Week 13-- The plot thickens around the Palmetto State

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Greenville quarterback Glenn Baston will take his shot at the South Pointe defense when the two teams meet Friday night in the Class AAA Upper State semifinals.

Finally, a bit of clarity.
With each new week, there is separation -- it is win … or go home.
That is both the beauty and the harsh reality of the playoffs. From week to week, immortality hinges on every single play, with athletes not knowing whether at the end they will shed tears of joy, or those of sorrow for coming oh so close, but yet so far.
With the South Carolina high school football playoffs now in full swing, we are within days of crowning state champions in Class A, the journey ending the following week for those remaining in classes AA, AAA, and AAAA in Columbia with the “Weekend of Champions” Dec. 3-4.
Prior to kicking off the “third season” as we like to call it (non-region games, and region games being the other seasons), teams hope to find themselves playing in the championship rounds. Week 13 is one of those rounds, offering up a slate chock full of games sure to play a role in deciding who hoists a title in the state capital.
Here’s a quick look at what this Friday has in store for fans around the Palmetto State:

-- Indians, Yellow Jackets meet for first time since 2007 title game - Irmo head coach Bob Hanna remembers the last time one of his teams faced off against Gaffney.
Let’s just say it is one he would rather forget.
The two squads renew acquaintances for the first time since their tilt in Columbia three years ago, this time with a berth in the Class AAAA Big 16 semifinals at stake.
-- Can the top four seeds in Class AAAA’s Division II remain on a collision course? - When the playoff brackets were announced, everyone had Nov. 26 marked, the date having the potential to be a blockbuster night around the Palmetto State.
Particularly in Class AAAA Division II, where if Goose Creek, Greenwood, North Augusta and Northwestern handle their business -- as each team if favored to -- two colossal match-ups will be set (Northwestern at Goose Creek; North Augusta at Greenwood).
-- Glenn Baston, Greenville offense take their shot at a stout South Pointe defense - All year the Stallions have relied on their defense -- particularly their pass rush led by top prospect Jadeveon Clowney. South Pointe will again rest its title hopes firmly in the hands of its defensive unit Friday night when Greenville and its prolific offense visits Rock Hill for the Class AAA Upper State semifinal battle.
Believe it or not, the Red Raiders have given up fewer points than their York County counterparts, yielding just over nine points per game.
-- Battle for supremacy in Class AA’s Lower State - Each of the past two seasons, Dillon has found its path toward a state title go through Timberland. This season is no different, as the undefeated teams match wits in St. Stephen Friday night.
Two of the Wolves’ region foes will go at it once again when Manning visits Lake City with a berth in the Lower State title game on the line. The Monarchs held South Carolina commit Shon Carson to his lowest rushing output of the season in the squads’ first meeting Oct. 29, yet found themselves on the negative side of the ledger, suffering a 13-6 loss.
-- Undefeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Hemingway teams meet with ticket to Columbia on line - Few teams have been stingier this season than Hemingway, allowing only 54 points through 12 games (4.5 ppg).
The Tigers should have their hands full with a Bamberg-Ehrhardt team that averaging more than 34 points a game. Whichever team walks out of this one not only leaves with an unblemished record, but a shot at the Class A Division I title a week later at Columbia’s Benedict College.
-- Will we see a Williston-Elko-Scott’s Branch III? - While it is not a sure bet, the two squads come into this week as the favorites to represent their half of the state in Columbia next weekend. Scott’s Branch hosts a Hardeeville squad which got over the .500 mark with its two postseason wins, while Williston-Elko takes on an undefeated Christ Church team averaging 50 points per game.
The Blue Devils offense isn’t too bad itself however, averaging 54.6 points per contest, putting up more than 50 points in nine of their past 11 games.

S.C. Prep Football -- Week 13
Playoff Schedule
(All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

Division I-AAAA
Upper Bracket
Fort Dorchester at Dorman
Gaffney at Irmo
Lower Bracket
Lexington at Summerville
Byrnes at Dutch Fork

Division II-AAAA
Upper Bracket
Easley at Goose Creek
Ashley Ridge at Northwestern
Lower Bracket
South Florence at Greenwood
T.L. Hanna at North Augusta

Class AAA
Upper State
Greenville at South Pointe
Fairfield Central at Belton-Honea Path
Lower State
Bluffton at Hartsville
Berkeley at Myrtle Beach

Class AA
Upper State
Columbia at Woodruff
Central at Strom Thurmond
Lower State
Manning at Lake City
Dillon at Timberland

Class A Division I
Upper State
Lamar at Abbeville
Lower State
Hemingway at Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Class A Division II
Upper State
Williston-Elko at Christ Church
Lower State
Hardeeville at Scott’s Branch