Class 5A, Division II Upper State Second Round Preview

The second round of the Class 5A Division II Upper State playoffs features some intriguing matchups, particularly in the Upstate as the competition begins to heat up from here on out.   We will be down to four teams in the Upper State bracket by the time we get to the early morning hours Saturday. Here's a look at the matchups and 39 players to keep your eye on.   NO. 8 INDIAN LAND (6-5) AT NO. 1 NORTHWESTERN (10-0)   This game is an intriguing one for two reasons. The first one is because this is a rematch between the Trojans and the Warriors from back on November 1, which was won 45-0 by Northwestern. We'll get to the second reason in a moment.   Indian Land looked impressive with a 34-7 win over Eastside <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/what-we-saw-indian-land-34-eastside-7/">last week in the first round</a>. [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'] ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns and led the Warriors offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner'] was the catalyst defensively with two sacks, along with two interceptions in the win as well. Leonard Goethe and Landry Williams will be key up front on the defensive front. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] (pictured above), who can be explosive with the ball in his hands.   Northwestern hasn't played a game since this matchup, which was three weeks ago so the Trojans will be well rested. [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] has thrown for 2575 yards and 34 touchdowns on the year, leading an offense that is averaging 51.4 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'] is the leader of the pack in the receiving room with 752 yards and 9 touchdowns. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] who has 740 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. The Trojans' defensive line of [player_tooltip player_id='605531' first='Will' last='Massey'] (30 solo tackles), [player_tooltip player_id='1360156' first='Andre' last='Pickett'] (16 solo tackles) and [player_tooltip player_id='1360210' first='Mason' last='Grier'] (17 solo tackles) look to wreak havoc up front.   X-FACTOR: For as much attention gets put on the Trojans' passing attack, Zymier Gordon Miles has run for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year and will give defenses another thing to worry about. He can push through the initial contact – arm tackles won't work against him as he averages 6.9 yards per carry.    NO. 5 HILLCREST (8-3) AT NO. 4 GREENWOOD (8-2)   [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] threw for 217 yards and four touchdowns on 11 completions as Hillcrest pulled away in a 43-28 win over Nation Ford last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1359171' first='Frank' last='Starks'] had a huge night, running for 206 yards and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1013066' first='Brayden' last='Johnson'] found his way into the endzone as part of a 7 carry, one touchdown night. The receiving core of [player_tooltip player_id='347516' first='Weston' last='Willis'] (6 catches, 92 yards), [player_tooltip player_id='809746' first='Kalab' last='Sutton'] (3 catches, 72 yards) and Josiah Sanders (2 catches, 50 yards) all had a touchdown reception.    For the Eagles, [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] has thrown for 1408 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year, while rushing for 843 yards and 11 touchdowns as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1639742' first='Ahmad' last='Scott'] has been a leader on the defensive line with 39 tackles and 7 tackles for a loss with three forced fumbles on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1732593' first='Dyson' last='Davis'] has 33 tackles on the season with 3 tackles for loss and a sack. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1360096' first='Robert' last='Stevens'] on the offensive line who was selected for the North-South Game, that will take place on Dec. 21 in Myrtle Beach at Doug Shaw Stadium.   X-FACTOR: Landen Still is a go to target for Lewis on the outside. He runs solid routes from his position and he can make plays in the quick game.    NO. 6 CATAWBA RIDGE (8-3) AT NO. 3 TL HANNA (8-2)   Catawba Ridge survived in a 38-35 nailbiter against Woodmont last week behind the arm of [player_tooltip player_id='1574007' first='CJ' last='Couch']. He threw five touchdowns, as [player_tooltip player_id='1283702' first='Braylen' last='Burgis'] had two touchdowns of 6 yards and 42 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1592500' first='Darius' last='Sutton'] had a huge night with three touchdown receptions. Camden Gifford knocked through the game winning 23-yard field goal with 43 seconds left to secure the win.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157743' first='KD' last='Patterson'] is the straw that stirs the drink for the Yellow Jackets offensively. He had four touchdowns in their win over Hillcrest two weeks ago. Daylin Williams is also an important part of TL Hanna's run game that will want to keep the ball away from the Copperheads. [player_tooltip player_id='1254105' first='Brandon' last='Cunningham'] can throw it over your head if you're not careful with how they are able to control the clock with the ground game. Of course, we can't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='274752' first='Cameron' last='Strong'], the NC State commit, who is as aggressive as they come. He can come up and drill the ball carrier or play lockdown coverage on the outside.   X-FACTOR: Walker Kelley is a dynamic two-way player for the Yellow Jackets. He can go up and make contested catches for a score lined up at tight end, and he can line up on defense at linebacker and read plays quickly to get into the backfield.    NO. 7 RIVERSIDE (6-4) AT NO. 2 GAFFNEY (8-1)   [player_tooltip player_id='1012616' first='Mikkel' last='Skinner'] scored four touchdowns and ran for 137 yards for the Warriors in a wild 47-38 come from behind win over Greenville in the first round last week. [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 92 rushing yards. Keyon Knowles and Izzy Leamon each had touchdown receptions.   The last time we saw the Indians, it was <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/what-we-saw-gaffney-24-spartanburg-27/">two weeks ago at home against Spartanburg</a> as they locked up the region title. [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] came up big with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to Shane Davidson to secure a comeback victory. [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'] will be a force in the backfield – once he gets going, he's fun to watch.    X-FACTOR: [player_tooltip player_id='1254122' first='Jamarcus' last='Smith'] is a go-to target for Gilmore as well at receiver. He is a home run threat with the ball in his hands. He runs great routes and can line up and take the direct snap. Most of the time, it's a positive result. He had 768 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season.

The second round of the Class 5A Division II Upper State playoffs features some intriguing matchups, particularly in the Upstate as the competition begins to heat up from here on out.