Class 1A Upper State Third Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the two-time defending champions out of the playoffs, the 1A Upper State bracket is wide open. Here's a look at the four teams left, and at Friday's semifinal matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewisville (11-1) at Christ Church (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions are on a roll, and have a high-octane spread attack to thank for it. <strong>Ian Grissom</strong> does plenty of good things at QB, but his biggest asset is the way he allows the Lions to be aggressive down the field.<strong> De'Adrian Robinson</strong>, D<strong>enari Garcia</strong>, <strong>Andrew Langley</strong>, and <strong>Jacorreun Howze</strong> are his top targets. <strong>Damion Fee</strong> provides Lewisville with a big back, running behind an experienced, solid line. Defensively, the Lions are solid on the line and at LB, and S <strong>Zack Rogers</strong> seems to always be around the ball, and in on every play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers have put together an exception season with a balanced offense and a stingy defense. [player_tooltip player_id='262618' first='Woods' last='Windham'] has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards at a 70 percent completion rate, and averages five yards per carry when he takes off. [player_tooltip player_id='262681' first='BJ' last='Atkins'] leads a receiving corps that boasts four guys with more than 200 yards, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp']</strong> is just behind. [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'] is the offensive workhorse, with 1,572 yards rushing, a 9.6 yards per carry average, and 34 TDs on the ground. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='262677' first='Carson' last='Shaw'] is a monster at DE, with 64 tackles, 21 TFL, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one could be a shootout. The Cavaliers might just have too many playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: Christ Church</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Joseph's (10-2) at Wagener-Salley (9-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Joseph's trailed Christ Church 21-0 last week, before QB <strong>Walker Wood</strong> scored twice, and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144052' first='Johnny' last='Jaraczewski']</strong> provided a pair of goal-line scores. Wood's two-point conversion in OT gave the Knights a win over two-time defending state champion Southside Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The War Eagles started 1-3, but haven't lost since. QB <strong>Cameron Davis</strong> anchors an offense that doesn't really throw much, having moved from RB. He's one of the school's all-time leading rushers, and a threat to go every time he touches the ball. When they do throw, <strong>Chris Kitchings</strong> and <strong>Mekhi Williams</strong> are solid threats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Wagener-Salley has good athletes and good size, but don't have the depth they've enjoyed in recent years. In a war of attrition, St. Joseph's has the advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edge: St. Joseph's</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->