Class 4A Lower State Third Round Preview

Gilbert and South Florence have spent a portion of the latter half of the season knowing how a few breaks could have laid out their playoff seedings much differently.   Not so coincidentally, they've earned the right to play the teams responsible for those regular-season losses during region play here in the third round of the Class 4A Lower State playoffs.   Those very similar story lines also contain the fact that North Augusta and Hartsville won handedly the first time around. It should add fuel to the proverbial fire this week as the four teams prepare for something much bigger than those earlier games.    NO. 4 SOUTH FLORENCE (9-3) AT NO. 1 HARTSVILLE (10-1-1)   While we might not see a 54-35 result like we did November 1 when Hartsville ran away with the Region V-4A championship, there's no doubt everyone should expect plenty of offense in this game. The first time around, Hartsville got 163 rushing yards and two scores from [player_tooltip player_id='1012592' first='Hakeem' last='Watters'] and fellow tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1578854' first='EJ' last='Smith'] ran for another 97 yards and a score. And in what a relatively new wrinkle, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1012620' first='Web' last='Barnes'] scored twice out of Wildcat sets.    And it wasn't like South Florence was barren that night. Running backs [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='272717' first='Tre' last='Leonard'] combined for 239 yards and four touchdowns and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] finished with 129 yards and a touchdown pass. Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1574090' first='Lennix' last='Valarie'] also continued his strong senior year by catching six passes for 86 yards.    Round 2 should include fireworks, too. After all, the Bruins are coming off a 571-yard offensive night against Hilton Head, thanks in large part to receiver [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'] (pictured) piling up 227 rushing yards and four scores. Hartsville, meanwhile, ran away from Darlington when Watters, Smith and [player_tooltip player_id='1592473' first='Kylif' last='Miller'] piled up 332 rushing yards and six touchdowns.   Yes, these two teams are certainly worthy of a rematch with a ticket to the Lower State finals on the line.    Matchup Within The Matchup: [player_tooltip player_id='272699' first='Da'Marion' last='Coe'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='464881' first='Jayden' last='Sellers'] will get one more rematch before they each head off to the college ranks. We're here for it. Coe played masterfully against Sellers in the November 1 game. Not only did he help provide pass coverage over the top, he was instrumental in preventing the South Carolina commitment from hurting the Red Foxes in the return game. These two players have taken over numerous games over the course of their careers, and the fact that this is the last time we'll see both of them on the field at the same time means everyone should appreciate what they've done at their respective schools.   Underclassmen Impact: Hartsville knows who its stars are on defense. It just so happens that the next crop is getting invaluable playing time alongside them. Sophomore safety Rod Cranford is certainly part of that younger mix. He's sixth on the team in tackles (47) and has already contributed three pass break-ups, an interception and two tackles for loss. He's still a work in progress, but he's coming along quickly and would love to have another eight-tackle game against the Bruins like he did earlier this month.    NO. 6 GILBERT (8-4) AT NO. 2 NORTH AUGUSTA (11-1)    Gilbert could not have looked much more balanced as an offense last week against Bishop England in the second round. Quarterback Cooper James threw for 246 yards - including 162 to Chandler Guthrie - and top tailback Trevon Williams rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns. And just about any coach will be fine if he see his offense go for 483 total yards.    Tack on two more [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] rushing touchdowns and the initial thought was how Bishop England stayed within one score. The answer? Turnovers.   The Indians lost three fumbles and James threw an interception, something that North Augusta won't let Gilbert get away with twice in a row. The Yellow Jackets are a ball-hawking bunch. Senior safety Ty Burke had four interceptions heading into last week's game. Fellow defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1592679' first='Zeddius' last='Tillman'] and linebacker Alex Powell each had three. The Yellow Jackets had also forced three fumbles.    North Augusta's offense is also one that's made to make turnover count. Tailback [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe'] and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] won't waste any time going for the throat if Gilbert slips up on offense.   Matchup Within The Matchup: North Augusta defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1254097' first='Deondre' last='Baskett'] has changed a few games this year already with his ability to get behind the line of scrimmage. He leads the Yellow Jackets in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (six). And while linemates [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1214944' first='Davion' last='Mckinnis'] are good, too, Baskett is the point of attack Gilbert will need to address first. We think Indians tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding'] might factor into that heavily. The senior is known for his pass-catching ability, but don't discount how well he blocks off the edge. There's a good chance we see him in motion pre-snap to add his size to wherever Baskett is.   Underclassmen Impact: North Augusta sophomore Javon Ryans might have had his breakout game last week against May River. The linebacker had little to no issue helping to contain the Sharks' unique rushing attack - one that had put up a about 3,500 rushing yards coming into the game. Ryans and Co. will be facing an equally dangerous run game this week against Gilbert, and if he plays like he did last week, the Yellow Jackets should be fine.

Gilbert and South Florence have spent a portion of the latter half of the season knowing how a few breaks could have laid out their playoff seedings much differently.