Class 1A Lower State Third Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can break down the Class 1A Lower State playoffs in a few simple words. The next two weeks are going to be fun regardless of who wins this weekend. All four teams have a legitimate chance to be the team hoisting the championship trophy on December 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One matchup features the runner up from last season in Cross hosting a Johnsonville team that is hungry and happy to be back among the state's elite. The other is just your ordinary third round meeting between two undefeated teams in Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Carvers Bay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a deep dive into both games and discuss what to expect and the players that might take the spotlight in two evenly matched games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JOHNSONVILLE (9-2) AT CROSS (10-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnsonville and Cross come into the third-round matchup in a little different place statistically wise. The Flashes are averaging 29 points a game and allowing just over 19 points a game. Cross on the other hand is averaging 36.3 points a game and allowing 5.0 points per game. The Trojans have five shutouts, including two in the playoffs, and have allowed double figures twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Johnsonville will bring a bruising running game to Berkeley County to try and advance to the state semifinals. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822707' first='Zaghe' last='Davis']</strong> is coming off a 141-yard, two touchdown performance in a win over Scott's Branch last week. But Davis is going to need help against the talented Trojans defense. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304767' first='Larkin' last='Powell']</strong>, RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664624' first='Ja'Mere' last='Ross']</strong> and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822710' first='Jay' last='McFadden']</strong> will have to help out running behind an offensive line that includes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822709' first='Brayden' last='Baxley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824812' first='Mykol' last='Claros-Hanna']</strong> among others. Powell is going to have to throw the ball against one of the best pass defenses in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824664' first='Takhari' last='Ross']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822708' first='Skylar' last='Montgomery']</strong> should factor in there and could provide a big play. The Trojans are strong up front with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639807' first='Michael' last='Bennett']</strong> (pictured) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton']</strong> holding down the line of scrimmage not just on defense but also on the offensive side of things. Bennett is first on the team with 79 tackles and Broughton is second with 63. Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639766' first='William' last='Grant']</strong> and <strong>Jimmy Smith</strong> are quick and can make plays all over the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey']</strong> plays free safety and has a knack for finding the football. He has 19 interceptions over the last two seasons. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821810' first='Jeremiah' last='Smith']</strong> also is a lockdown cover player in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Cross has the ball, it's going to be the running of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172364' first='Mah'ky' last='Green']</strong> and the passing of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819661' first='Tyler' last='Harris']</strong> that are going to lead the Trojans attack. Green has amassed 1,375 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Grant and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820226' first='Andrew' last='Mack']</strong> will spell Green from time to time. The run behind Bennett and Broughton on one side the line with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816252' first='Marquis' last='Pringle']</strong>, Dakarai <strong>President</strong> and <strong>Andrew Hocket</strong> playing the other three spots. Ramsey is the big-play receiver with [player_tooltip player_id='1821810' first='Jeremiah' last='Smith'] being a solid second option. Johnsonville linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820195' first='Bricen' last='Howell']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824804' first='River' last='Chambers']</strong> can do a lot of things to slow down the Trojans, but they must be active. Ross and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816257' first='Jaiden' last='Miles']</strong> will be the key in the secondary. Ross and Davis will see time in the secondary in addition to their offensive roles. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1822705' first='Dylan' last='Smith'] can bring pressure as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lineman to Watch:</em></strong> Johnsonville lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738847' first='Jason' last='Brigham']</strong> can clear a path or help protect the passer. Brigham is a little undersized at 5-foot-10, 255 pounds but he's tenacious and can move the pile when needed. He plays well with leverage at the line of scrimmage, and he can also get out and pull to lead a play. If the Flashes can control the battle in the trenches, that will give the playmakers a chance to get out in space and make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15183134/68e16b349175870d02ed1e4c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691e335ff0629"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CARVERS BAY (12-0) AT BAMBERG-EHRHARDT (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there ever was a heavyweight fight in the third round, these two teams seem like they could be in the main event. Both come in undefeated without many close games after the beginning of October. The Bears are outscoring opponents by an average of 35-10 and the closest win since September 19 is 19 points. They have three shutouts in six games and have only allowed 29 points in that stretch. Bamberg-Ehrhardt has been even more impressive, outscoring opponents by an average of 53.8-4.5 per game. They've gone nine straight games without allowing over eight points in a game and have five shutouts during that stretch. Only one opponent has reached double figures against them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820181' first='Kenard' last='Heyward']</strong> has been a highlight reel waiting to happen this season. The senior has rushed for 2,418 yards and 24 touchdowns. He's coming off a 280-yard performance on just 14 attempts. He runs behind a huge offensive line that includes South Carolina signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817515' first='Xavier' last='Fredrick']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705035' first='Jakai' last='Cohen']</strong> and <strong>Ke'andre Morant</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822693' first='Juluis' last='McCrea']</strong> (563 yards, nine touchdowns) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025821' first='Zyrion' last='Reed']</strong> (306 yards, one touchdown take some pressure off Heyward in the backfield. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822697' first='Christian' last='Simmons']</strong> doesn't throw the ball often, but he's been better in the playoffs than he was in the regular season. In two postseason games, he's 6-of-7 for 70 yards and three touchdowns. He threw four TDs during the regular season. Defensively, the Bears spread the wealth around. Defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705035' first='Jakai' last='Cohen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820185' first='Jasius' last='Davis']</strong> have both been a force. Davis has 12 tackles for loss and Cohen added nine. LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822692' first='Sammy' last='Milton']</strong> 32 tackles, six tackles for loss and has forced two fumbles in the playoffs. D <strong>Bryce Cokley</strong> has 36 tackles to lead the team to go along with a defensive score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='Mcmillan']</strong> has been extremely good, especially in the playoffs. All the junior did last week was record 14 tackles, a 90-yard pick-6 and threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns. &nbsp;And in case that wasn't enough, he added two rushing touchdowns. He's thrown for 3,264 yards with 38 touchdowns. What might be even more impressive is he's 133-of-165 with only three interceptions. <strong>Charles [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams']</strong> has over 1,100 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 43 receptions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain']</strong> also can make the big play at receiver. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw']</strong> and <strong>MJ Cann</strong> both have over 880 yards rushing with McGraw being just north of 1,000 yards on the season. Bamberg-Ehrhardt has 6,986 total yards this season so the linemen must be playing well too. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822460' first='Jaden' last='Moody']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817745' first='Saveon' last='Bamberg']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822455' first='Michael' last='Manigault']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819953' first='Pierre' last='Fuller']</strong> lead that group and they've been more than fantastic. Bamberg-Ehrhardt allows 95 yards per game. <strong>Darion Sease</strong> leads the team with 105 tackles with McGraw leading with 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Mcmillan and Sease are tied with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822454' first='Rocky' last='Walker']</strong> with four interceptions with <strong>Nahsiir Singleton</strong> leading the way with five. The Red Raiders have forced 32 turnovers on the season. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lineman to Watch:</em></strong> Carvers Bay two-way player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822691' first='Triston' last='Diggs']</strong> is going to be in the middle of a lot of the action Friday night. The junior starts at center and plays on the defensive front. He has 30 pancakes from his center position, which ranks second on the team. Then defensively, he has 21 tackles but 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He's going to need to be at his best on both sides as the Red Raiders can come at you from a lot of different areas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20925351/69025f29ed2d4d71b14a1f53' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691e335ff067b"} /-->