Staff Picks: Upper State and Lower State Finals

The next to last football weekend of the year in South Carolina has us all talking.   Here at Prep Red Zone South Carolina, we went one step further. We've let you know who we believe will win each of the 10 SCHSL Upper State and Lower State championship games. We've provided plenty of evidence for each, and we've thrown our names behind our collective and individual predictions.   In parentheses next to each pick is how the votes fell among the seven staff members of Prep Red Zone South Carolina. And if that's not enough, we've included the votes of each reporter in each game down below.    Enjoy.   Class 1A Upper State   No. 3 St. Joseph's at No. 1 Christ Church   Staff pick: Christ Church (6-1)   Why the Cavaliers will win: “A St. Joseph's defense led by linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1144052' first='Johnny' last='Jaraczewski'] has been very impressive this postseason, highlighted by a 7-0 win at No. 1 Lewisville. However, Christ Church just has too many weapons to contend with on offense, including running back [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'] on the ground and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall'] in the passing attack. In the Cavaliers' 35-21 win over the Knights in the regular season, Repp had seven receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns, Hall caught a 70-yard touchdown and Reeder rushed for 80 yards and a score. Outside of a three-year losing skid from 2018-2020, Christ Church has won all other 16 meetings in the series. The Cavaliers defeated St. Joseph's 3-0 in the 2021 playoffs, and 21-7 in last year's Upper State championship.” - Scott Keeler   Class 1A Lower State    No. 1 Johnsonville at No. 1 Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Staff pick: Bamberg-Ehrhardt (5-2)   Why the Red Raiders will win: “For as much as Johnsonville two-way stars [player_tooltip player_id='996857' first='Travis' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='997329' first='Neal' last='Martin'] can do, this Bamberg-Ehrhardt team is even better than the one that made the state finals in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id='997288' first='Nick' last='Folk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1142485' first='Jamie' last='Downing'] are all capable of taking over a game. The Red Raiders' only loss came back on August 25 (to Denmark-Olar) and they've since won 11 straight games, with 10 of those coming by double-digit margins and seven of those victories coming in heavily lopsided fashion. That included last week's 41-6 win over Cross in which the Trojans were physically outmatched from the onset.” - Ian Guerin   Class 2A Upper State    No. 1 Abbeville at No. 1 Gray Collegiate   Staff pick: Gray Collegiate (5-2)   Why the Eagles will win: “The War Eagles are battled tested. After having all Region IV-2A games forfeited to them, Gray went out and scheduled nationally. They lost to St. Johns (MD), Clearwater Academy (FL) and IMG Academy (FL) but it made them better. [player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'] are very complimentary running backs. [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Dre'von' last='Dopson'] have also shared the quarterbacking duties. [player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett'], [player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job'] each have between 37 and 41 receptions and are averaging more than 13 yards a catch. Lockett is averaging 20 yards per catch. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] and [player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams'] each have 130 tackles. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor'] is next with 70 stops. Abbeville has the history but Gray might have too much this season for the Panthers.” - Chris Dearing    Class 2A Lower State   No. 1 Hampton County at No. 1 Oceanside Collegiate   Staff pick: Hampton County (4-3)   Why the Hurricanes will win: “Oceanside has rolled through the first three rounds of this year's 2A playoffs, but they've yet to see a defense as polished and hungry as Hampton County's. Led by a ferocious front seven of lineman Ka'Von Chisolm and explosive linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='809743' first='Mandrell' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1142659' first='Cody' last='Segars'], the Hurricanes have the firepower and talent to pressure and take a new-look Oceanside offense out of its rhythm. And the Hurricanes have a dynamic offense to keep up, centered around 2,220-yard and 33-touchdown phenom [player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] - whose threat can set up throws over the top from mobile quarterback Chris Terry. If the Landsharks aren't ready, the ‘Canes are capable of pulling off a stunner at The Citadel.” - Wes Kerr   Class 3A Upper State    No. 1 Belton-Honea Path at No. 1 Daniel   Staff pick: Daniel (6-1)    Why the Lions will win: “This is the one we've been expecting. Heck, this is the one EVERYBODY'S been expecting. The two best 3A Teams in the Upper State have been on a collision course for quite some time. We know what BHP offers. They've got an incredible running game with three legit threats in [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1144034' first='Shaheem' last='Robbs'], not to mention [player_tooltip player_id='1253982' first='Justin' last='Lathon']. And [player_tooltip player_id='1249760' first='Tye' last='Kelly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] lead a tenacious defense. But Daniel is just different. They've lost one game in four years. [player_tooltip player_id='1055627' first='Kolton' last='Chapman'] is the latest in a line of top-tier quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id='997148' first='Ja'kari' last='Bennett'] is scary with the ball in his hands, and Tory Shaw is a devastating change-of-pace. [player_tooltip player_id='1157945' first='Spencer' last='Conn'] is an absolute defensive wrecking ball. It's a great, even matchup, but the Lions have one distinct advantage. They've been here before. They know what to expect. And they'll take another step.” - Jed Blackwell   Class 3A Lower State   No. 2 Camden at No. 1 Brookland-Cayce   Staff pick: Camden (4-3)   Why the Bulldogs will win: “This Lower State final has offensive shootout written all over it. Both the Bulldogs and Bearcats are averaging more than 40 points per game. Both teams have offensive playmakers at the skilled positions - Camden with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='139311' first='Grayson' last='White'] and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='448982' first='Jaquarius' last='Mayrant']; Brookland-Cayce with quarterback and Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='771224' first='Will' last='Young'] and DeShaun Washington at running back. Camden will rely upon its experience in big games (four state semifinals in five years) and an active defense with 19 sacks and 16 interceptions as a team to counter Brookland-Cayce's size advantage at the line of scrimmage.” - Thomas Grant   Class 4A Upper State   No. 8 Greenville at No. 3 Westside   Staff pick: Westside (6-1)   Why the Rams will win: “Westside is led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] and his 3,086 yards and 32 touchdowns passing this year. The Rams offense is averaging 53 points a game and have not been held below 35 points in the first three rounds of the playoffs. They have a stable of backs in the backfield: Sharrode Richardson, who had 240 yards and three touchdowns last week against Midland Valley, along with [player_tooltip player_id='139310' first='Dee' last='Robertson'] and Demarco Evans. If you get too caught up in the run game, they have University of Tennessee-Chattanooga commit [player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams'] on the outside. We expect them to be able to shorten the game with the ground game and take their shots when they need to.” - Brandon Stockdale   Class 4A Lower State    No. 3 Irmo at No. 1 South Florence   Staff pick: South Florence (5-2)   Why the Bruins will win: “The crazy part about the Bruins' 28-game winning streak is that all but one of those victories came in the playoffs or in the regular season against a team that would go on to play in the postseason. How does that happen? Experience. For all the talk of South's transfers, the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='652832' first='Noah' last='Moore'] and Kemonte Rose and [player_tooltip player_id='208353' first='Quincy' last='Rhodes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='996915' first='Dirrick' last='Goodman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='208354' first='Chantwan' last='Harkless'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] have all played an integral role in this team for the better part of two seasons, even when they haven't been in starring roles. Simply, the new additions - such as Syree Livingston and [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams'] - have had an impact because they don't have to do it all.” - Ian Guerin   Class 5A Upper State   No. 2 J.L. Mann at No. 2 Dutch Fork   Staff pick: Dutch Fork (unanimous)    Why the Silver Foxes will win: “History tells us not to bet against Tom Knotts in the playoffs. The Silver Foxes are looking to make their eighth straight state finals appearance. But more importantly, they're playing with swagger again; they've won six in a row after starting the season 2-5. Offensively, it doesn't matter if Jonathan Hunt or [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] is under center. They are averaging 42 points per game during the winning streak. Tailbacks Trent Lodge and [player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson'] provide a spark on the ground and [player_tooltip player_id='448992' first='Jacob' last='Hamilton'], Leyton Shuler and Trey Starks are solid catching the ball. The defense has been good all season but are allowing just 11 points per game in the winning streak. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] and Bryce Nutall along with defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] are making it happen on that side of the ball..” - Chris Dearing   Class 5A Lower State   No. 1 Summerville at No. 1 White Knoll   Staff pick: White Knoll (6-1)   Why the Timberwolves will win: “The Timberwolves on defense are a true reflection of their hard-nosed head coach, Nick Pelham. Their defensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1142785' first='Lincoln' last='Ilunga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1142518' first='Demenico' last='Banks'] are fast and physical, Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble'] leads an active linebacking corps and the cornerbacks - led by [player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi'] - have the size and speed to neutralize wide receivers. On offense, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'] is underrated as a dual threat quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham'] is his favorite target and is a difficult cover, while freshman running back [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'] keeps improving behind a cohesive offensive line.” - Thomas Grant   INDIVIDUAL STAFF MEMBERS' PICKS   Jed Blackwell:    5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll    4A: Westside, Irmo   3A: Daniel, Camden   2A: Abbeville, Hampton County   1A: St. Joseph's, Johnsonville   Chris Dearing:   5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll   4A: Westside, South Florence   3A: Daniel, Brookland-Cayce   2A: Gray Collegiate, Hampton County   1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Thomas Grant:    5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll   4A: Westside, Irmo   3A: Daniel, Camden   2A: Gray Collegiate, Oceanside Collegiate   1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Ian Guerin   5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll   4A: Westside, South Florence   3A: Belton-Honea Path, Brookland-Cayce   2A: Gray Collegiate, Oceanside Collegiate   1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Scott Keeler:   5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll   4A: Greenville, South Florence   3A: Daniel, Camden   2A: Gray Collegiate, Hampton County   1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Wes Kerr:   5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll   4A: Westside, South Florence   3A: Daniel, Brookland-Cayce   2A: Gray Collegiate, Hampton County   1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Brandon Stockdale:   5A: Dutch Fork, Summerville   4A: Westside, South Florence   3A: Daniel, Brookland-Cayce   2A: Abbeville, Oceanside Collegiate   1A: Christ Church, Johnsonville

The next to last football weekend of the year in South Carolina has us all talking.