let you decide for yourselves. It's time to preview this week's intriguing Class 1A Lower State semis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 1 Johnsonville (9-2) at No.1 Lamar (9-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They made it all the way to the Weekend of Champions a season ago. And the Johnsonville Flashes have the leaders and pure talent to make it happen again. Standing in their way of another 1A Lower State final appearance is a determined Lamar Silver Foxes squad that has played hard-nosed defense this fall. The Flashes will lean on veteran quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997242' first='Malik' last='Shippy']</strong> to make plays under center who provides an explosive burst and elusiveness with the ball in his hands to break long runs, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997329' first='Neal' last='Martin'] </strong>brings a surge of power and quick legs from the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15078092/6552479e4ba8580f4cb4408a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65558429862d0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Johnsonville will be tested by a disciplined and athletic Lamar defense averaging just a hair over 14 points per game allowed with electric and speedy linebacker <strong>Freddy Cruz </strong>and powerful defensive end<strong> Nazir Stevenson</strong> who can take over a game at a moment's notice with his elite size and footwork. They'll look to get the ball back to an emerging offense led by impressive sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] </strong>with 19 touchdowns and just one interception to his name. His efficiency has ignited the flashy and elusive play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997292' first='Tavis' last='Dolford']</strong> who has been difficult to slow down with his quick cuts and agility in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18312708/655107434ba8580f4cb34dd1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65558429862fc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Johnsonville senior defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996857' first='Travis' last='Wilson'] </strong>to try to create pressure on Pierce and give opportunities for stellar defensive backs <strong>Quandrell Woodberry </strong>and <strong>CJ Woodbury </strong>to make game-defining plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 1 Bamberg-Ehrhardt (11-1) at No. 1 Cross (11-1)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not quite unstoppable force-versus-immovable object territory, but Cross' exceptional defense will have its biggest test of the season on Friday night against a confident and red-hot Red Raider attack for a spot in the Lower State title game. Bamberg-Ehrhardt's ground-and-pound success with standout back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997288' first='Nick' last='Folk'] </strong>and two-way stud <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142485' first='Jamie' last='Downing'] </strong>has been working tremendously down the stretch, and don't sleep on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']</strong>'s ability to make big throws on passing downs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16344401/65500526c11a7e045c439035' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655584298631c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross has won with its elite defense this year, powered by tenacious junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']</strong> who added another sack to his lofty total last week at outside linebacker. <strong>Devaughn Sutter </strong>has become a relentless beast at defensive end with his ability to elude blockers and rush into the backfield, and <strong>Jayden Middleton</strong>'s strength and hustle were noticeable last week with seven stops and a fumble recovery. But the Red Raiders have the defensive core to make it tough on the other end with sensational 288-pound nose guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997394' first='Y'Zorion' last='Washington']</strong> and consistent senior linebacking standout <strong>Eric Lee</strong> alongside the explosiveness of Downing. It will have to start up front for Cross, with veteran senior center <strong>Caleb Cornell </strong>and tremendous 300-pound center <strong>Trejur Jones</strong> looking to open up space and time for gifted and efficient senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142851' first='Tyler' last='Mungin']</strong> averaging 8.9 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15148534/6553d3755b3d0c06703bdf8d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6555842986338"} /-->