Class 5A Upper State Playoff Preview
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The Upstate landscape looks a little different as the 5A playoffs get started.
Gone is the sense of dominance surrounding just about any program. Gaffney is the lone unbeaten team in the bracket, but would have to run an absolute gauntlet to advance to the Upper State title game. Two one loss teams are just behind, and played for last year’s Upper State crown. Northwestern lost early and T.L. Hanna lost late, which would put them on a quicker course toward each other. And across the bracket, Spartanburg is back on top in Region II, and has Spring Valley and an upstart Hillcrest team to contend with down the road if higher seeds hold.
Here’s a look at the entire Class 5A Upper State field.
No. 4 Riverside (7-3) at No.1 Hillcrest (7-2)
Riverside put together a solid season led by QB Robinson Sanders Robinson Sanders 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Riverside | 2023 State SC and WR Alex Riddle Alex Riddle 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Riverside | 2022 State SC . The Warriors will travel to face Greenville County rival Hillcrest. Anthony Frate’s team is paced by QB Bennett Judy, WR/KR Avery McFadden, and a defense that authored one of the biggest upsets of the regular season last week, knocking off previously unbeaten T.L. Hanna.
No. 3 Ridge View (4-4) at No. 2 Clover (4-4)
The Blazers faltered a bit after a hot start, but Andre Washington Andre Washington 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Ridge View | 2022 State SC and Marcus Kelly make Ridge View dangerous and hard to defend. Clover held off Nation Ford for a second place finish. Joe Boyd Joe Boyd 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Clover | 2023 State SC and Demarco Evans help make Brian Lane’s offense go.
No. 4 Woodmont (5-5) at No. 1 Spartanburg (6-3)
JuJu Stewart and AJ Hackett have helped lead the Wildcats back to the playoffs. They’ll travel to face the Vikings, who have been lights-out since Raheim Jeter Raheim Jeter 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Spartanburg | 2023 State SC ’s return from an early season injury. The Vikings’ defense has played well in Region II-4A, led by standout Judah McJimpsey Judah McJimpsey 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2022 State SC .
No. 3 Nation Ford (4-5) at No. 2 Spring Valley (6-2)
Falcons QB Carson Black Carson Black 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2023 State SC has helped lead Nation Ford to a third place finish and a berth in the playoffs, with Kenan Bowman as one of his main targets. DeQuandre Smith DeQuandre Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Spring Valley | 2022 State SC has led the Vikings, as he’s effectively directed the passing game and is second on the team in rushing yards as well.
No. 4 Rock Hill (2-6) at No. 1 Gaffney (10-0)
The Bearcats struggled last week against arch rival Northwestern, but they’ll try to make a run behind North All-Star Luke Bracey Luke Bracey 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Rock Hill | 2022 State SC , who’s done a little bit of everything including offense, defense, and blocking kicks. Gaffney completed an undefeated regular season for the first time since 2011. They’ve been led by Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2022 State SC , Grayson Loftis Grayson Loftis 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2023 State SC , and a stingy defense spearheaded by Jesus Dowdle Jesus Dowdle 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2022 State SC and Landon Bullock.
No. 3 Dorman (4-5) at No. 2 T.L. Hanna (9-1)
This is a matchup that many expected to come much later in the playoffs, and to be between No. 1 seeds. Dorman has looked spotty on offense, and when the Cavaliers have won it’s been due to a stout defense led by Hudson Lee Hudson Lee 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Dorman | 2022 State SC and Bo Roseborough. Hanna faltered at the worst possible time, losing the Region I-5A title to Hillcrest. The Yellow Jackets use multiple running backs in their vaunted Wing offense, but senior Kamren Johnson Kamren Johnson 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB TL Hanna | 2022 State SC (pictured) is the rock.
No. 3 Mauldin (6-3) at No. 2 Byrnes (5-5)
This might be the most intriguing matchup of the first round in the Upper State. Mauldin’s do-everything defensive backs Jeadyn Lukus Jeadyn Lukus 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Mauldin | 2022 State SC and Randy Caldwell Randy Caldwell 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Mauldin | 2022 State SC , both ranked in Prep Redzone’s Top 20, have done double-duty, with both playing a lot of offense for the Mavericks. They’ll need to keep their defensive focus, because Byrnes’ Gabe Rogers is a bona fide stud: he’s thrown for 3,126 yards and 31 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Behind him, the Rebels average 39 points and 500 yards of offense per game.
No. 4 Boiling Springs (1-9) at No. 1 Northwestern (9-1)
The Bulldogs struggled all year on the offensive side of the ball, notching their only win in Week 9 to take a No. 4 seed. But the emergence of Kam Williams and Carmelo Martin at running back have boosted Boiling Springs’ offensive fortunes, and the defense has played well in spots. They’ll need to again on Friday, as Northwestern boasts North All-Star QB Will Mattison Will Mattison 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2022 State SC , who’s thrown for 2,173 yards and accounted for 38 touchdowns.