Class 2A Semifinals Preview

We loved all the data we've received from the inaugural season of the Prep RedZone South Carolina Power Scores - our personalized version of an RPI system.    But the information we pulled from around Class 2A was even more telling than any of the other classifications.   Central, Strom Thurmond, Hampton County and Fairfield Central currently rest atop of the four leaders in the division. They have been bouncing around each other all season, right on through to the Upper State and Lower State championships.   Now, they see who can take the next step.   Let's get to two of the final three games in Class 2A for the 2025 season.   NO. 2 FAIRFIELD CENTRAL (10-3) AT NO. 1 STROM THURMOND (11-2)   Not even two full months ago - on Oct. 10, to be exact - Chester handed Fairfield Central a 29-16 loss that in reality all but ended the Griffins' hopes of a region title.   That's when the guys wearing the pads decided it was time to take it into their own hands.   During a players-only meeting that weekend, Fairfield Central talked about “getting this thing right” and "getting everything back on track.”   Right then and there, the Griffons started a run that's now included five straight victories, not a single game decided by fewer than 29 points and dispatching the defending state champ, Clinton, by a whopping six touchdowns.    “It's just a chemistry. We're gelling at the right time,” senior receiving/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker'] said leading into this week's Upper State title game. “Everybody wants this. [The Chester game] was a turning point. Everyone locked in, paid attention to every detail.”   Walker and fellow defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1820346' first='Chantz' last='Hemphill'] started to go off on defense, while dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820348' first='Kaden' last='Diggs'] and tailbacks Derek Cammon and Kenyon Douglas did the same on offense.    However, Strom Thurmond is hosting this game for a reason, and that's because it's been a model of consistency throughout the season. Tailbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] have combined to rush for more than 1,600 yards and 30 touchdowns (22 of those belong to Phillips). [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] (79 tackles, six tackles for loss) and [player_tooltip player_id='1820529' first='Bryston' last='Coleman'] (88 tackles, 14 tackles for loss) have been leading on the other side of the ball. Against everyone but Class 4A's North Augusta and still-undefeated Lincoln County (Ga.), that's been more than enough to keep the Rebels moving down the tracks.    Starting Lineups    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Fairfield Central Offense</td><td>Strom Thurmond Defense</td><td>Fairfield Central Defense</td><td>Strom Thurmond Offense</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1820348' first='Kaden' last='Diggs']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1823104' first='Grayson' last='Smith']</td><td>DL Jayden Leaphart</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1820528' first='Bri'Shaun' last='Lee']</td></tr><tr><td>RB Derek Cammon</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1824427' first='Grady' last='Stone']</td><td>NG [player_tooltip player_id='1816744' first='Kingston' last='Peay']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips']</td></tr><tr><td>WR TyQuarius Shannon</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1323421' first='Kobe' last='Windless']</td><td>DL Keshon Williams</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker']</td><td>DE Braylon Searles</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1816207' first='Joey' last='Jamison']</td><td>HB Braylon Searles</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1592935' first='Scott' last='Young']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1820529' first='Bryston' last='Coleman']</td><td>LB Wayne Johnson</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins']</td></tr><tr><td>TE Kevin Watson</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1820531' first='Mason' last='Johnson']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1820353' first='Antonio' last='Gunn']</td><td>WR Shy Williams</td></tr><tr><td>LT Germayal Murphy</td><td>LB Greg Moore</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1820346' first='Chantz' last='Hemphill']</td><td>LT Hezekiah East</td></tr><tr><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='1823683' first='James' last='Thomas']</td><td>C BJ Cresswell</td><td>DB Bo Mack</td><td>LG Amari McCelleny</td></tr><tr><td>C Antron Woodard</td><td>S [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1522453' first='Kaylin' last='Culp']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1820537' first='John' last='Laster']</td></tr><tr><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1824892' first='Jamari' last='Favor']</td><td>S Shy Williams -or- [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins']</td><td>DB Montez Harrison</td><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1823112' first='Micah' last='Warren']</td></tr><tr><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1816743' first='Marley' last='Swaby']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1515761' first='Jalin' last='Collins']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker']</td><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1823105' first='Carter' last='Boatwright'] </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within the Matchup: That either-or at safety for Strom Thurmond only means a ton if you care who starts. But both Williams and Simpkins have been part of a stellar Rebels' defensive backfield that also includes Dugar, Colins and Cresswell. Those five don't get a lot of love since the team has only picked off six passes total all season. But part of the reason for that is because opposing offense have tried to stick to the underneath stuff to take them out of the equation. We're excited to see what happens between them and Fairfield Central's receiving corps. Walker (473 yards, three touchdowns) and Shannon (559, six) have been very good as yards after the catch.   Underclassman Impact: [player_tooltip player_id='1522453' first='Kaylin' last='Culp'] may ultimately develop into a strong three-way threat for Fairfield Central. He's got the size as a 5-foot-10, 165-pound freshman to handle the workload as time goes on. But for now, he's playing pretty well on defense. He's got four interceptions already and has found ways to be around the ball carrier when he's not trying to pluck passes out of the air.     NO. 2 CENTRAL (11-1) AT NO. 1 HAMPTON COUNTY (10-3)   You'll have to excuse [player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen'] for not exactly wanting a repeat of Central's third-round win over Philip Simmons.   Yes, the Eagles won, and yes, Louallen had a huge game with 308 passing yards, 137 passing yards and five total touchdowns. But the 57-47 final score wasn't exactly what Central was hoping for. Primarily, the high-paced shoutout wasn't exactly how the Eagles envision playing at this stage of the playoffs, as much as the adrenaline of the game may create it.   “We don't have to get into another situation like that, though,” Louallen said in advance of this week's trip to Hampton County. “That's not the preferred game that I would like to play. But it builds confidence.”   That last part is important. Since Central's one-point loss to Andrew Jackson that cost the Eagles a region title, the point totals have been very much the Eagles' favor. A 10-point win, while not exactly close in everyone's minds, was proof that Louallen's squad was ready for more competition. [player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson'] (pictured) has gone over 1,000 yards rushing, while Jakari Holloman and [player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short'] are also both north of 600 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore'] has eclipsed 500 receiving yards. Holloman (82 tackles, 15 TFL) and MJ Allen (76 tackles, nine TFL) have been pretty special on defense.    They'll need to be with the [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] show on tap.    The Hampton County senior has been a freak all season, rushing for 2,209 yards and 37 touchdowns. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1644574' first='Tarell' last='Grant'] (who is also a starter on defense with 30 tackles and three interceptions) has grown immensely this year and is able to throw it around to prevent box stacking. Packaged with a defense that creates a lot of havoc, and it's been a nice combination. Singletary has four picks of his own. Karinton Sabb has four, too. As a team, the Hurricanes have 18 of them to go along with 11 fumble recoveries. There have also been 21 sacks in the team's 13 games. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1824660' first='Gavin' last='Polite'] and defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1821711' first='Jayden' last='Frazier'] have four apiece. Or how about the fact that the Hurricanes have exactly 100 tackles for loss? [player_tooltip player_id='1823002' first='Malik' last='Terry'] (12), Polite (17), Frazier (11) and reserve Jaz'Mir Goines (10) are all at double digits heading into this one. Like we said: Havoc.   Starting Lineups    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Central Offense</td><td>Hampton County Defense</td><td>Central Defense</td><td>Hampton County Offense</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1823003' first='Cleavon' last='Maxwell']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1823100' first='Marzavious' last='Allen']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1644574' first='Tarell' last='Grant']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson']</td><td>NG [player_tooltip player_id='1585670' first='Charles' last='Williams']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1820527' first='Isaiah' last='Tyson']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1821711' first='Jayden' last='Frazier']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1815952' first='Tahir' last='Wise']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1817619' first='Jamar' last='Housey']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1823002' first='Malik' last='Terry']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1823097' first='Eric' last='Maddox']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1820419' first='Desmond' last='Mathis']</td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1816213' first='Cody' last='Branham']</td><td>LB Brayden Blake</td><td>LB Jakari Holloman</td><td>WR Karinton Sabb</td></tr><tr><td>WR Darrin Gaines</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1817621' first='Henry' last='Crittington']</td><td>LB MJ Allen</td><td>HB Jaz'Mir Goines</td></tr><tr><td>LT [player_tooltip player_id='1623487' first='Brandon' last='Streater']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1824660' first='Gavin' last='Polite']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1827516' first='Jaylen' last='Davis']</td><td>LT [player_tooltip player_id='1585670' first='Charles' last='Williams']</td></tr><tr><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='1823095' first='Dominic' last='Deese']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1644574' first='Tarell' last='Grant']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore']</td><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='1823003' first='Cleavon' last='Maxwell']</td></tr><tr><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1820524' first='Brandon' last='Rollins']</td><td>S [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary']</td><td>S [player_tooltip player_id='1817468' first='Dylan' last='Tomberlin']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1823001' first='Hunter' last='Lawson']</td></tr><tr><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1823099' first='Jordan' last='Caldwell']</td><td>S [player_tooltip player_id='1856584' first='Tyler' last='Davis']</td><td>S [player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short']</td><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1823009' first='Cautey' last='Taylor']</td></tr><tr><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1823094' first='Jared' last='Melton']</td><td>CB Karinton Sabb</td><td>CB Scott Colyer</td><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1820603' first='Ty'Quavian' last='Jones']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within the Matchup: Central defensive tackles [player_tooltip player_id='1820527' first='Isaiah' last='Tyson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1815952' first='Tahir' last='Wise'] aren't huge. In fact, Tyson is just 5-foot-9. But what the two of them are is extremely active in chewing up more space than their mass requires. They do so by being active with their hands, staying low and clogging up the middle. Singletary's been excellent at spitting defenders at the line to get into the open field. But the interior of the Hampton County line is going to be pressed. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1823009' first='Cautey' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823003' first='Cleavon' last='Maxwell'] and center [player_tooltip player_id='1823001' first='Hunter' last='Lawson'] will have their hands full with Taylor and Wise, but the opposite is true, as well. That matchup in the thick of the trenches could very well dictate what kind of damage Singletary is able to do.   Underclassman Impact: Central's roster is full of upperclassmen. In fact, there are only three freshmen on the playoff lineup for the Eagles. But in linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1827516' first='Jaylen' last='Davis'] Central found a ready-made linebacker with the type of flexibility to fill situational needs for this defense. He enters Friday's game third on the team in tackles, which is huge, but more importantly an ability to be the guy who moves around as necessary pre-snap. You're doing to see Davis giving looks of a middle linebacker, an outside backer capable of covering tight ends in the passing game or an edge rusher who has a quick first step.

We loved all the data we've received from the inaugural season of the Prep RedZone South Carolina Power Scores - our personalized version of an RPI system.