Class 1A Lower State Final Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Johnsonville know each other well this time of year. In 2022, they met in the second round of the Class 1A postseason. But this year, the stakes are raised. On Friday night, two teams that were frontrunners to still be practicing on Thanksgiving morning will meet again - for a trip to Orangeburg for next weekend's state championship. We'll see a Johnsonville team hungry for a second straight title-game appearance against a Bamberg side with all the tools in place to try to spoil it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NO.1 JOHNSONVILLE (10-2) AT NO. 1 BAMBERG-EHRHARDT (12-1)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time: 7:30 pm Friday&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>About the Flashes: Johnsonville returns much of the team that we saw last year make it all the way to the 1A state championship game. The offense is centered around veteran quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997242' first='Malik' last='Shippy']</strong> who runs the show with his quick feet and elusiveness to fly through open holes. He's supplemented by powerful 215-pound runner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997329' first='Neal' last='Martin'] </strong>who showcases his signature strength and tenacity on every carry with the help of stellar tight end <strong>Dylan Smith</strong> who can set up runs and find open seams to help produce in the receiving game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16440350/652ff311ff01ce0a081bba88' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ea13779fc5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breakout sophomore <strong>Jordan Burgess</strong> has become a potent playmaker on the outside and can go up and snag 50-50 balls at 6-foot-3. The Flashes have a versatile two-way sensation in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996857' first='Travis' last='Wilson']</strong>, who has become the leader in the heart of his defensive unit while shining as a strong pass-catcher with excellent hands on the offensive side. Freshman sensation <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738847' first='Jason' last='Brigham'] </strong>has stepped in beautifully on the line to further amplify the strong play of reliable center <strong>Taylor Davis</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>About the Red Raiders: There's a lot to like about this edition of Corey Crosby's squad. The offense has been strong coming in, scoring over 40 points in each of the Red Raiders' first three playoff games. It's been a ground-and-pound attack led by&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997288' first='Nick' last='Folk']</strong>&nbsp;with his great downfield vision and hard-nosed running to the outside and between the tackles.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']</strong>&nbsp;can make the clutch throw under center with 6-foot-3 target&nbsp;<strong>Anthony Williams&nbsp;</strong>out wide alongside an underrated pass-catcher and linebacker in senior&nbsp;<strong>Eric Lee</strong>. But the defense has surged to an even higher level, with Lee and sensational two-way star&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142485' first='Jamie' last='Downing']&nbsp;</strong>leading an explosive and high-octane Bamberg front.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997394' first='Y'Zorion' last='Washington']&nbsp;</strong>has been a challenge to hold down on the line, using his elite strength and footwork to burst through and get to the opposing quarterback. Providing relentless work on both sides of the line, 260-pound defensive end&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157986' first='Javaris' last='Logan']</strong>&nbsp;has made a monstrous impact this season, especially in opening up the outside for Folk.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Matchup: Both squads present some explosive backs who will need excellent play from their offensive lines. It starts with <strong>Taylor Davis</strong> at center for Johnsonville, who can punch well beyond his weight at 160 pounds. He's supported by 282-pound guard <strong>Tyson McFadden</strong> and efficient junior <strong>Payne Alford</strong>. They'll have to be at their best against a thriving Bamberg line of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997394' first='Y'Zorion' last='Washington']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157986' first='Javaris' last='Logan']</strong>, and breakout junior <strong>Tristan Jenkins</strong> who has played with an extra-high gear to help set the edge on offense and create havoc on the other side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18335732/6523d907b3d24401e80965c2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ea13779ff6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-Factor: The hidden phase of the game is the one that can be extra-magnified this time of year, and Bamberg's special teams' unit has been excellent in the postseason. Enter linebacker <strong>Coray Haynes</strong>, who came up with a massive punt block and fumble recovery to shift the tide against Cross last week. Haynes has earned more time on the field with his extraordinary hustle and physicality on the field and could find a way to make an impact at some point that helps put his team over the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18099406/651113145b3c9a0a04b6d71f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ea1377a015"} /-->