Class 2A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview
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Round up the usual suspects. The 2A playoffs look a lot like they usually do, with the Upper State loaded with talent. Defending champion Abbeville has just one loss, Gray Collegiate looks unbeatable in-state, and Strom Thurmond, Silver Bluff, and…
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Continue ReadingRound up the usual suspects.
The 2A playoffs look a lot like they usually do, with the Upper State loaded with talent. Defending champion Abbeville has just one loss, Gray Collegiate looks unbeatable in-state, and Strom Thurmond, Silver Bluff, and Fairfield Central are all going to be tough outs.
Here’s a look at the Upper State 2A field.
NO. 6 COLUMBIA (3-7) AT NO. 1 ABBEVILLE (9-1)
The Capitals put together some good things offensively this year, and when they’ve played well, Jamel McDaniel has been a lot of the reason why. The senior plays QB and DB, and is a leader on both sides of the ball for Columbia.
Abbeville is once again among the favorites to win the 2A classification. The Panthers have dynamic players all over the field, notably the massive Jae Harris on the defensive line and Damarcus Leach Damarcus Leach 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Abbeville | 2025 State SC at QB. Abbeville is four deep at running back, and has a ton of talent on defense.
NO. 4 SALUDA (7-3) AT NO. 3 NEWBERRY (5-5)
The Tigers were a tough-luck fourth place in a very good region. Victavis Jones is an electric kick returner and a big-play receiver for Saluda. The guy who makes it go, though, is Kenmane Brunson Kenmane Brunson 5'7" | 175 lbs | ATH Saluda | 2024 State SC . The North All-Star leads the team in rushing, and has led the team in tackles for the past two seasons, playing both inside and outside LB.
Newberry boasts one of the most intriguing WR in the state in Jamel Howse Jamel Howse 6'4" | 210 lbs | WR Newberry | 2026 State SC (pictured). He runs good routes, he has an uncanny ability to bail his QB out of bad situations, and he can win one-on-one matchups. On the other side of the ball, Steven Joseph has turned into a ball-hawk and a lock-down defender.
NO. 5 MID-CAROLINA (2-8) AT NO. 2 SILVER BLUFF (7-3)
The Rebels struggled offensively this season, but defensively they’ve got a bright future, particularly with freshman LB Wyatt Mazza. They did get a win over Eau Claire last week to start the playoffs on a high note.
Silver Bluff has a bunch of talent across the board. Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC is an offensive standout for the Bulldogs, while Devonta Parker Devonta Parker 6'0" | 150 lbs | DB Silver Bluff | 2025 SC leads the defense. Malik Mozone Malik Mozone 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Aiken | 2025 State SC is a special teams beast for Silver Bluff. and shines on the defensive side of the ball as well.
NO. 2 LIBERTY (7-3) AT NO. 2 FAIRFIELD CENTRAL (8-2)
Liberty won a couple of stunners down the stretch to get to the No. 2 seed from Region I, defeating Landrum and Chesnee with fourth-quarter drives. QB Logan Smith has played well for the Red Devils, while JJ Hernandez powers the running game for Liberty.
Fairfield Central can put up points in bunches, particularly through the air. QB Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Fairfield Central | 2026 State SC leads the way, with more than 1,900 passing yards on the season. Three receivers have more than 380 yards for the Griffins, led by Kristian Golden with 542. Sophomore Douglas McCloud leads Fairfield Central with 66 tackles.
NO. 5 LANDRUM (5-5) AT NO. 1 STROM THURMOND (8-2)
The Cardinals started hot but had a tough time in region play before defeating Blacksburg last week to secure a playoff berth. When Landrum has played well, RB Colton Link and ATH Braden Mashtare Braden Mashtare 6'0" Landrum | 2024 SC have led the way as standouts in the ground game.
The Rebels are loaded, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Jamaris Stevens Jamaris Stevens 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC is a Shrine Bowl player, and a terror for opposing offenses, while Michael Blocker has been playing on another level for the last month. Offensively, Shrine Bowl receiver Braylon Staley Braylon Staley 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC leads the way for Strom Thurmond.
NO. 4 KEENAN (4-5) AT NO. 2 NINETY SIX (8-2)
Keenan has a pair of legit offensive threats in QB Desmond Washington, who has more than 1,100 total yards, and RB Evan Artemus Evan Artemus 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB W.J. Keenan | 2024 State SC , who averages more than nine yards per carry. Tyheim McNeil has more than 500 yards receiving, and Nykeim McNeil has 71 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.
The Wildcats have had a complete turnaround under first year head coach Mathew Bennett. Zay King is a do-everything guy for Ninety Six, and QB Braden Mitchell has been lights-out since returning from an early-season injury. Ladarion Waldrop and Briant Witherspoon stand out for the Wildcats on both sides of the ball.
NO. 5 PELION (3-7) AT NO. 1 GRAY COLLEGIATE (11-3)
Pelion has a dynamic two-way player in Luke New Luke New 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Pelion | 2024 State SC , with Julian Tyler and Carlos Rivera adding offensive firepower. Caleb James and Corey Campbell help shore up the Panthers’ defense.
There’s not a team in recent memory with a stranger season than Gray Collegiate. The War Eagles have played a national schedule since their entire region forfeited against them. They’re plenty talented. Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC and Drevon Dopson both see time at QB, BJ Montgomery BJ Montgomery 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC is outstanding at RB, and Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC does a little bit of everything. Defensively, Kaine Williams Kaine Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC are tackling machines.
NO. 4 CHESNEE (5-5) AT NO. 3 BATESBURG-LEESVILLE (5-5)
Tanner Watkins and Cole Price hooked up for three TDs in a Week 10 win that propelled Batesburg-Leesville into the third slot in the region and a home playoff game. They’ll have to play well for the Panthers, who finished the regular season with a flourish.
The Eagles are led by QB Kjay Proctor, who is a dynamic dual-thread QB, and by ATH Adonis Burgess. Austin Bigford has turned into a standout at running back for the Eagles, while Kaleb Blanton stands out both offensive and defensively.