Class 5A Lower State Second Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the eight Class 5A Lower State playoffs games went to the home team last week, and the four homestanding teams this week hope that trend continues. There are still two undefeated teams remaining in this half of the bracket, but that doesn't mean anyone is putting them in the lower state finals just yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here a rundown of the four games in the Class 5A Lower State bracket this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 2 FORT DORCHESTER (7-3) AT NO. 1 WHITE KNOLL (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will arguably be the toughest test for the unbeaten Timberwolves this season. Behind a defense led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1083060' first='Connor' last='Burgess'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='911088' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble']</strong>, White Knoll recorded its fourth shutout of the season in a 28-0 win over Cane Bay in round one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi']</strong> lead a hard-hitting secondary as well. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong> threw for 240 yards with three passing touchdowns and a rushing one as well last week. Sharpe has thrown for 2,137 yards. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning']</strong> has 646 yards and will look to lead the ground attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots are averaging more than 37 points per game, but this will be a tough test against a White Knoll defense this is allowing 6.4 points per game. The QB duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142859' first='Charles' last='Watson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976510' first='Bennett' last='Riffer']</strong> will look to continue the onslaught that has scored at least 28 points in nine of 10 games. Watson has 19 touchdowns passes while splitting time. They will look to get <strong>Mul-Ty Snider</strong>, <strong>Monty Johnson</strong> and <strong>Jalen Berry </strong>out in space to work. RB <strong>Davion Brown</strong> will lead the ground attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 2 SUMTER (8-3) AT NO. 1 STRATFORD (5-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 seeded Stratford escaped with a 28-27 win over Chapin last week thanks to a last second field from <strong>Enzo Mori</strong>. Lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1573961' first='Wes' last='Snowden']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='745898' first='Landon' last='Stradcutter']</strong> will try to clear the way for QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] </strong>(1,372 yards) to throw to <strong>J'qwan Crosby</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142866' first='Elijah' last='Riley'] </strong>and TE <strong>Jacob Deacon</strong>. Riley also has five interceptions and has been productive in the kickoff and punt return role, as well. <strong>Josh Faucett</strong> is a load at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sumter counters with a steady attack that will lean on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples']</strong> and his 29 rushing touchdowns. Senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997237' first='Pate' last='Merchant']</strong> is a solid game manager who has thrown for 1,261 yards and seven scores. <strong>Jamie Tedder,</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997395' first='Dazaun' last='Jackson']</strong> and <strong>Jamireh Bey</strong> are three targets who have nearly 30 receptions on the season. <strong>Jahiem Rose</strong>, <strong>Tymaries Thompson-Durant</strong> and <strong>AJ Bracey</strong> lead a talented defense that registered five interceptions in the 56-13 win over Ashley Ridge in the first round.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 3 BERKELEY (6-5) AT NO. 1 SUMMERVILLE (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lowcountry's longest running rivalry will play a rematch in the second round. The Green Wave blistered the Stags 62-27 on September 1. Summerville has scored 33 points in 10 of 11 games with last week's 28-3 win over River Bluff being the exception. Transfer QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings']</strong> has thrown for 2,870 yards with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771065' first='Yannick' last='Smith']</strong> (pictured) averaging almost 24 yards per reception. The Senior has 1,286 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran the ball nine times last week for 122 yards and two scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998693' first='Quintrelle' last='Pettiford']</strong> has 37 catches for 693 yards and nine touchdowns. <strong>Keon Washington</strong> and <strong>Sheldon Glenn</strong> also scored against River Bluff. If the Stags can slow that trio, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589013' first='Trae' last='Green']</strong> is six yards shy of 1,000 yards on the season. Defensively, look for <strong>Jacob Cotterill</strong>, <strong>Jamin Brown</strong> and <strong>Jaiden Kelly</strong> to give the young Stags fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berkeley hasn't won away from the cozy confides of Gerald Moody Field, going 0-5 on the road with the closest loss being by 28 points. If quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers']</strong> can find some time, he has a couple of weapons in <strong>Kayden Bush</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158021' first='Kevin' last='Boone']</strong>, who have combined for 85 catches for 1,593 yards receiving. Rivers and <strong>Josh Smalls</strong> will have to try to find something in the running game so Summerville can't come after Rivers hard in the pocket. A pair of sophomores in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267216' first='Kevin' last='Rivers']</strong> will be tasked with slowing the Green Wave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 WEST ASHLEY (6-5) AT NO. 1 CAROLINA FOREST (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carolina Forest has nearly 4,000 total yards of offense this season with the ground attack leading the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267465' first='Kalil' last='Johnson']</strong> (1,376 yards), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142820' first='Ethan' last='Hamilton']</strong>, <strong>Chris Livingston</strong> and <strong>Jaryn Fox</strong> each have over 420 yards rushing this season. Hamilton is second with 915 yards rushing and 632 yards passing. <strong>Braylin Fernandes</strong> and <strong>Jonathan Rivas</strong> lead a defense that hasn't allowed over 20 points in a game since September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats snapped a three-game skid with a 30-21 win over Goose Creek, the only seeding upset in round one. West Ashley rushed for more than 300 yards in the game with the RB duo of <strong>Kevin Brown</strong> and <strong>Mason White</strong> doing the bulk of the work. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254089' first='David' last='Dounian']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208366' first='Terry' last='Grant']</strong> also had rushing scores. <strong>Christopher Dolloff</strong> intercepted two passes last week, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->