Class 5A Division II Upper State First Round Preview

The first round of the playoffs is here and there are several intriguing matchups in the Class 5A Division II Upper State bracket, including a rematch that will draw some interest. Northwestern, Indian Land, Greenwood and TL Hanna will all have a bye week in the opening round.   But there are several teams that have been in tight contests throughout region play and others are starting to find their rhythm at the right time as teams begin the fourth quarter of the season and try to make their push towards clinching a spot in the title game on Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.   Here's a look at the four matchups:   NO. 9 FORT MILL (5-5) AT NO. 8 CATAWBA RIDGE (5-5)   This game is a rematch of a September 19 matchup between the two schools that are separated by four miles, in a game that was won by the Copperheads 14-10. But there's much more on the line with this one.   [player_tooltip player_id='1266099' first='Broden' last='Mitcheson'] has been a steady hand for the Yellow Jackets all season long, and he had a great game to cap off a great regular season in a win over Nation Ford. He runs hard and provides a great outlet for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1149056' first='Quinn' last='Kelly'], who can scramble and make plays with his arm. [player_tooltip player_id='1823019' first='Henry' last='Crocker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1394975' first='Joseph' last='Duey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1267211' first='Gray' last='Patterson'] are three guys to keep your eye on defensively as they can generate pressure up front and will get to the ball. For the Copperheads, [player_tooltip player_id='1824265' first='Will' last='Griggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824261' first='Bradey' last='Compton'] have split time at quarterback, and it was Griggs who took the reins when Compton went out with an injury in the season finale as he hit [player_tooltip player_id='1821553' first='Calvin' last='Rocheleau'] for the game winning two-point conversion against Clover. They will likely focus on the ground game this week from Boston Haplin, who ran for 127 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Keep an eye on Mark Blakeney as well at running back.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1820447' first='Noah' last='Hardy'] has been automatic for the Yellow Jackets as he can boom it out of the back of the endzone and can come up clutch in the kicking game. If this game comes down to the wire and the Jackets have been in multiple one score games in 2025, Hardy gives Fort Mill the advantage.    NO. 12 EASTSIDE (4-6) AT NO. 5 GAFFNEY (7-3)   [player_tooltip player_id='1734598' first='Peyton' last='Schrader'] is a dynamic threat on both sides of the ball for the Eagles, whether it's running the ball at quarterback or making tackles out in space at his safety position. [player_tooltip player_id='1592576' first='Lucas' last='Tankersley'] is another two-way player who can make tackles while running the ball in between the tackles, and he is fun to watch while doing it. [player_tooltip player_id='1025770' first='Cayden' last='Workman'] is the guy that Schrader likes to get it to when they throw the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1822215' first='MJ' last='Posey'] (pictured above) is a sack machine, with over 15 on the year. For Gaffney, [player_tooltip player_id='1403906' first='Banks' last='Bouton'] is finding his groove at the right time for the Indians, he threw for 136 yards and one touchdown in a 39-0 win over Wade Hampton last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1790702' first='Hampton' last='Boykins'] is a solid threat on the outside at receiver. We also can't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='1295076' first='Josiah' last='Hill'], who is a steady hand at the running back position, who has run for over 15 touchdowns on the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1790637' first='Jaleel' last='Tate'] is a guy to keep your eye on the defensive line.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyon' last='Ratchford'] is an enforcer from his linebacker position and makes things difficult for teams that try to run the ball on the inside. He has that instinctiveness that you need from the position and makes sure tackles in the hole.    NO. 11 RIVERSIDE (4-6) AT NO. 6 HILLCREST (7-3)   [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] can make things happen in the air and on the ground for the Warriors and he knows where to pick and choose his way through a defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1651200' first='Peyton' last='Stevenson'] knows how to get open and can go up and make acrobatic catches. If [player_tooltip player_id='1823225' first='Keyon' last='Knowles'] gets a head of steam, it could be a house call. [player_tooltip player_id='1341039' first='Tyvin' last='Grady'] is listed on defense, but saw time at running back last week against Spartanburg, so that'll be something to watch. For Hillcrest, [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] is the straw that stirs the drink for the Rams along with [player_tooltip player_id='1734605' first='Josh' last='Smith'] at running back. [player_tooltip player_id='1680986' first='Chris' last='Briggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819677' first='Gavin' last='Sullivan'] have led the Rams in tackles and will look to slow Merhib down on Friday to advance to the second round. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1824896' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1818926' first='Caleb' last='Smith'] on defense as well.   X-FACTOR: Nydarius Allen is a downhill runner for the Rams and has great speed once he gets into the open field. He has good vision to be able to find the holes and can make an impact with the ball in his hands.    NO. 10 NATION FORD (4-5) AT NO. 7 GREENVILLE (6-4)   [player_tooltip player_id='1592521' first='Kason' last='Canupp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821733' first='Jayden' last='Scott'] have been the two main cogs for the Falcons offensively all throughout the year, and they are fun to watch. Ja'mari Gore is a target on the outside for Canupp that he'll look to get it to. [player_tooltip player_id='1635014' first='Malachi' last='Drayton'] provides a steady presence in the backfield with his downhill running along with [player_tooltip player_id='1824012' first='Asher' last='Beck'] at receiver. Brady Adkisson, [player_tooltip player_id='1858215' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821314' first='Joey' last='Reagan'] are all impactful on the defensive line. Can the Falcons generate pressure on the young sophomore quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1050653' first='Kiishawn' last='Farrow'], who is a dual threat? Keep an eye on Deandre Dogan at running back along with Jadyn Rice at receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='1819480' first='Jireon' last='Whitner'] on the defensive line.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1821177' first='Julian' last='Renrick'] has a motor that is always running and he can strip the ball out free and fight off blocks quickly to get into the backfield, or limit the play for a short gain. He can diagnose plays quickly.

The first round of the playoffs is here and there are several intriguing matchups in the Class 5A Division II Upper State bracket, including a rematch that will draw some interest. Northwestern, Indian Land, Greenwood and TL Hanna will all have a bye week in the opening round.