Class 2A Final Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plenty in the coming days will be discussed about the all-charter school Class 2A final between Gray Collegiate and Oceanside Collegiate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here at Prep Redzone South Carolina, we'll focus entirely on the matchup between the lines.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate has ranked at or near the top of the Class 2A polls all season. A schedule which included non-region games against state finalists Christ Church and Camden was further strengthened with the addition of nationally-ranked out of state opponents.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Landsharks have lurked in the standings behind Gray Collegiate and Abbeville. They have also played a forminable in-state schedule with games against regular-seaason Class A number-one Lewisville and defending Class 4A champion South Florence and are holding opponents to just under 10 points per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether Oceanside Collegiate can slow down a War Eagle offense averaging 43 points a game will be one of the factors in the opening game of the “Weekend of Champions” at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field in Orangeburg.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GRAY COLLEGIATE (15-3, 14-0 in-state) vs. OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE (11-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong> 7 p.m., Thursday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>About the War Eagles:</strong> Gray Collegiate responded from an early deficit to top-ranked and defending Class 2A champion Abbeville to win 27-12 in the Upper State final. Sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] </strong>(pictured) continues to show the maturity and poise of a veteran in his first year as a starter. It helps when flanked by college-bound wide receivers like Touchstone Energy Cooperatives selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord']</strong>, who will be playing at his new home South Carolina State, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett'] </strong>(53 receptions, 1,051 yards, 13 TDs), who caught one of Waller's two touchdown passes against the Panthers. Upfront, Gray Collegiate presents a big, physical offensive line led by Class 2A All-State and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives selection<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1001124' first='JT' last='Sowell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor'] </strong>which protects Waller and open holes for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery']</strong> (1,279 yards, 16 TDs) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford']</strong> (474 yards, 13 TDs). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18932175/65596759bd6a700f9455d044' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656422563ffda"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With several talented new transfers like linebacker<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] </strong>and defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359229' first='Trequan' last='Singleton']</strong>, the War Eagles have spent the season developing a cohesive group with upfront returnees<strong> Charles Scarborough, LJ Holley</strong>, Sowell and Taylor. The defense gave up 129 points in the three out-of-state losses, while 161 points in the nine non-forfeit victories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crestwood accounted for 60 of the points in a two-point win by the War Eagles in Week One.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2A All-State linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams']</strong> is a catalyst for the defense and the secondary is quick and athletic with Lockett, Offord and<strong> Rilan Cunningham</strong> among the team leaders in interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>About the Landsharks: </strong>A year after losing to Abbeville in the final, Oceanside Collegiate overcame the loss of its starting quarterback and team rushing touchdown leader<strong> Edward Reidenbach</strong> to make it back. Out of the three quarterbacks head coach Chad Wilkes has rotated, freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian']</strong> has proven to be the most consistent in the playoffs. He threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns, three in the third quarter, to rally the Landsharks to the 42-21 win over Hampton County in the Lower State final. Oceanside Collegiate also overcame early turnovers and the play of Mr. Football finalist [player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] in holding the Hurricanes to seven points in the second half. <strong>Will Virgilio</strong>, <strong>Trey Brown</strong> and<strong> Gavin Gaspar</strong> have emerged as pass-catching threats for the Landsharks. On defense, Army West Point commit and Touchstone Cooperatives selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139300' first='Ben' last='Britton']</strong> leads the linemen on both sides of the football and linebacker<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='809745' first='Max' last='Moorman']</strong> can make tackles and interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14769614/64e2de419a913e08945ad60b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6564225640003"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Special teams could play a major role and the War Eagles have one of the most dangerous kick returners in the playoffs in Montgomery. His 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after a Panthers' score put the game in Gray Collegiate's favor. Both teams have also shown a knack for creating point off blocked punts as safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809752' first='Grayson' last='Freeling'] </strong>returned one in last week's win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>X-Factor:</strong> <strong>Blaine Redmond</strong> is Gray Collegiate's Swiss Army knife where he can be usually on either side of the football and make plays. He had a touchdown reception in last week's win over Abbeville and is among the team leaders in sacks. The Landsharks cannot afford to lose sight of him with the bevy of offensive weapons Gray Collegiate possesses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->