A look ahead... Class AA &AAA Playoffs

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Playing at home throughout the Class AAA Upper State playoffs, it would be easy to tab the Stallions as the favorite to make it to Columbia and the state title game. However, the task will be easier said than done.

Class AAA Playoffs
The road to Columbia from the Upper State will be quite treacherous for top ranked South Pointe, which faces a potential second round match-up with defending state champion Clinton followed by a possible clash of the titans with Greenville and its prolific offense led by quarterback Glenn Baston.
Undefeated Belton-Honea Path’s path is no easier, getting Greer to open the playoffs. A second round match-up between former region rivals Fairfield Central and Union County also looms large should both advance.
Meanwhile, Myrtle Beach appears to be far and away the class in the Lower State, though should it meet Hartsville in the state semifinals will find itself on the road. However, the match-up to see on this side of the bracket in the first round is Berkeley at Camden, squads regarded as two of the best in the state, yet one will leave the playoffs earlier than hoped.

Upper State
(4)Eastside (2-8) at (1)South Pointe (9-1)
(3)Daniel (6-4) at (2)Clinton (7-3)

(4)Fort Mill (5-5) at (1)Greenville (9-1)
(3)Chapin (5-5) at (2)Seneca (7-3)

(4)Pickens (6-4) at (1)Union County (7-3)
(3)Berea (7-3) at (2)Fairfield Central (9-1)

(4)Greer (6-4) at (1)Belton-Honea Path (10-0)
(3)Chester (6-4) at (2)Wade Hampton (G) (9-1)

Lower State
(4)Hilton Head (4-6) at (1)Hartsville (7-3)
(3)Socastee (4-6) at (2)Airport (8-2)

(4)Lakewood (4-6) at (1)Bluffton (9-1)
(3)A.C. Flora (9-1) at (2)Wilson (5-5)

(4)St. James (2-8) at (1)Midland Valley (6-4)
(3)Berkeley (7-3) at (2)Camden (9-1)

(4)Brookland-Cayce (2-8) at (1)Myrtle Beach (9-1)
(3)Marlboro County (6-4) at (2)Cane Bay (6-4)

Class AA Playoffs
The difference between being this classification’s champion and it’s “first loser” has been a single point the past two years, each time Dillon able to just get by Central. It would seem the two titans are again on a collision course, but several suitors have put themselves in line for a shot at spoiling the party.
Only a potential Upper State semifinal match-up with Strom Thurmond would seem to keep the Eagles from a third consecutive trip to Columbia, getting a favorable draw through this year’s tournament. Dillon, on the other hand, may have a tougher go of things.
A Lower State semifinal contest could pit the Wildcats, undefeated in their own right, against a Timberland team which would also enter the game with an unblemished record. Should Dillon survive the game, a list of capable opponents in the form of Silver Bluff, Manning, Hanahan or Lake City would await in the Lower State championship game.

Upper State
(4)Emerald (5-5) at (1)Palmetto (8-2)
(3)Columbia (6-4) at (2)Indian Land (9-1)

(4)Carolina (5-5) at (1)Woodruff (7-3)
(3)Cheraw (3-7) at (2)Batesburg-Leesville (7-3)

(4)Lee Central (4-6) at (1)Strom Thurmond (8-2)
(3)Pendleton (5-5) at (2)Mid Carolina (9-1)

(4)Gilbert (1-9) at (1)Central (10-0)
(3)Newberry (4-6) at (2)Chesnee (7-3)

Lower State
(4)Stall (4-6) at (1)Silver Bluff (9-1)
(3)Manning (7-3) at (2)Mullins (8-2)

(4)Barnwell (3-7) at (1)Hanahan (7-3)
(3)Loris (7-3) at (2)Lake City (8-2)

(4)Marion (4-5) at (1)Timberland (10-0)
(3)Swansea (5-5) at (2)Woodland (8-2)

(4)Bishop England (5-5) at (1)Dillon (10-0)
(3)Wade Hampton (H) (6-4) at (2)Garrett (7-3)