Class 2A Upper State Third Round Playoff Preview
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Talk about murderer’s row. The third round of the 2A playoffs includes a ton of historic programs and seven of the last eight Class 2A champions. Here’s a look at the four programs who will play for the chance to…
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Continue ReadingTalk about murderer’s row.
The third round of the 2A playoffs includes a ton of historic programs and seven of the last eight Class 2A champions. Here’s a look at the four programs who will play for the chance to advance to the Upper State title game.
No. 2 Silver Bluff (9-3) at No. 1 Abbeville (11-1)
The Bulldogs had a huge test in the second round, going on the road to knock off Fairfield Central 22-21. As has been typical for Silver Bluff, defense ruled the day. Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC picked off a pass and returned it seven yards for a score in the fourth quarter, giving the Bulldogs the go-ahead score. It was just more of the same for Silver Bluff, who have thrived on defense this season with Malik Mozone Malik Mozone 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Aiken | 2025 State SC , Boyd, Darien Jackson, Gerald Lark, and Jaydon Eason Jaydon Eason 6'0" | 275 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC all doing major damage for the Bulldogs.
Offensively, the Silver Bluff running game stepped up against the Griffins as Mickenzie Atterberry Mickenzie Atterberry 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC and Drelyn Brown Drelyn Brown 5'8" | 145 lbs | RB Silver Bluff | 2027 SC each rushed for touchdowns. They’ll both be major factors going forward, as will Hiszari Gantt Hiszari Gantt 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Silver Bluff | 2026 State SC , both offensively and on special teams.
Abbeville built a big lead in the second round before allowing Newberry to throw a scare into the defending 2A champs. The Panthers righted the ship, though, and will again play for a chance to advance to the Upper State championship. Demarcus Leach emerged as the Panthers’ answer at QB once region play began, and the Abbeville offense hasn’t looked back. He directs the A-Bone rushing attack that features Karson Norman Karson Norman 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Abbeville | 2025 State SC , Jha’Louis Hadden, and Altavious Patterson in enough of a rotation to give defenses absolute fits. Jae Harris and Mikhelyn Bowie Mikhelyn Bowie 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Abbeville | 2024 SC lead a tough, aggressive Abbeville defense.
No. 1 Strom Thurmond (10-2) at No. 1 Gray Collegiate (13-3)
Speaking of defense, Strom Thurmond’s is exceptional. The Rebels have given up 20 points or more just 3 times this year, have recorded six wins in which they’ve surrendered a touchdown or less, and they’ve run the clock on five of their last seven opponents. Juju Stevens shines at MLB, and he’s the heart of the Rebels’ defense. Darius Simpkins Darius Simpkins 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC and Deonte Phillips both rack up a ton of tackles, and Josh Merriweather Josh Merriweather 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Strom Thurmond | 2025 State SC has been a force, with 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, and seven sacks.
Offensively, the Rebels want to throw it. Quan Edmond has thrown for 2,288 yards with 27 touchdowns against just one interception on the season. His top target is Braylon Staley Braylon Staley 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC , who’s backed up his Shrine Bowl selection with 1,107 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Jay Sewell Jay Sewell 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2025 State SC has six touchdowns and 515 yards on the season, while Demarius Tolen Demarius Tolen 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC is a big body at 6-foot-4 who has hauled in 669 receiving yards and seven scores. Chris Barnes leads the Rebels’ rushing attack with 538 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Gray will counter with a loaded offense. BJ Montgomery BJ Montgomery 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC and Caleb Ford Caleb Ford 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2025 State SC lead the War Eagles on the ground, Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC are big-play guys out wide, and Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC is steady at QB. He threw just three passes in a round two win over Chesnee, but two were for scores.
Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC and Kaine Williams Kaine Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC both make a ton of tackles for Gray Collegiate, while Zeb Taylor has racked up 7.5 sacks.