Class 5A, Division II Semifinals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One team is undefeated and has been rolling all season and two teams have one loss while the other has found its resurgence at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We asked Northwestern linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605531' first='Will' last='Massey'], </strong>who leads the Trojans in tackles with 34 on the season<strong> </strong>to give us his thoughts on this week's matchup against Gaffney. His response?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're coming for it all. That's it.” Massey said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only two teams will be able to take one step closer towards the all encompassing goal of a state championship with a win on Friday night as the Class 5A Division I bracket has jam packed matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 2 GAFFNEY (10-1) AT NO. 1 NORTHWESTERN (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] </strong>and the Indians made a quick dispatch of TL Hanna with a 21-7 win in the third round. Gilmore threw for 113 yards and three touchdowns, to three different skill guys – <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'], Shane Davidson </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254122' first='Jamarcus' last='Smith']</strong>. McDowell (pictured above) had a great night on the ground, rushing for 121 yards and he'll be a vital part of the Indians' game plan as they will look to limit the Trojans' possessions on Friday night in what should be another classic over at District 3 Stadium in Rock Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwestern continued their <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/what-we-saw-northwestern-35-greenwood-6/">winning ways in the third round against Greenwood, 35-6.</a> The Trojans were efficient on offense, putting up 374 yards as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] </strong>connected with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'] </strong>and <strong>Daniel Caldwell </strong>for two scores. <strong>Zymier Gordon Miles </strong>continues to impress with him being a solid asset in the run game, rushing for 75 yards on 11 carries. <strong>TaDarrian Knox </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] </strong>were solid on the outside receiving for the Trojans, as each had three catches respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Matchup Within The Matchup: </em></strong>This was tough to pick because these teams are so evenly matched, as to be expected for a game with a berth in the state title on the line. This one could come down to which defense can stop the run and limit big plays in the passing game. Northwestern's defense is only giving up an average of 14 points a game. Keep an eye on <strong>Joshua Singleton</strong>, who has 23 tackles on the season in the secondary. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820772' first='Nolan' last='McKinnon'] </strong>has 8 tackles at linebacker, and had a sack last week against the Eagles in the second quarter. <strong>Kam McFadden </strong>is the other backer who is third on the team in tackles with 22 on the year. For the Indians, keep an eye on <strong>Viante Robbs </strong>and <strong>Imari Foster Boyd </strong>in the secondary along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] </strong>at linebacker. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyon' last='Ratchford'] </strong>leads the team in tackles with an average of 5.6 per game. <strong>Josh Corry </strong>will be someone to watch on the defensive line for the Indians.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassmen Impact: </em></strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827578' first='Khalil' last='Williamson'] </strong>is a sophomore defensive back for the Trojans who has seen time sparingly. But he has shown an ability to make plays when he gets his opportunities. He has an interception on the year and plays great coverage on the outside by getting aggressive with opposing receivers and not interfering with 14 pass breakups currently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19797594/673bf643f21bb78fa46a93c2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674e72c8d15fd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 7 WHITE KNOLL (8-5) AT NO. 2 IRMO (12-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Timberwolves and Yellow Jackets meet in a rematch on Friday night with bigger stakes on the line – a spot in the state championship. Irmo won the last meeting back on October 13, 35-21. Star Yellow Jackets quarterback and Virginia Tech commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] </strong>has thrown for over 2,000 yards passing, while rushing for over 1,500 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] </strong>has been one of the main cogs at receiver with over 1,000 yards receiving and is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country. Shrine Bowl offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157979' first='Ryan' last='Love'] </strong>is the leader on the offensive line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Knoll is starting to hit their stride at the right time with wins over Lugoff-Elgin, Myrtle Beach and Berkeley in the playoffs. The Timberwolves are led by quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'] </strong>and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning']</strong>, who have been key in their surge over the last few weeks. <strong>Donovan Sims </strong>is the senior leader up front on the offensive line. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1083060' first='Connor' last='Burgess'] </strong>at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Matchup Within The Matchup</em></strong><em>: </em>White Knoll's secondary is talented, and has made some noise in the playoffs, particularly a few weeks ago against Myrtle Beach where they got turnovers from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi'], Bradley Benjamin </strong>and <strong>Elijah Snuffer</strong>. They will face their biggest test yet against a Division 1 quarterback in Brand and a receiver like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller']</strong>, who has over 700 yards receiving. And the Timberwolves will need to be mindful of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White']</strong>, who has run for over 800 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassmen Impact</em></strong><strong>: </strong>One guy that the Timberwolves will need to be aware of is sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant']</strong>, who has been a sack machine in 2024 with 14.5. He has an impressive first move off the line of scrimmage and can defeat double teams to get after the quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18525408/67378c3b9240fde6be8e1b3d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674e72c8d163b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->