Class 4A Lower State Second Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A has looked like the deepest classification in the state from the jump, and the quality of this week's second-round playoff matchups illustrates just how many quality teams are in the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have four delicious matchups in the Class 4A Lower State bracket this week, including a high-stakes rematch between Region V-4A rivals with Irmo going to North Augusta with revenge on the mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the second round matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NO. 9 DREHER (8-3) AT NO. 1 HILTON HEAD (9-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-seeded Seahawks earned a bye last week after cruising through their last three games of the regular-season, so they should be well-rested and well-prepared for what should be a good test from the visiting Blue Devils. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilton Head ran a gauntlet in its non-region schedule, including wins over fellow No. 1 seeds Camden (Class 3A) and Bamberg-Ehrhardt (Class A D1), and most of it was without two-way star [player_tooltip player_id='1603740' first='Thaddeus' last='Czarnecki'] - who should be as healthy as he has been all season after the extended time off and ready to work behind a dominant offensive line anchored by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1271255' first='Hayden' last='Crockett'] [player_tooltip player_id='1822841' first='Aaron' last='Stafford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1756900' first='Samari' last='Richardson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422535' first='Jayvin' last='Risher'] took on more of the load in Czarnecki's absence, and younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='1817281' first='Noah' last='Czarnecki'] stepped into the mix, maintaining the balance that has become the offense's hallmark. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1664222' first='Derrick' last='Raniszewski'] has put together another tremendous season, needing 171 passing yards to eclipse 2,000 for the season with a career-best 19 touchdowns and a career-low five interceptions, and [player_tooltip player_id='1820338' first='Kevin' last='Chisolm'] has emerged as a dangerous second option to [player_tooltip player_id='1820333' first='Jeremiah' last='Walters'] at receiver The Blue Devils have had some trouble defending the pass at times, so Hilton Head could look to the air more often than typical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dreher has the offensive weapons to keep pace with [player_tooltip player_id='1515057' first='Aiden' last='Fitzgerald'] at the helm. Fitzgerald surpassed 2,000 last week and has piled up 28 touchdown passes against seven interceptions in his senior campaign. [player_tooltip player_id='2467348' first='Terry' last='Cantlow'] has hauled in 21 of those TD passes while going over 1,000 receiving yards, but freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1606070' first='Kaleb' last='Williams'] has become Fitzgerald's second-favorite target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Hilton Head's defensive front provides a different kind of challenge. [player_tooltip player_id='1822839' first='Josh' last='Bigger'] has been an absolute menace, racking up 31 tackles for loss, nine sacks and seven forced fumbles, and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1172368' first='Andrew' last='Massey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1657436' first='Colton' last='Freeman'] have wrought havoc in the backfield. The Seahawks have been stingy on the back end, too, collecting 13 interceptions, including a team-high four from <strong>Aidan MacDonald</strong> and two apiece from Walters and [player_tooltip player_id='1818561' first='Louis' last='Gadson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dreher's excellent offensive line anchored by seniors <strong>Price Denard</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1818909' first='Aiden' last='Holmes'] and <strong>Micah Nollen</strong> will have to play its best to keep a clean pocket for Fitzgerald and open holes for the dynamic young running back duo of freshman <strong>Ashton Felder</strong> and sophomore <strong>Yanis West</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dreher has a strong defensive front, as well, with defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='2177594' first='Marcus' last='Davis'] and <strong>Nigel McLamore</strong> and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1823548' first='Joseph' last='Pohlmann'] and freshman <strong>Jamari Crawford</strong> providing the anchors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassman to Watch:</em></strong> Hilton Head's offensive line is loaded with seniors, but there's one sophomore in the mix, and [player_tooltip player_id='2370981' first='Ivan' last='Lorenz'] looks like he will be the next leader of the unit. At 5-11, Lorenz is likely to keep growing, and his body should continue to develop as he gets in the weight room and adds strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NO. 5 LUCY BECKHAM (8-3) AT NO. 4 SOUTH FLORENCE (7-3)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might be the best matchup of the bunch, especially if you're in a hurry, with two lethal rushing attacks going head-to-head. The winner gets a rematch with Hilton Head, which handed South Florence a 38-21 loss to open the season and dealt Lucy Beckham its last setback in a 14-0 slugfest on Oct. 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals have been on fire since the loss to the Seahawks, scoring at least 47 points in five straight games and outscoring those opponents 260-64, including a 56-0 rout of North Myrtle Beach in the first round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The backfield duo of <strong>Walon Walker</strong> and <strong>Henry Hankins</strong> gives Lucy Beckham a thunder-and-lightning package to run behind Georgia commit [player_tooltip player_id='1667798' first='Ty' last='Johnson'] and company, but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2106764' first='Alex' last='Clamp'] can hurt you, too. Clamp has grown into the role in his sophomore campaign and did damage with his legs and his arm against North Myrtle Beach, and <strong>Boden Zeifert</strong> has become a dangerous target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bruins boast a stingy defensive front, though, with <strong>Davey Greene</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1825405' first='Quashawn' last='Byrd'] anchoring the trenches and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1820908' first='Zachary' last='Gordon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2205905' first='Edric' last='Cooper'] leading the team in tackles. Running the ball hasn't been easy against South Florence, but putting the ball in the air is always a risky proposition if safety [player_tooltip player_id='2216438' first='Xavier' last='Mitchell'] (4 INTs) is in the vicinity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Florence's offense isn't quite as diverse and dominant as it once was, but running back [player_tooltip player_id='1823804' first='Cameron' last='James'] can take over a game, and sophomore understudy [player_tooltip player_id='1673935' first='Jayden' last='Allen'] has become a solid complement, plus quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823525' first='De'Eric' last='Davis'] is a dual threat who is especially dangerous in the ground game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Lucy Beckham averaging more than 50 points over its past five games, the Bruins will probably need to put up some points to stay in the game, which is no easy task against a Bengals defense that was disruptive against North Myrtle Beach. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='2098787' first='Jake' last='Grantham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2045834' first='Dewey' last='Bull'] are the anchors, but <strong>Johnny Jervey</strong> has racked up 22 tackles for loss and seven sacks, and <strong>Kye Coleman</strong> and <strong>William Myers</strong> have four sacks each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassman to Watch:</em></strong> Greene and Byrd are the veteran leaders of South Florence's defensive line, but sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2219038' first='Za'Maury' last='Gathers'] has turned it on down the stretch, racking up 35 tackles with six tackles for loss in four games in October. At 6-0, 250, Gathers has a big, athletic frame that will continue to fill out over the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27737613/6ae7ccaca22306682f259ec8u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af1e26c8e79a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NO. 7 CONWAY (6-5) AT NO. 2 LUGOFF-ELGIN (9-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are riding high after their first playoff win since 2017, but the degree of difficulty ramps up this week. Lugoff-Elgin's only setback was a 33-20 loss to Wren on Sept. 25, and the Demons have won five straight since. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lugoff-Elgin's offense hit its stride down the stretch, averaging 42.7 points over its final three games to bring some serious momentum into the playoffs. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'] is the centerpiece and needs just 106 yards from scrimmage to hit 2,000 for the season, but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823858' first='Zach' last='Williams'] and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] are a lethal combination, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts up front, though, and the Demons are tough in the trenches with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1821245' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'] [player_tooltip player_id='1823868' first='Caiden' last='Pee'] [player_tooltip player_id='1817099' first='Logan' last='Boutin'] [player_tooltip player_id='1817087' first='Malakhi' last='Cantey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817112' first='Isaiah' last='Littlejohn']. At 6-2, 213 pounds, Anderson is the only starter listed at less than 275 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As impressive as the Demons' offense has been, their defense might be even better with 110 tackles for loss and 36 sacks across 10 games. [player_tooltip player_id='379098' first='Tavion' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823862' first='Logan' last='Hinton'] have been the most disruptive forces, combining for 37 tackles for loss with nine sacks each, but standout edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1823864' first='Jace' last='Coleman'] and sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2470178' first='London' last='Kirkland-Kitt'] also have double-digit tackles for loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1422637' first='Corey' last='Murphy'] is a ball hawk on the back end, snatching six interceptions with two defensive touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The unit has a difficult assignment this week, though, with prolific power back [player_tooltip player_id='1331923' first='Gabriel' last='Williams'] coming off a 239-yard performance with three touchdowns and closing in on Conway's single-season rushing record. Williams went over 2,000 yards in the first-round win over May River, a testament to a senior-laden offensive line led by Tyrin Ware and [player_tooltip player_id='1823562' first='Tyler' last='Fetter']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1820949' first='Makhai' last='Canty'] is a run-first quarterback who can make defenses pay for overcommitting to the run, and he has some capable receivers in <strong>Taraj Green</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2416182' first='Diezel' last='Smith'] so the Tigers might be able to keep pace if their defense can hold its own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1823553' first='Sakai' last='McLendon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823557' first='Zion' last='Leysath'] and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1399640' first='Noah' last='Legg'] and Williams will need to be on top of their game to slow down Fanning, and the Tigers will count on defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1820941' first='Jameer' last='Davis'] to keep tabs on Richardson and force someone else to beat them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassman to Watch:</em></strong> It's a scary thought that Lugoff-Elgin will lose just one starter off the offensive line, and an even scarier one that [player_tooltip player_id='1817112' first='Isaiah' last='Littlejohn'] still has two years left. At 6-2, 295 pounds, Littlejohn is already a physical specimen, and he isn't done growing. Fanning does a lot of his damage running behind Littlejohn, whose footwork and balance is impeccable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26764828/6aaaa4acd729bb9de8ba4a71u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af1e26c8e7be"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NO. 6 IRMO (8-3) AT NO. 3 NORTH AUGUSTA (9-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 25-16 home loss to North Augusta on Oct. 2, Irmo dropped to 3-3, and folks around the state were officially concerned. Turns out Irmo is still Irmo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irmo has won five straight since, including three straight shutouts, to work its way back to the rematch they've coveted for more than a month. Irmo's dominant pass rush led by Miami commit [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant'] has been a problem all season, as Bryant, [player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings'] <strong>Teddy Waymyers</strong> and <strong>CJ Currence</strong> nearly 100 tackles for loss and more than 30 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll look to pin their ears back and get after North Augusta quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1819537' first='Collin' last='Tillman'] in hopes that ball-hawking DBs Antwoine Pierce [player_tooltip player_id='1604012' first='Jamar' last='Grissett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821835' first='Jayden' last='Arrington'] can add to their 11 combined interceptions. Tillman needs time in the pocket to allow deep routes to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best way for North Augusta to keep the pass rush at bay is to establish the run with [player_tooltip player_id='1827171' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'], who needs just 43 rushing yards to crack 1,000 for the season. If Hatcher is effective on first and second down, Irmo's defense will have to play the run more aggressively, opening up space in the passing game for safety valve [player_tooltip player_id='1605876' first='Kydre' last='Wright'] and deep threats [player_tooltip player_id='1839952' first='Zay' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822103' first='Jeremiah' last='Brown']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irmo's offensive philosophy has shifted a bit since losing featured back [player_tooltip player_id='1675598' first='Tai' last='Phillips'], putting more on the shoulders of junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1856841' first='Britton' last='Davis'], and Davis has responded with 15 touchdowns passes and only one interception in the past four games. Irmo needs the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1819339' first='Xzayviaun' last='Chew'] and freshman <strong>Jaion Mickens</strong> to find success on the ground to open up the passing game for Davis to get the ball to playmakers like Arrington, <strong>Jay Eady</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1820287' first='Ethan' last='Singletary'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Underclassman to Watch:</em></strong> The best matchup of the night might be in the trenches, where North Augusta's promising sophomore edge [player_tooltip player_id='1839899' first='Dez' last='Davis'] (pictured) is likely to go head-to-head with South Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='756223' first='Nate' last='Carson'], who is charged with protecting Tillman's blind side. Davis has collected 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, and he is responsible for one of North Augusta's seven defensive touchdowns. If he can win his matchup, it will disrupt Irmo's ground game and put pressure on Davis in passing downs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/28799541/6a9332b6e945d1cb43e0d607u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af1e26c8e7d1"} /-->