Class 3A Upper State First Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 16 Carolina (1-8) at 1 Mountain View Prep (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a perfect inaugural regular season, the Stars are looking for a deep playoff run They're led by as good a skill trio as you'll find anywhere in all-everything back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill']</strong>, QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='349806' first='Bryson' last='Drummond']</strong>, and big-play WR <strong>KD</strong> <strong>Hainsworth</strong>. Defensively, the stars have a ton of talent including a guy with elite track speed at DB in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253999' first='Shamon' last='Black']</strong>. They'll be a tall task for a Carolina team that has struggled this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='229968' first='Branden' last='Broadwater']</strong> has been a bright spot for the Trojans at ATH, as has talented freshman RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1703854' first='Caleb' last='Gamble']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1253952' first='Eli' last='Smith'] </strong>makes plays all over the field for the Stars. He's a prototype LB: a fast, physical guy who diagnoses plays in a hurry and is violent when he gets to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9 St. Joseph's (5-5) at 8 Walhalla (5-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might be one of the quickest games in the state on Friday. Both teams are run-first, and they've got a couple of workhorse backs to prove it. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574101' first='William' last='Gillespie']</strong> is a leader at RB, LB, and an onside-kick specialist for the Knights, a weapon in every phase of the game. <strong>Nick Passarello</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809341' first='John' last='Campbell']</strong> lead a stingy defense for St. Joseph's. They'll have their hands full with Walhalla's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360186' first='Landon' last='Robinson']</strong>, who has more than 1,500 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 268 carries.<strong> Connor Lamb</strong> helps lead the Razorbacks' defense with 10.5 tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-FACTOR:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867240' first='Silas' last='Parish']</strong> does a whole bunch of everything for Walhalla. He's far and away the team's leader in tackles with 108 total stops, but he's also recorded at least one of the following: carries, rushes, tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions, pass deflections, fumble recoveries, and forced fumbles. Oh, and he's got eight touchdowns. Football. Player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16289967/66f4199276152c3bca2ac928' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92bffbd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12 Union County (2-7) at 5 Crescent (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets have a couple of improbable wins on their resume, and that's thanks in part to guys like ATH <strong>Josh Rice-Brandon</strong>, who leads the team in all-purpose yards, and <strong>Jakevious Jennings</strong>, their leading rusher. Defensively, <strong>Nathan Koepke</strong> and <strong>Joe Knox</strong> are a strong 1-2 punch for Union County. Crescent will counter with a couple of dynamic playmakers in RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391249' first='Darius' last='Latimer']</strong> and QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578755' first='Isaac' last='Hoskins']</strong> is a standout on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> Crescent's <strong>Kiantae Parks </strong>is a playmaker. He's very much a change-of-pace guy in the running game, and while he carries it sparingly, he's almost always good for a big play, averaging 19 yards per carry. He's also contributed in the passing game and on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16989869/672f75d31660b525b225e6ce' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92bfff8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13 West-Oak (1-7) at 4 Christ Church (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors got into the win column last week, led by <strong>James Coltrane</strong> on the ground and sophomore QB <strong>Harry Burgess</strong>. West-Oak is very much a young team learning on the job, as they started five freshmen and five sophomores in the regular-season finale. Their playoff reward is the two-time defending 1A champions from Christ Church, up to 3A thanks to this year's multiplier. And the bad news for everybody is that QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix']</strong> and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall'] </strong>have found their magic over the last couple weeks, and look like they're ready to lead the Cavaliers on a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> Christ Church has guys who can run all over the place on defense, but the key might <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012695' first='Acie' last='Hatfield']</strong>. He's tremendously active, knocks down a ton of passes, and flies to the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16099617/66f2ebd2923c0e985c4c045a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92c001a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14 Broome (3-7) at 3 Powdersville (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Centurions have a solid core of offensive playmakers, starting with QB <strong>Jameson Dearybury</strong>. He's efficient through the air, with a big arm, and the Centurions use big back <strong>Ty'qwon Booker</strong> to move piles and take some of the pressure off. <strong>Reese Waugerman</strong>, <strong>Tre'Sean Suber</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453176' first='Brayden' last='Simpson']</strong> are Dearybury's main targets, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355720' first='Bryson' last='Arrowood']</strong> helps lead the way defensively. Powdersville gets a huge boost from ATH <strong>Joshaun Knuckles </strong>and all-around threat <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253958' first='Elijah' last='Huggins']</strong>, a blazing-fast kick returner as well as a deep threat receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> <strong>Grayson Bradley</strong> is among Broome's leading receivers, one of their leading tacklers, has picked off a pass and knocked down three more, has a sack, and has recovered two fumbles. He's a guy Powdersville will need to find.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16456908/66d4953294559d93ee68de4b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92c003a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11 Pendleton (4-5) at 6 Woodruff (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs took an offensive hit when WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157733' first='Abijah' last='Webb']</strong> missed some time with an ankle injury, but freshman QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094520' first='Jace' last='Grass']</strong> did a good job of spreading the ball around, as he's thrown for 1,865 yards with four receivers (including Webb) notching at least 20 catches and at least 270 yards. Webb's return could make Pendleton especially dangerous. Woodruff, meanwhile, has gotten steady play all year from QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253917' first='TJ' last='Morris']</strong>, ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592034' first='Kori' last='Moates']</strong>, and sensational sophomore RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR: </em></strong>Woodruff LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592408' first='Shaun' last='Graybill'] </strong>is an absolute monster. He averages more than 13 tackles per game, with 118 total stops on the year to go with 21 tackles for loss, two sacks, and six hurries. He's capable of completely disrupting an offensive gameplay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18172706/672ff19f1660b525b22641e8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92c0059"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10 Palmetto (4-6) at 7 Chapman (3-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs rely on a balanced offense, with QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715879' first='Kaleb' last='Ricketts']</strong> and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360138' first='Cooper' last='Robinson']</strong> shouldering most of the load on the ground. <strong>Isaiah Hill</strong> and <strong>Kohen Wright</strong> are among Ricketts' top targets through the air. Chapman has leaned heavily on the run behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732619' first='Justin' last='Dawkins']</strong> and a talented offensive line, but the Panthers have opened things up a little recently as QB <strong>Josiah Moore</strong> gets increasingly comfortable with the offense. Chapman is stout defensively, with edge <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732638' first='Khamari' last='Turner']</strong> helping control the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR: </em></strong>Chapman's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041795' first='Chanson' last='Mickles']</strong> is a dangerous player for the Panthers. He's a physical, big-hitting LB, and he brings that same mentality to the offensive side of the ball, where he runs with a little bit of a violent edge. If he gets rolling, he's trouble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19452492/672ba9f7ba25f3744ee79b68' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92c0078"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Southside Christian (2-7) at 2 Belton-Honea Path (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sabres will need a great offensive game to keep pace with the bears, and they'll need a big performance from QB <strong>Jack Criswell</strong>. Even more, though, Southside Christian needs the defensive line, led by <strong>Jeremiah Jackson</strong>, to control the line of scrimmage against a very good BHP line and an even better stable of runners. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson']</strong> is everything you could want in an RB, but he's far from the Bears' only weapon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253982' first='Justin' last='Lathon']</strong>, <strong>MJ Earle</strong>, and QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas']</strong> are all capable of turning it on at any time, and DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin']</strong> is a menace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> If Southside Christian is to pull off the upset, they'll need to limit anything BHP can do in the passing game and sell out to stop Henderson and company. That's where <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543780' first='Bryson' last='Duck']</strong> comes in. He's an absolute lockdown guy, with the huge skills and short memory you've got to have in a corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18134217/67130931d23c946d84d6b8d0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67356e92c0097"} /-->