Staff Picks: Upper State and Lower State Finals
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The next to last football weekend of the year in South Carolina has us all talking. Here at Prep Red Zone South Carolina, we went one step further. We’ve let you know who we believe will win each of the…
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Continue ReadingThe next to last football weekend of the year in South Carolina has us all talking.
Here at Prep Red Zone South Carolina, we went one step further. We’ve let you know who we believe will win each of the 10 SCHSL Upper State and Lower State championship games. We’ve provided plenty of evidence for each, and we’ve thrown our names behind our collective and individual predictions.
In parentheses next to each pick is how the votes fell among the seven staff members of Prep Red Zone South Carolina. And if that’s not enough, we’ve included the votes of each reporter in each game down below.
Enjoy.
Class 1A Upper State
No. 3 St. Joseph’s at No. 1 Christ Church
Staff pick: Christ Church (6-1)
Why the Cavaliers will win: “A St. Joseph’s defense led by linebacker Johnny Jaraczewski Johnny Jaraczewski 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB St. Joseph's | 2024 State SC has been very impressive this postseason, highlighted by a 7-0 win at No. 1 Lewisville. However, Christ Church just has too many weapons to contend with on offense, including running back Dashun Reeder Dashun Reeder 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Christ Church | 2024 State SC on the ground and quarterback Tucker Hendrix Tucker Hendrix 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Christ Church | 2025 State SC and receivers Jackson Repp Jackson Repp 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Christ Church | 2025 State SC and Jude Hall Jude Hall 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Christ Church | 2026 State SC in the passing attack. In the Cavaliers’ 35-21 win over the Knights in the regular season, Repp had seven receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns, Hall caught a 70-yard touchdown and Reeder rushed for 80 yards and a score. Outside of a three-year losing skid from 2018-2020, Christ Church has won all other 16 meetings in the series. The Cavaliers defeated St. Joseph’s 3-0 in the 2021 playoffs, and 21-7 in last year’s Upper State championship.” – Scott Keeler
Class 1A Lower State
No. 1 Johnsonville at No. 1 Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Staff pick: Bamberg-Ehrhardt (5-2)
Why the Red Raiders will win: “For as much as Johnsonville two-way stars Travis Wilson Travis Wilson 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Johnsonville | 2024 State SC and Neal Martin Neal Martin 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Johnsonville | 2024 State SC can do, this Bamberg-Ehrhardt team is even better than the one that made the state finals in 2021. Nick Folk Nick Folk 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC and Chanston Crosby Chanston Crosby 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2025 State SC and Jamie Downing Jamie Downing 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC are all capable of taking over a game. The Red Raiders’ only loss came back on August 25 (to Denmark-Olar) and they’ve since won 11 straight games, with 10 of those coming by double-digit margins and seven of those victories coming in heavily lopsided fashion. That included last week’s 41-6 win over Cross in which the Trojans were physically outmatched from the onset.” – Ian Guerin
Class 2A Upper State
No. 1 Abbeville at No. 1 Gray Collegiate
Staff pick: Gray Collegiate (5-2)
Why the Eagles will win: “The War Eagles are battled tested. After having all Region IV-2A games forfeited to them, Gray went out and scheduled nationally. They lost to St. Johns (MD), Clearwater Academy (FL) and IMG Academy (FL) but it made them better. Caleb Ford Caleb Ford 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Cardinal Newman | 2025 State SC and BJ Montgomery BJ Montgomery 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC are very complimentary running backs. Tyler Waller Tyler Waller 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC and Dre’von Dopson Dre’von Dopson 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Brookland-Cayce | 2026 State SC have also shared the quarterbacking duties. Jamarious Lockett Jamarious Lockett 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , Zai Offord Zai Offord 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC and Zion Job Zion Job 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC each have between 37 and 41 receptions and are averaging more than 13 yards a catch. Lockett is averaging 20 yards per catch. Linebackers Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC and Kaine Williams Kaine Williams 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC each have 130 tackles. Defensive end Zeb Taylor is next with 70 stops. Abbeville has the history but Gray might have too much this season for the Panthers.” – Chris Dearing
Class 2A Lower State
No. 1 Hampton County at No. 1 Oceanside Collegiate
Staff pick: Hampton County (4-3)
Why the Hurricanes will win: “Oceanside has rolled through the first three rounds of this year’s 2A playoffs, but they’ve yet to see a defense as polished and hungry as Hampton County’s. Led by a ferocious front seven of lineman Ka’Von Chisolm and explosive linebackers Mandrell Sanders Mandrell Sanders 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2025 State SC and Cody Segars Cody Segars 5'10" | 175 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2024 State SC , the Hurricanes have the firepower and talent to pressure and take a new-look Oceanside offense out of its rhythm. And the Hurricanes have a dynamic offense to keep up, centered around 2,220-yard and 33-touchdown phenom Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC – whose threat can set up throws over the top from mobile quarterback Chris Terry. If the Landsharks aren’t ready, the ‘Canes are capable of pulling off a stunner at The Citadel.” – Wes Kerr
Class 3A Upper State
No. 1 Belton-Honea Path at No. 1 Daniel
Staff pick: Daniel (6-1)
Why the Lions will win: “This is the one we’ve been expecting. Heck, this is the one EVERYBODY’S been expecting. The two best 3A Teams in the Upper State have been on a collision course for quite some time. We know what BHP offers. They’ve got an incredible running game with three legit threats in Marquise Henderson Marquise Henderson 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC and Shaheem Robbs Shaheem Robbs 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Belton-Honea Path | 2024 State SC , not to mention Justin Lathon Justin Lathon 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC . And Tye Kelly Tye Kelly 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC and Tajeh Watson-Martin Tajeh Watson-Martin 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Belton-Honea Path | 2027 State SC lead a tenacious defense. But Daniel is just different. They’ve lost one game in four years. Kolton Chapman Kolton Chapman 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Daniel | 2024 State SC is the latest in a line of top-tier quarterbacks. Ja’kari Bennett Ja’kari Bennett 5'6" | 160 lbs | RB Daniel | 2024 State SC is scary with the ball in his hands, and Tory Shaw is a devastating change-of-pace. Spencer Conn Spencer Conn 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Daniel | 2025 State SC is an absolute defensive wrecking ball. It’s a great, even matchup, but the Lions have one distinct advantage. They’ve been here before. They know what to expect. And they’ll take another step.” – Jed Blackwell
Class 3A Lower State
No. 2 Camden at No. 1 Brookland-Cayce
Staff pick: Camden (4-3)
Why the Bulldogs will win: “This Lower State final has offensive shootout written all over it. Both the Bulldogs and Bearcats are averaging more than 40 points per game. Both teams have offensive playmakers at the skilled positions – Camden with quarterback Grayson White Grayson White 6'0" | 240 lbs | QB Camden | 2024 State SC and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection Jaquarius Mayrant Jaquarius Mayrant 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Camden | 2024 State SC ; Brookland-Cayce with quarterback and Shrine Bowl selection Will Young Will Young 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Brookland-Cayce | 2024 State SC and DeShaun Washington at running back. Camden will rely upon its experience in big games (four state semifinals in five years) and an active defense with 19 sacks and 16 interceptions as a team to counter Brookland-Cayce’s size advantage at the line of scrimmage.” – Thomas Grant
Class 4A Upper State
No. 8 Greenville at No. 3 Westside
Staff pick: Westside (6-1)
Why the Rams will win: “Westside is led by quarterback Cutter Woods Cutter Woods 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Westside | 2025 State SC and his 3,086 yards and 32 touchdowns passing this year. The Rams offense is averaging 53 points a game and have not been held below 35 points in the first three rounds of the playoffs. They have a stable of backs in the backfield: Sharrode Richardson, who had 240 yards and three touchdowns last week against Midland Valley, along with Dee Robertson Dee Robertson 5'6" | 150 lbs | ATH Westside | 2024 State SC and Demarco Evans. If you get too caught up in the run game, they have University of Tennessee-Chattanooga commit Josh Williams Josh Williams 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC on the outside. We expect them to be able to shorten the game with the ground game and take their shots when they need to.” – Brandon Stockdale
Class 4A Lower State
No. 3 Irmo at No. 1 South Florence
Staff pick: South Florence (5-2)
Why the Bruins will win: “The crazy part about the Bruins’ 28-game winning streak is that all but one of those victories came in the playoffs or in the regular season against a team that would go on to play in the postseason. How does that happen? Experience. For all the talk of South’s transfers, the likes of Noah Moore Noah Moore 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB South Florence | 2024 State SC and Kemonte Rose and Quincy Rhodes Quincy Rhodes 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB South Florence | 2024 State SC and Dirrick Goodman Dirrick Goodman 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB South Florence | 2024 State SC and Chantwan Harkless Chantwan Harkless 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL South Florence | 2024 State SC and Terry Gordon Terry Gordon 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB South Florence | 2026 State SC have all played an integral role in this team for the better part of two seasons, even when they haven’t been in starring roles. Simply, the new additions – such as Syree Livingston and Zion Gilbert Zion Gilbert 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB South Florence | 2025 State SC and Amare Adams Amare Adams 6'4" | 305 lbs | DL South Florence | 2025 State SC – have had an impact because they don’t have to do it all.” – Ian Guerin
Class 5A Upper State
No. 2 J.L. Mann at No. 2 Dutch Fork
Staff pick: Dutch Fork (unanimous)
Why the Silver Foxes will win: “History tells us not to bet against Tom Knotts in the playoffs. The Silver Foxes are looking to make their eighth straight state finals appearance. But more importantly, they’re playing with swagger again; they’ve won six in a row after starting the season 2-5. Offensively, it doesn’t matter if Jonathan Hunt or Ethan Offing Ethan Offing 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2026 State SC is under center. They are averaging 42 points per game during the winning streak. Tailbacks Trent Lodge and Maurice Anderson Maurice Anderson 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2025 State SC provide a spark on the ground and Jacob Hamilton Jacob Hamilton 5'9" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC , Leyton Shuler and Trey Starks are solid catching the ball. The defense has been good all season but are allowing just 11 points per game in the winning streak. Linebackers Raleigh Salters Raleigh Salters 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2026 State SC and Bryce Nutall along with defensive backs Deon Winsley Deon Winsley 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC and Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC are making it happen on that side of the ball..” – Chris Dearing
Class 5A Lower State
No. 1 Summerville at No. 1 White Knoll
Staff pick: White Knoll (6-1)
Why the Timberwolves will win: “The Timberwolves on defense are a true reflection of their hard-nosed head coach, Nick Pelham. Their defensive line with Lincoln Ilunga Lincoln Ilunga 6'0" | 195 lbs | DL White Knoll | 2024 State SC and Demenico Banks Demenico Banks 5'10" | 225 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC are fast and physical, Shrine Bowl selection Jaiden Kimble Jaiden Kimble 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC leads an active linebacking corps and the cornerbacks – led by Caleb Geronomi Caleb Geronomi 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB White Knoll | 2026 State SC – have the size and speed to neutralize wide receivers. On offense, quarterback Landon Sharpe Landon Sharpe 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB White Knoll | 2025 State SC is underrated as a dual threat quarterback. Austin Cunningham Austin Cunningham 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH White Knoll | 2024 State SC is his favorite target and is a difficult cover, while freshman running back Tiyon Fanning Tiyon Fanning 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB White Knoll | 2027 State SC keeps improving behind a cohesive offensive line.” – Thomas Grant
INDIVIDUAL STAFF MEMBERS’ PICKS
Jed Blackwell:
5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll
4A: Westside, Irmo
3A: Daniel, Camden
2A: Abbeville, Hampton County
1A: St. Joseph’s, Johnsonville
Chris Dearing:
5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll
4A: Westside, South Florence
3A: Daniel, Brookland-Cayce
2A: Gray Collegiate, Hampton County
1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Thomas Grant:
5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll
4A: Westside, Irmo
3A: Daniel, Camden
2A: Gray Collegiate, Oceanside Collegiate
1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Ian Guerin
5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll
4A: Westside, South Florence
3A: Belton-Honea Path, Brookland-Cayce
2A: Gray Collegiate, Oceanside Collegiate
1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Scott Keeler:
5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll
4A: Greenville, South Florence
3A: Daniel, Camden
2A: Gray Collegiate, Hampton County
1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Wes Kerr:
5A: Dutch Fork, White Knoll
4A: Westside, South Florence
3A: Daniel, Brookland-Cayce
2A: Gray Collegiate, Hampton County
1A: Christ Church, Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Brandon Stockdale:
5A: Dutch Fork, Summerville
4A: Westside, South Florence
3A: Daniel, Brookland-Cayce
2A: Abbeville, Oceanside Collegiate
1A: Christ Church, Johnsonville