Handicapping the Class AA state playoffs
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Moncks Corner – At long last, the regular season came to an end and the Class AA state playoffs are upon us.
The brackets are set and the fans of the favorites are hoping to make plans in mid-December for Orangeburg and the state finals scene.
Who are the favorites in AA? Is there a sleeper or two that may surprise everyone and get to the title game. Most of the time, the teams that survive the grind and reach the fifth week of the playoffs, the title game, are teams that everyone who follows the sport predicts will be there.
Let’s have a little fun and handicap the AA field. My process is to list my top four teams in the Upper State bracket and top four in the Lower State, as I see it. Any team not in my top four would be considered a sleeper to make it through the bracket. But, it can be done.
In the Upper State, my No. 1 team is Batesburg-Leesville. I know, shocker. The 10-0 Panthers have answered every challenge and have proven to be quite formidable. They allow seven points per game with a defense that has speed and physicality. Nearly half of the total points they have allowed in 10 games came in one game, to Abbeville, in a two-point win. Abbeville is the top-ranked team in Class A and their coach ,Jamie Nickles, is a believer.
“They are certainly capable of winning the state championship,” he said.
Running back Amadre Wooden and quarterback Tanner Watkins are a solid one-two punch offensively. Wooden has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and Watkins has passed for more than 1200 yards.
My No. 2 pick to win the Upper State is Clinton. The 7-2 Red Devils have lost only to Woodruff and Daniel. Each of those teams has just one loss this season. The tough non-region schedule makes me feel the Red Devils are battle-tested for close, big games.
Quarterback Tashawan Richardson makes it all go for the offense with James Cook adding a major threat in the run game.
My No. 3 pick in the Upper State is Fairfield Central. The Griffins lost their season opener to Ridge View and have won nine straight games since. The scouting report needs just one word – speed. The Griffins can run and are explosive. Running back Tydarion Grier has gained more than 1.400 yards and averages 9.3 yards per carry.
And, my No. 4 is Saluda. The Tigers’ only loss came to Batesburg-Leesville and they would love another shot at their region rivals. Saluda is another of the top defensive teams in AA and defense wins championships.
Tahe your pick as the favorite in the Lower State cause several teams have a shot. My No. 1 going in is Barnwell. While not flashy or dominant, the Warhorses are solid and athletic. Senior Cameron Austin is a great leader at quarterback and if they have success on the ground, game over.
No. 2 is Barnwell rival Hampton County. Again, the Hurricanes run the football and have good solid play at quarterback. They made a good run a year ago and I think their confidence level is high.
The last two favorite picks are difficult and I ended up with three teams for two spots. At No. 3 I am going with Cheraw. The 8-2 Braves are not great at anything but very solid at most. Running back Cam McClendon is a threat to score from anywhere and the defense gets after it pretty good.
For No. 4, I am sharing the spot between Manning and Philip Simmons. Manning has just one loss, the season opener to Crestwood, but their schedule and region was not overly difficult.
Philip Simmons went undefeated in a tougher region and seems to be peaking at the right time. The Iron Horses have a veteran quarterback and they really play hard on defense.
Class AA state playoff first-round pairings
Upper State
Pelion at Clinton
Strom Thurmond at Chester
Columbia at Batesburg-Leesville
Andrew Jackson at Liberty
Chesterfield at Fairfield-Central
Ninety Six at Chesnee
Landrum at Central
Mid-Carolina at Saluda
Lower State
Academic Magnet at Barnwell
Lake City at Timberland
Edisto at Cheraw
Andrews at East Clarendon
North Central at Manning
Woodland at Hampton Co.
Mullins at Philip Simmons
Kingstree at Whale Branch
