Class 1A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did you feel that fresh breeze of cold air today? It's playoff time in the Lowcountry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the battle for Class 1A supremacy is as wide open as ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's preview the matchups for the Upper State bracket starting Friday night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 Ridge Spring-Monetta (1-9) at #1 Christ Church (8-2)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an impressive eight-game win streak en route to the Region IV-1A championship, Christ Church will open a promising playoff run against Ridge-Spring Monetta. The Cavaliers are coming off a dominant 34-0 victory over Southside Christian and should continue the terrific defensive intensity led by senior linebacking standout <strong>Cooper Hronchek</strong>. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] </strong>carries a strong 26:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio at quarterback and will look to stay hot against the Trojans and athletic senior <strong>DeAnte Hopkins</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Dixie (4-6) at #2 McBee (6-4)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McBee's ground attack has been terrific this season, and the three-headed monster of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254038' first='Devarius' last='Ponds']</strong>, <strong>Darrell Harper</strong>, and <strong>Jasson Brockington</strong> will be tough to hold down against Dixie. The Hornets picked up two key late wins to get into the postseason and have constructed a hard-working offense led by agile running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267345' first='Brandon' last='Nance'] </strong>and effective tight end <strong>Thomas Ferguson</strong>. McBee will need another productive game from offensive lineman <strong>Brayden Jones</strong> who could be the difference to power the Panthers over the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 McCormick (3-7) at #2 Blackville-Hilda (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fighting Hawks have been right on the doorstep of the top squad in Class 1A, and have been sparked on offense by powerful running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605527' first='Jaquel' last='Holman']. </strong>Senior <strong>Kedrick Sabb </strong>is a tackling machine at linebacker with great instincts on the field and should make his name known early in this first-round matchup. McCormick will need a big outing from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340387' first='Camden' last='Durant']</strong>, who plays both ways and has developed a strong connection with budding junior quarterback <strong>Markese Stevens </strong>to make some explosive plays downfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 C.A. Johnson (6-4) at #3 Wagener-Salley (6-3)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We could be in line for a physical battle between this pair of three seeds on Friday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142538' first='Caleb' last='Pearson']</strong> will need to produce in the ground game for the Hornets, averaging over 174 yards per game with his quick burst and first step out of the backfield. The War Eagles come in winning three out of four games and will rely upon 290-pound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997142' first='Brandon' last='Pontoon'] </strong>to make things happen in the ground attack and close holes on defense. But the Hornets' <strong>Angel Velez-Vann </strong>will have a say on the other end, and has emerged as a two-way stud on the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Whitmire (5-5) at #1 Calhoun County (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints have rattled off four straight wins to finish the season, including an impressive 34-7 victory to clinch the Region IV-1A title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771220' first='Christian' last='Zachary'] </strong>has proven to be a lethal playmaker on the outside at 6-foot-3 alongside steady running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710430' first='Ahmir' last='Smith'] </strong>and <strong>Marquez Davenport</strong>. Dynamic sophomore linebacker <strong>Christopher Glover </strong>has excellent technique and will challenge a Wolverines offense led by explosive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253974' first='Kayshaun' last='Schumpert'] </strong>averaging 7.2 yards per carry.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Denmark-Olar (5-5) at #2 Southside Christian (6-3)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After suffering a harsh 34-0 loss at the hands of Christ Church, the Southside Christian Sabres will get their postseason started against Denmark-Olar. The Vikings can be dangerous with already a win over Bamberg-Ehrhardt to their name this year and have a solid core of linemen in <strong>Reginald Youmans </strong>and <strong>Kelveon Adams</strong>. Southside Christian will need a better effort offensively this Friday, and the Sabres have a dynamic threat in wideout <strong>Josh Hennum </strong>to go along with productive lineman <strong>Guy Hawkins</strong> leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 Calhoun Falls (3-7) at #1 Lewisville (9-1)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked team in SCHSL 1A heading into the playoffs, Lewisville looks primed for a big November. The Lions' defense has been extraordinary, allowing just 3.7 points per game on the strength of clinical linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142605' first='Joaquan' last='Howze']</strong> and breakout sophomore sensation<strong> Daquan Evans</strong>. Prolific passer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809751' first='Ian' last='Grissom'] </strong>has thrown for over 2,300 yards with 31 touchdowns this year and will go up against a Blue Flashes defense led by athletic senior <strong>Devon Burden</strong> who will have to be at his best.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (10-1) at #3 St. Joseph's Catholic (8-2) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a fascinating first-round battle with the winner getting a real shot to knock off Lewisville in round two. The Knights will need production out of workhorse running-back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013066' first='Brayden' last='Johnson'] </strong>and an efficient <strong>Lucas Salgado</strong> who can accelerate quickly through the hole. But the Trojans' terrific defense led by a tenacious <strong>Raquan Porter </strong>on the line and explosive hybrid linebacker <strong>Thomas Edwards</strong> has the skill to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage and give the ball back to experienced senior playmaker <strong>JayShawn Smalls</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->