Class 3A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview

We've seen this coming all year.   The 3A playoffs are going to be a war.   Six of the top eight seeds in the Upper State have been ranked in the statewide Top 10 for most of the year, and seven have no more than two losses. The first week might have a couple of mismatches, but it'll soon get really real, really fast.   Here's a look at the 3A Upper State field.   NO. 4 BLUE RIDGE (1-9) AT NO. 1 DANIEL (10-0)   When the Tigers have been successful this season, it's been because of [player_tooltip player_id='833941' first='KB' last='Henderson']. He leads the team in rushing, and is one of the top rushers in Greenville County with nearly 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1253952' first='Eli' last='Smith'] is a tackle machine, with nearly 100 to his credit, including 12 tackles for loss and a sack.   Daniel seems to have just reloaded. [player_tooltip player_id='1055627' first='Kolton' last='Chapman'] has thrown for almost 1,700 yards, and every time Ja'Kari Bennett doesn't use first down to pick up another first down, it actually hurts his rushing average, which currently stands at 11.5 per carry. Mr. Football finalist [player_tooltip player_id='1142430' first='Watson' last='Young'] leads the way up front for the Lions. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1157945' first='Spencer' last='Conn'] is a one-man wrecking crew - 93 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, an interception, and three fumble recoveries   NO. 3 WOODRUFF (4-6) AT NO. 2 WREN (5-5)   Woodruff started the year extremely young, and the Wolverines have grown and improved. [player_tooltip player_id='1253917' first='TJ' last='Morris'] is coming into his own at QB, while freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] has been Woodruff's workhorse, both in carries and in receptions out of the backfield. Kory Scott and Khori Moates are as good a pair of athletes as you'll find.   Wren has shown some incredible balance offensively, as QB [player_tooltip player_id='1158040' first='Colten' last='Bagwell'] has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 900. [player_tooltip player_id='1253994' first='Reese' last='Price'] has added 913 yards on the ground. Champ Reeves and Brandon Curry are among the Hurricanes' defensive leaders.   NO. 4 CRESCENT (6-4) AT NO. 1 CHAPMAN (9-1)   The Tigers have played better than a 4 seed, as the middle of Region I was extremely competitive. [player_tooltip player_id='391249' first='Darius' last='Latimer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1254209' first='Dylan' last='Dale'] lead the Tigers' offense, and Landen LeCroy helps control things on the defensive side.   Chapman locked up its seventh straight region title with its traditional stout QB play, but this year looks a little different. [player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray'] looks like a fullback and runs like one, too, setting the table for Mathai Scott and Keanu Na, while [player_tooltip player_id='1142680' first='Rashawn' last='Cunningham'] is a downfield threat. Reese Lynch is a defensive force for the Panthers.   NO. 3 POWDERSVILLE (5-5) AT NO. 2 CHESTER (8-2)   The Patriots, last year's Upper State champions, still have some pieces from last year's squad. [player_tooltip player_id='448984' first='Eli' last='Hudgins'] is a true dual-threat QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1253958' first='Elijah' last='Huggins'] is a threat as a receiver and is deadly in the return game, and [player_tooltip player_id='209382' first='Jayden' last='Pepper'] has been a boost after transferring in at RB. [player_tooltip player_id='267456' first='Harrison' last='Jeffries'] is an active, disruptive LB for Powdersville   Chester easily could've been the No. 1 seed from Region IV. The do-everything [player_tooltip player_id='771062' first='Reggie' last='Heath'], QB [player_tooltip player_id='457973' first='Trooper' last='Floyd'], and 1,300-yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='997385' first='Elijah' last='Coleman'] (pictured) power the offense for the Cyclones, while Shrine Bowl LB [player_tooltip player_id='771067' first='Antonio' last='Hopkins']' stat line looks like it belongs in a video game - 122 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, six sacks, three hurries, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.   NO. 4 EMERALD (1-9) AT NO. 1 BELTON-HONEA PATH (10-0)   The Vikings' success begins and ends with Key Holloway. Emerald's QB, Holloway is electric on the ground, and can keep defenses honest. Karson Wright and AJ Anderson provide additional punch in the running game. Kennan Marshall anchors the Vikings' defensive secondary.   The secondary might not get much work against BHP. Look, we need to talk about the "Bear Bone" offense. Three backs help lead the way, as [player_tooltip player_id='1144034' first='Shaheem' last='Robbs'] has more than 1,000 yards and 12 TDs, with [player_tooltip player_id='1253982' first='Justin' last='Lathon'] providing enough of a change of pace to go for almost 300 yards and seven more scores. The guy, though, is [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] - 128 carries, 1,785 yards, and 29 TDs. And yes, if you're doing that math for his average, it's a ludicrous 13.95 yards per carry.   NO. 3 TRAVELERS REST (4-6) AT NO. 2 PENDLETON (8-2)   The Devildogs have struggled this season, but there have been some bright spots. Long, athletic Drew McKibben can fly, and he's a playmaker downfield. [player_tooltip player_id='1592576' first='Lucas' last='Tankersley'] causes havoc on the defensive side.   Pendleton put together a stellar season behind a bunch of good pieces on the offensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1142563' first='Luke' last='Gray'] has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns and has a pair of standout receivers in Kory Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1157733' first='Abijah' last='Webb']. They run it to keep you honest, and LJ Maddox is the guy when they do. Seven Bulldogs have at least 58 tackles on defense, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1253970' first='John' last='Henderson']'s 86.   NO. 4 PALMETTO (3-7) AT NO. 1 CLINTON (8-2)   The Mustangs have gone with two QBs some this season, with Brooks Janssen getting most of the work. He's got several receivers to pick from, with four Mustangs recording at least 200 yards receiving, led by Taijay Evans. Tyce Garner has led the rushing attack with nearly 700 yards, while Landon Mayberry is a defensive standout, with 79 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and a sack.   Clinton shifted to a little bit more of an aerial look after being hit by injuries, and it's worked out for the Red Devils. They still won't be mistaken for a wide-open spread, but QB [player_tooltip player_id='1012830' first='Tushawan' last='Richardson'] and TE/WR [player_tooltip player_id='949764' first='Kadon' last='Crawford'] have authored a couple of record- breaking performances. [player_tooltip player_id='771037' first='Zay' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='241184' first='Rion' last='Gordon'] are standouts on both sides of the ball.   NO. 3 SENECA (5-5) AT NO. 2 BROOME (8-2)   The Bobcats have the potential to put up big numbers. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1165153' first='Gavin' last='Thoma'] has thrown for more than 2,000 yards, while Camsley Campbell has rushed for nearly 1,000. Zavean Poole is the big-play threat with more than 1,000 receiving yards.   Broome is an offensive explosion waiting to happen. [player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill'] is one of the best backs in the state, and QB Kamajay Brackett-Brannon is fantastic on the move. When he throws it, Tre'Sean Suber has shown plenty of big-play potential. Steven O'Dell leads a talented offensive line, and DT Thompson is a monster on the defensive line.

We've seen this coming all year.