SCISA State Semifinals Preview

The SCISA playoffs are more condensed than the SCHSL and they are playing the state semifinals this week, but Championship Week is set for the following weekend. We had a few upsets in Round One but some of the heavyweights that we expected to be here from the beginning are still playing.   Here is our breakdown of all four classifications heading into the state semifinals.   SCISA CLASS 4A   PORTER-GAUD (5-6) AT NORTHWOOD ACADEMY (9-1)   The Chargers claimed a 34-7 victory over the Cyclones when these teams played on October 10. In that game, [player_tooltip player_id='1683039' first='Kaven' last='Ford'] ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='1824621' first='Michael' last='Polite'] added 82 yards and two scores. Porter-Gaud advanced to the semifinals with a hard-fought 13-6 victory over Laurence Manning while Northwood Academy had a first round bye. The Cyclones are going to be big nights from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823296' first='Scott' last='Tibbals'] and athletes [player_tooltip player_id='1823302' first='Allen' last='Chisolm'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823299' first='Amir' last='Chisolm'] if they hope to advance to the title game. [player_tooltip player_id='1823302' first='Allen' last='Chisolm'] has over 100 tackles on the season with 14 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception. He sees spot duty as running back as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1823299' first='Amir' last='Chisolm'] has 753 yards rushing and 10 catches for 147 yards receiving, which both are second-best on the team. Tibbals has 675 yards passing and 537 yards rushing and 13 total touchdowns. His top target is [player_tooltip player_id='1820726' first='Wilson' last='Yarborough'], who has over 300 yards receiving. The offense is going to have to play ball-control and keep it away from the Chargers explosive offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1820735' first='Huck' last='Nevin'] is a ball-hawk in the secondary with Nevin, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1820725' first='Julian' last='Buxton'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1820730' first='Daven' last='Brown'] also being key contributors. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1817932' first='Beanie' last='Brown'] could be a factor as well. Northwood Academy is averaging right at 40 points per game. Ford, Polite and [player_tooltip player_id='1821464' first='Jordin' last='Carter'] lead the rushing attack that has accounted for 2,229 yards this season. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson'] has over 1,800 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Ayden Hogan is his top receiver with 58 catches for 783 yards and seven touchdowns. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1741086' first='Dominic' last='Russell'] and Cody McCleary lead a defense that allows just over 12 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1824615' first='Bryce' last='Jenkins'] leads the team with five interceptions.   X-Factor: We mentioned this already, but Porter-Gaud is going to have to control the clock and limit possessions if they want to pull off the win. [player_tooltip player_id='1823298' first='Jackson' last='Shealy'] (pictured) gives the best chance to do that. The senior has 1,084 yards in nine games with nine touchdowns. If he can keep the sticks moving, that will be helpful for the Cyclones chances.   HEATHWOOD HALL (8-3) AT HAMMOND (9-1)   These teams met on September 12 with the Skyhawks pulling off a 9-7 victory on a [player_tooltip player_id='1603691' first='Jackson' last='Ross'] 36-yard field goal with less than 10 seconds remaining. It was the 21st straight win for Hammond in the series but as you can tell by the final score, the gap is closing some. The Highlanders are led by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'], who has accounted for 1,938 passing yards and is the team's leading rusher with 444 yards. He has 25 total touchdowns. Belk has seven different receivers with at least 10 catches and they've all scored at least one touchdown. His top two targets are junior Keon McKinnley (39 catches, 605 yards and three touchdowns) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1822038' first='Jamonie' last='Batts'] (30 catches, 455 yards and three touchdowns). But the area Heathwood Hall has made its biggest improvement is on defense. They're allowing just over 11 points per game.  Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1672907' first='Heyward' last='Belser'] and Morris Henry are formidable with defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1824087' first='Thomas' last='Scurry'] and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1024349' first='Julian' last='Hughes'] adding more than ample support. Heathwood Hall advanced with a 28-14 win over Ben Lippen. Hammond is built on defense as well, allowing just 6.1 points per game. They had a bye last week but enter the playoffs with a streak of three straight shutouts. Ross and [player_tooltip player_id='262172' first='Bubba' last='Alexander'] are terrors at linebackers and defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1550897' first='Hugh' last='Manning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='763831' first='John' last='Stokes'] both have over 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. They make it nearly impossible for teams to run against them. [player_tooltip player_id='1014892' first='Jordan' last='Boston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816426' first='McLean' last='Robinson'] helps hold down the secondary when teams do have a chance to throw. [player_tooltip player_id='1816470' first='Levi' last='Myers'] has emerged as a solid running back [player_tooltip player_id='1647349' first='Cade' last='Amell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823078' first='Ben' last='Muela Kiser'] splitting time at quarterback for most of the season.   X-Factor: Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1592011' first='Jackson' last='Noble'] is going to be a factor on both sides of the ball. He leads the team with four TD receptions and has 16 catches for 254 yards overall. Defensively. He checks in with 41 tackles, three interceptions, 12 passes defended and three forced fumbles. He is going to need a big night if the Highlanders want to break the long losing streak to their crosstown rival.   SCISA CLASS 3A   HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN (6-5) AT WILSON HALL (10-1)   The Eagles ran their winning streak to four in a row with a first round win over Trinity Collegiate. They've averaged 35 points during the winning streak with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1775922' first='Kres' last='Langhals'] leading the way. He had 220 yards and three passing touchdowns and a rushing TD last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1822725' first='Hudson' last='Baker'] added two rushing touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1822732' first='Jackson' last='Richardson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1822730' first='Finn' last='Ussery'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822728' first='Joseph' last='Houpt'] each caught touchdown passes. Hilton Head Chrisitan came away from four interceptions last week – one each from [player_tooltip player_id='1824218' first='Thomas' last='Gehm'], [player_tooltip player_id='1822734' first='Colin' last='Hetzel'], Houpt and [player_tooltip player_id='1822729' first='Sam' last='Strum'] to give them 14 picks as a team this season. Wilson Hall is coming in on a seven-game winning streak after a big win over First Baptist last week. The Barons only attempted four passes but had six different players score rushing touchdowns as they ran for 320 yards. Camerson Wilsey scored twice with Ben McLaurin, [player_tooltip player_id='1821125' first='Ford' last='Wilder'], Nolan Gooch and Shep Vincent each reaching pay dirt once. Wilsey led the ground game with 119 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1821122' first='Banks' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823726' first='Walker' last='Wilson'] led the defensive effort with two tackles for loss each and Smith added two sacks and Wilson added one. Vincent also returned a kickoff back for a score.     X-Factor: Sophomore defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1820220' first='Hayne' last='Burden'] leads Hilton Head Christian with 92 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four sacks. He's going to need to be disruptive against a Barons team that is scoring over 37 points per game. If he can pressure the passer and limit chunk plays on the ground, that will be a start to the Eagles going on the road and earning a victory.    FLORENCE CHRISTIAN (8-2) AT PINEWOOD PREP (8-3)   Florence Christian jumped out to a 28-0 lead last week and cruised to a 28-12 win over John Paul II in the first round. [player_tooltip player_id='1821452' first='Andrew' last='Miller'] was the workhorse on offense, accounting for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Miller had 26 of the teams 31 rushing attempts. [player_tooltip player_id='1821459' first='Riley' last='Minton'] threw for 52 yards and a six-yard touchdown to [player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Hayden' last='Schwab'], who also had a fantastic night defensively. Schwab had 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1824947' first='Sawyer' last='Godbold'] is second on the team with 47 tackles and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1821456' first='Sullivan' last='Hardy'] is third with 44 stops. Those two will have to be big for the Eagles against a Pinewood Prep offense that is averaging 44 points a game and who scored 60 points last week. The Panthers led 47-0 at the half and had a running clock in the second half. Quarterback Silas Brawner threw two touchdowns each to [player_tooltip player_id='896094' first='Lavoris' last='Lucas'] and Tyler Harper and one to Tre Green in the win. Harper also ran a punt back 67 yards for a score. [player_tooltip player_id='1065555' first='Grayson' last='Salego'] led the rushing attack with a TD and 33 yards on five attempts. [player_tooltip player_id='1821612' first='Carson' last='Good'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816141' first='David' last='Harper'] were active defensively with [player_tooltip player_id='1522051' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1260387' first='Mikey' last='']' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1259789' first='Will' last='Wilson'] coming up with interceptions.   X-Factor: We know Pinewood Prep is going to throw the ball with Brawner at the helm so that puts extra pressure on the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='1821447' first='Brooks' last='Poston'] leads the Eagles with two interceptions and he's going to be called upon to be very active. But he's also one of the leading receivers with eight touchdowns and he handles kicking duties. That's a lot of different hats to fill but his first line of action Friday will be the talented group of receivers across the ball.   SCISA CLASS 2A   HILTON HEAD PREP (3-8) AT PEE DEE ACADEMY (7-3)   The Dolphins pulled off the shocker of the first round by going on the road and defeating a one-loss Calhoun Academy team 27-26. Their reward is a trip to Pee Dee Academy, a team they lost to 44-0 at home on October 3. Coming into the game. HHP was averaging just over nine points a game but exploded for 27 in winning its first playoff game in a decade. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1821021' first='Wyatt' last='Harmer'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='1821023' first='Davis' last='Cargill'], Brodie Hausher and Finn Rooney lead the group. Tristian Heckman set the school record for touchdowns when he scored three touchdowns in the win over Orangeburg Prep last week. In the first game against the Dolphins, Heckman rushed for 181 yards and a score, but he had plenty of help in the Single Wing offense. [player_tooltip player_id='861530' first='Ryan' last='Small'] rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Eagles rushed for 420 yards in that game. [player_tooltip player_id='1819415' first='Tallon' last='Pridgen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824347' first='Chandler' last='James'] also scored in that contest.   X-Factor: Pee Dee Academy linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1821640' first='Judson' last='Martin'] tallied nine tackles in the shutout last week and has been a leader for the defense all season. He has 72 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks. The Golden Eagles have played some high-scoring games this season but defense in the playoffs always comes to the forefront.   GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (9-2) AT BETHESDA ACADEMY (10-0)   In the first-round win last week, Greenwood Christian set a school record by winning nine games in a season for the first time since moving to 11-man football. [player_tooltip player_id='1825343' first='Leighton' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1823287' first='Leland' last='Reed'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820716' first='Holden' last='Poole'] all scored rushing touchdowns last week and [player_tooltip player_id='1820722' first='Ty' last='Kennedy'] sealed things with a Pick-6 in the fourth quarter. Poole also kicked a field goal. [player_tooltip player_id='1818262' first='Reese' last='Harper'] and Caleb White play well in the secondary with Poole and [player_tooltip player_id='1823286' first='Wil' last='Winfrey'] making plays at linebacker. The Blazers got five touchdown passes from Jordan Turner last week in an easy victory over Thomas Sumter. Jordan Cheever also rushed for 158 yards and a TD as Bethesda had 565 yards of total offense. Ralo Wesley caught four passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns with Malachi Morris added two catches for 95 yards and two scores. Linebacker Isaiah Jones and defensive end Isaiah Redmond had spectacular games last week as well. Redmond had 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks with Jones adding eight tackles and a tackle for loss.   X-Factor: Greenwood Christian's [player_tooltip player_id='1823283' first='Cooper' last='Johnson'] is second on the team with 44 tackles, but he has a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss. He's 6-foot and around 220 pounds and will also play along the offensive line. He's going to need to be active on both sides of the ball against a very talented and strong Bethesda Academy team.   SCISA CLASS 1A   DORCHESTER ACADEMY (9-1) AT COLLETON PREP (8-2)   These teams played on October 24 with Dorchester Academy claiming a 28-14 victory. The Raiders won that game on the road and will look to do the same this coming Friday. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1824336' first='John' last='Quattlebaum'] along with receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1824339' first='Abe' last='Shuler'], Landon Hall and [player_tooltip player_id='1821638' first='Warren' last='Judy'] will need big games in this rematch. [player_tooltip player_id='1824342' first='Reed' last='Almers'] has filled in at running back and will be featured in some way. [player_tooltip player_id='1824337' first='Will' last='Quattlebaum'] should be counted on to make sure the defense is up to the challenge. The playoff win last week was the War Hawks first game since that loss and they rebounded strong. [player_tooltip player_id='1823256' first='Cale' last='Owens'] threw for three touchdowns – two to [player_tooltip player_id='1816158' first='Thomas' last='Corbett'] and one to [player_tooltip player_id='1820691' first='Hartman' last='Fisk'] – and ran for another. [player_tooltip player_id='1820689' first='Tanner' last='Wolf'] ran for 115 yards and a touchdown.   X-Factor: A lot of focus on the Colleton Prep offense is on Owens and Wolf but freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1816597' first='Kaiden' last='Kinard'] could take some carries and be effective. He's averaging 7.6 yards per carry and is third on the team in rushing. If the War Hawks need someone else to step up, it might be the freshman that does it.    THOMAS HEYWARD ACADEMY (4-5) AT WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY (9-1)   This is a rematch from September 12 with Williamsburg Academy coasting to a 40-12 victory. The Rebels will likely give the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1618012' first='Tony' last='O'Banner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824607' first='Joshua' last='Gibson'] early and often in this one and try to keep the Stallions at bay. O'Banner ran for 237 yards and three touchdowns last week and Gibson added 167 yards rushing and two touchdowns and one passing touchdown. Receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1821647' first='Owen' last='Palazzo'] and Tyler Harmon can help move the ball as well. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1824609' first='Dawson' last='Drew'] is a 6-foot-6, 230-pound force as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1821631' first='Eli' last='Brown'] ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns last week; [player_tooltip player_id='1824329' first='Grant' last='Small'] ran for 86 yards and another score and [player_tooltip player_id='1824327' first='Micah' last='Balder'] threw three touchdown passes in the Stallions 40-12 win last week in a game that they limited Patrick Henry to just 113 yards of total offense. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1824330' first='Michael' last='Ard'] had 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1824328' first='Jay' last='Kellahan'] added eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1821630' first='Gamble' last='Wilson'] collected an interception, his fourth of the season.     X-Factor: Williamsburg Academy athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1821625' first='Charlie' last='Caulder'] does a little bit of everything for the Stallions. He's the leading receiver with 26 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. He might be more impressive on defense with 52 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble. He's also the top kickoff return guy, so he affects the game in all three phases.

The SCISA playoffs are more condensed than the SCHSL and they are playing the state semifinals this week, but Championship Week is set for the following weekend. We had a few upsets in Round One but some of the heavyweights that we expected to be here from the beginning are still playing.