Class 2A Upper State Third Round Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about murderer's row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third round of the 2A playoffs includes a ton of historic programs and seven of the last eight Class 2A champions. Here's a look at the four programs who will play for the chance to advance to the Upper State title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 2 Silver Bluff (9-3) at No. 1 Abbeville (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs had a huge test in the second round, going on the road to knock off Fairfield Central 22-21. As has been typical for Silver Bluff, defense ruled the day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139299' first='Jordan' last='Boyd']</strong> picked off a pass and returned it seven yards for a score in the fourth quarter, giving the Bulldogs the go-ahead score. It was just more of the same for Silver Bluff, who have thrived on defense this season with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272710' first='Malik' last='Mozone']</strong>, Boyd, <strong>Darien Jackson</strong>, <strong>Gerald Lark</strong>, and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='451249' first='Jaydon' last='Eason'] </strong>all doing major damage for the Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Silver Bluff running game stepped up against the Griffins as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='315098' first='Mickenzie' last='Atterberry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766728' first='Drelyn' last='Brown']</strong> each rushed for touchdowns. They'll both be major factors going forward, as will <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt']</strong>, both offensively and on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbeville built a big lead in the second round before allowing Newberry to throw a scare into the defending 2A champs. The Panthers righted the ship, though, and will again play for a chance to advance to the Upper State championship. <strong>Demarcus Leach</strong> emerged as the Panthers' answer at QB once region play began, and the Abbeville offense hasn't looked back. He directs the A-Bone rushing attack that features <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249809' first='Karson' last='Norman']</strong>, <strong>Jha'Louis Hadden</strong>, and <strong>Altavious Patterson</strong> in enough of a rotation to give defenses absolute fits. <strong>Jae Harris</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779609' first='Mikhelyn' last='Bowie']</strong> lead a tough, aggressive Abbeville defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 1 Strom Thurmond (10-2) at No. 1 Gray Collegiate</strong> <strong>(13-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of defense, Strom Thurmond's is exceptional. The Rebels have given up 20 points or more just 3 times this year, have recorded six wins in which they've surrendered a touchdown or less, and they've run the clock on five of their last seven opponents.<strong> Juju Stevens</strong> shines at MLB, and he's the heart of the Rebels' defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589020' first='Darius' last='Simpkins']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] </strong>both rack up a ton of tackles, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249754' first='Josh' last='Merriweather']</strong> has been a force, with 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, and seven sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Rebels want to throw it. <strong>Quan Edmond</strong> has thrown for 2,288 yards with 27 touchdowns against just one interception on the season. His top target is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley']</strong>, who's backed up his Shrine Bowl selection with 1,107 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254050' first='Jay' last='Sewell']</strong> has six touchdowns and 515 yards on the season, while<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='771039' first='Demarius' last='Tolen']</strong> is a big body at 6-foot-4 who has hauled in 669 receiving yards and seven scores. <strong>Chris Barnes</strong> leads the Rebels' rushing attack with 538 yards and 14 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray will counter with a loaded offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272707' first='Caleb' last='Ford']</strong> lead the War Eagles on the ground, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord'] </strong>are big-play guys out wide, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller']</strong> is steady at QB. He threw just three passes in a round two win over Chesnee, but two were for scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997269' first='Kaine' last='Williams']</strong> both make a ton of tackles for Gray Collegiate, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor']</strong> has racked up 7.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->