Class A Upper State First Round Playoff Preview

There are some good matchups in the Upper State in Class A in the first round. The state's smallest class can offer its biggest spotlight, as a bunch of guys play on both sides of the ball for the most part. Here's a look at the first round matchups.   NO. 5 GREAT FALLS (2-8) AT NO. 1 ABBEVILLE (8-2)   Great Falls' record doesn't completely indicate what the Red Devils have done. They've been competitive and lost some tight games, and are a very young team. [player_tooltip player_id='1816245' first='Kendrick' last='Patterson'] moves around a lot for Great Falls, but primarily plays at WR. Demaris Stevens is an athletic sophomore RB, and Austin McManus is a WR/DB who makes a ton of plays. Abbeville is...well, they're Abbeville. And when you're talking Class A football, that's saying plenty. This year's version of the Panthers is led on both sides of the ball by [player_tooltip player_id='1700046' first='Darius' last='Riley'], who's got more than 1,000 rushing yards and is among the team's leaders on defense. MiDarius Burton also stars in the backfield for Abbeville, with [player_tooltip player_id='1608621' first='Kendall' last='Cole'] helping to lead the way on defense.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1822461' first='Jaylen' last='Baylor'] ATH, Abbeville - Baylor plays on offense. He's a standout defensive back. But where he can turn the game in half a heartbeat is in the return game. He's a supremely dangerous punt and kick returner who's already taken a couple of kicks back this season. He's honestly best to be avoided, and that can completely change the field position battle in Abbeville's favor all night.   NO. 5 WHITMIRE (3-7) AT NO. 2 LEWISVILLE (6-4)   The Wolverines have gotten some good production from their Wing-T attack, particularly the way they run it. Whitmire attempts to convert a bunch of fourth downs, they'll onside kick frequently, and they just kind of take a chaotic approach. [player_tooltip player_id='1467816' first='Kingston' last='Green'] leads the way on the ground, and he's a guy who seems to thrive on contact. DT [player_tooltip player_id='1824834' first='Dalton' last='Williams'] leads the way for the Wolverines across the line. Lewisville wants to run it, and that will start with dynamic playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1267330' first='Jacorreun' last='Howze']. He's got more than 2,000 all-purpose yards, with nearly 1,100 of them on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] plays all over the field for the Lions, and is a big-play who also plays QB in some goal-line situations. Jaysean Culp makes a ton of plays behind the line for Lewisville.   X-FACTOR: Jalin Culp ATH, Lewisville - Culp started the year at WR for the Lions, and had a 10-catch game against Fairfield Central. Now, though, he's lined up under center. He's started five games there for Lewisville, he's growing into the position well, and his versatility and athleticism make him an absolute nightmare to defend.   NO. 4 McCORMICK (2-8) AT NO. 2 BLACKVILLE-HILDA (5-5)   The Chiefs closed with a solid couple of games, winning two of their last three to climb to fourth place in Region I. [player_tooltip player_id='1824072' first='Quantrell' last='Hearst'] is a beast in the backfield and had a huge night in the Chiefs' first win, while [player_tooltip player_id='1821381' first='Toquan' last='Thompson'] played particularly well down the stretch, starring on both sides of the ball for McCormick. Markhal Bost and Jayden McGrier were also standouts as the Chiefs knocked off Calhoun Falls and Whitmire. Blackville-Hilda QB [player_tooltip player_id='1036784' first='Kaiden' last='Aiken'] (pictured) has a big arm, and plenty of targets to get it to. [player_tooltip player_id='1856509' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'], Deontay Jamison, and [player_tooltip player_id='1856561' first='Trevor' last='Kinard'] are all among his top targets. And the Hawks recent run of success has been fueled by the defense, as they allowed just 20 points in three straight region contests.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1395064' first='Messiah' last='McFadden'] WR, Blackville-Hilda - McFadden gets it done on both sides of the ball for the Hawks, both as a go-get-it receiver and a sure-tackling LB. He's had a couple of explosive games at WR, and his big frame and speed help the Hawks exploit some mismatches.    NO. 3 C.A. JOHNSON (5-5) AT NO. 3 CALHOUN COUNTY (2-8)   [player_tooltip player_id='1824184' first='Terrell' last='Golson'] is the guy who makes it go for C.A. Johnson, with more than 700 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. But he's far from the only threat, as [player_tooltip player_id='1823720' first='Jeremiah' last='Knightner'] and King Smith-Bryant have also contributed heavily to the Hornets' rushing attack. Smith-Bryant has also quietly thrown for more than 1,100 yards and 15 scores. [player_tooltip player_id='1824730' first='Omari' last='Kinlaw'] leads C.A. Johnson in tackles with 64. Calhoun County is led by dynamic QB Wayne Farmer. He's quick and elusive, and he's really good with his legs, whether it's throwing on the run or taking off himself. It helps that he's playing behind a gigantic, talented lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='1223929' first='Markest' last='Davenport']. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Davenport is a guy who has no problem simply imposing his will on opponents.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1821479' first='Johnathon' last='Jenkins'] DE/LB, C.A. Johnson - Accounting for Jenkins is likely to give offensive coordinators nightmares. He's got 51 tackles for the Hornets, but where he really shines is at getting up the field. He's got 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and four hurries on the year, and he often wrecks plays for C.A. Johnson. He's also forced three fumbles and recovered two.   NO. 4 LEE CENTRAL (4-6) AT NO. 1 HUNTER-KINARD-TYLER (8-2)   Lee Central is committed to its double-wing attack, and they run it pretty well. Center Drevion Wright is one of the lynchpins that makes it go. Just a sophomore, Wright is big and strong with great feet and the ability to win a ton of his one-on-one matchups in the middle creating space for the wing to work. Xavier Reed is the type of back who's ideally suited for the offense. He's patient, but also quick to make a decision and go, and he's hard to bring down. HKT has been an offensive juggernaut, rolling up more than 44 points per game. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1822793' first='Darion' last='Stroman'] is big, strong, fast, and physical, and he's the one who makes it go. [player_tooltip player_id='1820254' first='Kaleb' last='Johnson'] has been playing well for HKT, and [player_tooltip player_id='1822792' first='Pierre' last='Fogle'] is a massive presence up front for the Trojans.   X-FACTOR: Tazeon Sprinkle DL, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler - It's not hard to pick out Sprinkle on film. You just have to look for the runner headed backward trying to escape. Sprinkle has an unreal first step ,and it allows him to get up the field and into opposing backfields quickly. He can beat you with a variety of moves, but it's usually just pure speed and power. He runs through double-teams, he flies off the edge, and he moves around a bunch, just creating havoc.    NO. 5 RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA (4-6) AT NO. 2 WARE SHOALS (9-1)   The Trojans do a good job of spreading the ball out among a bunch of rushers on offense. Four guys have 20 carries, but nobody has more than 52. Those four all have between 175 and 250 yards rushing. What it adds up to is [player_tooltip player_id='1822583' first='Kamareon' last='Andrews'] leading the way for a quartet of guys who have totaled right at 1,000 yards and keep you wondering where the ball's going. [player_tooltip player_id='1819166' first='Chandler' last='Harley'] directs the Trojans on offense, and [player_tooltip player_id='1592013' first='Akiem' last='Mills'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592558' first='Jabarius' last='Brunson'] lead a defense that wreaks havoc in opposing backfields to the tune of 124 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. Ware Shoals rolled through the regular season undefeated behind a power run game and a stingy defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1639783' first='Altavis' last='Evans'] has more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he's rarely met with first contact he can't run through. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1821508' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] excels at deception, one of those guys who will show the handoff until the last minute, and then keep and he's gone. He's got 964 yards and eight touchdowns to show for that, and he's thrown for nearly 1,400 more and 13 TDs. [player_tooltip player_id='1267314' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] helps to lead the defense with 141 tackles, and 23 for loss.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1604020' first='Jaiden' last='Holloway'] ATH, Ridge Spring-Monetta - There's no other way to put it, Holloway is a problem. He's athletic enough to be a matchup nightmare, and he lines up all over the place. He's the Trojans' leading receiver, their third-leading rusher, and he plays some quarterback. Defensively, he's got 34 tackles and has snagged five interceptions. He returns kicks. Holloway does whatever the Trojans ask of him, and does it well.   NO. 6 CALHOUN FALLS (3-7) AT NO. 1 LAMAR (8-2)   Calhoun Falls has steadily improved over the last couple of seasons, and a good core of athletes is a lot of the reason why. [player_tooltip player_id='1825569' first='Preston' last='Thomas-Smalls'] is a do-everything guy for the Blue Flashes, most notably at QB. [player_tooltip player_id='1270685' first='Jashawn' last='Lewis'] flies all over the field making plays on defense, a strong tackler and a disruptive presence. The Silver Foxes are getting it done on the ground, as they've got two guys with more than 600 yards rushing, two more with right around 300, and another pair with more than 150. The leader is [player_tooltip player_id='1817566' first='Nygel' last='Eaddy'], who's got 842 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 105 carries. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] matches those 105 carries, and he's put up 671 yards and 15 scores. He's also thrown for nearly 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1822293' first='Juju' last='Morris'] leads three receivers with more than 240 yards.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1615075' first='Lamont' last='Williams'] DL, Lamar - Let's talk a little about play and production beyond years. That's what you're getting with Williams. He's just a sophomore, and he's also a dominant force for the Foxes. Williams has got a high motor, an explosive step, and a destructive nature. He's got 52 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and has forced three fumbles on the year. On a defense full of standout guys, opponents could possibly lose track of Williams. They shouldn't.    NO. 4 WAGENER-SALLEY (4-6) AT NO. 3 DIXIE (7-3)   The first name to know for Wagener-Salley is [player_tooltip player_id='816739' first='Rayfield' last='Bell']. He stands out on both sides of the ball for the War Eagles, but he's a returning all-state defender and he's an absolute menace on that side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1639816' first='Rayvon' last='Chandler'] is another two-way guy for Wagener-Salley, and one who makes them better wherever he lines up.. Dixie had an absolutely brutal late schedule, dropping games to Ware Shoals and Abbeville in two of their last three. But the Hornets put together a great season, keyed mostly by a big-play offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1267345' first='Brandon' last='Nance'] is electrifying at RB, averaging nearly 100 yards per game and 6.7 yards per carry, and he's capable of breaking it with just a sliver of room. [player_tooltip player_id='1824665' first='Dallas' last='Dotson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823492' first='Staylon' last='Johnson'] have both played QB for Dixie, with Dotson providing more of a wildcat look - he's rushed for more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Riley Rojtkowski leads the way for the Hornets.   X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1823496' first='Jayden' last='Martin'] RB, Dixie - It's unusual for a team's second-leading rusher to fall into this spot, but hear us out: Martin just makes everything better when he's successful. He's the perfect counterpoint to Nance, with a little bit of a different style. When he's running well (and that's often, with more than 600 yards and a 6.6 yards per carry average), it frees up room for Nance and Dotson and makes the Hornets offense hum.

There are some good matchups in the Upper State in Class A in the first round. The state's smallest class can offer its biggest spotlight, as a bunch of guys play on both sides of the ball for the most part. Here's a look at the first round matchups.