Class 3A Lower State Third Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third round of the Class 3A Lower State playoffs features two matchups between four high-scoring teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oceanside Collegiate versus Dillon and Keenan versus Loris have the potential to be offensive slugfests. They also feature defensive players who can change the momentum of a contest at any moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add in the "X-Factor" known as Mother Nature asserting itself more in the settings and predicting the outcomes are not a guarantee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What is certain is the winners will face each other next week for a trip to Orangeburg for the state final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a breakdown of the Lower State Final Four:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 6 DILLON (10-2) AT NO. 2 OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based on the bracket, the Landsharks get homefield advantage in the second playoff matchup between the two schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dillon won the first-ever meeting 35-10 in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 2-3 start, Oceanside Collegiate has run off six straight wins with an average margin of victory is 40.6 points. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian']</strong> continues his strong post-season play as he's surpassed 2,000 passing yards. He enjoys a strong rapport with wide receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809757' first='Will' last='Virgilio']</strong>, <strong>Gavin Gasper,</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578702' first='Peyton' last='Shaw']</strong>. The offensive line is experienced and strong on technique with <strong>Mike Jones</strong>, <strong>Charlie Bean </strong>and <strong>Carson Lee</strong>. They have also made it possible for seven different players to rush for at least one touchdown. <strong>James O'Connor</strong> is the team's leading rusher with 300 yards. Defensively, the Landsharks have held opponents to 6.5 points per game during their winning streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats held off Newberry 33-28 in the second round. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346196' first='Jamarion' last='Fling'] </strong>rushed for two touchdowns and quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1573996' first='Rahmond' last='Hamilton']</strong> threw for two scores. Fling leads the running game with 1,029 yards and 20 touchdowns to go with 1,620 passing yards and 16 touchdowns from Hamilton. Tall, speedy wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165163' first='Zamaurious' last='Robertson']</strong> has 56 receptions for 861 yards and nine touchdowns and provides a deep threat. Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025771' first='Keryien' last='Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267317' first='Daniel' last='Capehart']</strong> have 100-plus tackles and senior defensive back <strong>Dan Graves</strong> leads a secondary with six of its 18 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Matchup Within The Matchup:</em></strong> The Landsharks rely upon a precision passing attack in which Manavian deftly hits wide receivers on quick slants. The Wildcats' secondary has feasted on interceptions led by Graves. There's also defensive back <strong>Jotavious Mcallister</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1474531' first='Zephaniah' last='Campbell'],</strong> and Robertson when he's playing both ways. Slowing down the passing game would give Dillon a strong advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassmen Impact: </em></strong>Oceanside Collegiate junior <strong>Terance Johnson</strong> is a one-man offensive show. Whether on the ground (four touchdowns) or from the air (20 receptions, 357 yards, six touchdowns), Johnson is a game-changer for the Landsharks to rely upon if Dillon slows the game down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23071809/6743f80f6536928fd4b04f43' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674484c9b5af2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 4 KEENAN (8-4) AT NO. 1 LORIS (10-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A matchup of two teams not accustomed to advancing this late into the playoff rounds as Dillon and Oceanside Collegiate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions are enjoying the program's first double-digit win season. Coming off a three-week hiatus, which included a first-round bye, they defeated Hanahan 28-21 in the second round.  First-year starting quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens'] </strong>each accounted for two touchdowns. Loris looks to get wide receivers <strong>Quantez Dyson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592447' first='Jacobien' last='Lewis']</strong> more involved in the offense, that appeared affected by the colder temperatures. Starting offensive linemen tackle <strong>Mark Miller</strong>, guard <strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='797156' first='Logan' last='Coleman']</u>, </strong>center <strong>Jamarius Wilson </strong>and two-way player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']</strong> will look to provide play-making opportunities for Gerald and the other skilled position players. The defense has been a mainstay for the program, holding opponents to 9.5 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders are making an appearance for the first time since 2014. Senior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1360203' first='Desmond' last='Washington'] </strong>controls the offense with aplomb, passing for 2,789 yards and 23 touchdowns. He threw for 430 yards and four touchdowns to surpass 3,000 total yards of offense in last week's 38-7 win over Orangeburg-Wilkinson. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578660' first='Tyheim' last='McNeil'] </strong>had eight receptions for 278 yards and three touchdowns and has 1,138 receiving yards the season. He's also a rushing threat with nine touchdowns on the ground. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422608' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal']</strong> leads the team in rushing with 1,072 yards. The Raiders have other offensive weapons at their disposal like running back <strong>Gary Gownes</strong>, wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578683' first='Nykeim' last='McNeil']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664646' first='Deion' last='Hollis']</strong>. Both sides of the line are senior-laden with <strong>Victor O'Neal, Mike Swinton</strong>, <strong>Jose Boone,</strong> and <strong>Nigel Williams</strong>. Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603881' first='Darius' last='Dixon']</strong> and <strong>Ty'quez Taylor</strong> have each racked up over 100 tackles and junior defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734638' first='Tyreik' last='Davenport-Smith'] </strong>has a team-high five sacks and second behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253913' first='Titus' last='Bowman']</strong> with nine hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Matchup Within The Matchup:</em></strong> It's the classic irresistible force versus the immovable object between Keenan quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360203' first='Desmond' last='Washington']</strong> and the Loris defense. Washington's quick instincts and strong arm gives the Raider offense its energy. Conversely, linebackers <strong>Javon Johnson</strong> and <strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='464897' first='Avery' last='Todd']</u> </strong>can cover the field while putting pressure on Washington. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']</strong> will battle an experienced offensive line at defensive end as the Lions look to limit the big plays from the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17734683/6741e731230aa01fb3ab5ae6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674484c9b5b2e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassmen Impact:&nbsp;</em></strong>Any points will prove valuable in a contest where weather conditions &nbsp;could play a factor. This is where winning the special teams becomes a big part of the game plan. Sophomore placekicker <strong>William Suggs</strong> is 46-48 on PATs and 4-6 on field goals. His longest field goal of the season is 36 yards. On the Raiders' side, they may have to rely upon freshman <strong>Jamauri Johnson</strong> to secure points in what is arguably the biggest game of his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->