Class 4A Semifinals Preview

You want to see what it takes to create a situation where two-time defending Upper State champion Westside and Gray Collegiate are looked at as underdogs?   We've found it in matchups with powerhouses South Pointe and South Florence, respectively.   For everything Westside and Gray have accomplished in recent years - the Rams winning the 2023 Class 4A state championship and being the runner up in 2024 and Gray earning the Class 2A title in 2021 before finishing as the runner up in 2023 - the two Souths have been the kings of 4A football so far this season. Both games have stars abound on each side of the line. They have players who can take over in the blink of an eye.   But all four teams have been built for this moment.    NO. 3 WESTSIDE (9-4) AT NO. 1 SOUTH POINTE (12-1)   Westside has shown some serious flash in the second half of the season, looking like the high-powered Rams' offense we were used to seeing over the past couple years. Some of that had to do with a difficult non-region schedule. But we also can't ignore what [player_tooltip player_id='1822335' first='Keylan' last='Powell'] has added to the big picture. The senior was a reserve on both sides of the ball as a junior and wasn't even all that big of a part of the plan entering this fall. He had 20 carries total in the team's first three games before bursting onto the scene with 250 yards and three touchdowns in a Sept. 19 loss to an out-of-state foe. Since then, he's been electric.    Powell is averaging better than 7 yards per carry with a steady diet of touchdowns. He'll enter Friday's game at South Pointe with a string of six consecutive 100-yards games. Powell has 17 touchdowns in that span, too. What that's done is take pressure off everyone else. Freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1881741' first='Bear' last='Woods'] and top targets [player_tooltip player_id='1208787' first='Jacob' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817438' first='Jae' last='White'] were going to be airing it our regardless - and they have continued to do just that - but this offense isn't a one-trick pony.    The Rams offense will need to make sure it starts fast against South Pointe, though. This Stallions roster is a mix of home-grown studs and a handful of influential transfers. And the mentality has been the same from the start of the season.   “State or bust,” [player_tooltip player_id='1819627' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] said Sunday. “We believed that we had something to prove so we kept our head down and grinded, resulting in the success we're having right now. The product we put on the field, we're playing at a really high level and no one can deny that.”    Currence is leading that push. After taking over the starting quarterback job, the South Carolina  commitment has throw for 2,500 yards, rushed for 1,400 and combined for 38 touchdowns passing/rushing. [player_tooltip player_id='1165128' first='RJ' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1301740' first='Ra'Sean' last='Brown'] have kept the ground game going strong around Currence. The defense has made a living this season of making opposing offenses uncomfortable early in games, and it's opened the doors for the Stallions' own offense to play more free. Receivers [player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff'] (620 yards, eight touchdowns) and [player_tooltip player_id='930586' first='Dailan' last='Duncan'] (787, seven) are dangerous, and they're not the only ones.    Starting Lineups    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Westside Offense</td><td>South Pointe Defense</td><td>Westside Defense</td><td>South Pointe Offense</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1881741' first='Bear' last='Woods']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='403133' first='Christian' last='Webb-Scott']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1819627' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1822335' first='Keylan' last='Powell']</td><td>DL Hayzon Lumpkin</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1824636' first='Kyree' last='Claud']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1165128' first='RJ' last='Brown'] </td></tr><tr><td>OL Bryson Bolt</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='284136' first='Miles' last='Wilson']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1822345' first='Kwon' last='Simpkins']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1819812' first='Jarrett' last='Clinkscales']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1594865' first='Brysen' last='Ginn']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1822341' first='Austin' last='Telford']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='930586' first='Dailan' last='Duncan']</td></tr><tr><td>OL Cannon McCurry</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1592625' first='Dequan' last='Evans']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1822334' first='Brayden' last='Waller']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1476906' first='Kadin' last='Vassel'] </td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='402504' first='Parker' last='McMillen']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins']</td></tr><tr><td>OL AJ Calhoun</td><td>LB Darien Judge</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1664575' first='Malachi' last='Peterson']</td><td>LT [player_tooltip player_id='1856920' first='Tae' last='Wylie']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1817438' first='Jae' last='White']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1819627' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence']</td><td>FS [player_tooltip player_id='1822343' first='Zyon' last='Paul']</td><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='1165103' first='Anthony' last='Baxter']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1817436' first='Nehemiah' last='Brown'] </td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles']</td><td>FS JC Clinkscales</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1822176' first='Brandon' last='Williams']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1208787' first='Jacob' last='Lewis']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1267332' first='CJ' last='Wherry']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1822346' first='Terrance' last='Estrich']</td><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1734465' first='Jaydon' last='Lee']</td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1818677' first='Jaylen' last='Rucker']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1208787' first='Jacob' last='Lewis']</td><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1825085' first='Cevion' last='Douglas']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within the Matchup: This South Pointe defense is no joke, and the front seven has left some foes wondering what just happened. It starts with [player_tooltip player_id='284136' first='Miles' last='Wilson'] (24 TFL) and Seth Tilllman (26) with their hands in the dirt, but also linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1594865' first='Brysen' last='Ginn'] (28), [player_tooltip player_id='1592625' first='Dequan' last='Evans'] (18) and [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] (25). Simply, they've been beating up on opposing lines. Westside's starters - Bryson Bolt [player_tooltip player_id='1819812' first='Jarrett' last='Clinkscales'] Cannon McCurry [player_tooltip player_id='402504' first='Parker' last='McMillen'] and AJ Calhoun - will have their hands full and will need a near-perfect game to give the skill guys time to operate.   Underclassman Impact: There is a reason Westside sophomore defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='403133' first='Christian' last='Webb-Scott'] is the No. 2 overall player in our Class of 2028 and one of the most offered players in the state. He's got north of 30 of them, the bulk coming from Power 4 programs, some as far away as Oregon and Southern Cal. His 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame coming off the edge seals off running and passing lanes alike. And while some teams have chosen to simply run away from him, being able to close off one part of the field is a pretty good attribute, too.    NO. 3 GRAY COLLEGIATE (11-2) AT NO. 1 SOUTH FLORENCE (12-1)   It's not a shock that either of these two region champs are meeting up for this one, especially so for South, which is about to suit up in its fourth consecutive Lower State championship game. But not even Gray coach D'Angelo Bryant would have predicted that a freshman quarterback would have been one of the primary driving forces to get his team there. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='473012' first='JP' last='Sweatt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] and tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] (pictured) have all bee the stars we new they could be, sure. But [player_tooltip player_id='1623307' first='Xavier' last='Wright'] has been a truly special addition who was good enough to replace an established star when he got hurt and then stay on the field after his return.   Wright has the production. He's thrown for 2,141 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for another 309 and three. But what he's also been is efficient in keeping that production going. He's only thrown three picks while completing just shy of 64 percent of his passes. The only teams who have held the Eagles in check this year have been Class 5A Division I squads James Island and Dutch Fork, two programs who are still alive for that title this fall. The one of Gray's 11 victories this season that didn't come by double digits was the third-round, three-point win over Hilton Head. Much of that fluidity has to do with Wright.    “He's really talented and he fit right into the offense,” Williamson said this weekend. “The IQ and the chemistry was already there. The speed of the game, once he got that, we were good to go. Last year, we played JV together. He would always say he was ready. But I could tell he was nervous. Now, no one would look at Xavier and think he's a freshman. He's so calm and collected. He's used to it all.”   The Bruins, though, aren't coming into Friday with expectations of anything less than winning their fourth straight Lower State championship. This is a team that chased its lone loss - to Northwestern on Sept. 5 - with blowout after blowout after blowout. Senior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] has been a beast who can go from leading a pass-heavy series or looking like the perfect embodiment of a wildcat quarterback. Tailbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1422638' first='Cam' last='James'] and Gabe McLaughlin has been a sweet one-two-punch. First-year receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1639826' first='JayAun' last='Perkins'] has more than taken over the No. 1 spot on the outside.    Defensive stars [player_tooltip player_id='1592462' first='Willie' last='Kennedy'] (linebacker) and [player_tooltip player_id='1267265' first='Amare' last='Reaves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1743671' first='Gerkiem' last='Hall'] (defensive backs) have had all sorts of help. And the South Florence roster has gotten remarkably stronger as the season's progressed because a lot of inexperienced players at the start of the year have gotten on the field and stayed there in reserve roles. This lineup is deep.   Starting Lineups    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Gray Offense</td><td>South Florence Defense</td><td>Gray Defense</td><td>South Florence Offense</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt']</td><td>DE Miles Johnson</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1824176' first='Kaleb' last='Holmes']</td><td>LT [player_tooltip player_id='1820899' first='Josiah' last='Mason']</td></tr><tr><td>LT Kinnon Lawrimore</td><td>NG [player_tooltip player_id='1822014' first='Brenden' last='Williams']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1730872' first='Javier' last='Jerido']</td><td>LG [player_tooltip player_id='1823529' first='Travis' last='Sansbury']</td></tr><tr><td>LG Trey Gordon</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1820902' first='Marquez' last='McKithen']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong']</td><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1820912' first='Luke' last='Thayer']</td></tr><tr><td>C [player_tooltip player_id='1824180' first='Wilson' last='Sweatt']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon']</td><td>DE Dawson Peak</td><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1820914' first='Jerry' last='Genwright']</td></tr><tr><td>RG [player_tooltip player_id='1824178' first='Trey' last='Johnson']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1592462' first='Willie' last='Kennedy']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</td><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1592650' first='Ethan' last='Cash']</td></tr><tr><td>RT [player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1615015' first='Warnell' last='Prew']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='473012' first='JP' last='Sweatt']</td><td>HB [player_tooltip player_id='1823523' first='Bruce' last='Thompson'] </td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1623307' first='Xavier' last='Wright']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1820910' first='Jewel' last='Washington']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1820286' first='Tye' last='Rivers']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson']</td><td>FS [player_tooltip player_id='1743671' first='Gerkiem' last='Hall']</td><td>SS [player_tooltip player_id='1395040' first='Royal' last='Williamson']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1422638' first='Cam' last='James'] </td></tr><tr><td>HB [player_tooltip player_id='473012' first='JP' last='Sweatt']</td><td>SS [player_tooltip player_id='1267265' first='Amare' last='Reaves']</td><td>FS [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1639826' first='JayAun' last='Perkins']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1259789' first='Will' last='Wilson']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1270861' first='Malik' last='Robinson'] </td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1820911' first='Johnquis' last='Johnson']</td><td>CB [player_tooltip player_id='1824181' first='Caleb' last='Raysor']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1820905' first='Ben' last='Tyner']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within the Matchup: Keep your eye on the right side of the offensive line all night. Because that's exactly where South Florence outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] and Eagles' right tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong'] are going to be clashing all night. Gordon entered last week's win over North Augusta with 27 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Clearly he's been one of those difference makers for the Bruins. Armstrong, though, is a potential budding star outside of his program. These two will make for an interesting duel.    Underclassman Impact: South Florence sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1615015' first='Warnell' last='Prew'] very much looks like he's following in Gordon's footsteps as a four-year standout. He starts at middle linebacker, but we've seen him apply more and more pressure behind the line of scrimmage on blitzing as the year progresses. Often, he's coming off his right while Gordon is coming from the left. But Prew has also shown an inherent ability to drop into coverage or stay locked on tailbacks. As many snaps as Prew has taken the last two years, he doesn't feel like an underclassman any longer.

You want to see what it takes to create a situation where two-time defending Upper State champion Westside and Gray Collegiate are looked at as underdogs?