5A Lower State Preview: Wave Vs. Patriots II

David Shelton

November 22, 2022 @ 11:22 AM

Nothing better than a game between two district rivals to determine a spot in the state finals. That's exactly what we have on Friday night when Summerville and Fort Dorchester meet for the Class 5A Lower State Championship.   This will mark the second meeting between the two teams this season. In the game that decided the region 7-AAAAA title, Fort Dorchester knocked off Summerville, 38-21, on Oct. 28.   Summerville's only other loss this season, to Sumter, was avenged last week as the Green Wave won, 7-0. Can they do it again? Maybe. But it won't be easy.   Summerville (11-2) at Fort Dorchester (10-3)   Fort Dorchester has owned the series with their District 2 rivals of late, winning eight of the last 10 meetings. The Patriots have a veteran senior quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='89345' first='Zolten' last='Osborne'], who passed for 3,500 yards a year ago. However, Osborne has not put up the gaudy numbers this season, due in part to an early injury that hampered his overall play for a bit.   But, the Patriots running game has been nearly unstoppable. Behind a huge offensive line, led by 2024 center Ty'Rik Deas (6-4, 320). Running backs [player_tooltip player_id='91350' first='Davian' last='Brown'] (2024) and Zion Reynolds (2023) have each topped 1,000 yards on the ground.   Osborne's favorite targets in the passing game have been Mul-Ty Snider and Tre Ryan, both seniors.   Fort Dorchester's defense has been very solid all season, and especially so during the eight-game winning streak. The Partiots returned two interceptions for scores in the first meeting with Summerville. Linebacker Michael Smalls and end DeAndre Jones, a former Green Wave performer, are two of the leaders defensively.   For Summerville, 2024 receiver Yannick Smith has been a huge factor in the playoff run. Smith, also a basketball prospect, was Summerville's leading rusher in last week's win over Sumter and caught two touchdown passes in the previous win over Lexington.   Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='262638' first='Campbell' last='McCurry'] is a threat through the air as well as in the run game. Summerville's run game rivals Fort Dorchester's with 2023 Marquez Spells (pictured) and 2024 Trae Green.   Defensively, Summerville is very solid from front to back. Tackle Josh Matusik anchors the front with double-digit tackles for loss. Linebacker Ike Rutherford is one of the top tacklers and corner Ryland Mitchell had 18 tackles in last week's shutout of Sumter.   Safety [player_tooltip player_id='89335' first='Keith' last='Elmore'] and corner [player_tooltip player_id='262617' first='Michael' last='Jenkins'], both seniors, are veteran, savvy performers. Jenkins also excels in the area of kick and punt blocking.   Edge: Fort Dorchester

Nothing better than a game between two district rivals to determine a spot in the state finals. That's exactly what we have on Friday night when Summerville and Fort Dorchester meet for the Class 5A Lower State Championship.