Class A Upper State Third Round Preview
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The final four in Class A Upper State offers two matchups both in Greenville County with contrasting histories between the teams. County rivals St. Joseph’s and Southside Christian will face each other for the second time this season. The Knights…
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Continue ReadingThe final four in Class A Upper State offers two matchups both in Greenville County with contrasting histories between the teams.
County rivals St. Joseph’s and Southside Christian will face each other for the second time this season. The Knights are seeking their first state title, while the Sabres has won three state titles (2015, 2020, 2021).
In the city of Greenville, the other Upper State semifinal pits two teams who have each won six state titles in Blackville-Hilda and Christ Church. The common threads end there as the Hawks and Cavaliers will meet for the first time on the gridiron.
Here’s a preview of the two games:
No. 3 St. Joseph’s (10-2) at No. 2 Southside Christian (8-3)
The Sabres have won seven of the last eight meetings. The lone win during that span by the Knights took place in last year’s playoffs by a 29-28 score. Last week, they got an inspiring defensive effort to shock top seed and previously undefeated Lewisville 7-0 in the second round. A 4-yard touchdown run by Brayden Johnson Brayden Johnson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB St. Joseph's | 2025 State SC and PAT on the opening drive was the lone score as the Knights posted their second shutout of the season. Senior linebacker John Jaraczewski had a team-high 10 solo tackles and lineman Walker Wolfram accounted for two of the team’s four sacks.
The Sabres also won on the road in the second round. They defeated top seed Calhoun County 21-7. Silas Robertson rushed for two touchdowns and Southside Christian recovered two fumbles by the Saints. Quarterback Paul Cobin threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Kolby Sentelle to open the scoring. The Sabres defeated St. Joseph’s 35-14 on Sept. 22.
No. 2 Blackville-Hilda (10-2) at No. 1 Christ Church (10-2)
The current defending champion Cavaliers are riding an eight-game winning streak. In the 43-21 second-round win over McBee, quarterback Tucker Hendrix Tucker Hendrix 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Christ Church | 2025 State SC threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jackson Repp Jackson Repp 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Christ Church | 2025 State SC caught three of the scores and finished with 182 receiving yards. Defensively, linebacker Jake Good Jake Good 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Christ Church | 2024 State SC had 11 tackles to increase his season total to 95 and two sacks in the win. Running back Dashun Reeder Dashun Reeder 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Christ Church | 2024 State SC had only 38 yards and a touchdown but is 10 yards shy of 1,400 yards on the season to go with 20 touchdowns on the season.
Blackville-Hilda is seeking their first state title since 2007. It’s coming off a 28-0 shutout over Wagener-Salley. Tamari Daniels Tamari Daniels 5'8" | 145 lbs | WR Blackville-Hilda | 2024 State SC scored for the second straight week, this time on an 83-yard punt return. Defensive back Kaiden Aiken Kaiden Aiken 5'8" | 155 lbs | DB Blackville-Hilda | 2027 State SC (pictured) had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown and Samari Williams threw a 37-yard touchdown to Jamarien Priester Jamarien Priester 6'2" | 160 lbs | WR Blackville Hilda | 2024 SC . It was the only pass completed by the Hawks. Leading rusher Jaquel Holman Jaquel Holman 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB Blackville-Hilda | 2025 State SC had a quiet night in a season where he’s rushed for 1,610 yards, had nine 100-yard games and scored 20 touchdowns. Linebacker Kedric Sabb had nine tackles and a touchdown run.