Class 5A Division II Upper State Second Round Preview

The field of teams continues to shrink as the playoffs roll on into round 2 this Friday night. Northwestern, Indian Land, Greenwood and TL Hanna enter the fold after having a first round bye. These matchups will likely come down to the line of scrimmage and which defense can slow down the loaded skill talent that are on these squads in Class 5A Division II.    There are also two rematches that you'll want to keep your eye on as we dive into the four matchups:   NO. 6 HILLCREST (8-3) AT NO. 3 INDIAN LAND (9-1)   Hillcrest cruised to a 35-14 win over Riverside in the first round, thanks to a big night from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'], who went 17-of-21 for 250 yards and three touchdowns while also running for another one. He spread the ball around to four different receivers: [player_tooltip player_id='1724433' first='Kadyn' last='Stevenson'] (6 receptions, 73 yards), [player_tooltip player_id='1823185' first='Logan' last='Moore'] (4 receptions, 86 yards, 1 touchdown), J.K. Stroud (3 receptions for 31 yards and 1 touchdown) and [player_tooltip player_id='1823186' first='Ny'Jai' last='Harris'] (2 receptions, 46 yards and 1 touchdown). They'll face a different challenge against a Warriors' defense that is physical and can attack the line of scrimmage with [player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson'], who averages 11.2 tackles per game and [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner'], who is second on the team with 10.9 tackles per game.   Much like the defense, the Warriors' offense wants to be physical and be balanced. Led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'], who has thrown for 2065 yards and can get it to his receivers, led by South Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] (757 yards) and [player_tooltip player_id='1042719' first='Hayden' last='Morris'] (672 yards). Keep an eye on the battle in the trenches with [player_tooltip player_id='1639806' first='Curtis' last='Sullivan'] for the Warriors.   X-FACTOR: With the weapons that the Rams have on the other side of the ball, the Warriors will likely want to run the ball with a heavy dose of [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton']. Horton has a great combo of speed and power that is fun to watch. Once he finds a lane, it could be a house call. He has run for 1182 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year.    NO. 5 GAFFNEY (8-3) AT NO. 4 GREENWOOD (9-1)   This game should be a good one as both teams are surging at the right time. Gaffney ran the ball to the tune of 232 yards in their first round win over Eastside. [player_tooltip player_id='1295076' first='Josiah' last='Hill'] made up the bulk of that with 24 carries and 140 yards and three touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1403906' first='Banks' last='Bouton'] didn't have to do a lot last week, as he threw for 98 yards and ran for 26 yards. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1790678' first='Chas' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1790670' first='Brady' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1793509' first='Quentis' last='Hines'] at wide receiver when they do put it in the air. [player_tooltip player_id='873100' first='Zion' last='Dawkins'] is a ballhawk in the secondary for the Indians and is someone Greenwood will need to be aware of.   For Greenwood, everything begins with quarterback and University of South Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis']. Lewis had 392 all purpose yards and six touchdowns in the regular season finale against Easley. Jay Duncan has been the go-to receiver for the Eagles, recording 53 receptions for 757 yards and eight touchdowns so far on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1732593' first='Dyson' last='Davis'] is one to watch in the secondary along with [player_tooltip player_id='1822753' first='Jayden' last='Logan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1247862' first='Khamari' last='Griffin'] (45 tackles and 4 tackles for loss) up front on the defensive line, as we think this is where the game will be decided.   The winner of this one will face the winner of Catawba Ridge-Northwestern in the third round next week.   X-FACTOR: Keep your eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1639742' first='Ahmad' last='Scott'] on the defensive line, as the Shrine Bowl selection can plug up running lanes and can wreak havoc for opposing linemen with his quickness off the line of scrimmage. He's a tough one to try to block and he can get around double teams and has a motor that is always running.    NO. 8 CATAWBA RIDGE (6-5) AT NO. 1 NORTHWESTERN (9-1)   For the second straight week, the Copperheads will meet up with a team they saw during region play. The Trojans won the first meeting in a 56-20 rout in late September, but this one will have more on the line as the winner will face the Gaffney-Greenwood winner in the third round.   Copperheads head coach Zac Lendyak told us that they play “a somewhat boring style of football.” And they will want to slow the game down with the run game with [player_tooltip player_id='1647568' first='Boston' last='Halpin'] and Mark Blakeney, who can all run hard. [player_tooltip player_id='1824265' first='Will' last='Griggs'] (pictured above) will want to get the ball out quick to his playmakers like [player_tooltip player_id='1603804' first='Colten' last='McCauley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819399' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas']. Keep an eye on the matchup up front with [player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823343' first='Malik' last='Darby'].   This game will likely be decided between Northwestern's offense and the Copperheads' defense. [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] has thrown for 2160 yards and 23 touchdowns with a 77% completion percentage so far in 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] is the Trojans' leading receiver with 780 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. But what has been more lethal for Northwestern's offense is their ability to run the ball, as they have been averaging 223.6 yards per game with Means being their leading rusher (867 yards and 16 touchdowns) along with [player_tooltip player_id='1823340' first='Nigel' last='Smith'] (820 yards and 10 touchdowns). [player_tooltip player_id='1603727' first='Alex' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2004904' first='Casey' last='Fikis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1270438' first='Connor' last='McFadden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592496' first='Nolan' last='Jones'] will have to have their best outing of the year if they want to pull off the upset.   X-FACTOR: If you get too caught up in trying to defend Vance against the Trojans, [player_tooltip player_id='1823336' first='Jonathan' last='Spurgeon'] has shown that he can make an impact in the slot, as he shined in the Trojans' <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/northwestern-routs-indian-land-behind-means-7-tds/">regular season finale against Indian Land</a>. He runs great routes and great speed on the outside once he's in the open field and can flip the field on special teams. He is second on the team in receptions with 36 for 384 yards and six touchdowns.    NO. 7 GREENVILLE (7-4) AT NO. 2 TL HANNA (9-1)   This is a rematch that will draw some interest in the Upstate this week. The Yellow Jackets and Red Raiders meet again after their matchup back on Halloween night ended in a walk off kickoff return as time expired from [player_tooltip player_id='1791446' first='Caden' last='Morrell'] at Sirrine Stadium. Now, there's more on the line as the winner will face the Indian Land-Hillcrest winner in the third round.   [player_tooltip player_id='1050653' first='Kiishawn' last='Farrow'] went 12-of-18 for 173 yards and three passing touchdowns, while also running for another one in a 42-35 win over Nation Ford in the first round. Deandre Dogan ran for 101 yards on 18 carries. Jadyn Rice was the leading receiver for the Red Raiders in the win, recording 7 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown. The Jackets will also need to be aware of [player_tooltip player_id='1823793' first='Trip' last='Bryant'] who had 2 receptions for 43 yards and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1592687' first='Jameerion' last='Oliver'] will be key to generate pressure on Farrow at the linebacker position with 59 total tackles and 9 tackles for loss along with [player_tooltip player_id='1719114' first='Kavon' last='Cole'], who has 33 total tackles and 3 tackles for loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='302810' first='Emari' last='Nance'] is the leading rusher for the Jackets in their Wing-T attack, currently up to 659 yards on 89 carries for 11 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1791455' first='Brock' last='Cole'] is second in rushing with 566 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and he's scored five touchdowns on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1664582' first='Elijah' last='Grimes'] is third on the team in rushing with 498 yards and four touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1821177' first='Julian' last='Renrick'] will be one of the keys up front, as he has 8 sacks on the year along with FSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1734829' first='Franklin' last='Whitley'] who has 12 quarterback hurries along with [player_tooltip player_id='1592587' first='CJ' last='Williams'] who has 54 tackles on the year.   X-FACTOR: One thing that Greenville will have to be aware of is how this offense can lull you to sleep with the run game, and they can go over top of your head in the passing game with [player_tooltip player_id='1579733' first='Walker' last='Kelley'], who leads the team in receptions with 7 for 116 yards and one touchdown. He can also flip over on the defensive side of the ball with 30 total tackles and five tackles for loss.

The field of teams continues to shrink as the playoffs roll on into round 2 this Friday night. Northwestern, Indian Land, Greenwood and TL Hanna enter the fold after having a first round bye. These matchups will likely come down to the line of scrimmage and which defense can slow down the loaded skill talent that are on these squads in Class 5A Division II.