Class 3A Upper State Second Round Preview

Most of the teams did not have much of a problem in the first round of the Class 3A Upper State bracket, but the action will begin to heat up this week with some star studded matchups in the second round.   We have star skill play that is starting to show itself strong as we come down the stretch, while the defenses are winning the battle in the trenches and that's what makes up a championship team this time of year. Let's take a look at the four matchups in the second round as the road to Orangeburg continues.   NO. 9 PENDLETON (6-5) AT NO. 1 POWDERSVILLE (10-2)   The Bulldogs were balanced in their nailbiting <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/ground-game-late-kick-lifts-pendleton-past-broome/">first round win over Broome last week.</a> [player_tooltip player_id='1820879' first='Jackson' last='Allmon'] went 17-of-22 for 250 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1820881' first='Melo' last='Mattress'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820871' first='Tye' last='Miller'] came up huge in the late stages of last week's contest, while [player_tooltip player_id='1820872' first='Bray' last='Spear'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823502' first='Dashaun' last='Jenkins'] (18 carries, 83 yards) were the catalysts in the run game. Sam Dykes had a pick six, while Logan Beachum had a scoop-and-score for the Powdersville defense in their 66-0 rout of Carolina last week, and both guys are ones the Bulldogs will need to be aware of.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821270' first='Keagan' last='Reid'] had an efficient night in the Patriots' first round win, connecting with [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins'] from 12 yards out and [player_tooltip player_id='1821274' first='Desmond' last='Hunter'] from 11 yards out before [player_tooltip player_id='1824602' first='Steele' last='Gamble'] added a 9-yard touchdown run as they jumped out to a 52-0 lead at halftime. [player_tooltip player_id='1820875' first='Dax' last='Allen'] came up with two turnovers of his own – a pick and a fumble recovery. Whichever team can sustain drives and limit the turnovers will likely come out on top, facing the Mountain View Prep-Crescent winner in the third round.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1149055' first='Nasir' last='Waldrop'] is a physical, downhill running back who can make a move in the hole and get up field quickly for more yardage. He is not afraid of contact and has a good combo of speed and power that is fun to watch.    NO. 5 MOUNTAIN VIEW PREP (8-2) AT NO. 4 CRESCENT (8-3)   The Stars held on to survive and advance in their first round matchup against St. Joe's Catholic 28-27. Makorean Anderson-Wallington is the leader on offense, as he has thrown for 2508 yards and 25 touchdowns on the year, while also rushing for 1047 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. He'll look to get the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] (54 catches, 965 yards and 13 touchdowns). Keep an eye on senior Juice Miller (26 catches, 467 yards and 3 touchdowns) as well. CJ Lovelace will present challenges on the defensive line, as he has 14 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1547109' first='Josef' last='Hudson'] is also a force inside with 4 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries as well.   Crescent had an efficient night from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans'], who went 16-of-24 for 272 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-14 win over Union County in the first round. [player_tooltip player_id='1395080' first='Amiri' last='Acker'] led the way in receiving with seven catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1823091' first='Kevin' last='Hatten'] was second with six catches for 47 yards. Willie Webb was a leader up front with four knockdowns on the offensive line, while Zeke Bell on the defensive line had five tackles. Keep an eye on Austin Whitcomb, who had 12 tackles in the win last week.   X-FACTOR: With as much speed that Mountain View has on the outside, you need a cornerback who can stick it to receivers in tight coverage and also come up in run support. Nyterrious Geer provides that with his ability to be physical at the point of attack and high point the ball to make interceptions.    NO. 6 SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN (6-5) AT NO. 3 BELTON-HONEA PATH (11-0)   Southside Christian rolled over Chapman in the first round 55-15. One of the stars of the night was [player_tooltip player_id='1822140' first='Keldin' last='Wrona'], who had three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown, while also registering 10 tackles and four catches for 88 yards and one receiving touchdown. [player_tooltip player_id='924348' first='Nick' last='Fortuna'] also found the end zone on a long run, showing off his speed in the process once he got into the open field. DJ Lee had 18 carries for 109 yards and one touchdown. [player_tooltip player_id='1817908' first='Max' last='Breit'] had a strong night, throwing for 180 yards and four touchdowns.   Belton-Honea Path scored 49 first half points on their way to a 56-7 rout of Palmetto in the first round. [player_tooltip player_id='1639798' first='MJ' last='Earl'] ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 7 carries in the win. [player_tooltip player_id='1730056' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] had a near perfect night, going 9-for-11 for 134 yards and four touchdowns to [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1824433' first='Nick' last='Sargent'], [player_tooltip player_id='1818720' first='Jaden' last='Glenn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820566' first='Jacus' last='Paul'] respectively. The Bears defense forced five turnovers and will look to continue to be opportunistic heading into this week's second round matchup, with the winner facing the Christ Church-Woodruff winner in next week's third round.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] is an enforcer from his linebacker position. He is instinctive in attacking the ball and coming up and making great tackles on the ball. He takes good angles to the ball and can make an impact on special teams as well.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JakyriAnderson/status/1987228512323875207 </div></figure>   NO. 7 CHRIST CHURCH (8-3) AT NO. 2 WOODRUFF (10-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] went 14-for-20 for 238 yards and three touchdowns in their 47-7 thumping of Walhalla to advance to the second round. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] continues an impressive year as he rushed for 153 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. The Cavs can spread the ball around to different receivers, including [player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall'] (pictured above with 3 receptions, 109 yards, 3 touchdowns), [player_tooltip player_id='1823701' first='Hayes' last='Lyman'] (3 receptions, 57 yards), [player_tooltip player_id='1819108' first='Will' last='Morton'] (1 catch, 22 yards). [player_tooltip player_id='1628240' first='William' last='Childers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821095' first='Banks' last='Horton'] were tied for first on the team with five tackles.   Woodruff made a quick dispatch of first round opponent West Oak, winning 49-7. [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] continues to be on a tear, running through defenses with speed and power at the point of attack. [player_tooltip player_id='1592034' first='Kori' last='Moates'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1633095' first='Curtis' last='Bell'] are the threats to watch on the outside when the Wolverines want to take their shots deep. The Cavs will need to be aware of Jaylen Roberson and Adrian Hill, who are second and third on the team in tackles.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1395078' first='Kam' last='Taylor'] is a matchup problem for opponents with his ability to flex outside at the tight end position and go up and make catches. He could easily be mistaken for a wide receiver, but he has great speed and can run routes with the best of them for a guy his size.

Most of the teams did not have much of a problem in the first round of the Class 3A Upper State bracket, but the action will begin to heat up this week with some star studded matchups in the second round.