Class 3A Upper State First Round Preview

While it may not be top heavy on paper, the opening round of the Class 3A Upper State has a few intriguing matchups that should make for some interesting results at the end of the night going into the second round. There are some teams that have been riding a hot hand and will be looking to keep their momentum as they push towards the ultimate goal of winning the 3A championship, which will be played on Friday, December 5 at noon at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.   Let's dive into the eight matchups in the first round:   NO. 16 CAROLINA (2-8) AT NO. 1 POWDERSVILLE (9-2)   [player_tooltip player_id='1667546' first='Jordyn' last='Rice'] is a tall, lanky quarterback who can make plays in the air and with his feet for the Trojans along with Kyleat Belchler who is quick in space with the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id='1820325' first='DJ' last='Brown'] is second on the team with interceptions with two interceptions and [player_tooltip player_id='1824654' first='Amir' last='Abercrombie'] can get after the quarterback with pressure. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1820324' first='Jeremiah' last='Wells'] up front who can be disruptive. For Powdersville, [player_tooltip player_id='1821270' first='Keagan' last='Reid'] has been the steady hand for the Patriots offensively and can sling it around and get it to his receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins'], who is a downfield threat along with [player_tooltip player_id='1149055' first='Nasir' last='Waldrop'], who you can rely on at running back. [player_tooltip player_id='1823889' first='Tavious' last='Williams'] is a two-way player who makes an impact as well.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1586857' first='Jaydon' last='McGrier'] is an enforcer from his defensive line spot and can get after opposing linemen with his speed and quickness. He'll be a challenge for opposing lineman to block.    NO. 9 PENDLETON (5-5) AT NO. 8 BROOME (5-5)   For Broome, things start offensively with [player_tooltip player_id='1592026' first='Tyqwon' last='Booker'] who has averaged 106.9 yards per game and has 13 touchdowns on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1819510' first='Reece' last='Waugerman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1676737' first='Asher' last='Littlejohn'] are all viable threats for the Centurions if they put it in the air. [player_tooltip player_id='1676737' first='Asher' last='Littlejohn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819503' first='Nick' last='Morgan'] can get out and tackle well, as they are first and second on the team in average tackles per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1820871' first='Tye' last='Miller'] has sure hands from his tight end position and has good hands for the Pendleton Bulldogs. You also have to remember [player_tooltip player_id='1820872' first='Bray' last='Spear'], who provides a nice presence in the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='1818192' first='Bradley' last='Runion'] is a young guy that has seen valuable reps at the linebacker spot. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1820878' first='Jorden' last='Mattress'], who has over 30 tackles and a pick six on the year.    X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1820875' first='Dax' last='Allen'] has played on both sides of the ball in 2025, seeing time at linebacker and quarterback, and has made the most of his opportunities for the Bulldogs. He has a rocket arm and can fire it accurately, while also laying the lumber on defense when needed.    NO. 4 ST. JOSEPH'S (5-5) AT NO. 5 MOUNTAIN VIEW PREP (8-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1823372' first='Mack' last='Rambo'] will be the focal point for St. Joe's, as he is averaging 139.7 yards per game while [player_tooltip player_id='1820807' first='Sam' last='Patterson'] is more of a receiving back, as he can be an outlet for the Knights if need be. Vine Stanton and [player_tooltip player_id='1666952' first='Josh' last='Lyons'] are the leading tacklers for the Knights and will look to make life challenging for their opponent. For MVP, [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] is a star at receiver and can burn the secondary with his blazing speed. AJ McAlister is an enforcer from his safety position and can read and diagnose plays quickly, and that will be key against a running team. Keep an eye on CJ Lovelace at linebacker, who is tough to block with 10 sacks on the year.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1654910' first='Makorean' last='Anderson-Wallington'] has been slinging it throughout the year, to the tune of 19 touchdowns in 2025 so far and when you're playing against a team that likes to run the ball and try to limit possessions, the need to be efficient with each and every drive becomes more important. Anderson can get it to his receivers, whether it be on the deep ball or taking his check downs.    NO. 13 UNION COUNTY (1-9) AT NO. 4 CRESCENT (7-3)   The Yellow Jackets want to run the football and be physical with Dreshawn Mills and [player_tooltip player_id='1732648' first='Qa' last='Brannon'], who are both first and second on the team in touchdowns this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1821156' first='Akeem' last='Shaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824561' first='Sondrell' last='Worthy'] (pictured above) are impact players to watch when the Jackets put it in the air. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1823756' first='Reid' last='McDade'], who averages seven tackles per game along with [player_tooltip player_id='1817172' first='Jamoree' last='McBride'], who averages 6.5 tackles a game. [player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans'] is a dual threat for the Tigers, as he can throw and run it effectively with the help of [player_tooltip player_id='1820517' first='Malaki' last='Graydon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823092' first='Braxton' last='Tillman'] leading things up front on the offensive line. And we can't forget about receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1395080' first='Amiri' last='Acker'], who had 8 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns in a win over West Oak in early October.   X-FACTOR: Hunter Dale always has his eyes in the right place for the Tigers' defense on the defensive line. You won't catch him out of position as he is fast and physical at linebacker. He can make a tackle for loss against the run and stays disciplined in his pursuit lanes on kickoff return.    NO. 14 PALMETTO (1-9) AT NO. 3 BELTON-HONEA PATH (10-0)   [player_tooltip player_id='1715879' first='Kaleb' last='Ricketts'] can keep it on the ground for the Mustangs and [player_tooltip player_id='1823993' first='Logan' last='Newsome'] provides a threat in the passing game when they do throw it. [player_tooltip player_id='1986479' first='Preston' last='Wilder'] is another guy to watch in the backfield to compliment Ricketts. For the Bears, they've been humming along all year offensively thanks to the play of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas'], who has thrown for 1741 yards and 26 touchdowns, while also rushing for 483 yards and 8 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1639798' first='MJ' last='Earl'] has been one of the workhorses in the backfield, rushing for 760 yards and 15 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] is the Bears' leading receiver with 802 yards and 9 touchdowns. KJ Miles is second on the team with 18 solo tackles.   X-FACTOR: Ty Dubose will be a guy to watch at linebacker, currently leading the team with 27 solo tackles. When you're going up against a team that likes to run it as much as the Mustangs will Friday, the ability to make tackles in the hole is key and read and react to what the offense does is key.    NO. 11 CHAPMAN (1-9) AT NO. 6 SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN (5-5)   Bryson Cothran at the quarterback position for the Panthers can sling it around and will try to play keep away from the Sabres offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1732638' first='Khamari' last='Turner'] at the defensive end spot is big, strong, fast and can also line up on offense and play tight end and the H-back position. For the Sabres, [player_tooltip player_id='2071765' first='DJ' last='Lee'] leads the pack on offense, averaging 110 yards per game offensively. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1604061' first='Nigel' last='Rock'] at defensive end, who has 9 sacks on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1819581' first='Ben' last='Bobo'] has 8 sacks and both can cause issues along with [player_tooltip player_id='1822144' first='Richie' last='Maxwell'], who averages 6.6 tackles per game.   X-FACTOR: Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1822140' first='Keldin' last='Wrona'] for the Sabres. He can catch it and turn up field and get yards, and make impact plays on special teams as well as he had a blocked kick in their win against Carolina.    NO. 10 WALHALLA (2-8) AT NO. 7 CHRIST CHURCH (7-3)    [player_tooltip player_id='1452342' first='Darian' last='Simpkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820060' first='Essien' last='Nathan'] have been the two main cogs for the Razorbacks in 2025 running and catching the ball, and they'll look to try and play their best ball heading into this matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1771835' first='Caleb' last='Johnson'] is the quarterback who gets it to them while [player_tooltip player_id='1822569' first='Romeo' last='Mendez'] is the leader on defense, with 14.8 tackles per game. For Christ Church, you have to begin the conversation with running back [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'], who is fun to watch when he gets into the open field with his speed and power. [player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] can sling it all over the field and has plenty of weapons to get it to like [player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1213961' first='Anthony' last='Atkins'].   X-FACTOR: Wherever the ball is for the opposing offense, it seems like [player_tooltip player_id='1628240' first='William' last='Childers'] is there. He is not afraid to put his hand in the dirt and be physical with opposing blockers and he can come up and lay the lumber on the ball carrier.    NO. 15 WEST OAK (4-6) AT NO. 2 WOODRUFF (9-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1819467' first='James' last='Coltrane'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819476' first='Carter' last='Fountain'] will look to find holes to run through for the Warriors as they begin their playoff push. [player_tooltip player_id='1821959' first='Gage' last='Ballard'] averages 7.9 tackles per game and [player_tooltip player_id='1819477' first='Chase' last='Overholt'] is a guy that Woodruff will have to be aware of. For the Wolverines, everything begins with [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'], who averages 142.7 yards per game and has scored 23 touchdowns in 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='1823657' first='Connor' last='Davis'] can get the ball to his receivers, like [player_tooltip player_id='1592034' first='Kori' last='Moates'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1395078' first='Kam' last='Taylor']. [player_tooltip player_id='1823653' first='Jalen' last='Roberson'] has 8.1 tackles per game and will be someone that the Warriors will need to be aware of.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1592408' first='Shaun' last='Graybill'] is a tackling machine for the Wolverines, averaging 10.3 tackles per game and he has five sacks on the year. He can read and diagnose plays quickly and is excellent against the run.

While it may not be top heavy on paper, the opening round of the Class 3A Upper State has a few intriguing matchups that should make for some interesting results at the end of the night going into the second round. There are some teams that have been riding a hot hand and will be looking to keep their momentum as they push towards the ultimate goal of winning the 3A championship, which will be played on Friday, December 5 at noon at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.