Class 4A Upper State Second Round Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The field is starting to get smaller as we enter Round Two of the 4A Upper State playoff bracket, with the matchups to watch taking place in the Upstate.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we said last week, it's survive and advance at this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 8 GREENVILLE (7-3) AT NO. 1 GREER (6-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer survived in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/what-we-saw-ryans-kick-lifts-greer-to-thrilling-win/">a thriller over Indian Land last week</a>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012565' first='LaDainnian' last='Martin']</strong> had an outstanding performance in round 1, running for 196 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. <strong>Chris Hall </strong>only threw it 18 times but he was efficient when he did, throwing for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also made some plays on the ground with 27 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254063' first='Brody' last='Runion'] </strong>led the team in tackles defensively with 8 on the night. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254107' first='Brody' last='Diggins'] </strong>and <strong>Isiah McCoy </strong>each had 6 tackles, while <strong>Darius Johnson </strong>had a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville made a quick dispatch of South Aiken in a 63-7 rout in the first round. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163871' first='Mazeo' last='Bennett'] </strong>scored three first half touchdowns and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395024' first='Rashad' last='Robinson'] </strong>scored a touchdown in the second half to go along with his 115 yards rushing. Keep an eye on<strong> William Bouton, Jacob Christie </strong>and <strong>Andre Arnold </strong>who were leaders in tackles defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 12 GREENWOOD (5-5) AT NO. 4 NORTHWESTERN (10-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwestern led 50-0 at halftime in their first round game against Laurens last week as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] </strong>threw four touchdowns to <strong>Jaylen Burris</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'], TaDarrion Knox </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589050' first='Greer' last='Hopkins']</strong>. The second half featured a running clock, and the defense held the Raiders to -5 yards the <em>entire </em>evening as the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/first-round-playoff-game-balls-catawba-river/">front seven up front led the way for the Trojans.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deterrious Gary</strong> had a big kickoff return which led to points by <strong>Marnarien Chamberlain</strong> as the Eagles escaped with a 17-16 win over North Augusta in the first round. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639742' first='Ahmad' last='Scott'] </strong>on the front seven for the Eagles, as he had a tackle for a loss last week, along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732593' first='Dyson' last='Davis'] </strong>who can make plays from his linebacker spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 11 YORK (8-3) AT NO. 3 WESTSIDE (10-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The combo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208367' first='Ayden' last='Davis'] </strong>and <strong>Tashon Freeman </strong>was crucial at the quarterback position in the Cougars' 26-17 win over Riverside last week, and you can expect them to continue to use the two, as they each have their own unique skill set heading into Round 2. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771226' first='Javarus' last='Guthrie'] </strong>who will provide a presence in the backfield that should take some of the pressure off whoever is at quarterback. York's defense starts up front with <strong>Trey Wanger</strong>, who <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/first-round-playoff-game-balls-catawba-river/">set up residence in the backfield</a> last week along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142644' first='Najib' last='Yunusah'], [player_tooltip player_id='267449' first='Debo' last='Hall'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589053' first='DeMaurion' last='Stewart']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams, led by quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] </strong>(pictured above) with <strong>Josh WIlliams </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'] </strong>at the receiver positions, will make for an interesting showdown in the Upstate on Friday. Woods went 15-for-18 for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns last week. <strong>Jameson Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'] </strong>and <strong>Trenton Galloway </strong>all had 8 tackles defensively in the 42-0 shutout win over Airport last week, but will face a tougher test against the run game from the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 7 SOUTH POINTE (8-3) AT NO. 2 MIDLAND VALLEY (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running game for the Stallions helped them earn a first round 49-7 win over Eastside last week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012612' first='Aidan' last='Turner'] </strong>ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while <strong>Jalil Jackson </strong>went for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012611' first='Fred' last='Reese'] </strong>tallied 10 total tackles while <strong>Devonte Evans </strong>had 11 as part of a stout defensive effort. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139304' first='Chris' last='Dixon'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142616' first='Jeremiah' last='Minor'] </strong>on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar'] </strong>is the No. 1 player in the PRZ Class of 2024 rankings, and last week's 28-21 win over Easley was a great example why. He ran for 219 yards on 24 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. <strong>Preston Mcnair </strong>gives the Mustangs a solid one-two punch in the backfield that is tough to stop. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] </strong>who had 15 tackles and 2 TFLs along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141041' first='Jadyn' last='Simpkins'] </strong>who had 7 tackles last week defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->