Class 2A Upper State First Round Preview

As the Class 2A state playoffs are set to begin Friday, Clinton is hoping to pull off something the football-crazed community hasn't experienced since the glory days of legendary coach Keith Richardson's tenure. Another state championship this season would be the Red Devils' 10th in school history and would give them back-to-back state titles for the first time since 1978.   Clinton coach Corey Fountain is building quite a legacy of his own. From 1995-2021, the Red Devils won just one region title. This year, Clinton went 4-0 in Region I-2A for the fourth season in a row. The last time the Red Devils won four consecutive region titles came under Richardson-coached teams from 1985-1988. Only one of those 16 region victories over the past four seasons has been decided by less than 16 points.   With that level of domination in region play each season, Clinton routinely gets ready for November by being battle-tested in September. The Red Devils' three losses this year came to Woodruff, Newberry and Daniel - three region champions from higher classifications, who have a combined record of 28-2.   That formula certainly worked last postseason as Clinton rolled to a 35-6 win over Barnwell in the state championship. The Red Devils' closest game on their way to state was a 32-21 win over Fairfield Central in the Upper State championship.   All five teams Clinton topped in last year's playoffs are back in the bracket this season. They'd undoubtedly love a shot at redemption against the Red Devils, although they probably wouldn't shed any tears if someone else knocks Clinton out along the way.   Here's a look at the opening round games in the Upper State portion of the Class 2A bracket.   NORTH CENTRAL (7-3) AT CLINTON (7-3)   On this side of the bracket, only Strom Thurmond has more wins than North Central or Clinton. The Red Devils got here with the same successful formula - playing stingy defense and running the heck out of the ball. In a 56-14 win over Landrum, there was a running clock the entire second half. That didn't stop the Red Devils from breaking the school single-game record with 533 yards rushing, which included a single-game record total for [player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook'] of 334 yards. That 334 came on 13 attempts, an average of 25.7 yards per carry, five of which went for touchdowns. Cook and his teammates have rushed for 3,560 yards and 50 touchdowns this season behind an offensive line anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='1165753' first='Tre' last='Aiken'], who's committed to NC State. After a 6-1 start this season, North Central went on to post its most wins since going 8-4 in 2018. It's only the second time the Knights have won at least seven games since 1998. North Central has done it with defense as it hasn't allowed more than seven points in five games, including three shutouts. [player_tooltip player_id='1823265' first='Quayson' last='Peoples'] leads the defense with 54 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss, and three interceptions, while [player_tooltip player_id='1839957' first='Kaelon' last='Bradshaw'] has four sacks and two fumble recoveries.   X-Factor: Given the staggering offensive numbers, it could be easy to overlook Clinton's defense. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1639788' first='Jaydon' last='Glenn'] is just one reason it shouldn't. Glenn has 61 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and a blocked punt.   SALUDA (5-5) AT MID-CAROLINA (5-5)   This is a rematch of an opening round game at Saluda in last season's playoffs, which the Tigers won 24-0. Mid-Carolina's hopes of hosting a playoff game probably weren't the highest when it was 2-5 a few weeks ago. However, the Rebels closed out the regular season with three consecutive wins to finish in a three-way tie for first-place in Region III and earn a home playoff game for the first time since 2011. Among those was a thrilling 38-35 win over top-seeded Chester. Mid-Carolina rallied from an early 14-0 deficit that night thanks to three rushing touchdowns by [player_tooltip player_id='1820916' first='Wyatt' last='Mazza'], who rushed for more than 100 yards before leaving with an injury. Trailing 35-31 with less than 30 seconds remaining, [player_tooltip player_id='1823536' first='Davis' last='Ruff'] hit [player_tooltip player_id='1823534' first='Ryker' last='Woolstenhulme'] for the game-winning touchdown. Saluda had the complete opposite of Mid-Carolina's finish to the season. After winning its first two region games by a combined total of 99-7, the Tigers lost their final three games by a combined total of eight points including a 35-34 overtime loss at Batesburg-Leesville in last week's season finale. [player_tooltip player_id='1823625' first='Tristan' last='Daniels'] leads Saluda as he's rushed for 1,249 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's also caught two touchdowns, has 111 yards receiving and averages 37.1 yards per kick as the team's punter. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1822966' first='Brayden' last='Williams'] has thrown for 1,061 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 369 yards and eight scores.   X-Factor: CJ Springs is Saluda's leading receiver with 19 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns and he has 69 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery on defense. The real "x-factor" part of his game comes on special teams though. Springs has returned 12 punts for 278 yards and three touchdowns this season.   NINETY SIX (3-7) AT ANDREW JACKSON (6-4)   After suffering its most losses since 2014 by going 4-8 in 2024, Andrew Jackson bounced back this year with its third region title in the past four seasons. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1822649' first='Logan' last='Neal'] is the signal caller for a balanced Volunteers' offense. He's thrown for 1,275 yards and 10 touchdowns. Andrew Jackson has rushed for 1,168 yards as a team with J'Von Kelly leading the way with 542 and five touchdowns. Kelly has also been a force on special teams, where the Volunteers have really shined, as he averages more than 30 yards per kickoff return and has scored three touchdowns. An Andrew Jackson defense that has forced 20 turnovers this season is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1395000' first='Kamron' last='McGill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1395004' first='Jase' last='Fair'] with more than 100 tackles apiece. Ninety Six got off to a 1-6 start before winning two of its final three games, including a 28-27 upset of Saluda. Senior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1267354' first='Austin' last='Wertz'] has been a force on both sides of the ball in the trenches for the Wildcats.   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='1394996' first='Damias' last='Seegars'] is like a Swiss Army knife for Andrew Jackson. He's rushed for 409 yards and nine scores and caught 14 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Seegars averages 23.4 yards per punt return and has taken three of those to the end zone. On defense, he's got 34 tackles, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.    CHESNEE (5-5) AT FAIRFIELD CENTRAL (7-3)   This will be a rematch of a round two game from last season's playoffs. Fairfield Central won that matchup 41-6 on its way to reaching the Upper State final. While the Griffins haven't been quite as explosive as last year's team that piled up 587 points, they're still a potent bunch that has been led by different players throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1816746' first='Kenyan' last='Douglas'] ran for 127 yards in a 29-21 win over Lewisville. Against undefeated Newberry, [player_tooltip player_id='1820348' first='Kaden' last='Diggs'] had 93 yards rushing and 85 passing. In a 35-0 victory over Andrew Jackson, Ty'quarius Shannon had 142 yards rushing and a touchdown on just four carries. Senior Derek Cammon rushed for 112 yards in the Region III-2A opener - a 41-7 win over Mid-Carolina. Chesnee often goes how dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1809232' first='Evan-Reece' last='Lawter'] goes. Lawter leads the Eagles in rushing with 1,079 yards and 16 touchdowns and has thrown for 893 yards and seven scores. [player_tooltip player_id='1672857' first='Blake' last='Cochran'] averages more than 10 yards a carry and has 637 yards and five touchdowns in nine games, while [player_tooltip player_id='1820171' first='Kale' last='Thrift'] has rushed for 588 yards and 10 scores.   X-Factor: If Fairfield Central can slow down Chesnee's strong ground game, the Eagles might have to take to the air and they'll definitely be looking for [player_tooltip player_id='1732649' first='Braylon' last='Blanton']. The North-South all-star has 37 catches for 592 yards and four touchdowns. He's also intercepted three passes on defense.   BLACKSBURG (1-9) AT CHESTER (6-4)   Victor Floyd's Chester teams have been a model of consistency. The Cyclones have not lost more than one region game since in any season since 2015. They powered their way to a No. 1 playoff seed this season backed by a ground game that has piled up more than 3,100 yards and 39 touchdowns. Leading the way is junior [player_tooltip player_id='1603999' first='Caleb' last='Feaster'] (1,078 yards, 10.1 yards per carry, 14 touchdowns) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1592278' first='Hudhaifah' last='Taylor'] (808 yards, 8.8 yards per carry, six touchdowns). Feaster also has 32 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss and three sacks on defense. Shrine Bowler [player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] (pictured) is the leader on that side of the ball for Chester with 80 tackles, including 20 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks. Despite earning its first region win since 2019, Blacksburg struggled through a tough season. The Wildcats scored 92 points all year, its lowest offensive output since 1997. In Blacksburg's lone win, [player_tooltip player_id='1603786' first='Trevon' last='Clark'] sealed the 14-6 victory at Landrum with a 75-yard touchdown run.   X-Factor: Quarterbacks fortunate enough to escape Radford probably shouldn't throw it in the vicinity of Chester's [player_tooltip player_id='1822439' first='Jakobe' last='Starks']. Starks has four interceptions, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Offensively, Starks has rushed for 338 yards and four touchdowns. He's also the Cyclones' leader in passing as he's completed 6-of-8 for 110 yards.   EAU CLAIRE (5-5) AT BATESBURG-LEESVILLE (7-3)   After riding a 12-game winning streak to the third round of the playoffs last season, Batesburg-Leesville is a serious contender for the eighth state title in school history again this season. The Panthers will undoubtedly lean on the school's new all-time leading career rusher, [player_tooltip player_id='1267286' first='Amadre' last='Wooden']. Wooden has rushed for 1,841 yards and 24 touchdowns this year and averages 9.8 yards per carry. On the rare occassions that Batesburg-Leesville needs to pass, Reese Boehnke has completed 60 percent of his throws for 875 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. An Eau Claire program that had won just two games over the previous six seasons combined enjoyed its most wins in a regular season since 1992 this year. Senior Jahcory Sumpter has been a huge key to the Shamrocks' success. He's rushed for 1,206 yards and 13 touchdowns, passed for 970 yards and seven scores and caught a touchdown. Defensively, Sumpter has 29 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.   X-Factor: When it comes to scoring touchdowns in different ways, nobody has likely checked off more boxes than the Panthers' [player_tooltip player_id='1592414' first='KD' last='Whitt'] this year. Whitt's touchdown breakdown: receiving - 10; rushing - four; passing - one; interception return - one (out of three picks); kickoff returns - two (out of three returns); punt returns - one (out of three returns). He's Batesburg-Leesville's leading receiver (31 receptions for 553 yards), second-leading rusher (14 carries for 233 yards) and averages 16.6 yards per carry.    CHESTERFIELD (4-6) AT STROM THURMOND (8-2)   Following a rare non-region title season in 2024, things got back to normal in Johnston this fall as Strom Thurmond went 5-0 in Region II-2A for the third time in the last four years. It's the Rebels' 30th region championship in program history. [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] leads a balanced rushing attack that's totaled nearly 2,000 yards as a team. Phillips has rushed for 692 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's also caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt for a score. When Thurmond needs to go to the air, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820528' first='Bri'Shaun' last='Lee'] has been solid as he's thrown for 1,435 yards and 17 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1820529' first='Bryston' last='Coleman'] has 69 tackles, including five sacks, to lead the Rebels' defense. Chesterfield senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1821336' first='Bryce' last='Adams'] has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns and has also ran for four scores. The Rams have a talented freshman with an appropriate name in [player_tooltip player_id='1606964' first='Greg' last='Rushing'], who leads the team with 679 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1629002' first='Sincere' last='Hubbard'] leads Chesterfield's defense with 97 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery.   X-Factor: [player_tooltip player_id='1823102' first='Shaheed' last='Williams'] does a little bit of everything for Thurmond. He's the leading receiver with 35 catches for 608 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, Williams has 41 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. He also averages 10.5 yards per punt return.   PELION (5-5) AT LIBERTY (7-3)   Despite closing out the regular season with a 7-0 win over Blacksburg last week, Liberty enters the playoffs with its highest-scoring regular season in school history. The Red Devils average 34.4 points per game thanks to a powerful rushing attack that has piled up more than 3,100 yards and 40 touchdowns. Four different Red Devils have rushed for more than 500 yards, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1303770' first='Jamijae' last='Karim'] with 1,001 and he's ran for 14 touchdowns. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820093' first='Caleb' last='Pilgrim'] has only completed 17 passes all season, but seven of those have gone for scores. Zach Welborn leads Liberty's defense with 49 tackles, including four sacks, while [player_tooltip player_id='1824911' first='Zane' last='Smith'] has a team-high four interceptions. Cory Helms is off to a fast start in his first season at Pelion as its five wins are the most in a season since 2014. The Panthers are the only team in the Upper State bracket with a 1,000-yard rusher - [player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson'] (197-1,045; eight touchdowns), and a 1,000-yard receiver - [player_tooltip player_id='1708197' first='Jai' last='Chuniesingh'] (54-1,056; 19.6 yards per catch and 13 touchdowns). Chuniesingh also has a kickoff return for a score. Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820308' first='Alan' last='Moore'] has thrown for 1,671 yards and 20 touchdowns.   X-Factor: Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1820092' first='KJ' last='Jackson'] has been a force all over the field for Liberty. Jackson averages a team-best 8.1 yards per carry and is second on the team with 709 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Half of Jackson's team-high six catches have gone for touchdowns and he's returned one of his three interceptions for a score. He's also had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and blocked a punt.

As the Class 2A state playoffs are set to begin Friday, Clinton is hoping to pull off something the football-crazed community hasn't experienced since the glory days of legendary coach Keith Richardson's tenure. Another state championship this season would be the Red Devils' 10th in school history and would give them back-to-back state titles for the first time since 1978.