Class 1A Lower State First Round Preview

The Class 1A Lower State bracket is going to feature a little bit of everything. You have the runner-up from last season primed and ready to go with one loss on the season. You have two undefeated teams that are looking to return to the title game for the first time in a few years. Then you have a handful of teams with legitimate shots at stamping their ticket to Orangeburg in December.   It should be a fun time over the next four weeks. Cross has already advanced due to Green Sea Floyds forfeiting the game due to injuries and lack of players. But here is a look at the other seven games in the first-round action.   BETHUNE-BOWMAN (3-7) AT RIDGELAND (4-5)   The Mohawks have a gunslinger at quarterback in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1691963' first='Jaedon' last='Bell'] (pictured), who is right at 2,200 passing yards on the season with 17 touchdowns. He has capable receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='1691901' first='Maurice' last='Dawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822719' first='Hykeem' last='Goodwine'] with Dawson lining up all over the field to create mismatches in both the run and passing game. Linebacker John Mason missed the season finale but if he can return it will be a huge boost for a defense that leans on [player_tooltip player_id='1822055' first='Jahmiere' last='Cryer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825000' first='Terrance' last='McFadden'] as well. The Jaguars won four of five to close the season and the chance to host in the first round. They will lean on a defense led by defensive ends [player_tooltip player_id='1267316' first='Denardo' last='Henry'] and Cordell McClain and linebacker Michael Rodriguez among others. Alexander Mitchell, a two-way player at running back and linebacker, is another name to watch as well.   X-Factor: Ridgeland running back [player_tooltip player_id='1513582' first='Palaal' last='Crawford'] averages 88 yards per game and could be a workhorse in the playoffs. If he can help the Jaguars control the clock and keep the defense off the field against the passing attack of Bethune-Bowman, that would be a bonus in front of the home crowd.    HANNAH-PAMPLICO (2-6) AT SCOTT'S BRANCH (8-2)   The Raiders will need huge games from quarterback DeAuje Bacchus and offensive playmakers [player_tooltip player_id='1732664' first='Chris' last='Eldridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825419' first='Alex' last='Edwards'] if they want to win on the road. They showed some offensive promise in the final two games when they scored 48 and 31 points despite one of those being a loss. Eldridge is also one of the top defenders with 81 tackles and eight tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. They will need all the offense they can get against an Eagles team averaging 28 points per game and own a three-game winning streak coming into the postseason. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823516' first='Jaiven' last='Conyers'] has two receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='1824141' first='Nyren' last='Bowman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824634' first='Keith' last='Rogers'] that will be a problem for a lot of teams.   X-Factor: Scott's Branch linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1824142' first='Nazaiah' last='Richardson'] can make things difficult for a lot of teams. He not only controls the middle of the field, but he can make plays sideline-to-sideline. His quickness is an asset and the Eagles are going to need great defensive presence and discipline against a Hannah-Pamplico offense that seems to have played better the last two weeks.   BRANCHVILLE (3-7) AT JOHNSONVILLE (7-2)   The Yellow Jackets only have three wins on the season but two of those came in the last three games in which they scored 48 points in each game in wins over Military Magnet and St. John's. Quarterback Easton Hayden has been the trigger person for that last season resurgence. Branchville will also lean on running backs [player_tooltip player_id='1824899' first='Zamir' last='Young'] and Kyler Preast and receiver Zion Clark to make plays. Johnsonville counters with running back [player_tooltip player_id='1822707' first='Zaghe' last='Davis'] to be physical and move the chains on offense. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1304767' first='Larkin' last='Powell'] and wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1824664' first='Takhari' last='Ross'] can slip in the big play when teams focus on the Flashes running attack.   X-Factor: Johnsonville linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1820195' first='Bricen' last='Howell'] is a three-year starter and leads the Flashes with 88 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He's also the emotional leader on defense and plays a physical brand of football that usually translates well in the postseason.   ALLENDALE-FAIRFAX (1-9) AT CARVERS BAY (10-0)   It's been a tough season for the Tigers with only one win, but it was good enough to make the postseason. They're averaging just 5.4 points per game and allowing 40 points per game. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1821838' first='Luther' last='Smoaks'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1824445' first='Chase' last='Ambrister'] could be a key on the defense with [player_tooltip player_id='1820600' first='Kavion' last='Patterson'] holding down the secondary. The Bears have an offensive lineman committed to an SEC school in [player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles'] and that's a solid way to start for a team that likes to run the football. Carvers Bay also features a running back in [player_tooltip player_id='1820181' first='Kenard' last='Heyward'] that is right at the 2,000-yard mark for the season. And if that offense isn't good enough, the Bears defense is allowing 11.3 points per game behind defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1683177' first='Jaquan' last='Hannah'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822691' first='Triston' last='Diggs'] up front.   X-Factor: A lot of the attention falls on Heyward; fellow running back [player_tooltip player_id='1732610' first='Julius' last='McCrea'] is dangerous as well. In the regular season finale against Johnsonville, he scored twice and is more than capable of carrying the load if teams focus fully on Heyward.   LAKE VIEW (5-4) AT HARDEEVILLE (4-6)   The Wild Gators are going to feature a balance rushing attack that will lean on several players to help them make plays. Quarterback Chase Price can throw it and run it but the trio of Terrance Alford, [player_tooltip player_id='1716715' first='Jalen' last='Clarke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1732669' first='Seth' last='Deese'] will have to be good for Lake View to go in the road and earn a first round playoff win. The Hurricanes won three in a row to end the season and host a first round playoff game. Camari Brown is a player that can do a lot of different things – he's a sprint champion in track and one the football field he lines up at running back, wide receiver and defensive back. He's a key to both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1252019' first='Gregory' last='Grant'], Tyrell Jamison and Joseph Ferguson also will contribute on both sides.   X-Factor: Lake View wide receiver Keawe Jackson is poised to make a big play when needed. He can stretch the defense and give Price an option in the passing game which is set up well by the way Lake View runs the football. Jackson also plays defensive back and special teams so he's going to be a key clog to the attack.   ST. JOHN'S (1-9) AT BAMBERG-EHRHARDT (10-0)   The Islanders have struggled offensively this season and have been shut out six times and scored seven points or less three other times. But for a young team, they continue to play hard as evidenced by their 12-6 win in the next to last game of the season. St. John's will need quarterback Cayden Alt and running back JaQuez Lawrence to play well. The duo of Gabe Robinson and Mike Green will contribute on both the offensive and defensive line. The struggles on offense will not bode well against a Red Raiders team that has allowed 4.9 points per game. They come into the postseason with three straight shutouts and have four on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1817745' first='Saveon' last='Bamberg'] is right in the middle of things at his nose guard spot. Add in linebacker ZaMari Brabham and defensive back Nahsiir Singleton and it's very easy to see why B-E is so good on defense. Charles [player_tooltip player_id='1823853' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816740' first='Marcus' last='Cann'] contribute on both sides of the ball.   X-Factor: B-E quarterback Brian McMillan has made the transition from defensive back and wide receiver to quarterback rather seamless. He is guiding an offense that is averaging 53 points per game and he's doing it through the air and with a balanced rushing attack. He's going to be key as we get into November play.    BAPTIST HILL (6-4) AT LATTA (7-2)   The passing attack of quarterback Brayden Franklin and receivers Martrell Wright, Kilyn Gordon and Darnell Gadsden have helped the Bobcats average 30 points per game. Franklin has thrown for 1,846 yards and 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions. [player_tooltip player_id='1036773' first='Lamar' last='Singleton'] only has 25 carries on the season, but he leads the team with six rushing touchdowns. Latta will rely on the running of [player_tooltip player_id='1816923' first='Gavin' last='Aubin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1817573' first='Irangabiye' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1738838' first='Jayden' last='Alford'] to move the sticks. The Vikings are big up front with [player_tooltip player_id='1822830' first='Logan' last='Byrd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1738835' first='Zack' last='Page'] but not only can they run block, they can pass protect as well.   X-Factor: Defensive end Jamari Haynes is a tackling machine for a defense that allows 14 points per game. He has 129 tackles on the season to lead a defense that has four players with over 100 stops on the season. Haynes also has 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks for a defense that has 34 sacks as a team.

The Class 1A Lower State bracket is going to feature a little bit of everything. You have the runner-up from last season primed and ready to go with one loss on the season. You have two undefeated teams that are looking to return to the title game for the first time in a few years. Then you have a handful of teams with legitimate shots at stamping their ticket to Orangeburg in December.