A look ahead... Class A Playoffs

Class A Playoffs
Similar to their Class AAAA brethren, the state’s smallest classification also decides its champion using the two division system. Though I don’t agree with it, it is the system we have to live with.
One thing it has done this year is produce two pretty interesting brackets, almost sure to deliver some heart-stopping moments en route to Columbia’s Benedict College where a state champion will be crowned.

Division I
Which ever team walks away with this title surely will have earned it. In my opinion, half of the field could potentially walk away from Columbia as champions.
In the Upper State, Chesterfield aims to win a fourth consecutive state title as the region’s second seed. A landmine in the form of Lamar may reveal itself to the Rams in the second round, followed by an Upper State final potentially against the likes of Abbeville, Calhoun County or Landrum … a tough draw indeed.
Undefeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt has the inside track to Benedict College this year, drawing the Lower State’s top seed. A match-up with the winner of the Johnsonville-Ridgeland match-up lurks in the second round.
Should the Red Raiders make it through to the Lower State final, waiting for them there could be Hemingway, setting up a battle between two undefeated teams for a chance to earn a championship.

Upper State
(8)Blacksburg (6-4) at (1)Abbeville (9-1)
(5) Landrum (7-3) at (4)Calhoun County (8-2)

(6)Ninety Six (6-4) at (3)Lamar (9-1)
(7)Ware Shoals (4-6) at (2)Chesterfield (7-3)

Lower State
(8)C.E. Murray (5-5) at (1)Bamberg-Ehrhardt (10-0)
(5)Johnsonville(8-2) at (4)Ridgeland (7-3)

(6)Baptist Hill (6-4) at (3)Burke (4-5)
(7)Allendale-Fairfax (5-4) at (2)Hemingway (10-0)

Division II
A number of teams may do their best to contend, but it again seems we are destined to see Scott’s Branch and Williston-Elko match wits for the Class A-Division II title.
The programs have split the last two Division II championships, beating each other to claim their classification’s top prize. While a potential Upper State final against Christ Church may be the only real roadblock for the Blue Devils, Blackville-Hilda looks like the biggest threat between the Eagles and them claiming a third consecutive Lower State title.

Upper State
(8)Ridge Spring-Monetta (3-7) at (1)Christ Church (10-0)
(5)Calhoun Falls (6-4) at (4)Fox Creek (7-3)

(6)Southside Christian (3-7) at (3)Great Falls (7-3)
(7)McCormick (3-7) at (2)Williston-Elko (9-1)


Lower State
(8)Bethune-Bowman (2-8) at (1)Scott’s Branch (8-2)
(5)Lake View (6-4) at (4)Cross (5-5)

(6)Denmark-Olar (4-6) at (3)Blackville-Hilda (7-3)
(7)Whale Branch (5-5) at (2)Hardeeville (5-5)