Class 2A Lower State Second Round Preview

The first round of the Class 2A Lower State playoffs are in the books and the average margin of victory was 31 points, 38.5 to 7.75. Five teams scored 46 points or more and three teams won defensive battles.   All that really says is this bracket is still wide open and each of the eight teams remaining can stake a claim to advancing all the way to Orangeburg. Things should be a little tighter this week.   Let's break down what to expect in round two.   CHERAW (7-4) AT HAMPTON COUNTY (8-3)   The Braves had very little offense in putting up a first round victory over Andrews, but [player_tooltip player_id='1271257' first='Nick' last='Gordon'] was one that made it happen on both sides of the ball. Gordon got the score started with a 51-yard pick-6. He later added a 61-yard TD catch and that was enough for the Braves defense. While the offense struggled, the defense had a banner night. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1817529' first='Derrick' last='Isaac'] also added an interception and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1172365' first='Crawford' last='Poole'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822673' first='Brendan' last='Pace'] were active with Poole adding three tackles for loss and Pace recovering a fumble. [player_tooltip player_id='1422635' first='Anthony' last='Strong'] dominated up front with five tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Lemonte Brown also played well on both the offensive and defensive lines. That was the sixth time this season Cheraw has held an opponent to single digits. The exploits of Hamton County's [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] is well documented but let's give some credit to the guys up front who have paved the way to over 3,300 yards rushing this season. Defensively, the Hurricanes will rely heavily on linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1823002' first='Malik' last='Terry'] (76 total tackles), and [player_tooltip player_id='1824660' first='Gavin' last='Polite'] (62 tackles, 14 tackles for loss). Defensive backs Karinton Sabb and [player_tooltip player_id='1823005' first='Dandre' last='Dobson'] have five interceptions between them.   X-Factor: Cheraw QB [player_tooltip player_id='781859' first='Kadin' last='Thomas'] is going to have to be at his best against a very good Hurricanes defense. He's thrown for over 1,400 yards this season and has 16 touchdowns with just five interceptions but he might be called upon to throw it more than normal in the second round. He averaged 20 attempts a game during the regular season and he might need to add to that number if Hampton County clamps down on the run.       TIMBERLAND (9-2) AT MANNING (8-3)   The Wolves got plenty of production across the board in the first-round win over Barnwell. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823610' first='Malyk' last='Goodman'] and running backs [player_tooltip player_id='1823609' first='Montez' last='Addison'] and Antaun Faison had scoring runs but it was the play of the defense that was postseason worthy. Faison contributed 11 tackles for loss. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1820994' first='Carter' last='Hawkins'] added nine tackles and a 55-yard punt return for a TD. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1823611' first='Javion' last='Jenkins'] had 11 tackles and a 65-yard pick-6 and blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. And that was just the guys that scored. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1816240' first='Anthony' last='Peeples'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820995' first='Latrell' last='Smalls'] contributed 19 and 12 tackles respectively. The Monarchs are always going to lean on [player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty'] in the running game, but Tyrell Nelson can help as well. Add in [player_tooltip player_id='1820895' first='CJ' last='Robinson'] at receiver and Manning is more than capable of putting points on the board. Defensive back Jordan Thompson also had an interception last week. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1809951' first='Ethan' last='Lowder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823517' first='Ethan' last='Morales'] along with defensive back Lovon Stephenson also had standout games in the first round.     X-Factor: Manning quarterback Lovell Stevenson could be the entire key to the Monarchs postseason hope. Not only does he handle the quarterback duties, but he also plays nickel back and had an interception returned for a touchdown in the opening round game. He was 6-of-7 for 84 yards against Barnwell last week and as long as the passing game is a threat, that should open things up for the running game.    EAST CLARENDON (9-2) AT CENTRAL (9-1)   The Wolverines pitched a shutout over Lake Marion in the first round of the playoffs but that shouldn't come as a surprise. They're allowing 8.3 points per game and four shutouts on the season. They will need all that against Central's high-octane attack. Defensive end Mike Woods totaled six tackles, a tackle for loss and a half sack in the win. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1819756' first='Keshaun' last='Porter'] added two tackles for loss and two sacks while [player_tooltip player_id='1819753' first='Jaylon' last='Barron'] added five tackles and two sacks as well. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1810979' first='Braylon' last='Brown'] had two passes defended as well. East Clarendon was derailed by penalties on offense, but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1819758' first='Gavin' last='White'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817959' first='Blease' last='Hardy'] were finally able to reach pay dirt. Central is averaging 39 points per game, and they've done it with a bruising running game that features four backs over 432 yards on the season. They used the running of [player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson'], Jakari Holloman and [player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short'] to jump out to a big lead last week and then turned things over to the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore'] caught two touchdown passes and [player_tooltip player_id='1815900' first='Blake' last='Sowell'] caught another. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1639763' first='Marques' last='Allen'] led the defense but Holloman and Scoot Colyer both added interceptions. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1815952' first='Tahir' last='Wise'] added two sacks and two tackles for loss.   X-Factor: East Clarendon defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1822287' first='Jesse' last='Floyd'] was in the backfield a lot of the night against Lake Marion and ended with three tackles for loss. He's going to have to be disruptive in both the passing and running game against the Eagles. He plays containment well and is able to get after the passer in a lot of situations. This will be the best offense Floyd making plays when you have an opportunity will be a key.    ATLANTIC COLLEGIATE (5-6) AT PHILIP SIMMONS (9-2)   Atlantic Collegiate made history last week with the school's first-ever playoff win in a 14-0 win over Woodland. It also continued the turnaround from the 0-5 start to this season by winning five of the last six. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1822550' first='Brodie' last='Miller'] came up big, but he had several players assisting him. [player_tooltip player_id='1821585' first='Semaj' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1850693' first='Garrett' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817018' first='Riley' last='Stowers'] all played well to claim the shutout. Wilson ran for two scores and the Armada ball control offense limited opportunities. The Armada don't want to throw it unless they have too and [player_tooltip player_id='1821584' first='Broderick' last='Evans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1683096' first='Brennan' last='Moore'] both see time at quarterback. The Iron Horses are on a nine-game winning streak and are playing as well as anyone in the state during that time. They're averaging 50 points a game and are allowing just over 7 points a game during that stretch. Omonte Taylor did the bulk of the damage in the first round victory with four rushing touchdowns and 130 yards as Philip Simmons rushed for 252 yards as a team. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1821540' first='Hayes' last='Goddard'] only threw it 13 times but he's over 2,200 yards on the year. Blake Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id='1822029' first='Patrick' last='Clarke'] and Taylor were the leading pass-catchers last week with leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1822035' first='Ashton' last='Kellermann'] out with an injury. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1592627' first='Ethan' last='Chisum'] (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood'] each tallied 10 tackles last week with Hood adding three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. [player_tooltip player_id='1817756' first='Nate' last='Elsey'] also had a nice game against Whale Branch. [player_tooltip player_id='1821539' first='Luke' last='Robinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816242' first='Ben' last='Brown'] each recovered fumbles.   X-Factor: The Armanda will need another outstanding performance and [player_tooltip player_id='1824297' first='Angelo' last='Crescenzi'] and he's been up to the challenge this season. The sophomore defensive back is well over 40 tackles on the season and has an interception and fumble recovery to his credit. He's going to have to cover a talented group of receivers and come up and offer run support against a very balanced offense from Philip Simmons.

The first round of the Class 2A Lower State playoffs are in the books and the average margin of victory was 31 points, 38.5 to 7.75. Five teams scored 46 points or more and three teams won defensive battles.