Class 3A State Final Preview

The 3A state final is a rematch of the 2020 and 2021 title matchups, but will look a lot different. This time around, Camden throws it around while Daniel is a bit more balanced offensively. Both still have stout defenses though, and the last matchup in the Weekend of Champions looks to be a good one. Here's a look at the 3A title matchup.   Camden Bulldogs (11-3) vs. Daniel Lions (14-0)   Saturday, 7 p.m., Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium   About the Bulldogs: Camden started 2-2, including a loss to Gray Collegiate and a blowout at the hands of Hartsville, but the Bulldogs righted the ship and have only a loss to Crestwood as a bump in the road since then. The Bulldogs have put up nearly 41 points per game, with QB [player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White'] as the main offensive catalyst. White's got 3,755 passing yards on the year, and has thrown for 37 touchdowns. Most of that total has gone to a pair of receivers, as [player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant'] has more than 1,300 receiving yards and [player_tooltip player_id='1142669' first='Aidan' last='Heriot'] has surpassed 1,100. When the Bulldogs run it, White does much of the heavy lifting, with 777 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='448993' first='Averee' last='Hickmon'] has rushed for 765 yards and 11 scores.   Defensively, the Bulldogs have six guys with at least 75 tackles, four with double-digit tackles for loss, and four with at least four sacks. Tyrin Macklin, Emmanuel Presbott, and [player_tooltip player_id='1575400' first='Wyatt' last='Thompson'] occupy a bunch of those numbers. Thompson and [player_tooltip player_id='1157893' first='Jordan' last='Crim'] have four interceptions each and 20 pass deflections between them.   About the Lions: Daniel has rolled through the season, and in addition to an insane amount of talent, last week they got a little bit of luck as a Belton-Honea Path fumble as the Bears were going in for the go-ahead score late in the game paved the way for another state title appearance for the Lions. [player_tooltip player_id='1055627' first='Kolton' last='Chapman'] is the latest in a long line of accomplished Daniel QBs, throwing for 2,279 yards and 23 TDs. Graydon Nix, Sam Earle, [player_tooltip player_id='1360192' first='Jason' last='Bish'], and Christian Chancellor have all notched more than 325 receiving yards and 19 combined scores. On the ground, the Lions have been fantastic behind a line that features Mr. Football finalist [player_tooltip player_id='1142430' first='Watson' last='Young']. They've rushed for more than 3,000 yards on the season, with Ja'Kari Bennett leading the way with 1,377 yards and 25 touchdowns. Tory Shaw has nearly 700 yards, Lee Turnipseed has 500, and Chapman has rushed for 328.   Isaac Turner and Jackson Howell help lead a fast, physical Daniel defense. Turner has nine pass deflections. Jaedyn Young is tied for the team lead with seven sacks and has forced three fumbles, while [player_tooltip player_id='986041' first='Tremaine' last='Davis'] has nabbed four interceptions.   Key Matchup: Camden LB [player_tooltip player_id='448983' first='Wilson' last='Nash'] vs. Daniel LB [player_tooltip player_id='1157945' first='Spencer' last='Conn']   This is an odd choice for a matchup, as these players likely won't actually do anything against the other. However, it might come down to which defender does the most to take over the game. Make no mistake, both are more than capable. They're both well into triple-digits in tackles. Nash has 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, and four fumble recoveries. Conn has 12.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, an interception, two pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick. Both are nearly impossible to block, both have incredible instincts, and both play with reckless abandon.     X-Factor: Maxwell Ford WR, Camden   Ford, the Bulldogs "third guy" has the numbers to be a No. 1 almost anywhere. He's got more than 700 receiving yards, eight TDs and 36 catches, and he makes the entire Bulldogs offense particularly dangerous. He's especially effective in space, and can make defenders miss, but he also runs great routes, blocks well, and does a great job getting free.

The 3A state final is a rematch of the 2020 and 2021 title matchups, but will look a lot different. This time around, Camden throws it around while Daniel is a bit more balanced offensively. Both still have stout defenses though, and the last matchup in the Weekend of Champions looks to be a good one. Here's a look at the 3A title matchup.