Class 3A Upper State Second Round Preview
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The second round of the playoffs in the 2A Upper State bracket is LOADED. Both defending champion Daniel and upstart Powdersville are undefeated. Chapman has won multiple titles in the past five years, and Chester’s won another. Wren is explosive,…
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Continue ReadingThe second round of the playoffs in the 2A Upper State bracket is LOADED. Both defending champion Daniel and upstart Powdersville are undefeated. Chapman has won multiple titles in the past five years, and Chester’s won another. Wren is explosive, Clinton can make you play their way, and Lower Richland has athletes all over the place. Woodruff, the only “upset” winner in the first round, scored 55 points and has perhaps the most dynamic running back left in the Upper State.
In short, Friday’s gonna be fun. Here’s a look at the matchups.
No. 2 Chester (7-4) at No. 1 Chapman (8-2)
These teams have hooked up a few times over the past several years in their runs of success, with the early matchups favoring Chester and the latter going to Chapman. This one has the hallmarks of a classic.
The Cyclones are led by QB/LB Zan Dunham Zan Dunham 6'2" | 215 lbs | ATH Chester | 2022 State SC , who started the year on defense but who has seen his workload under center increase as the year’s played out. Shydem McCullough started the year at TE/H-Back for the Cyclones, but made so many big plays that he took the starting RB job. Andre Evans and Ju’Quan Carter are the biggest threats on the outside for Chester, while DeMarrion Carter is solid on both sides of the ball up front.
Chapman is loaded on offense. Drew Settle Drew Settle 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Chapman | 2022 State SC has been outstanding all year, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and setting school records for touchdowns and yards in a season. DJ Black DJ Black 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Chapman | 2022 State SC has the school mark for receiving yards in a game, Derrick Miller set the standard for rushing yards in a game, and the Panthers have a deep and talented offensive line. Oh, and Tim McClurkin Tim McClurkin 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Chapman | 2022 State SC is healthy after an early injury, wreaking havoc on both sides of the ball.
No. 2 Wren (6-5) at No. 1 Powdersville (11-0)
This is a rematch of a regular-season contest that was Powdersville’s narrowest win in an undefeated regular season: a 10-9 victory in Week 3. It’s the only time the Patriots were held below 34 points this season, and by far their most competitive game until last week’s thriller over Broome.
Wren’s early-season struggles were a bit misleading. The Hurricanes’ five losses came to teams with a collective three losses between them. They’re capable of scoring points in bunches, with Gavin Owens and Trey Horne Trey Horne 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Rabun Gap | 2024 State GA both seeing time at QB. Owens is the guy most of the time, giving Horne the ability to make plays at RB and WR. He did just that in the first round, with three TDs including a 55-yard reception and a 66-yard run. Malachi Hill Malachi Hill 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Wren | 2022 State SC is the Hurricanes’ offensive backbone, rushing for 1,041 yards and 11 scores.
Powdersville has a stout defense featuring Prep Redzone’s No. 1 player in the 2023 class, Jalen Rambert Jalen Rambert 6'1" | 240 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2023 State SC . Rambert pitched in offensively when he was desperately needed last week, scoring twice and providing a two-point conversion in a 45-44 win over Broome. Eli Hudgins is effective operating the Patriots’ offense, with Drake Sloan as his main weapon. Thomas Williams Thomas Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Powdersville | 2023 State SC is a legit bruiser out of the backfield.
No. 3 Woodruff (5-4) at No. 1 Daniel (10-0)
The Wolverines are the outlier, the only third-place team to survive the first round. But Woodruff was third in one of the best regions in the state, and they’ve discovered a gamebreaker. Everybody knows about Jailen Tribble Jailen Tribble 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Woodruff | 2022 State SC on the defensive side of the ball, and Carson Tucker at QB is becoming a well-known name. Nobody, though, knew what Damarian Elmore was capable of. He’s put up 981 yards and 16 touchdowns on 130 carries, just since region play began. He topped 200 yards against Union County, Clinton, and Broome, including a high of 248 against the Centurions.
Daniel, meanwhile, has no secret weapons. They’re just GOOD. The Lions have been the wire-to-wire No. 1 team in the classification. Reigning Gatorade Player of the Year Trent Pearman Trent Pearman 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Daniel | 2022 State SC leads the way with more than 2,700 yards of offense and 38 TDs, and he’s got a ton of weapons. Chris Edge has rushed for nearly 900 yards for the Lions, while Eli Merck Eli Merck 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR DW Daniel | 2023 State SC and Jaylen Brown-Wallace Jaylen Brown-Wallace 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Daniel | 2023 State SC each have more than 680 receiving yards.
No. 2 Clinton (10-1) at No. 1 Lower Richland (8-1)
The Red Devils have returned to old-school Clinton football under Corey Fountain: they feature a rugged rushing attack and lights-out defense. Several backs see time in the Red Devils’ option-based attack, including Jykorie Gary Jykorie Gary 5'9" | 155 lbs | RB Clinton | 2022 State SC , Bryson James, and Jayden Robinson. Brothers Jishun Copeland and Justin Copeland both stand out, with Jishun at RB and Justin at WR, while both also play defense. QB Davis Wilson directs the offense well, and is ridiculously efficient when Clinton elects to pass.
Lower Richland won a rugged Region IV 3A, and the Diamond Hornets are fast and athletic. Robert Adams is a 1,500-yard dual-threat player at QB, with backs Jeremy Barney and Lamarion Pearson both hovering around the 800-yard mark. Barney is a senior and the workhorse, with 132 carries and 14 touchdowns, while Pearson provides the big-play threat. Nate Branch Nate Branch 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Lower Richland | 2023 State SC is Adams’ main target in the receiving game.