Class 5A Division II Semifinals Preview

The Class 5A Division II semifinals are here, and it's time to see which teams will book their ticket to next Friday night's state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg at 7:30 p.m.   These matchups feature explosive offenses who haven't been slowed down throughout the season, outside of the one loss on their schedule, and the defenses have flown around.    The underdogs in this matchup know what's at stake and they are up for the challenge as they travel on the road the day after Thanksgiving. Here's a deep dive into the two matchups:   NO. 2 BERKELEY (10-2) AT NO. 1 IRMO (11-1)   Berkeley made things look easy against Myrtle Beach, beating the Seahawks on the road 61-13 to advance to next week's semifinal matchup. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] (pictured above) went 13-of-19 for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He also had six carries for 133 yards and one touchdown so the ability to be a dual threat is something to keep an eye on. [player_tooltip player_id='1766209' first='Malik' last='Callen'] led all receivers with seven receptions for 119 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] is a threat in the passing game as well at receiver with 45 yards receiving last week.   The Stags defense has been on a hot streak since the second week in October, as they've only allowed more than 20 points once. And that was against Westwood in the second round. One of the anchors up front has been [player_tooltip player_id='1357963' first='Landon' last='Jackson'] (9 sacks on the year), and he will be tasked with trying to slow down Irmo's explosive offense, led by [player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Drevon' last='Dopson'], who has thrown for 2236 yards and 27 touchdowns on the year. One of Dopson's favorite targets has been [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'] (46 receptions, 850 yards, 9 touchdowns). Keep an eye on Cam McCue and Chamberlin Thomas at safety, who will look to limit the big plays from Dopson.   Jackson is excited about the opportunity to go up against an explosive Irmo offense, and while the Stags will come in as the underdog, his group is confident.   “We all come out there with a chip on our shoulder and we're undersized so we've just got to play football and get the job done. (At) Berkeley, we're always the underdog, so that isn't anything new. If everybody just does their job, don't try to be superstars and be role players, we can beat them for sure. They've got a couple athletes, but we've got athletes as well,” Jackson said.   Starting Lineups   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Berkeley Offense</td><td>Berkeley Defense</td><td>Berkeley Specialists</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1766983' first='Kevin' last='McKinley']</td><td>K [player_tooltip player_id='1603784' first='Ryland' last='Curwen']</td></tr><tr><td>RB LJ Washington</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1357963' first='Landon' last='Jackson']</td><td>P [player_tooltip player_id='1766765' first='Ben' last='Szala']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1766803' first='Aiden' last='President']</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1766224' first='John' last='Cleveland']</td><td>DL Jah'Mir Heyward</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1766209' first='Malik' last='Callen']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson']</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1766319' first='Bryson' last='Heath']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1267216' first='Kevin' last='Rivers']</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1267220' first='Zion' last='Britt']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1639678' first='Gehad' last='Sneed']</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1732656' first='Zion' last='Richardson']</td><td>DB Cam McCue</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1766915' first='Carson' last='Boles']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1625091' first='Chamberlin' last='Thompson']</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1658172' first='Kahnir' last='Coleman']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1766112' first='Dominic' last='Young']</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1766922' first='Caden' last='Freeman']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1766100' first='Dennis' last='Thompson']</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Irmo did not provide a starting lineup to PRZ in time for publication.   Matchup Within The Matchup: The Stags are led up front offensively by [player_tooltip player_id='1267220' first='Zion' last='Britt'][player_tooltip player_id='1732656' first='Zion' last='Richardson'][player_tooltip player_id='1766915' first='Carson' last='Boles'][player_tooltip player_id='1658172' first='Kahnir' last='Coleman'][player_tooltip player_id='1766922' first='Caden' last='Freeman']. They will face their biggest challenge of the playoffs against [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant'] (9 sacks) and [player_tooltip player_id='1734510' first='Major' last='Taylor'] (4 sacks) and Branden Goldsbrough (78 tackles). They will need to be on their A-game for Berkeley's skill to have a chance of getting open for Rivers to get it to them.   Underclassmen Impact: [player_tooltip player_id='1467834' first='Jay' last='Eady'] transferred over to Irmo from Airport for the 2025 season and has made his presence felt. He currently has 33 receptions, 515 yards and 10 touchdowns. He can create matchup problems for opposing linebackers with his size at the tight end position. He has soft hands and he's tough to try to bring down at first contact. He is someone that the Stags will need to be aware of and communicate in the secondary to try and slow him down.    NO. 3 INDIAN LAND (11-1) AT NO. 1 NORTHWESTERN (11-1)   Indian Land trailed TL Hanna by 12 with 5:19 left to play in the contest, and thanks to late game heroics from [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] (9 catches, 141 yards and one receiving touchdown) and [player_tooltip player_id='1042719' first='Hayden' last='Morris'] (8 catches, 197 yards and two receiving touchdowns), they connected on a 90-yard touchdown reception with 1:43 remaining <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/patterson-warriors-rally-late-to-top-tl-hanna/">to advance to the semifinal matchup</a>. One thing to keep an eye on is the status of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'], who got hurt on the final drive. He threw for 407 yards and three touchdowns and is a vital part of their offense. If Kucia can't go, expect Patterson to get looks at quarterback and for them to lean on [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'] in the run game, who did not play last week against the Jackets. If Horton can't go, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1820001' first='Christian' last='Hunt'] to get the carries. [player_tooltip player_id='1822507' first='Kenneth' last='Wilson'] is a threat in the passing game as he finished last week with 6 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown.   The Trojans and Warriors last met on Halloween, which resulted in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/northwestern-routs-indian-land-behind-means-7-tds/">a 51-13 win for the Trojans</a> to win the region title. Now the stakes are higher, and with a birth in next week's state championship on the line, Patterson is not shying away from a second chance at the defending 5A Division II state champs.   “It's always amazing playing those guys. Those guys are historically good over there but, it's our time now. We're going to show them what we're made of. We got our feet wet a little bit. Let the naysayers say what they want but we're going to bring it this time,” Patterson on the upcoming rematch against Northwestern.   Northwestern led Gaffney 45-21 in the third quarter before the Indians began to climb back in the game late in the quarter, and then followed it up with a 16-point run in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 45 with 7:01 remaining. [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] led the Trojans down the field on an 11-play, 65-yard drive to take the lead for good and secure a 52-45 third round win. The Trojans have done their damage offensively on the ground, averaging 228.5 yards per game, aided by [player_tooltip player_id='1823340' first='Nigel' last='Smith'], who has 1061 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. The Trojans' offensive line has been the catalyst to that, led by Touchstone Energy Bowl selection and Charleston Southern commit [player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman'] who is big and strong and can get to the second level. The Trojans' defense has allowed 23.4 points per game, and they'll see the same Warriors' offense that they stymied back on Halloween – can they answer the bell again? [player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden'] leads the Trojans in tackles with 60 and 18 tackles for loss. Texas A&M commit [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] has 52 tackles and four pass breakups. [player_tooltip player_id='1823343' first='Malik' last='Darby'] has 22, yes, twenty-two tackles for loss and is tough to block on the defensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1820778' first='Jeremiah' last='Cannon'] is active on the defensive line with 43 tackles and 13 tackles for loss.   Starting Lineups   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Indian Land Offense</td><td>Northwestern Defense</td><td>Northwestern Specialists</td><td>Indian Land Specialists</td><td>Indian Land Defense</td><td>Northwestern Offense</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins']</td><td>K [player_tooltip player_id='1824470' first='Alex' last='Bendt']</td><td>K Blaine Plyler</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1822507' first='Kenneth' last='Wilson']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1734419' first='Josh' last='Singleton']</td><td></td><td></td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1395038' first='Brysen' last='Conner']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1823338' first='Amarian' last='Coleman']</td><td></td><td></td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1822503' first='Noah' last='Terry']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1820777' first='Evan' last='Harrison']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1042719' first='Hayden' last='Morris']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1283361' first='Jaylon' last='Richardson']</td><td></td><td></td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1718680' first='Payton' last='Vining']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1822496' first='Devin' last='Dillinger']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1652528' first='Jayden' last='Baxter']</td><td></td><td></td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner']</td><td>WR Jonathan Spuregon</td></tr><tr><td>OL Ryan Buck</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1820772' first='Nolan' last='McKinnon']</td><td></td><td></td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1822500' first='Jackson' last='Headley']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1823340' first='Nigel' last='Smith']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1819987' first='Jackson' last='Wian']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1823343' first='Malik' last='Darby']</td><td></td><td></td><td>DL Mike Foster</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1820781' first='Beau' last='Chumley']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1819993' first='Joshua' last='Veal']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1820776' first='Kobe' last='Neely']</td><td></td><td></td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1550509' first='CJ' last='Petri']</td><td>OL Elijah Propheter</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1639806' first='Curtis' last='Sullivan']</td><td>DL Bron'zier Nicholson</td><td></td><td></td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1820000' first='Liam' last='Stephen']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1823337' first='Noah' last='McCoy']</td></tr><tr><td>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1820001' first='Christian' last='Hunt']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden']</td><td></td><td></td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1822494' first='Kent' last='Perry']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1820779' first='Nasir' last='Hannah']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1820778' first='Jeremiah' last='Cannon']</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within The Matchup: No one has come up with a formula to slow down the Trojans' offense this season, which is averaging 48.4 points per game. We mentioned their ability to run the ball, but don't discount their ability to throw the ball either, as it's their bread and butter. Means has thrown the ball to 2529 yards and 28 touchdowns led by [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] (73 receptions, 882 yards and 11 touchdowns), Jonathan Spuregon (42 catches, 421 yards and 7 touchdowns) and [player_tooltip player_id='1820777' first='Evan' last='Harrison'] (35 catches, 356 yards and two touchdowns). The Warriors will have to find a way to clog up holes in the run game and create pressure on Means with [player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner'] at linebacker and Mike Foster on the defensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1550509' first='CJ' last='Petri'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822503' first='Noah' last='Terry'] will have to play well in the secondary.   Underclassmen Impact: Trojans linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1301735' first='Dash' last='Holley'] is only a freshman, but he's made his mark when he's gotten in the game. He had a pick six against Nation Ford during region play and thwarted a fake punt attempt. He's instinctive and can clog run lanes, which is not normal to see from a young player. He has 18.5 total tackles and three tackles for a loss on the season so far, and we wouldn't be surprised to see his name called if the opportunity presents itself.

The Class 5A Division II semifinals are here, and it's time to see which teams will book their ticket to next Friday night's state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg at 7:30 p.m.