Class AA outlook

Little did we know that last December’s state title tilt between Central and Dillon could be the end of one of the more scintillating, highly contested rivalries in recent memory.
Avenging two years of falling a point short to their rivals from the Pee Dee, the Eagles rallied from a 10 point fourth quarter deficit to win their first Class AA championship since 2003 with a heart-stopping 21-17 win.
Unfortunately, with the decision to split the classification into separate divisions, another part will not be added to this saga in 2011, with Central headed for Division II and the Wildcats to compete in the Division I tournament.
But just as they have in previous years, the rival programs are again expected to journey deep into November, and quite possibly find themselves playing Dec. 2 at Charles W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia.
Dillon in particular has high hopes for the year, coming up just short last season with a lineup laden with youth. Sixteen starters return from last season’s Lower State championship squad.
At the head of the Wildcats’ youth movement is running back Jabo Lee, the rising junior racking up 2,325 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns last season.
Equally as dangerous this season will be Dillon’s passing game, which will be anchored by wide receiver Kwinton Smith, a South Carolina commitment. He caught 42 passes for 809 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010.
If there is a question for the Wildcats left to answer, it is who will be at the controls of one of the state’s more prolific offenses? Thomas Grossetti and Malique Gregory will compete for the job, the winner finding themselves surrounded by a talented cast.
Central, however, will begin camp with plenty of holes to fill. Keyed to a state title last year on its strong one-two punch of Mardu Smith and Radford Robinson in the backfield, some new faces will have to pick up the slack if the team has any aspirations of making a return trip to Columbia.
“We’re not going to replace those two guys with just two guys but we feel we have six, seven or even eight players that can fill the void for us,” said Central head coach Joey Mangum to the S.C. High School Sports Report. “… We’ll be young but we have some ability.”
Nevertheless, the Eagles will remain quite nasty on defense, returning able starters such up front like Dedrick Shine, Kendrick Baker and Mark Hatten, and linebackers Tevis Funderburke and Renard Price.
Woodruff came within minutes of ending Central’s pursuit of a state title last year, its comeback bid halted in the final minutes of the 2010 Upper State championship game. The Wolverines renowned high octane offense has residents of the Upstate community excited for the upcoming campaign, which some believe can restore the program back to the glory days of famed coach W.L. Varner, who won 10 titles at the school.
Similar to Dillon, Woodruff will be able to dictate to its opponent how the game will be played, equally comfortable running or passing the pigskin. Clemson commit Javarius Leamon will anchor an offensive line whose duty is to protect quarterback Ryan Tribble and open running lanes for running backs Shun Tribble and Hermundre Rutledge.
The Wolverines are expected to pose the biggest threat to Dillon’s path to a state title in Division I, though talent laden squads such as Timberland, Strom Thurmond and Manning have the potential to give the Wildcats a run for their money. In Division II, Columbia, Silver Bluff and Indian Land will aim to shoot down the defending Class AA champs.

CLASS AA DIVISION I
FAVORITE: Dillon
CONTENDERS: Woodruff, Timberland, Strom Thurmond, Manning
LOOK OUT FOR: Cheraw -- A perennial power in Class AA, the Braves have recently fallen on hard times. Finally re-stocking the cupboard to levels reminiscent of past glory, it will be interesting to see of Cheraw can return to the top of Class AA.

CLASS AA DIVISION II
FAVORITE: Central
CONTENDERS: Silver Bluff, Columbia, Indian Land
LOOK OUT FOR: Hanahan -- The Hawks boast one of the state’s best athletes in wide receiver Chris Brown -- a true game breaker. Already receiving a number of offers from upper tier schools, Brown may be able to help Hanahan improve on its 8-4 record in 2010 and make it a legitimate player in Class AA Division II.

S.C. Prep Football -- Classes A & 2A Week 10 Stock Watch

CLASS 2A -- It seems this classification is defined by the play of two teams -- Central-Pageland(9-0) and Dillon (9-0). The Wildcats have prevailed by a single point in the past two state title games, and it seems the squads are again on a collision course.
Or are they? Here are a few teams who could spoil the party… or not.
STOCKS UP:
- Timberland (9-0): Likely Dillon’s stiffest test in the Lower State on its way to a three-peat. The Wolves have remained undefeated primarily due to the play of its defense, which has only given up 11 points per game.
In addition, Timberland is battle-tested, already having defeated region foes Manning and Lake City as well as the 2009 Class 3A champion Berkeley.
- Silver Bluff (8-1): Aside from a season opening loss to crosstown rival Aiken, it has been business as usual for the Bulldogs, reeling in eight consecutive wins and a Region V-2A title. Stout on defense and supremely balanced on offense, this squad has the potential to make things interesting in a loaded Lower State bracket.
- Lake City (7-2): Honestly, any squad that has a back as talented as South Carolina commitment Shon Carson has the potential to go a long way. While Timberland was able to put the clamps on the star running back, few defensive units have been able to do so during his stellar career, one which has him in the conversation as one of the state’s best backs this year.
Oh… they’re defense isn’t half bad either, giving up around 16 points per game.

STOCKS DOWN:
- Indian Land (8-1): After padding its record on mediocre competition, the Warriors were laid to waste by a dominant Central squad, losing by 26 points. While it was the two-time state runners-up it was playing, Indian Land must show more against tougher competition before being considered a legit threat to the Class 2A title.
- Mid Carolina (8-1): While it had run roughshod through competition through eight games, last week’s contest at Woodruff -- for a conference title, no less -- truly was a litmus test for the Rebels, one where they see where they are compared to other competition around the state. A 35 point loss proved rather telling, as Mid Carolina had no answer for the Wolverines fast paced offensive attack, one it is sure to see against opponents in the state playoffs.
WATCH OUT FOR:
-Batesburg-Leesville (7-2): This is typically the Panthers’ favorite time of year, and they are again proving this to be true, winning seven consecutive games going into its week 10 tilt with Strom Thurmond. No matter the record, this team is not one you want to see in the postseason.
- Woodruff (6-3): The record may not be the best, but just take a deeper look at who the Wolverines’ losses are to. Each of Woodruff’s three defeats are to Class 3A teams likely to qualify for their classifications’ state playoffs, with only one of the losses - a 14 point setback to Greenville - coming by more than a touchdown.
The Wolverines have virtually been a lock to score more than 30 points each game. If this continues, it could be hard for opponents to slow this team down.
CLASS A -- In the belief of sportswriters around the Palmetto State, there is one thing seemingly all of them can agree on -- yes, Williston-Elko (9-1) is that dominant. The defending Class A - Division II champion, only seven points separates the Blue Devils from an undefeated season.
Since that season opening loss to Strom Thurmond, Coach Dwayne Garrick’s squad has outscored opponents 513-85.

STOCKS UP:
- Bamberg-Ehrhardt (9-0): Since a surprising season opening victory over Class 4A’s Orangeburg-Wilkinson, the Red Raiders have plugged right along, flashing signs of brilliance as well as toughness and resiliency in close wins over Barnwell, Ridgeland, and most recently Allendale-Fairfax.
Last season, B-E was embarrassed in a second round matchup with Calhoun County 20-0.This year it hopes to extend its stay in postseason play.
- Hemingway (9-0): Arguably no defense has been more dominant than the Tigers, giving up a total of 34 points while racking up a 9-0 record. Playing in one of the classification’s toughest conferences, joined in Region 8-A by the likes of Johnsonville, Lake View and Carvers Bay, this squad has set itself apart, making it one to watch in coming weeks.
-Scott’s Branch (7-2): Since consecutive losses to Class 2A foes Manning and Woodland, no one has been able to stop the Eagles, who during their seven game winning streaked have beaten three-time defending Class A champion Chesterfield as well as region rival Lamar. The squad hopes to achieve a conference title Friday vs. C.E. Murray, paving its way for another run at a state title.

STOCKS DOWN:
-Chesterfield (6-3): It is hard to put a squad with three rings on this list. But following three straight losses midseason, it is even more difficult to tab the Rams as a contender for a fourth consecutive Class A title. While young and inexperienced heading into the playoffs, history is on Chesterfield’s side- head coach and former University of South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill’s first championship team in 2007 lost three games that year.
Maybe he has a little magic in the bag… who knows?
- Christ Church (9-0): How can an undefeated team whose lowest margin of victory this season is five points, while scoring more than 40 points eight out of nine games in 2010 not getting the respect it deserves? The Cavaliers must earn respect in my opinion, having bowed out in the second round of the playoffs each of the past two years.

WATCH OUT FOR:
- Lamar (8-1): A one point loss to Scott’s Branch is the only thing keeping coach J.R. Boyd’s Silver Foxes out of the conversation as one of the front runners for a state title. However, I’m sure they like it that way.
At its best, Lamar can beat any team its classification has to offer.