Class 5A, Division I Lower State Second Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It gets a little more intense and a little more emotional this week. We've moved into the second round of the Class 5A, Division I playoffs and every team still playing deserves to be here. The road teams survived first round tests last week while the four home teams earned a bye for winning their respective regions during the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What players make the most of this second season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the keys for the four second round games and some of the players likely to play huge roles in the outcomes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 9 FORT DORCHESTER (6-5) at NO. 1 SUMMERVILLE (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams met in the regular season finale on November 1 with Summerville earning a 50-21 victory. Fort Dorchester defeated Stratford last week 20-10 in the first round while the Green Wave had a bye.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639886' first='Banks' last='Wickersham']</strong> threw for 212 yards last week and seems to be the starter going forward. He teamed up with <strong>Anthony Williams</strong> (113 yards on five catches) and <strong>Duke Williams</strong> (three receptions for 58 yards) to lead the attack. Williams also had a game-clinching 70-yard interception return to seal the win over the Knights. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1198530' first='Jaxon' last='King'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271486' first='Savon' last='Garrett']</strong> need big games to slow the Green Waves offense. In that first game between the two teams, Summerville finished with 532 yards of offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings']</strong> (2,062 yards and 26 touchdowns) had 203 yards passing and 83 yards rushing and accounted for five total scores with four coming on the ground. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray']</strong> is nearing 1,000 receiving yards on the season and has nine touchdowns. <strong>Carson Guinn</strong> has moved into the No. 2 role and could have a huge postseason. End <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359137' first='Yasir' last='Smith']</strong> (pictured) and tackle <strong>Nicholas Lincoln</strong> along with safety <strong>Marvin Teal</strong> lead a defense that is improving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> Sophomore running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams']</strong> has burst onto the scene in just his first varsity season. He has 1,380 yards with 17 touchdowns and gone over 100 yards in seven games this season. If he's able to keep the defense honest, Cummings and the rest of the offensive weapons will eventually find a way to beat you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18404426/672e44f5fd1dfe6e46ada96c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bd737d6670"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 5 RIDGE VIEW (7-4) at NO. 4 CANE BAY (3-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers had their way in a 55-14 victory over Spring Valley in the first round. Six different players scored, led by two each from <strong>Bradley Wilson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian']</strong> as Ridge View finished with 436 yards of total offense. Bobian led the way with 85 yards rushing and 78 receiving. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter']</strong> had five receptions for 89 yards and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] </strong>threw for 216 and a touchdown. <strong>Nevan Gaither</strong> threw for a TD and ran for another. <strong>Markeith Thomas</strong> finished with eight tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception. <strong>Angel Brooks</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1168540' first='Quency' last='Grant']</strong> also added interceptions. Cane Bay lost its first seven games of the season but won its final three over Stratford, Goose Creek and Berkeley, all playoff teams, to earn a first-round bye last week. In the Region VII-5A 28-23 clincher over the Stag, the Cobras intercepted five passes with two of those coming in the end zone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732589' first='Jamari' last='Blandin']</strong> sealed it with a pick in the final minute. <strong>Austin Seabrook</strong> plays both ways and is a threat at running back and defensive back. <strong>Tyler Myers</strong> also adds depth at running back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664566' first='Coran' last='Houpe']</strong> is another threat at receiver. Quarterback <strong>Colby LaRocca</strong> has helped Cane Bay average 28 points in the three wins. They averaged 14 points in the seven-game losing streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR</em></strong>: We already mentioned <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian']</strong> above, but the sophomore has emerged as the Blazers leading rusher. He has 804 yards on the season and gotten better with each game. He's not the biggest back at 5-foot-7, but he doesn't mind running between the tackles and can make guys miss in a small window. Bobian takes a lot of pressure off Ridge View's explosive passing attack. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19575199/673acf032f77541d74b69718' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bd737d66a6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 6 JAMES ISLAND (9-2) at NO. 3 CAROLINA FOREST (6-3-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like a game that will be won in the trenches, this might be the one to check out. The Trojans have a deep and talented defensive front led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272709' first='Malachi' last='Jefferson'], [player_tooltip player_id='486418' first='Dalton' last='Woodall'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012698' first='Hendrix' last='Beran']</strong> are three of the best in the state. James Island also has a prized offensive weapon up front in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036776' first='Israel' last='Harris']</strong>, who is 330 pounds but moves well. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler'] </strong>leads the offensive attack, but James Island leans heavily on its defense as it did in a 24-2 win over Wando in the first round. Defensive back <strong>Jaseyvion Brown </strong>had a safety, an interception, a pass break up and four tackles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605524' first='Amor' last='Scott']</strong> led the offense with 155 yards. Carolina Forest had a first-round bye. The Panthers will lean heavily on a running game led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1148537' first='Jaryn' last='Fox']</strong> (1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149046' first='Chris' last='Livingston']</strong> (537 yards, 13 touchdowns). But the guys up front are what makes it happen. <strong>Jonathan Buffon</strong> (LT), <strong>Tyler Dean</strong> (LG), <strong>Justin Carasco</strong> (RG) and <strong>Angelo Rodelo</strong> (RT) have paved the way for 2,859 rushing yards this season. Linebackers Joseph Dial (46 tackles) and [player_tooltip player_id='1193722' first='Darius' last='Huggins'] (44 tackles) lead the way defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR</em></strong>: <strong>Coleman Jones</strong> heads up an active linebacker core for James Island. It will be important for Jones to be active and make plays early with Carolina Forest looking to establish the run first. The Panthers only have 1,201 passing yards so they want to line up and go straight ahead. If the trenches becomes a stalemate, Jones has a chance for a huge game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16132705/672238093e6d01f2c289d6d7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bd737d66c9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 10 ASHLEY RIDGE (8-3) at NO. 2 SUMTER (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It might be a good idea to check the scoreboard lights at Sumter' Memorial Stadium before this one. Ashley Ridge is averaging 41.8 points per game while the host Gamecocks are putting up 49.2 points per game. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157992' first='Jayden' last='Acosta']</strong> (1,429 yards and 18 touchdowns) along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1181027' first='Jaiden' last='Deweese']</strong> (86 catches, 1,278 yards and 16 touchdowns) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036782' first='Jagger' last='Spivey']</strong> (44 catches, 650 yards and five touchdowns) lead a balanced attack that likes to move fast. Acosta and <strong>Brayden Amerson</strong> also play big roles in the receiving game. <strong>Markial Moore</strong>, <strong>Malachi Mitchell</strong> and <strong>Jaylen Drayton</strong> will be tasked with trying to slow the Sumter attack down. The Gamecocks feature a three-headed attack that revolves around the running game that is averaging 340 yards per game. Running backs <strong>Kam Fortune</strong> (1,139 yards and 17 touchdowns), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples']</strong> (1,010 yards, 22 touchdowns in just eight games) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson']</strong> (783 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns and 1,020 yards passing and 12 scores) get the bulk of the action. <strong>Chris Bentley</strong> has nearly half of the receiving yards with 437 yards on 15 catches. Defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison'] </strong>leads the defensive charge with 90 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359132' first='Jeremiah' last='Burson']</strong> (89 tackles, 11 tackles for loss) had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz']</strong> has been one of the top statistical quarterbacks in the state this season and he will need a huge night to keep up with the Gamecocks high-powered attack. In the 51-13 win over West Ashley in the first round, Kailsz threw for 300 yards with five touchdowns. He has 3,386 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. We know Sumter can score in bunches and it will take a huge effort from Kalisz to keep pace.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14725735/672ae579f44e3ae67e5657bf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673bd737d66e8"} /-->