Class 2A Lower State Final Preview
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Oceanside Collegiate has cemented its claim as a powerhouse in Class 2A. And on Friday night under the bright lights, they’ll compete for the 2023 Lower State title – against a team that didn’t exist a year ago. The underdog…
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Continue ReadingOceanside Collegiate has cemented its claim as a powerhouse in Class 2A. And on Friday night under the bright lights, they’ll compete for the 2023 Lower State title – against a team that didn’t exist a year ago. The underdog story of the Hampton County Hurricanes has spread across the Lowcountry and beyond, and they’ve become an even more complete team with every passing week. We should get an epic one in Charleston on Friday night.
NO.1 HAMPTON COUNTY (12-1) AT NO. 1 OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE (10-2)
Time: 7:30 pm Friday (District 4 Stadium – Charleston)
About the Hurricanes: It’s been a dream first season for Rob Hanna’s squad, who have captivated the Hampton and Lowcountry community this fall. Hanna has built an aggressive team that has won with its physicality on defense while displaying excellent technical skill and explosiveness on the offensive side. Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC has stolen the headlines, rushing for an absurd 2,220 yards with 37 touchdowns. He’s earned a spot as a Mr. Football finalist with his elite vision and lethal breakaway speed in the backfield. Chris Terry is as reliable a leader as they come under center, and freshman wideout Jordan Bovain Jordan Bovain 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Hampton County | 2027 State SC has become an agile playmaker alongside two-way senior Zamone Lofties. The defense will get to you in a hurry, led by high-powered linebacker Mandrell Sanders Mandrell Sanders 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2025 State SC who has taken a giant step forward this year with 27.5 tackles for loss. Efficient and tenacious playmaker Cody Segars Cody Segars 5'10" | 175 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2024 State SC leads the team with 83 total stops, and Ka’Von Chisolm is a warrior on the line who will find a way to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage.
About the Landsharks: Oceanside has dealt with a little adversity along the way, but the Landsharks have been hitting their strides so far in the postseason. After losing starting quarterback Edward Reidenbach to injury, Chad Wilkes has rotated multiple players under center with Tanner Swisher, Will Virgilio, and freshman sensation Aiden Manavian Aiden Manavian 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Oceanside Collegiate | 2027 State SC splitting time. It was Manavian who saw the bulk of it in the win over Barnwell, getting the ball out quickly to Virgilio who has been terrific in making quick cuts to elude defenders.
The Landsharks have playmakers across the board out wide, including an athletic Gavin Gaspar with superb hands and reliable tight end Trey Brown who has also helped spur the blocking for his squad’s run game. Ben Britton Ben Britton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Phen Johnson have become two-way stars on the line with tremendous size and physicality, while Brown, Miles Robinson Miles Robinson 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC , and Max Moorman Max Moorman 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Oceanside Collegiate | 2025 State SC have anchored a well-conditioned and high-flying defense that has allowed just six points combined in their first three postseason games.
Key Matchup: The effectiveness of Dobson’s run game starts up front, and Hampton County’s offensive line will take on its toughest test yet at Oceanside. Senior center and nose guard Ty’Jae Wright has meant everything to Hampton’s ground attack alongside fellow classmen Daryl Causey and Daniel Anderson. But Ben Britton Ben Britton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Phen Johnson have anchored a menacing tandem on the other side who will be predicated on creating pressure early to bottle up Dobson’s electric runs.
X-Factor: Who better to predict for the X-factor than the X-man himself? Xaviar Garvin started out as a candidate for the quarterback role at the beginning of the year, but he’s since transitioned into a role player and has done a bit of everything, including some sensational catches out at wide receiver and lockdown play in the secondary. If the ‘Canes are in need of a clutch reception or even a pick at Oceanside, look for Garvin’s athleticism to be the difference.