Class 3A Semifinal Preview

Just like classic movies on television for Thanksgiving, 3A is offering some classic matchups on Black Friday.   Round up the usual suspects.   The Upper State matchup is a game between the defending Upper State champ in BHP and a team two years removed from the title game in Powdersville. In the Lower State, the semifinal is a rematch of last year, featuring Loris and Oceanside Collegiate.   We've got gunslingers, and wide open offenses, and power backs, and stingy defenses. Let's dive in and take a look at what looks like a stellar 3A slate of games.   No. 2 BELTON HONEA-PATH (13-0) AT NO. 1 POWDERSVILLE (11-2)   The defending Upper State champions are back, and though it might be strange to say, might be even better. BHP has marched to the title game after having to replace its backbone and major offensive weapon in Marquise Henderson. What was back, though, was the heart of the offensive line in guards [player_tooltip player_id='1820562' first='Keagan' last='Mosher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820561' first='Keylan' last='Dixon'] and center [player_tooltip player_id='1823145' first='Brady' last='Spearman']. Those three, right in the middle of the Bears' attack, have helped pave the way for an offense that's racked up more than 5,000 yards on the ground, with more than 2,800 on the ground. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] has been just as crucial for the Bears, throwing for more than 2,000 yards and rushing for more than 600. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1639798' first='MJ' last='Earl']e has nearly 1,000 rushing yards, and do-everything guy [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] has almost 1,000 receiving.   The Bears are also off the charts defensively. They've got 73 tackles for loss and 26 sacks. They've forced 33 turnovers for a plus-25 margin. And they're turning those takeaways into points, with 10 defensive touchdowns on the year. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] has helped to lead the way for the Bears, and he said the team's defense is a point of pride.   "It's really fun to be able to play with such a physical group of players," Anderson said. "It's amazing, everyone on defense wants to be a dawg and be physical and I love it. It's a great feeling because that's how I want to play as well."   That mindset is contagious, Anderson said.   "When one of us makes a play, we basically make it a competition to see who can get more, and I think that's where most of our turnovers and scores on defense comes from."   The Bears have those standout guys at all three levels, with [player_tooltip player_id='1592470' first='Kylan' last='Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1823140' first='Ty' last='Rainey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1823143' first='Kanaza' last='Bryant'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1603850' first='Kamarion' last='Glenn'] anchoring the front along with [player_tooltip player_id='1823146' first='Grady' last='Melton'], Dee Chester, and Watson-Martin on the back end.   Powdersville comes into the game on an absolute offensive tear behind QB [player_tooltip player_id='1821270' first='Keagan' last='Reid']. Reid's thrown for 2,643 yards this season with 29 touchdowns. But the Patriots are the picture of balance as well, as they've rushed for nearly 2,000 yards as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1149055' first='Nasir' last='Waldrop'] leads the way there, with 148 carries for 1,054 yards and 15 touchdowns, including five in a third round win. [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins'] leads a deep and talented receiving corps that also includes [player_tooltip player_id='1823887' first='Bennett' last='Brooks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1821274' first='Desmond' last='Hunter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1823889' first='Tavious' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1824602' first='Steele' last='Gamble'].   Defensively, Powdersville has a ton of playmakers including [player_tooltip player_id='1821280' first='Jayden' last='Wertz'] at LB and [player_tooltip player_id='1821279' first='Stephen' last='Hudgins'] at DB. [player_tooltip player_id='1586857' first='Jaydon' last='McGrier'] is an absolute problem off the edge, with 73 tackles, five tackles for loss, seven sacks, and an eye-popping 36 hurries on the season.   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>BHP OFFENSE</td><td>POWDERSVILLE DEFENSE</td><td>BHP DEFENSE</td><td>POWDERSVILLE OFFENSE</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1821269' first='Adam' last='Dalton']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1823140' first='Ty' last='Rainey']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1821270' first='Keagan' last='Reid']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1639798' first='MJ' last='Earl']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1586857' first='Jaydon' last='McGrier']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1592470' first='Kylan' last='Dixon']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1149055' first='Nasir' last='Waldrop']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1823891' first='Zyron' last='Nixon']</td><td>N [player_tooltip player_id='1603850' first='Kamarion' last='Glenn']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1821274' first='Desmond' last='Hunter']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1818720' first='Jaden' last='Glenn']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1823899' first='Myles' last='Cowart']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1823143' first='Kanaza' last='Bryant']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins']</td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1824433' first='Nick' last='Sargent']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1821280' first='Jayden' last='Wertz']</td><td>LB Ty Dubose</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1823887' first='Bennett' last='Brooks']</td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1591196' first='Brody' last='Riddle']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1823897' first='Phillip' last='Savage']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1824602' first='Steele' last='Gamble']</td></tr><tr><td>LT [player_tooltip player_id='1820569' first='McCray' last='Pruitt']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1821271' first='Damarie' last='Andrews']</td><td>OLB KJ Miles</td><td>T [player_tooltip player_id='1824949' first='Jackson' last='Miller']</td></tr><tr><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='1820562' first='Keagan' last='Mosher']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1821279' first='Stephen' last='Hudgins']</td><td>SS Dee Chester</td><td>G [player_tooltip player_id='1825026' first='Micah' last='Freeman']</td></tr><tr><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1823145' first='Brady' last='Spearman']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1823889' first='Tavious' last='Williams']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1822705' first='Dylan' last='Smith']</td></tr><tr><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1820561' first='Keylan' last='Dixon']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1821274' first='Desmond' last='Hunter']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1818722' first='Malachi' last='Bohler']</td><td>G [player_tooltip player_id='1825475' first='Jerry' last='Horry']</td></tr><tr><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1823147' first='Carter' last='Burgess']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins']</td><td>FS [player_tooltip player_id='1823146' first='Grady' last='Melton']</td><td>T [player_tooltip player_id='1577685' first='Konnor' last='Giles']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   MATCHUP WITHIN THE MATCHUP - Powdersville's offensive line is a veteran, stout group that keeps Reid protected and paves the way for Waldrop, clearing the way for more than 4,000 yards of offense and more than 40 points per game . BHP's defensive line is a veteran, stout group that creates havoc, combining for 32 tackles for loss and 15 sacks among the starting four. One of those things has got to give. [player_tooltip player_id='1603850' first='Kamarion' last='Glenn'] had a huge game in the third round against Woodruff. If he can replicate that success, and if the Bears' front can make the Patriots one-dimensional rather than balanced, it could dictate the way things go.   UNDERCLASSMAN IMPACT - When the Bears go double-tight, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1824433' first='Nick' last='Sargent'] is a big part of the offense. His strength and size are ideally suited to the BHP offense, but don't let the fact that he can be a masher fool you. He's also incredibly athletic. He's only got 10 catches on the year, but three of them are touchdowns and he averages seven yards a catch. He's a legitimate, drive-changing threat for BHP.    No. 3 LORIS (13-0) AT NO. 1 OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE (11-2)   The Lions have run out to a 13-0 start, and have done so in large part thanks to a huge season from QB [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald']. He's put Loris on his back on a couple of occasions, and the next yard he throws for will push him past 2,700. He's got a big arm, all the tools you want at the position, and an absolutely ridiculous 46/3 touchdown to interception ratio. He spreads it around a bunch, as none of the Lions have more than 700 receiving yards, but four guys have 398 or more. [player_tooltip player_id='1592447' first='Jacobien' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1656668' first='Khalid' last='Sherman'] lead the way, as they've combined for nearly 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1422629' first='Roderick' last='Purcha'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821016' first='Khalil' last='Sherman'] are both big-time threats for the Lions as well. On the ground, [player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens'] leads the rushing attack with 880 yards, but Gerald and [player_tooltip player_id='1656668' first='Khalid' last='Sherman'] have both added more than 400 yards.   You'll see a lot of those same names leading the defense for the Lions as well. Lewis and the Shermans are starters in the secondary, and a couple of guys on the Lions offensive line turns around to play defense as well, including [player_tooltip player_id='1395062' first='Damarea' last='Thurmond'], [player_tooltip player_id='1821015' first='Jamarius' last='Wilson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']. Conner leads the way at left guard, and plays defensive end with a menacing edge, with 17 tackles for loss and 12 sacks on the year. Conner said the Lions' defensive performance, which includes giving up fewer than 13 points per game and holding five opponents to single digits, is a byproduct of high expectations.   "First off we have to thank our coaching staff for holding us to a high standard," he said. "Even when we are up, when we let up points it's disappointing to us. That's how high our standard is. Our expectation is to shut out offenses, and that's why we do such a great job on defense. We push each other so much on and off the field that our players have such a drive to do better than the man beside you. We're on each other after a bad play, not in a mean way but in a motivating way."   Oceanside Collegiate will present quite a challenge. [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] is a gunslinger, with more than 3,500 passing yards and 38 touchdowns on the year. He's not a scrambler - he's got 18 carries on the year - he's just going to drop back and try to beat you with his arm. It's been something he's very, very good at. He's thrown multiple touchdowns to five guys, and he's got game breakers in [player_tooltip player_id='1592182' first='Terence' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams']. They've combined to haul in 104 balls for nearly 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. On the ground, [player_tooltip player_id='1821532' first='Zakhi' last='Muncey'] is the workhorse, with 1,112 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the year.   Defensively, the Landsharks are stacked at all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='1025774' first='Sawyer' last='Arnold'] is a nightmare off the end. [player_tooltip player_id='1824759' first='Rhys' last='Meredith'] is an absolute tackle machine, notching 92 stops on the season. And Cole Gaspar is a hard-hitting safety in a loaded Oceanside secondary.   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>LORIS OFFENSE</td><td>OCEANSIDE DEFENSE</td><td>LORIS DEFENSE</td><td>OCEANSIDE OFFENSE</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1025774' first='Sawyer' last='Arnold']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1422632' first='Makel' last='Stephens']</td><td>DT Mike Jones</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1821015' first='Jamarius' last='Wilson']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1821532' first='Zakhi' last='Muncey']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1422629' first='Roderick' last='Purcha']</td><td>N Jaxon Bean</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1395062' first='Damarea' last='Thurmond']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1674386' first='Cooper' last='Webb']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1656668' first='Khalid' last='Sherman']</td><td>DE Joey Harriot</td><td>DE Preston Hayes</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1592182' first='Terence' last='Johnson']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1592447' first='Jacobien' last='Lewis']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1824759' first='Rhys' last='Meredith']</td><td>ILB Jay Dalton Todd</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1295653' first='Ethan' last='Ranew']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1821016' first='Khalil' last='Sherman']</td><td>LB Ro Parson</td><td>ILB [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams']</td></tr><tr><td>LT [player_tooltip player_id='797156' first='Logan' last='Coleman']</td><td>LB Tyler Stafford</td><td>OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1824547' first='Mykhai' last='Bell']</td><td>LT Mike Jones</td></tr><tr><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner']</td><td>S Cole Gaspar</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1592447' first='Jacobien' last='Lewis']</td><td>LG Grant Castello</td></tr><tr><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1818531' first='Jacob' last='Dozier']</td><td>S [player_tooltip player_id='1824235' first='Michael' last='Strickler']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1816126' first='Antonio' last='James']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1821530' first='Luke' last='Crady']</td></tr><tr><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1395062' first='Damarea' last='Thurmond']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1771847' first='Jordan' last='Wright']</td><td>FS [player_tooltip player_id='1656668' first='Khalid' last='Sherman']</td><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1824233' first='JB' last='Crady']</td></tr><tr><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1821015' first='Jamarius' last='Wilson']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1155334' first='Damonte' last='Green']</td><td>FS [player_tooltip player_id='1821016' first='Khalil' last='Sherman']</td><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1320686' first='Lamareon' last='Thompson']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   MATCHUP WITHIN THE MATCHUP: Something that's going to be intriguing to watch is Loris' secondary against the WR corps of Oceanside. Manavian is going to air it out, that's a given. And while Johnson and Williams are the main targets, [player_tooltip player_id='1674386' first='Cooper' last='Webb'], [player_tooltip player_id='1824234' first='Tyler' last='Garner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1295653' first='Ethan' last='Ranew'] are all big-time complementary players who make the most of their opportunities. On the flip side, Loris' secondary has 18 interceptions on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1821016' first='Khalil' last='Sherman'] leads the way with seven, but four more players have at least two each. If the Lions can create some takeaways, it could turn the game.   UNDERCLASSMAN IMPACT: Now, it might just be us, but we think the freshman with 97 tackles might be the guy we should plug into this spot. Loris LB [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] has had an absolutely unbelievable freshman campaign, racking up those tackles to go with six tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Shaw's fast and he flies to the ball, and his monster season is just the beginning of what he's capable of.

Just like classic movies on television for Thanksgiving, 3A is offering some classic matchups on Black Friday.