Class 5A Division II Upper State Third Round Preview

We're down to the final four teams in the 5A Division II bracket, and these two games feature teams who are excellent up front and have great skill to go with it on offense. On defense, all the teams are playing well at the right time and they'll face offenses who can score points. Simply put, all will face their biggest tests up to this point.   Here's a look at the third round matchups as the winners look to lock up a spot in the Upper State semis next week:   NO. 3 INDIAN LAND (10-1) AT NO. 2 TL HANNA (10-1)   Indian Land forced five turnovers in their 40-10 rout over Hillcrest in the second round. [player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1395038' first='Brysen' last='Conner'] were active at the linebacker position, recovering two fumbles against an explosive Rams offense. Johnson also had an interception in the win as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'] got the ball to his favorite target [player_tooltip player_id='1042719' first='Hayden' last='Morris'] in the win, as they found each other for two touchdowns. The ability to be able to spread it around for the Warriors creates another thing for defenses to worry about.    When you combine that with the ability to run the ball with [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'] led up front by [player_tooltip player_id='1639806' first='Curtis' last='Sullivan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1819987' first='Jackson' last='Wian'] and Ryan Buck, they can control the clock with the ground game and keep the ball away from the Yellow Jackets' offense who wants to also control the clock with the ground game.   TL Hanna cruised against Greenville 38-14 to advance to the third round. [player_tooltip player_id='1791455' first='Brock' last='Cole'] ran for 138 yards and a touchdown in the win. [player_tooltip player_id='1791520' first='Jimmarion' last='Boston'] also had a big night in the Yellow Jackets's Wing-T attack, rushing for 110 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. While they don't throw it often, [player_tooltip player_id='595709' first='Gavin' last='Magin'] (pictured above) went 6-for-10 for 56 yards and one scoring toss, showing he can get it to guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1791382' first='Thomas' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664582' first='Elijah' last='Grimes'] if need be. [player_tooltip player_id='1592687' first='Jameerion' last='Oliver'] had five total tackles and one tackle for a loss defensively.   LINEMEN TO WATCH: [player_tooltip player_id='1793663' first='JaMichael' last='Jones'] is physical at the center position for the Yellow Jackets and when you go back and watch his film, he can get up to the second level and has a good pad level. He can get a good push when the ball is snapped and doesn't allow the opposing defensive linemen to get penetration into the backfield. TL Hanna will face a stiff test against the linebacking core for the Warriors.    NO. 5 GAFFNEY (9-3) AT NO. 1 NORTHWESTERN (10-1)   Northwestern led 6-0 at halftime and exploded for 29 third quarter points to pull away from Catawba Ridge for a 42-7 second round victory. [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] went 18-of-27 for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Four receivers had at least 3 receptions or more whether it was [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'], Peyton Vining, [player_tooltip player_id='1823336' first='Jonathan' last='Spurgeon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820777' first='Evan' last='Harrison']. Don't forget about Means in the run game along with [player_tooltip player_id='1823340' first='Nigel' last='Smith']. [player_tooltip player_id='1823338' first='Amarian' last='Coleman'] led the Trojans defensively with five total tackles and an interception. [player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden'] was second on the team with 5.5 tackles and two tackles for loss.   Gaffney held on for a tight 38-31 win over Greenwood on the road in the second round. The Indians lined up and ran the ball to the tune of 298 yards, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] who had 108 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns, while also nabbing an interception. [player_tooltip player_id='1295076' first='Josiah' last='Hill'] was right behind him in yardage with 107 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='873100' first='Zion' last='Dawkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1790739' first='Ty' last='McGill'] each had an interception to lead the way defensively as part of a four turnover night. The Indians will try to be opportunistic again up at District Three Stadium in Rock Hill on Friday.   LINEMEN TO WATCH: Scotland Dover is the leader up front for the Indians offensive line and he has great size to be able to move the opposing defensive line around at the point of attack. He's great in pass protection and uses his hands well and doesn't allow them to get their hands inside and get penetration into the backfield. The Indians will lean on the run game, which means they will lean on the offensive line heavily.

We're down to the final four teams in the 5A Division II bracket, and these two games feature teams who are excellent up front and have great skill to go with it on offense. On defense, all the teams are playing well at the right time and they'll face offenses who can score points. Simply put, all will face their biggest tests up to this point.