Class A Semifinal Previews

There are no true underdogs in this year's Class A Final Four.   Abbeville, Cross and Lake View all rode homefield advantage to reach the state semifinals.   In Lewisville's case, it's third-round matchup required a trip to Norway where it handily defeated another top seed Hunter-Kinard-Tyler.   The stage is now set for the Lower and Upper State finals. The host teams seeks to continues its recent championship victory, while the visitors look to regain past glory.   UPPER STATE FINAL   LEWISVILLE (12-1) AT ABBEVILLE (11-1)   The Lions and Panthers enter Friday's contest each winners of nine straight games. It's only the third all-time meeting between the two schools, both won in commanding fashion at home by Abbeville. The scores were 55-13 in 2011 and 85-22 in 2019.   Both teams are averaging over 45 points a contest in the post-season. Before allowing 38 points to Lamar, the Panthers had given up only 13 points in two playoff games. The Lions have been stingy with back-to-back shutouts in the first two rounds before allowing a touchdown to Hunter-Kinard-Tyler.   Abbeville is seeking its thirteenth state title and first since 2022. Lewisville is seeking its first since last appearing in 1998. After back-to-back playoff setbacks during double-digit win seasons, senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] believes this year is different.   “Everybody's clicking,” he said. “Everybody's starting to sound as one team and we fight like brothers. Everybody's clicking and we're on a roll. When the defense clicks, the offense clicks, we can't be stopped right now.”   Matchup Within The Matchup: Whomever wins the ground game could have an advantage. Both teams have highly productive dual threat quarterbacks in Abbeville's [player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach'] and Lewisville's [player_tooltip player_id='1249747' first='Zach' last='Rogers']. Leach rushed for 272 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Lamar. Rogers had a rushing score and a couple of long runs against Hunter-Kinard-Tyler. Along with two touchdowns, running back [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] was a disruptive force at safety. He and Leach could run into each other on several plays.   It could be physical upfront as both teams sport experienced offensive lines. Abbeville has senior tackles William New and Cooper Hansen, guards Thomas Ferguson and Qualon Wardlaw and centers Kadon Harrison and Carson Harrison. They face an active Lewisville front with two-way players and have hard-hitting linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1639690' first='Eden' last='Gaston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158047' first='Elisha' last='Baker'].   Offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1393980' first='Ethan' last='Shipman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1639696' first='Malik' last='Harrison'], [player_tooltip player_id='1516266' first='Makiel' last='Crane'], Aidan Alexander, and Ja'varrion Thompson have opened holes for the Lions the past two seasons. They will face upfront Altavious Patterson, AJ Speach Cole Driggers and Kamryon Jones. Linebackers Gage Evans, Kendall Cole, Levi Paul and Zach Jordan are lurking to provide additional support.   Underclassmen Impact: Freshman defensive end Jay'sean Culp has quickly made a strong impression on interim head coach Trent Usher. He marvels at the 6-foot 1, 190-pounder's “heart, skill set and dedication to the weight room”. He believes he'll be a Power Five recruit. Against Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Culp found his way into the backfield with ease chasing down the quarterback and ball carriers. The Lions will look for him to create even more havoc against the Panthers.      LOWER STATE FINAL   CROSS (11-2) AT LAKE VIEW (11-1)   The last time the Trojans faced the Wild Gators in the playoffs, they won 21-8 in 2022. It was just the second victory in 11 meetings.   Cross won its lone state title in 2012. Lake View has won eleven, the last in 2016, and made its most recent final appearance in 2020.   Both teams enter the Lower State final on long winning streaks. The Wild Gators own the longest winning streak among the remaining teams at ten.   The Trojans have run off nine straight victories. They had posted 19 straight scoreless quarters before Hannah-Pamplico scored in the fourth quarter of last week's 12-7 win.   Cross running back/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones'] sees the key to success is having a team mindset.   "To come out on top, we must stick together during the good and especially the bad," the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection said. "This game is about to be an all-out war between two great programs, so a level head and playing for the next man will lead us to victory.   Matchup Within The Matchup: Lake View senior quarterback Kason Herlong has to be cautious not just of Cross' upfront pressure. Lurking to take away the football is junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey']. The 6-foot 5, 200-pound two-sport athlete leads the Palmetto State with 10 interceptions. When not getting picks, he uses his speed a lethal deep threat at wide receiver. Junior Keawe Jackson, who also plays outside linebacker, will be looked upon to provide leadership to the young secondary.   Underclassmen Impact: When Jones is not carrying the football, Cross turns to [player_tooltip player_id='1172364' first='Mah'ky' last='Green']. The 5-foot 9, 150-pound sophomore has rushed for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns. Opening holes are offensive linemen sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton'] and freshman Dakarai President and freshman Andrew Hocket.   When not helping Jones reach 1,730 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, Broughton is one of the team's leading tacklers. His 75 tackles and five sacks are second only to senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1639766' first='William' last='Grant'].

There are no true underdogs in this year's Class A Final Four.