Statewide Third Round Playoff Game Balls

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are now down to the Final Four in each classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past week saw 24 teams advance to the Upper and Lower State finals. In moving within a victory of reaching Orangeburg, those teams got stellar performances from their key or unsung players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, we've put together a statewide list of Game Ball honorees:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157761' first='Mason' last='Picket-Hicks']&nbsp;</strong>RB, South Pointe (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection had a game for the ages against perennial contender Daniel. Hicks had 34 carries for 485 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the 49-35 win. &nbsp;The performance pushed him past 2,400 yards rushing on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16568694/674bcc25f944d22bcd543b74' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f532300"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach'] </strong>RB, Abbeville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers found themselves trailing in the first half to Lamar. The 6-foot 3, 185-pound senior back helped sparked the comeback. He rushed for 272 yards and five touchdowns in the 48-38 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']</strong>&nbsp;QB, Irmo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was another monster game for the Shrine Bowl quarterback against West Florence. He completed 13-of-18 passes for 196 yards and five touchdowns. Brand also rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the 56-7 win. In the process, Brand surpassed 11,000 total yards for his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller']</strong> WR, Irmo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore matched fellow wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph']</strong> with two touchdown receptions against West Florence. He also had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the blowout victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian']</strong> QB, Oceanside Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore has led the Landsharks to eight straight post-season victories since becoming a starter. Against Dillon, he completed 17-of-19 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. This increased his single-season school record for touchdowns (33) and moved him within 268 yards shy of the single-season yardage mark, held by former OCA standout <strong>Sam Hartman</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19693059/674b1a5e1a1ef8504fa2fa90' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f532348"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson']</strong> RB, Dutch Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection continued to be the workhorse on the ground for the undefeated Silver Foxes. He had 11 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the 52-14 win over River Bluff. The win sent Dutch Fork to their ninth straight state Class 5A semifinal, this time in Division I. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] </strong>LB, Dutch Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior Shrine Bowl selection is the cornerstone of the Silver Foxes' defense. He had 11 tackles in the win versus River Bluff. He also blocked a field goal which led to a 76-yard touchdown run by <strong>Jarvis Jackson</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin']</strong> QB, Barnwell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior overcame injury and two interceptions to throw two touchdowns. This included the game-winner on fourth down with 34 seconds left in the 28-27 win over Cheraw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty'] </strong>ATH, Manning</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior was busy at running back and middle linebacker. He had 22 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns and nine tackles in the 34-21 win over Phillip Simmons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18584331/674b3fa91a1ef8504fa3027f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f532372"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeffrey Caesar</strong>&nbsp;ATH, Manning</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caesar was again a tour de force for the Monarchs. In the win over Philip Simmons, he returned one of his four kickoff returns 96 yards for a touchdown. Caesar finished with 167 total kick return yards, four receptions for 98 yards, two interceptions and three total tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones']</strong>&nbsp;RB, Cross</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection carried the football 19 times for 148 yards and had six tackles. He also returned a fumble 84 yards to account for both Trojan touchdowns in the 12-7 win over Hannah-Pamplico. He has 35 total touchdowns and 11 two-point conversions so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17828353/674a9ecea523797f61b9ccea' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f532396"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe']</strong> RB, North Augusta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior posted a season-high five touchdowns on 11 carries for 118 yards in the 63-14 win over Gilbert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman']</strong> QB, North Augusta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior helped moved the Yellow Jackets within a victory of reaching the state title game for the first time since 1988. He had 236 total yards and a touchdown in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams']</strong> RB, Summerville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore has the Green Wave in the Class 5A Lower State final for the second straight year. Against Ridge View. He rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18404426/674b9aaaf944d22bcd54117f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f5323bf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']</strong> DL, Loris</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No Lions' team has played into the month of December in school history. This year's team accomplished that feat with the 30-14 win over Keenan. Leading the defensive effort upfront was Conner, who had three sacks, a fumble recovery and helped hold the Raiders to zero first-half rushing yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson']</strong>&nbsp;RB Belton-Honea Path</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mr. Football finalist and Shrine Bowl selection had two touchdowns in the 35-14 win over Powdersville. He finished with 144 rushing yards and a touchdown and returned an interception for a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods']</strong>&nbsp;QB, and <strong>Dreson Evans</strong> WR, Westside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was business as usual for Woods, a Shrine Bowl selection and University of South Carolina commit. He threw four of his five touchdowns in the first quarter of the 49-7 win over Camden. Evans caught two touchdowns and added two more on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13408802/674b43a5e4633310d1bbfa23' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674be03572c65"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch']</strong> RB, Spartanburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore had a season-high 193 yards to surpass 1,000 on the season. Along with two touchdowns, he helped the Vikings defeat JL Mann 35-9 to advance to the Class 5A Division I Upper State final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19436894/674aa56de429f4576623de9c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f5323eb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill']</strong> RB, Mountain View Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stars continue to roll past the opposition and the junior tailback is one of the main contributors. Against Crescent, he rushed for 256 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-14 win. For the season, he's rushed for 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] </strong>QB, Gaffney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior&nbsp;threw for 113 yards to surpass 2,000 yards on the season. He also accounted for all three touchdowns in the 21-7 win over TL Hanna to advance to the Class 5A Division II Upper State final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17823752/674b32c01a1ef8504fa2fed7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f532414"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson']</strong> QB, South Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior quarterback led the Bruins' revenge against the Red Foxes. He threw four touchdowns and rushed for two scores in the 49-21 road win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18500207/674a9e5335352caea58b1c1e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674bd7f53243a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook']</strong>&nbsp;RB, Clinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot 6, 150-pound junior was a bulldozer for the Red Devils against previously undefeated Batesburg-Leesville. He pounded away for 269 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-14 win. This allowed Clinton to play host to a state semifinal for the first time since 1994.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden Diggs</strong> RB, Fairfield Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior has provided a different yet effective way to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon'] </strong>in the Griffins' offense. Against Central, he passed and ran for two touchdowns each in the 48-28 win. It was Fairfield Central's twelfth straight victory and sent it to the Class 2A Upper State final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Peeples<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/john-peeples/"></a> </strong>RB, Sumter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 114 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-17 win over James Island, the senior is now four yards shy of the school's career rushing record. He's also three touchdowns shy of the school single-season record of 32. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16585180/674c48e3f944d22bcd54935b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674d2b1cc35bd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson']</strong> QB, Sumter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore has made a difference for the undefeated Gamecocks. He rushed for 193 yards and a touchdown against James Island. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19708165/674c495d625776be6d66fb6d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674d2b1cc35e6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>J</strong>eremiah Burson&nbsp;</strong>LB, Sumter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior middle linebacker was a one-man tackling machine with 18 tackles and a sack against James Island. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16662944/674b07309073481879bbe59c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674d2b1cc3605"} /-->