Class 3A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingWe’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 KB Henderson KB Henderson 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Blue Ridge | 2025 State SC . 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, Eli Smith Eli Smith 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL Blue Ridge | 2025 State SC is a tackle machine, with nearly 100 to his credit, including 12 tackles for loss and a sack.
Daniel seems to have just reloaded. Kolton Chapman Kolton Chapman 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Daniel | 2024 State SC 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 Watson Young Watson Young 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Daniel | 2024 State SC leads the way up front for the Lions. Defensively, Spencer Conn Spencer Conn 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Daniel | 2025 State SC 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. TJ Morris TJ Morris 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Woodruff | 2025 State SC is coming into his own at QB, while freshman Aiden Gibson Aiden Gibson 6'2" | 190 lbs | RB Woodruff | 2027 State SC 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 Colten Bagwell Colten Bagwell 5'8" | 170 lbs | QB Wren | 2025 State SC has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 900. Reese Price Reese Price 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Wren | 2025 State SC 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. Darius Latimer Darius Latimer 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Crescent | 2025 SC and Dylan Dale Dylan Dale 5'9" | 145 lbs | ATH Crescent | 2025 State SC 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. Coleman Gray Coleman Gray 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Chapman | 2024 State SC looks like a fullback and runs like one, too, setting the table for Mathai Scott and Keanu Na, while Rashawn Cunningham Rashawn Cunningham 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Chapman | 2024 State SC 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. Eli Hudgins Eli Hudgins 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Powdersville | 2024 State SC is a true dual-threat QB, Elijah Huggins Elijah Huggins 5'7" | 165 lbs | ATH Powdersville | 2025 State SC is a threat as a receiver and is deadly in the return game, and Jayden Pepper Jayden Pepper 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Greenville | 2024 SC has been a boost after transferring in at RB. Harrison Jeffries Harrison Jeffries 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2024 State SC is an active, disruptive LB for Powdersville
Chester easily could’ve been the No. 1 seed from Region IV. The do-everything Reggie Heath Reggie Heath 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Chester | 2024 State SC , QB Trooper Floyd Trooper Floyd 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Chester | 2025 State SC , and 1,300-yard rusher Elijah Coleman Elijah Coleman 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Clover | 2024 State SC (pictured) power the offense for the Cyclones, while Shrine Bowl LB Antonio Hopkins Antonio Hopkins 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Chester | 2024 State SC ‘ 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 Shaheem Robbs Shaheem Robbs 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2024 State SC has more than 1,000 yards and 12 TDs, with Justin Lathon Justin Lathon 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC providing enough of a change of pace to go for almost 300 yards and seven more scores. The guy, though, is Marquise Henderson Marquise Henderson 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC – 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. Lucas 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. Luke Gray Luke Gray 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Pendleton | 2024 State SC has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns and has a pair of standout receivers in Kory Jones and Abijah Webb Abijah Webb 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Pendleton | 2025 State SC . 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 John Henderson John Henderson 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB Pendleton | 2025 State SC ‘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 Tushawan Richardson Tushawan Richardson 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Clinton | 2025 State SC and TE/WR Kadon Crawford Kadon Crawford 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Clinton | 2024 SC have authored a couple of record- breaking performances. Zay Johnson Zay Johnson 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Clinton | 2024 State SC and Rion Gordon Rion Gordon 5'10" | 240 lbs | OL Clinton | 2025 State SC 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 Gavin Thoma Gavin Thoma 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Seneca | 2026 State SC 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. Jaylen McGill Jaylen McGill 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Broome | 2026 State SC 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.