Class 5A Lower State First Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The calendar has flipped to November, and we begin the five-week sprint to crowning state champions in South Carolina. After two years in which Class 5A was split between Division I and Division II, we're crowning one state champion in the state's largest classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Lower State part of the bracket, James Island, Berkeley, Ridge View and Carolina Forest have earned the top four seeds and first round byes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That leaves us with four games among the other eight qualifiers. Here's a breakdown of each game for this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>No. 9 FORT DORCHESTER (5-5) at No. 8 WANDO (5-5)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a rematch from September 11 in which Wando won 31-24 and these teams come in with identical records with very similar stats. The Patriots have used a two-quarterback system with junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1061145' first='Mesiah' last='Rivers']</strong> and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2400835' first='Landon' last='Freeman']</strong> splitting playing time. <strong>Liam Chapman</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1907408' first='Amir' last='Green']</strong> have paced the Patriots rushing attack. Sophomore defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2411560' first='Jaxson' last='Ray']</strong> and senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821069' first='Ryan' last='Simmons']</strong> each have at least 100 tackles on the season. The Warriors come in with a very balanced attack – 1,303 passing yards and 1,398 rushing yards on the season. Sophomore <strong>Cape Whitaker</strong> has 1,218 of those passing yards and eight touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467849' first='Ryan' last='Jahn']</strong> is versatile has 510 yards receiving and 226 yards rushing. Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823210' first='Jacob' last='Pelic']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602363' first='Ben' last='Eikenberry']</strong> are both over 100 tackles and critical to the Warriors success on that side of the ball. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819060' first='Cade' last='Rogers']</strong> is a ballhawk in the secondary with six interceptions and six pass breakups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-Factor:</em></strong> Regardless of who has been throwing passes for Fort Dorchester, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818368' first='Devin' last='Gates']</strong> has been the top option at receiver. He has 28 receptions for 552 yards and four touchdowns. The junior can take a short pass and turn it into a big gain, or he can stretch the field with a deep route and make plays that way. Gates is averaging right at 20 yards per reception. In the first meeting with the Warriors, he had two catches for 66 yards and touchdown. Don't be surprised if the coaching staff finds a way to get Gates more touches in the rematch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23687504/6adba7664a5e50125a20d56cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae921cd06c2a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>No. 12 BLYTHEWOOD (4-6) at No. 5 SUMMERVILLE (7-3)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals come in as losers of five out of six and were held to 21 points or less in each of the losses. Senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1426578' first='James' last='Veasey']</strong> (pictured above) is going to have to find his early season magic to pick up the road playoff victory. He's the leading rusher with 518 yards and has added 938 yards passing with a total of 13 touchdowns. <strong>Landyn Strong</strong> has missed three games, but he can help in the ground attack as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172352' first='Reed' last='Paolucci']</strong> can be a dominant force on the offensive line and Blythewood is going to have to control the clock against the explosive Green Wave attack. Senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820550' first='Chris' last='Long']</strong> (103 tackles) and senior defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403282' first='Amari' last='Fisher']</strong> (four interceptions) will need to be at their best. Summerville has won five in a row since losing to West Charlotte, Berkeley and James Island to open September. What's even more impressive is they've outscored opponents 261-44 in that stretch. Junior QB <strong>Ethan D'Water</strong> has been instrumental in that turnaround along with a strong running game. Dwater has 1,420 yards and taken some of the pressure off the running of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams']</strong> and the blocking of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819778' first='Nolan' last='Giet']</strong> on the line of scrimmage. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1615024' first='MJ' last='Respass'] leads the rejuvenated defense for the Green Wave.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-Factor:</em></strong> The Bengals are going to have to play ball control and score when they get into Summerville territory. The aforementioned Veasey and Paolucci will have a lot to do with that, but receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818985' first='Tay'Shawn' last='Johnson']</strong> could play an even bigger factor. The junior has 48 receptions for 437 yards and is more of a possession receiver than a deep threat. He's averaging 9.1 yards per reception and if he and Veasey can keep the chains moving and the defense honest, it will give Blythewood its best chance at the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23562024/6a9e1af26a1c55b41b28307bu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae921cd06c6c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>No. 10 SOCASTEE (4-6) at No. 7 GRAY COLLEGIATE (4-6)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Braves are coming into the playoffs on the heels of allowing 62 points in the season finale and they're facing a Gray Collegiate offense that can be just as explosive. The defense is allowing nearly 30 points per game but are 4-1 when allowing less than 30 points per game. That means <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821030' first='Noah' last='Slade'] [player_tooltip player_id='1821034' first='Marcus' last='Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816220' first='Evan' last='Floyd']</strong> are going to have to be at their best. Throw in linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821030' first='Noah' last='Slade']</strong> and that give Socastee coaches hope they can contain the War Eagles. Socastee is young at quarterback, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2457947' first='Markus' last='Duke']</strong> seems to be taking the bulk of the snaps and threw six touchdown passes against Goose Creek. Despite the losing record, Gray Collegiate is scoring 29.6 points per game. They have two blazers at receiver in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton']</strong> and <strong>Royce Williamson</strong> have combined for 1,532 yards and 14 touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623307' first='Xavier' last='Wright']</strong> has been the triggerman for that explosive duo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong']</strong> leads an experienced and deep offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-Factor: Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816222' first='Landon' last='McKee']</strong> tops the Braves in interceptions and he's going to have to be on his game Friday along with the rest of the secondary. He's going to be facing two explosive receivers that are a threat to take it the distance on any pass they catch. The key is to keep the receivers in front of you and not let them turn a routine play into a big play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>No. 11 ASHLEY RIDGE (3-7) at No. 6 SUMTER (6-4)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since September 18, the Swamp Foxes have alternated wins and losses each week after opening the season by losing four in a row against stout competition. But if the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036782' first='Jagger' last='Spivey']</strong> and <strong>Caleb Sharo</strong> are versatile pieces that line up all over the field. Both will take snaps at quarterback and Spivey is utilized at receiver with Sharo being a huge target at tight end. <strong>Diamonte Brown</strong> can also be a factor at receiver. <strong>Landon Weller</strong> has been solid in the secondary for Ashley Ridge. And at this stage of the game – everyone knows what Sumter is going to do. The Gamecocks plan on running the ball as much as possible. They're averaging 343 yards per game behind a dominant offensive line that includes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819522' first='Cooper' last='Zeigler']</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2332483' first='Brian' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825050' first='I'sean' last='Macer']</strong> leading the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2151262' first='Jaquaylen' last='Dennis-Harriett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819520' first='Rashaun' last='Dickey']</strong> lead the Sumter defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>X-Factor:</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112754' first='Kameron' last='Howell']</strong> holds a key in how to slow down the Sumter rushing attack. And that might seem strange given the fact that Howell is the Swamp Foxes top running back. But limiting the Gamecocks offensive possessions will be a key. Howell is important enough that he could see as many as 25 touches to keep this game close into the fourth quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20425424/6aa9efd7c50bf25fe668fb1eu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae921cd06c98"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->