Class A Lower State Second Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second round in Class A begins with several of the early favorites very much in contention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a breakdown on how the matchups look in these four games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RIDGELAND (7-4) AT CROSS (9-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars pulled off a 21-20 overtime win over Scott's Branch. Quarterback <strong>Wenson Smith</strong> rushed for 227 yards and threw two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in overtime to <strong>Cordell McClain</strong>. <strong>Taishaun Smith</strong> also showed his versatility with a passing touchdown and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1513582' first='Palaal' last='Crawford']</strong> rushed for a score. Defensive back <strong>Kayon Milligan</strong> had the game-clinching interception in overtime and he and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267316' first='Denardo' last='Henry']</strong> each had seven tackles. They face a Trojans' team which posted a state-high sixth shutout and third straight of the season in the 48-0 win over Green Sea-Floyds. Defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639807' first='Michael' last='Bennett']</strong> and outside linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639766' first='William' last='Grant']</strong> scored up the front with 10 tackles each and <strong>Kerje Polite </strong>had two sacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']</strong> had his third 200-plus yard game with 212 yards and two touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172364' first='Mah'ky' last='Green']</strong> provided the scoring on the ground with four touchdowns to go with 108 rushing yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> At 6-foot 5 and 200 pounds, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey']</strong> is an imposing presence at safety and wide receiver. The combination of speed, size and natural instincts makes him difficult to defend on passing routes and he's able to read the quarterback to defend the pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17340953/672e3687eb3da2ca233208c4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673d383f74fca"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DENMARK-OLAR (4-6) AT HANNAH-PAMPLICO (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders had a successful showing in their first game without [player_tooltip player_id='464882' first='Jamarcus' last='Williams']. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='922678' first='Wade' last='Poston'] accounted for three touchdowns and running back Chris Ethridge added three scores in the 43-6 win over Military Magnet. It helps to have an experienced offensive line with&nbsp;<strong>Mason Hanna</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>William Faulkenberry</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Brandon Cox</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Dewey Kimbrough</strong>.&nbsp;The Raiders' defense have held opponents to 10 points a contest. The Vikings' defense made key interceptions in the 22-16 victory. They will need a similar effort from defensive linemen <strong>Tykeem Ross</strong> and <strong>Reginald Youmans</strong> and linebacker <strong>Robert Bovain</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> If Denmark-Olar's offense is to have success, offensive lineman <strong>Charleston Brown</strong> can provide an advantage. The 6-foot, 250-pound senior nose guard has averaged a grade of 94 percent at his position and has led his team in pancake blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17951373/672bcd8aea00f6f83ae282aa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673d383f75015"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JOHNSONVILLE (5-6) AT LAKE VIEW (9-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flashes pulled off a 43-41 overtime victory at Branchville. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304767' first='Larkin' last='Powell']</strong> had 128 total yards and three touchdowns and the ground game produced 285 rushing yards and four touchdowns. <strong>Ja'mere Powell</strong> led the way with 106 yards, <strong>Zaghe Davis</strong> rushed for 99 yards and <strong>Jay McFadden</strong> added two touchdowns. They face a Wild Gators' team which has averaged 8.4 points per game and posted three shutouts. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732669' first='Seth' last='Deese']</strong> had a blocked punt return for a touchdown and he pairs up with <strong>Keawe Jackson</strong> and <strong>Landon King</strong> to put forth pressure and support an equally aggressive defensive line with <strong>Zydrrious Inman</strong> and <strong>Ashton Locklear</strong>. Quarterback <strong>Kason Herlong</strong> can make plays on the ground and in the air as he showed with two touchdowns in the 36-7 win over Hardeeville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-FACTOR:</em></strong> Senior <strong>Ashton Locklear</strong> is a 6-foot 2, 168-pound tight end who's more than just an effective blocker. He had a 38-yard touchdown catch against Hardeeville and helps solidify the defensive front at the end position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20158426/673b4c90876132766b22c736' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673d383f75049"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BAMBERG-EHRHARDT (8-2) AT BAPTIST HILL (7-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats posted a 16-0 win over Latta to open the post-season. It was a dominating performance by the defense, led by <strong>Kevin Smalls</strong> with 16 tackles and two sacks, defensive back <strong>Travon McFadden</strong> with 12 tackles and defensive end <strong>Tay'Von Mann-Geddis</strong> with 12 tackles and two sacks. The backfield of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254034' first='Romaine' last='Grant']</strong> and <strong>Ki'lyn Gordon</strong> accounted for both touchdowns and two-point conversions against the Vikings. The Red Raiders made short work of Bethune-Bowman in a 65-0 victory. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']</strong> has the ability to cause Baptist Hill problems with his passing and the offense has a punishing running back with <strong>Demetrius Odom</strong> and <strong>Marcus Odom</strong>. The offensive line with&nbsp;<strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='1157986' first='Javaris' last='Logan']</u>&nbsp;</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Eric Stevens</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Tristian Jenkins,</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Brennan Glover</strong> presents a challenge where they can possibly wear down the Bobcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-FACTOR:</strong> With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']</strong> unavailable, sophomore <strong>Brian McMillan</strong> stepped up at quarterback. He showed his versatility with 130 passing yards and two touchdowns, a punt and kickoff each returned 70 yards for a score and 42 rushing yards. His mobility could present a challenge to the Bobcats' defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21791710/670de024202b8296d036e671' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673ecc2490c49"} /-->