Class 4A Upper State Third Round Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third round of the playoff features two teams in Graniteville that are on a roll – and are doing it with a heavy dose of the run game. There are four skill guys that can make plays at any time and will be tough to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While in Rock Hill, you have a team that has been scoring 50+ points per game in the playoffs while playing dominant defense. And you have another team that has been creating offense on the ground. Something will have to give on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Are you ready for it? Let's do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 8 GREENVILLE (9-3) AT NO. 4 NORTHWESTERN (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville survived in a tight 24-21 win over Greer in the second round. The Red Raiders will likely look to run the football, as they ran to the tune of 237 rushing yards on 43 carries with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254140' first='Kylar' last='Zimmerman'], Jayvion Sherman </strong>and do-it-all <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163871' first='Mazeo' last='Bennett']</strong>. The trio scored a touchdown while averaging 6.8 yards per carry last week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='349806' first='Bryson' last='Drummond'] </strong>provides a threat to keep defenses honest with his arm, but he'll need to avoid the critical mistakes to keep things on track. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403906' first='Banks' last='Bouton'] </strong>played a little bit last week, going 7-for-12 for 69 yards. Bennett caught 7 balls for 89 yards and will be a guy to keep your eye in the receiving game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, the Red Raiders were active last week as <strong>Andre Arnold, [player_tooltip player_id='242787' first='Bruce' last='Knauber'] </strong>and <strong>William Bouton Jr. </strong>each had five tackles. Bouton led the team with three tackles for a loss and will be the guy to keep your eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will head to Rock Hill on Friday night where their biggest test of the playoffs awaits at District 3 Stadium against Northwestern. The Trojans have outscored their opponents 112-7 in the first two rounds in wins over Laurens and last week against Greenwood.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk']</strong> is the straw that stirs the drink for the Trojans offensively, as he threw for 126 yards and three touchdowns last week. The thing that stands out about the passing game for Northwestern is the fact they can get the ball to multiple receivers. Keep your eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'], [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] </strong>along with <strong>Jaylen </strong>and <strong>Jayden Burris</strong>, who are the top four leading receivers. And we can't forget <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265222' first='Turbo' last='Richard']</strong> – he is averaging 98.8 yards per game and has scored 18 touchdowns on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line has been a force throughout the year for the Trojans, and that was true against last week.<strong> Danija McMullen </strong>had 4 tackles for a loss while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] </strong>had 3 tackles for a loss last week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605531' first='Will' last='Massey'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360156' first='Andre' last='Pickett'] </strong>are first and second on the team in tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NO. 3 WESTSIDE (11-1) AT NO. 2 MIDLAND VALLEY (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/what-we-saw-westside-49-york-13/">Westside made a quick dispatch of York last week</a> to advance to a showdown with Midland Valley in Graniteville. The Rams have a stable of running backs – <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139310' first='Dee' last='Robertson']</strong> (pictured above), <strong>Demarco Evans </strong>and <strong>Sharrode Richardson</strong>, who all ran hard. All of the backs have a unique burst of speed and power that once they get out into the open field, they are a threat to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] </strong>manages the offense well as he can get the ball out to his receivers, most notably <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams']</strong>, who is a speedster on the outside. Woods went 11-for-16 for 241 yards and two touchdowns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is also a difference maker on defense as he had a tackle for a loss, forcing the Cougars into a fourth down situation last week. Keep your eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'] </strong>who had two interceptions last week as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346197' first='Jameson' last='Wilson'] </strong>was all over the place with 12 tackles with 1 TFL. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142817' first='Omar' last='Williams'] </strong>had 14 tackles along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'] </strong>(8) and <strong>Kwon Simpkins </strong>(7) respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Midland Valley, the offense begins with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar']</strong>, who ran for 249 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-17 win over South Pointe in the second round. <strong>Preston Mcnair </strong>can give Dunbar a breather when it is needed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267472' first='Antrone' last='Butler'] </strong>is the guy to watch when the Mustangs go to the air who had 5 catches for 64 yards as he has <strong>Preston Butler </strong>to get it to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] </strong>had another great week defensively for the Mustangs with 17 tackles, including two of them for a loss. <strong>Hosey Dukes </strong>was second with 13 tackles and <strong>Dominic Morgan </strong>had 12 tackles. Keep your eye on <strong>Jakyron Smith </strong>as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->