New Kids On The Block Ready For Their State Title Shot

This year's state championship games is filled with familiar faces.   Out of the 12 finalists, four teams are returning from last year. Dutch Fork, Oceanside Collegiate and Westside won last year and South Florence was a state runner up.   The time between state championship appearances range for the eight others range from two years (Abbeville) to 20 (Clinton).   Yet there are several new kids on the block who will receive unprecedented exposure for the first time this season.   CLASS 5A DIVISION I – Dutch Fork (12-0) vs. Summerville (13-0)   Since the classification's inception in 2016, the Silver Foxes have played in every single championship game. The sight of head coach Tom Knotts and his short khaki pants has become a playoff tradition.   So has having stellar playmakers on both sides of the football. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] is the third Dutch Fork quarterback who will play baseball at Clemson. His mobility and passing allows him to hit quick receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='1360308' first='Boykin' last='Bickley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1013047' first='KJ' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275995' first='Jayden' last='Westbrook'].   The Silver Foxes have another reliable running back in [player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson'] who runs behind an experienced offensive line. They also have a reliable placekicker in [player_tooltip player_id='464892' first='Justin' last='Welch'] with three, game-winning field goals to his credit.   The story of the Silver Foxes is their defense. University of South Carolina signee and Shrine Bowl flex linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] leads the team in tackles. He's also one of three players with nine or more sacks. The linebacking corps is the strength of the defense with [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'], Jarvis Jackson and Daniel Williams. If opponents try to attack the secondary, Georgia Tech signee [player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] and Malachi Smith are there to make plays.   A newcomer to the defense is junior transfer Luciano Cesario. A two-time state champion at Nazareth Academy in La Grange, Ill., he describes himself as having a “violent" and explosive” approach towards pressuring the quarterback. He has four sacks to go with 29 tackles as he has blended in well with the Silver Foxes.   “What I like about playing for Dutch Fork is the passion for football that the team has,” Cesario said. “I mean you can really tell that they love the game and everyone has a purpose which I love.”   Given Summerville's past championship history, it's odd that this is the program's first final appearance since 2007. Helping to put an end to that drought is an offense averaging 44 points per game.   Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] (2,329 yards, 30 touchdowns; 536 rushing yards, 14 TDs) has the Green Wave back in the finals. His main target is sophomore Jaiden Kelley-Murray, who seamlessly stepped in to replace Yannick Smith as the lead receivers.   Running back Jayvyn Williams is closing in on 2,000 rushing yards for the Green Wave.   Class 5A Division II – Irmo (12-1) vs. Northwestern (13-0)   The Yellow Jackets seek to end a 44-year championship drought. It will rely upon the play of S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'].   The Shrine Bowl quarterback has amassed over 11,000 total yards and 147 touchdowns in his career. When not rushing past or through defenders, Brand looks to All-State wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'].   Sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White'] is closing in on 1,000 yards in his first varsity season. Irmo has strong line day wit Shrine Bowl center [player_tooltip player_id='1157979' first='Ryan' last='Love'] on offense and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant'] on defense.   Ask head coach Aaron Brand about arguably the most consistent performer on defense, it's senior safety Matthew Blocker.   “I know that it takes an offense and defense and special teams to win,” Blocker said. “So, if we don't do our part, they can't be successful. If they don't do their part, we can't be successful.”   Irmo will get tested by a Northwestern offense which has put up video game-like scores on a weekly basis. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] surpassed 3,000 yards and thrown 40 touchdowns with only five interceptions.   His accuracy is impressive given the high number of wide receivers targeted each game. Eight players have caught at least one touchdown this season, led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'].   On the ground, it's easy to overlook sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles']. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.   Defensively, Shrine Bowl defensive lineman Andre Picket has a team-high 62 tackles and his 4.5 sacks is second only to fellow lineman Byron Dmitri Putman.   Class 4A: Westside (13-0) vs. South Florence (11-3)   The lone rematch in this year's championship schedule.   Last year's contest was not decided until the final 15 seconds. University of South Carolina signee quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] hit Jimmar Boston for a 17-yard touchdown for the 34-32 victory over the defending Class 4A champion Bruins.   The Rams own the longest active winning streak among the finalists at 27 games. Woods, a University of South Carolina signee, is the field general of the offense with 3,915 yards and 42 touchdowns   A total of eight players have at least one receiving touchdown on the season. Senior Joshua Williams leads the way with 64 receptions for 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns, followed by Boston (44 receptions, 850 yards, 10 touchdown receptions.   For as explosive as the passing game is for Westside, it has a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1157819' first='Sharode' last='Richardson'] (1,139 yards) and Marco Evans have each rushed for 16 touchdowns.   On defense, the Rams are holding opponents to 16 points per game. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'], sophomore Malachi Patterson and [player_tooltip player_id='809749' first='RJ' last='Livingston'] set the tone as the team's leading tacklers. Cornerbacks Richardson and Chamarryus Bomer each have three interceptions.   South Florence also presents a balanced offensive attack with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] (1,933 yards, 27 touchdowns) and running backs [player_tooltip player_id='272717' first='Tre' last='Leonard'] (1,287 yards, 15 TDs), [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] (952 yards, nine TDs) and University of South Carolina signee [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'] (472 yards, 10 TDs).   It was the defense which carried the Bruins to victory in the 27-20 win over North Augusta. Down 14-0 in the first seven minutes, South Florence allowed just six points the rest of the game.   The defensive line with Clemson University signee [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1157891' first='Jayden' last='Granger'], Brenden Williams and sophomore Marquez Mckithen helped slow down North Augusta's offense. Meanwhile, linebackers freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1615015' first='Warnell' last='Prew'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1157897' first='Cameron' last='Coe'] harassed quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] and helped contained junior [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe'].   Meanwhile, South Florence's offense ran off 27 unanswered points. The Bruins' used their sizable offensive line to their advantage in opening holes for Gamecock signee [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'], [player_tooltip player_id='272717' first='Tre' last='Leonard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert']. Guards Tyler Cockfield and [player_tooltip player_id='1578887' first='Barry' last='McLaughlin'], tackles Granger, [player_tooltip player_id='1592650' first='Ethan' last='Cash'] and Jerry Genright and center [player_tooltip player_id='1574065' first='EJ' last='King'] asserted themselves against the physical North Augusta defensive line.   “Throughout the game, they got worn down,” King said. “They were coming off the ball hard at first…but they slowed down, got tired and got lazy.”   CLASS 3A – Oceanside Collegiate (10-3) and Belton-Honea Path (13-1)   The Landsharks are the longest team among the 11 finalists. In their short history, however, the school has made three straight final appearances. After winning in Class 2A last year, Oceanside Collegiate have continued its success to Class 3A.   The season started with head coach Chad Wilkes resigning after the season opener. The Landsharks' non-region schedule saw them lose to state finalists Irmo and Dutch Fork. Winners of nine straight, they have resembled the team which rode a wave of winning to the state title.   Sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] spearheaded last year's playoff run. He's thrown for 3,181 yards and 38 touchdowns to go with 570 rushing yards and four touchdowns.   The Landsharks have the same weapons at wideout with 1,000-yard receiver [player_tooltip player_id='809757' first='Will' last='Virgilio'], Payton Shaw and [player_tooltip player_id='1180863' first='Gavin' last='Gaspar']. This season has seen the emergence of first-year varsity player [player_tooltip player_id='1592182' first='Terence' last='Johnson']. The junior athlete is the team's “Mr. Do It All” as he's utilized at running back, wide receiver and kick returner.   Oceanside Collegiate defense relies upon two-way players Mike Jones, Charlie Bean, Carson Lee, [player_tooltip player_id='809745' first='Max' last='Moorman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1025774' first='Sawyer' last='Arnold']. Safety [player_tooltip player_id='809752' first='Grayson' last='Freeling'] and defensive back Jack Wattie makes plays in the secondary.   The Bears are making their first state title appearance since 2004. Willing the team to victory over undefeated Mountain View Prep was Shrine Bowl and Clemson signee running back [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson']. He rushed for 159 yards and scored four touchdowns in the 30-22 comeback win in the Upper State final.   "I told all my teammates, I got them this year," Henderson said to media after the game. "I told them I wasn't going to let them down. We don't care about another team's record; we know who we are, and that's what we showed tonight."   The Bears' offensive production comes from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] (1,934 passing yards, 25 touchdowns; 387 rushing yards, five touchdowns), running back [player_tooltip player_id='1639798' first='MJ' last='Earl'] (542 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) and sophomore wide receiver Taleh Watson-Martin (41 receptions, 883 yards, 13 TDs). Linebacker Justin Lathan had a team-high 10 sacks to go with 40 tackles and junior free safety Kelsey Miles leads the team with 61 tackles and four interceptions.   Class 2A: Clinton (11-2) vs. Barnwell (13-1)   The Red Devils' 32-21 victory over Fairfield Central in the Upper State final ended a 15-year championship absence. They used a punishing ground led by [player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook'] (113 yards, TD) and a virtuoso performance from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1012830' first='Tushawan' last='Richardson'] who rushed and threw two touchdowns to DJ Clark and Devin Swindler. Clinton has an experienced, cohesive offensive line led by [player_tooltip player_id='241184' first='Rion' last='Gordon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1247389' first='Hunter' last='Lawson']. The defense is young upfront but returns playmakers at linebacker with [player_tooltip player_id='150043' first='Brett' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578907' first='Austin' last='Boyd'] in the secondary. He returned a fumble on a kickoff by the Griffins for a touchdown.   Barnwell is making its first state appearance since 2019.  Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] has stepped up his passing as the temperatures have declined this postseason. He surpassed 2,000 passes yards on the season with three touchdowns in the 37-14 win over Manning. Only running back Nehemiah Brown (1,083 yards, 11 touchdowns) has more rushing yards than Austin, who has a team-high 16. Tony Cherry, Klayton Zissett and Lamar Buxton have provided a stabilizing front for the offense. Jaquan Peeples is a dual threat running and receiving with three touchdowns in each area.   William Robinson and Logan Sturkie have a combined 13 touchdown receptions. They are also among the team's leading tacklers out of the secondary. Sophomore defensive back Damajahl Devoe is another tackling machine to go with four interceptions.   “When you don't give up, you cannot fail,” Devoe said. “My strengths on the field is how I can read quarterbacks, come downhill and make plays.”   Class A: Abbeville (12-1) vs. Cross (12-2)   For the Panthers, the two-year hiatus from the state final seems like an eternity. Abbeville is seeking its thirteenth state title and first since 2022. Conversely, the Trojans' last appearance was in 2012.   Plenty of attention will go towards the two teams' leading playmakers. Quarterback/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach'], a University of South Carolina signee, leads the team in touchdowns (17). Abbeville is not a one-man offensive show as running back [player_tooltip player_id='1249809' first='Karson' last='Norman'] leads the team with 1,577 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's followed by [player_tooltip player_id='1700046' first='Darius' last='Riley'] (1,147 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns) and Mi'Darius Burton (578 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns). The offense has a seasoned frontline with senior tackles William New and Cooper Hansen, guards Thomas Ferguson and Qualon Wardlaw and centers Kadon Harrison and Carson Harrison.   The Panthers have a Touchstone Energy Cooperatives defensive lineman in Altavious Patterson. The defensive front is supported by linebackers Gage Evans, Kendall Cole, Levi Paul and Zach Jordan. For the season, Abbeville has held opponents to an average of 16.1 points per game.   The Trojans are riding a 10-game winning streak. They are coming off a dominating 36-7 win over Lake View in the Lower State final. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'], the Palmetto State leader in interceptions, picked off three passes and had a fumble recovery. One of his turnovers was returned 100 yards for a touchdown.   Cross also has Touchstone Energy Cooperative selection running back [player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']. He's the centerpiece of the team's ground game with 1,881 yards and 31 touchdowns.   “I've improved most on my leadership,” Jones said. “Learning what it takes to succeed even when nothing is going in your favor. You have to keep pushing.”   Mah'ky Jones (675 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) is also a threat out of the backfield. Fellow sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1604028' first='Tyler' last='Harris'] has helped provide balance to the offense. He's thrown for 1,447 yards and 17 touchdowns, including one against Lake View.   It turns out Ramsey's hands are just as good receiving as picking off passes. He leads the team (37 receptions, 673 yards, eight touchdowns). Patrick Fuller (37 receptions, 402 yards, six touchdowns) is another outside threat.   Cross' two-way linemen are quite effective at their respective jobs. Whether it's blocking to pick up yards or pressuring quarterbacks, sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton'] and Dakarai President and freshman Andrew Hocket make it happen. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1639766' first='William' last='Grant'] leads the Trojans with 80 tackles and seven sacks.

This year's state championship games is filled with familiar faces.