Class 2A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Round up the usual suspects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the Upper State 2A field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 6 COLUMBIA (3-7) AT NO. 1 ABBEVILLE (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Capitals put together some good things offensively this year, and when they've played well, <strong>Jamel McDaniel</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbeville is once again among the favorites to win the 2A classification. The Panthers have dynamic players all over the field, notably the massive <strong>Jae Harris</strong> on the defensive line and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach']</strong> at QB. Abbeville is four deep at running back, and has a ton of talent on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 SALUDA (7-3) AT NO. 3 NEWBERRY (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers were a tough-luck fourth place in a very good region. <strong>Victavis Jones</strong> is an electric kick returner and a big-play receiver for Saluda. The guy who makes it go, though, is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142771' first='Kenmane' last='Brunson']</strong>. 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newberry boasts one of the most intriguing WR in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816735' first='Jamel' last='Howse']</strong> (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, <strong>Steven Joseph</strong> has turned into a ball-hawk and a lock-down defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 5 MID-CAROLINA (2-8) AT NO. 2 SILVER BLUFF (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels struggled offensively this season, but defensively they've got a bright future, particularly with freshman LB <strong>Wyatt Mazza.</strong> They did get a win over Eau Claire last week to start the playoffs on a high note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Silver Bluff has a bunch of talent across the board. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139299' first='Jordan' last='Boyd'] </strong>is an offensive standout for the Bulldogs, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944180' first='Devonta' last='Parker'] </strong>leads the defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272710' first='Malik' last='Mozone']</strong> is a special teams beast for Silver Bluff. and shines on the defensive side of the ball as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 2 LIBERTY (7-3) AT NO. 2 FAIRFIELD CENTRAL (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 <strong>Logan Smith</strong> has played well for the Red Devils, while<strong> JJ Hernandez</strong> powers the running game for Liberty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfield Central can put up points in bunches, particularly through the air. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']</strong> 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 <strong>Kristian Golden </strong>with 542. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592601' first='Douglas' last='McCloud'] </strong>leads Fairfield Central with 66 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 5 LANDRUM (5-5) AT NO. 1 STROM THURMOND (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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<strong> Colton Link</strong> and ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595704' first='Braden' last='Mashtare']</strong> have led the way as standouts in the ground game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels are loaded, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589012' first='Jamaris' last='Stevens']</strong> is a Shrine Bowl player, and a terror for opposing offenses, while <strong>Michael Blocker</strong> has been playing on another level for the last month. Offensively, Shrine Bowl receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley'] </strong>leads the way for Strom Thurmond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 KEENAN (4-5) AT NO. 2 NINETY SIX (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keenan has a pair of legit offensive threats in QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360203' first='Desmond' last='Washington']</strong>, who has more than 1,100 total yards, and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1079020' first='Evan' last='Artemus']</strong>, who averages more than nine yards per carry. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578660' first='Tyheim' last='McNeil']</strong> has more than 500 yards receiving, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578683' first='Nykeim' last='McNeil']</strong> has 71 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have had a complete turnaround under first year head coach Mathew Bennett. <strong>Zay King</strong> is a do-everything guy for Ninety Six, and QB <strong>Braden Mitchell</strong> has been lights-out since returning from an early-season injury. <strong>Ladarion Waldrop</strong> and <strong>Briant Witherspoon</strong> stand out for the Wildcats on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 5 PELION (3-7) AT NO. 1 GRAY COLLEGIATE (11-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelion has a dynamic two-way player in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267470' first='Luke' last='New']</strong>, with <strong>Julian Tyler</strong> and <strong>Carlos Rivera</strong> adding offensive firepower. <strong>Caleb James </strong>and <strong>Corey Campbell </strong>help shore up the Panthers' defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller']</strong> and <strong>Drevon Dopson</strong> both see time at QB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery']</strong> is outstanding at RB, and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord']</strong> does a little bit of everything. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong> are tackling machines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 CHESNEE (5-5) AT NO. 3 BATESBURG-LEESVILLE (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tanner Watkins</strong> and <strong>Cole Price</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are led by QB <strong>Kjay Proctor</strong>, who is a dynamic dual-thread QB, and by ATH <strong>Adonis Burgess</strong>. <strong>Austin Bigford</strong> has turned into a standout at running back for the Eagles, while <strong>Kaleb Blanton</strong> stands out both offensive and defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->