Class AAAA Playoff Notebook

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris has proven to be quite the weapon for the Indians this season. Coach Dan Jones hopes he is again up to the task when they travel to Irmo Friday night.

Without doubt, the team left standing after the gauntlet that is the Class AAAA-Division II tournament will have earned it.
Each of the bracket’s top four seeds -- Goose Creek, Greenwood, North Augusta, Northwestern -- have at some time been ranked among the top 100 high school football teams in the nation, according to RivalsHigh.com.
Only the top ranked Gators struggled to get through the first round, getting by Conway 28-14. The other three squads would go on to cruise into the second round.
Each team will be a heavy favorite to advance to the state semifinals, setting up quite a night after Thanksgiving-- potentially (4)Northwestern at (1)Goose Creek - (3) North Augusta at (2)Greenwood in the semifinals-- tickets to Columbia will be punched.
The Class AAAA Big 16 bracket was had its share of close, heart-stopping finishes, with Lexington, Dutch Fork and Summerville earning hard-fought victories. Likely no two teams were as impressive as defending champion Dorman, which routed White Knoll 31-0; and its nearby rival Gaffney which also shut out its first round opponent Wando, 28-0.
Irmo should give the Indians a stern test Friday night, however, Dawan Scott and the Yellow Jackets running past Spartanburg, 39-26. The senior running back ran for 217 yards and four touchdowns against the Vikings defense last week.

Games to watch:
-- Gaffney at Irmo: The last time these two teams met was 2007 -- a state title tilt dominated by the Indians, 41-0. Little has changed about these squads since, Gaffney riding the coattails of an athletic, balanced offense and a strong, consistent defense; while the Yellow Jackets still like to run, and has done so with ease behind its big offensive line, weighing in at a combined average heavier than 260 pounds.
It will be interesting to see how Irmo’s defense performs against the versatility quarterback DeEdward Burris and the Gaffney offense possess on offense, something it has seen little of this season.
-- Byrnes at Dutch Fork: Fans of the Silver Foxes have been forced to wait till the game’s final seconds to finally exhale the past couple of weeks, just getting by rival Irmo and first round opponent Clover. Now Byrnes rides into town, confident following a 41-0 drubbing of Mauldin to open the postseason.
This one has all the potential to be a shootout, each offensive unit capable of putting up points at will. However, the Rebels must contain Dutch Fork quarterback Justin Suber if they have any intentions of moving on.
Suber has passed for 1,880 yards and rushed for 1,003 this season. As he goes, so do the Silver Foxes.
-- UPSET ALERT: Lexington at Summerville: Coach John McKissick and the Green Wave have to be thanking the man upstairs for star running back DeAngelo Henderson and a prolific offense, which has averaged 38 points per game this year. The problem, however, is its defense, which can be rather porous at times.
Giving up 34 points last week to a lower tier Midlands team in Blythewood did not help Summerville one bit, yet it advanced. Now it faces a talent in the form of Lexington all-purpose man Shaq Roland, who has caught 58 balls for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns this year.
Both defenses should be under assault in this one.

Mr. Football award finalists announced

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

South Pointe's Jadeveon Clowney (left) and Northwestern's Justin Worley are among the finalists for the S.C. Autombile Dealers Association Mr. Football award recognizing the state's most outstanding player.

No head scratching necessary for this one … these kids deserve the recognition they are receiving.
Noticed for their prowess on the gridiron, the field was narrowed down to eight in the running for the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association Mr. Football award.
Among those chosen was Northwestern’s record setting quarterback Justin Worley. The Tennessee commitment has led the Trojans to a 12-0 mark thus far in 2010, hoping to accomplish the one thing he has not done during his high school football career -- win a state championship.
All-American Jadeveon Clowney was also tabbed as a finalist for this year’s Mr. Football award, the defensive end (and part-time running back) serving as the focal point of a dominating South Pointe defense which currently sits atop the Class AAA Prep Writers’ Poll.
Clemson commit and Dorman standout wide receiver Charone Peake was among those honored as a finalist for the award, in addition to Myrtle Beach quarterback and North Carolina commitment Everett Golson, Greenwood linebacker Quinton Backus, Summerville running back DeAngelo Henderson, James Island wide receiver Bo Patterson, and Goose Creek offensive tackle Brandon Shell.
Current South Carolina running back and former Byrnes High School standout Marcus Lattimore won the S.C. Mr. Football award in 2009.
The Mr. Football award be handed out during the North-South awards ceremony Dec. 11 at Myrtle Beach High School.

Previous Mr. Football Winners
2009: Marcus Lattimore - Byrnes HS (South Carolina)
2008: Stephon Gilmore - South Pointe HS (South Carolina)
2007: Richard Mounce - Blythewood HS (Charleston Southern)
2006: Malcolm Long - Gaffney HS (South Carolina State)
2005: Prince Miller - Byrnes HS (Georgia)
2004: JD Melton - Myrtle Beach HS (Navy)
2003: Trey Elder - Byrnes HS (Appalachian State)
2002: Eric McCollum - Camden HS (Iowa)
2001: Moe Thompson - Stratford HS (South Carolina)
2000: Roscoe Crosby - Union HS (Clemson)
1999: Mark Logan - Greenwood HS (Georgia Tech)
1998: Derek Watson - Palmetto HS (South Carolina)
1997: Chris Hope - Rock Hill HS (Florida State)
1996: Kyle Young - Daniel HS (Clemson)
1995: Jermale Kelly - Greenwood HS (South Carolina)

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

How did the ranked teams fare... Palmetto State roundup- Week 12

NOTE: The S.C. Prep Writers’ Poll is compiled by The State with voting by Adam Regan-Anderson Independent Mail, Justin Jarrett-Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet, Bob Castello-Greenville News, Matt Anderson-Greenwood Index-Journal, Shane Bowen-Myrtle Beach Sun News, Barry Byers-Rock Hill Herald, Kevin Melton-Spartanburg Herald Journal and Akilah Nelson-The State.

CLASS AAAA
1. Dorman (12-0)-- def. White Knoll, 31-0; first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
NEXT: vs. Fort Dorchester, Class AAAA Big 16 quarterfinals
2. Northwestern (12-0)-- def. James Island, 45-14; first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
NEXT: vs. Ashley Ridge, Class AAAA Div. II quarterfinals
3. Goose Creek (12-0)-- def. Conway, 28-14; first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
NEXT: vs. Easley, Class AAAA Div. II quarterfinals
4. Greenwood (11-1)-- def. Laurens, 41-21; first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
NEXT: vs. South Florence, Class AAAA Div. II quarterfinals
5. Gaffney (9-3)-- def. Wando, 28-0; first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
NEXT: at Irmo, Class AAAA Big 16 quarterfinals
6. North Augusta (11-1)-- def. Richland NE, 52-14; first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
NEXT: vs. T.L. Hanna, Class AAAA Div. II quarterfinals
7. Irmo (10-2)-- def. Spartanburg, 39-26; first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
NEXT: vs. Gaffney, Class AAAA Big 16 quarterfinals
8. Summerville (10-2)-- def. Blythewood, 41-34; first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
NEXT: vs. Lexington; Class AAAA Big 16 quarterfinals
9. Dutch Fork (10-2)-- def. Clover, 30-25; first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
NEXT: vs. Byrnes, Class AAAA Big 16 quarterfinals
10. Beaufort (9-2)-- lost to Easley, 33-14; first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs

CLASS AAA
1. South Pointe (11-1)-- def. Daniel 20-14;
NEXT: vs. Greenville; Upper State AAA semifinals
2. Myrtle Beach (11-1)-- def. Cane Bay, 45-22
NEXT: vs. Berkeley, Lower State AAA semifinals
3. Belton-Honea Path (12-0)-- def. Chester, 34-7
NEXT: vs. Fairfield Central, Upper State AAA semifinals
4. Fairfield Central (11-1)-- def. Union County, 20-7
NEXT: at Belton-Honea Path, Upper State AAA semifinals
5. Greenville (11-1)-- def. Seneca, 51-7
NEXT: at South Pointe, Upper State AAA semifinals
6. Bluffton (11-1)-- def. A.C. Flora, 34-30
NEXT: at Hartsville, Lower State AAA semifinals
7. Union County (8-3)-- lost to Fairfield Central, 20-7
8. Berkeley (8-3)-- def. Midland Valley, 35-7
NEXT: at Myrtle Beach, Lower State AAA semifinals
9. AC Flora (10-1)-- lost to Bluffton, 34-30
10. Chester (7-4)-- lost to Belton-Honea Path, 34-7

CLASS AA
1. Dillon (12-0)-- def. Wade Hampton (H), 56-7
NEXT: at Timberland, Lower State AA semifinals
2. Central (12-0)--def. Chesnee, 40-21
NEXT: vs. Strom Thurmond, Upper State AA semifinals
3. Timberland (12-0)-- def. Woodland, 37-13
NEXT: vs. Dillon, Lower State AA semifinals
4. Silver Bluff (10-2)-- lost to Manning, 34-14
5. Lake City (9-2)-- def. Hanahan, 62-41
NEXT: vs. Manning, Lower State semifinals
6. Strom Thurmond (9-2)-- def. Mid-Carolina, 38-14
NEXT: at Central, Upper State semifinals
7. Manning (9-3)-- def. Silver Bluff, 34-14
NEXT: at LAke City, Lower State AA semifinals
8. Woodruff (9-3)-- def. Cheraw, 48-21
NEXT: vs. Columbia, Upper State AA semifinals
9. Mid-Carolina (10-2)-- lost to Strom Thurmond, 38-14
10. Woodland (9-3)-- lost to Timberland, 37-13

CLASS A
1. Williston-Elko (11-1)-- def. Great Falls, 78-27; Class A Div. II Upper State semifinals
NEXT: at Christ Church, Class A Div. II Upper State final
2. Hemingway (12-0)-- def. Burke, 20-0; Class A Div. I Lower State semifinals
NEXT: at Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Class A Div. I Lower State final
3. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (12-0)-- def. Ridgeland, 49-6; Class A Div. I Lower State semifinals
NEXT: vs. Hemingway, Class A Lower State Div. I final
4. Abbeville (11-1)-- def. Calhoun County, 24-0; Class A Div. I Upper State semifinals
NEXT: vs. Lamar, Class A Div. I Upper State final
5. Lamar (11-1)-- def. Chesterfield, 28-13; Class A Div. I Upper State semifinals
NEXT: at Abbeville, Class A Div. I Upper State final
6. Scott’s Branch (10-2)-- def. Lake View, 32-6; Class A Div. II Lower State semifinals
NEXT: vs. Hardeeville, Class A Div. II Lower State final
7. Calhoun County (9-3)-- lost to Abbeville, 24-0; Class A Div.I Upper State semifinals
8. Christ Church (12-0)-- def. Fox Creek, 63-19; Class A Div. II Upper State semifinals
NEXT: vs. Williston-Elko, Class A Div. II Upper State final
9. Chesterfield (8-4)-- lost to Lamar, 28-13; Class A Div. I Upper State semifinals
10. Ridgeland (8-4)-- lost to Bamberg-Ehrhardt, 49-6; Class A Div. I Lower State semifinals

PALMETTO STATE ROUNDUP- WEEK 13
Class AAAA Division I
First Round
Dorman 31, White Knoll 0
Dutch Fork 30, Clover 25
Fort Dorchester 31, Stratford 17
Gaffney 28, Wando 0
Irmo 39, Spartanburg 26
James F. Byrnes 44, Mauldin 14
Lexington 22, Boiling Springs 21
Summerville 41, Blythewood 34

Class AAAA Division II
First Round
Ashley Ridge 28, Lugoff-Elgin 24
Easley 33, Beaufort 14
Goose Creek 28, Conway 14
Greenwood 41, Laurens 21
North Augusta 52, Richland Northeast 14
Northwestern 45, James Island 14
South Florence 24, Wren 21
T.L. Hanna 41, J.L. Mann 7

Upper State Class AAA
Second Round
Belton-Honea Path 37, Chester 7
Fairfield Central 20, Union County 7
Greenville 51, Seneca 7
South Pointe 20, D.W. Daniel 14

Lower State Class AAA
Second Round
Berkeley 35, Midland Valley 7
Bluffton 34, A.C. Flora 30
Hartsville 20, Airport 17
Myrtle Beach 45, Cane Bay 22

Upper State Class AA
Second Round
Central 40, Chesnee 21
Columbia 38, Palmetto 34
Strom Thurmond 38, Mid-Carolina 14
Woodruff 48, Cheraw 21

Lower State Class AA
Second Round
Dillon 56, Wade Hampton (H) 7
Lake City 62, Hanahan 41
Manning 34, Silver Bluff 14
Timberland 37, Woodland 13

Upper State Class A Division I
Second Round
Abbeville 24, Calhoun County 0
Lamar 28, Chesterfield 13

Lower State Class A Division I
Second Round
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 49, Ridgeland 6
Hemingway 20, Burke 0

Upper State Class A Division II
Second Round
Christ Church Episcopal 63, Fox Creek 19
Williston-Elko 78, Great Falls 27

Lower State Class A Division II
Second Round
Hardeeville 24, Denmark-Olar 7
Scott's Branch 32, Lake View 6

S.C. Prep Football Writers' Poll-- Nov. 10

Photo By Joe L. Hughes II

Crosstown rivals South Pointe and Northwestern roll into the playoffs ranked highly in South Carolina and nationally, the squads being two of five the Palmetto State recognized in the RivalsHigh 100 weekly countdown.

Apparently, kids in the Palmetto State know how to play them some football.
Five programs -- Dorman, Northwestern, Goose Creek, Greenwood, and the latest entrant Class AAA powerhouse South Pointe -- were listed among the nation's top programs in the latest RivalsHigh 100 poll. Byrnes and North Augusta were previously included in the poll, released weekly by writers with Rivals.com.
While being showered with praise and adoration is great, teams around the state have their eyes fixed toward Columbia, each of them in the home stretch toward a championship.
As for the polls, Class AAAA's top four teams remained as they have for the past several weeks, but following the losses of Irmo and Beaufort in week 11 things up a bit, with the likes of Gaffney and North Augusta being the chief recipients of such good fortune in the opinion of S.C. prep football writers.
Class AAA was relatively unchanged with the exception of the return to prominence for Berkeley and Chester, both of whom returned the poll after impressive road wins the first weekend of the playoffs.
Like a broken record, the Class AA poll again is headed by Dillon and Central, followed by undefeated Timberland and a one-loss Silver Bluff squad. Lake City, Strom Thurmond and Manning follow those teams, with Woodruff breaking into things at No. 8 as it rides the wings of a six-game winning streak.
Everything held to form for the most part in Class A, with the only ranked team to drop out of the poll being Johnsonville, which was replaced by the squad that defeated it last week, Ridgeland.

CLASS 4A
1. Dorman (11-0)-- vs. White Knoll, first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
2. Northwestern (11-0)-- vs. James Island, first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
3. Goose Creek (11-0)-- vs. Conway, first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
4. Greenwood (10-1)-- vs. Laurens, first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
5. Gaffney (8-3)-- vs. Wando, first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
6. North Augusta (10-1)-- vs. Richland Northeast, first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs
7. Irmo (9-2)-- vs. Spartanburg, first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
8. Summerville (9-2)-- vs. Blythewood, first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
9. Dutch Fork (9-2)-- vs. Clover, first round Class AAAA Big 16 playoffs
10. Beaufort (9-2)-- vs. Easley, first round Class AAAA Div. II playoffs

CLASS 3A
1. South Pointe (10-1)-- vs. Daniel
2. Myrtle Beach (10-1)-- vs. Cane Bay
3. Belton-Honea Path (11-0)-- vs. Chester
4. Fairfield Central (10-1)-- at Union County
5. Greenville (10-1)-- vs. Seneca
6. Bluffton (10-1)-- vs. A.C. Flora
7. Union County (8-3)-- vs. Fairfield Central
8. Berkeley (8-3)-- at Midland Valley
9. AC Flora (10-1)-- at Bluffton
10. Chester (7-4)-- at Belton-Honea Path

CLASS 2A
1. Dillon (11-0)--vs. Wade Hampton (H)
2. Central (11-0)--vs. Chesnee
3. Timberland (11-0)-- vs. Woodland
4. Silver Bluff (10-1)-- vs. Manning
5. Lake City (9-2)-- at Hanahan
6. Strom Thurmond (9-2)-- vs. Mid-Carolina
7. Manning (8-3)-- at Silver Bluff
8. Woodruff (8-3)-- vs. Cheraw
9. Mid-Carolina (10-1)-- at Strom Thurmond
10. Woodland (9-2)-- at Timberland

CLASS A
1. Williston-Elko (10-1)-- vs. Great Falls, Class A Div. II Lower State semifinals
2. Hemingway (11-0)-- vs. Burke, Class A Div. I Lower State semifinals
3. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (11-0)-- vs. Ridgeland, Class A Div. I Lower State semifinals
4. Abbeville (10-1)-- vs. Calhoun County, Class A Div. I Upper State semifinals
5. Lamar (10-1)-- at Chesterfield, Class A Div. I Upper State semifinals
6. Scott’s Branch (9-2)-- vs. Lake View, Class A Div. II Lower State semifinals
7. Calhoun County (9-2)-- at Abbeville, Class A Div.I Upper State semifinals
8. Christ Church (11-0)-- vs. Fox Creek, Class A Div. II Upper State semifinals
9. Chesterfield (8-3)-- vs. Lamar, Class A Div. I Upper State semifinals
10. Ridgeland (8-3)-- at Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Class A Div. I Lower State semifinals

The S.C. Prep Writers’ Poll is compiled by The State with voting by Adam Regan-Anderson Independent Mail, Justin Jarrett-Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet, Bob Castello-Greenville News, Matt Anderson-Greenwood Index-Journal, Shane Bowen-Myrtle Beach Sun News, Barry Byers-Rock Hill Herald, Kevin Melton-Spartanburg Herald Journal and Akilah Nelson-The State.

North-South All Star Game, Shrine Bowl rosters announced

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Northwestern's record setting quarterback and Tennessee prospect Justin Worley recently earned the honor of being chosen to be participate in the 2010 Shrine Bowl.

A state title is the ultimate goal when high school football players report for the first of many summer drills. However, individual honors are pretty nice as well.
Hundreds of football players took the field this season for schools around South Carolina, but only a select few were chosen for the two elite all-star contests on the gridiron -- the North-South All Star Game in Myrtle Beach and the Shrine Bowl contest between North Carolina and the Palmetto State's Sandlappers at Spartanburg's Gibbs Stadium.
I'm particularly proud of the accomplishments of players I've seen grow through the years such as Gaffney's DeEdward Burris and Blacksburg's Chase Hames, who surpassed the 2,000 yard mark in rushing this season for the Wildcats. Both Cherokee County football players were honored with a trip to the Shrine Bowl.
Others like South Pointe's Jadeveon Clowney and Northwestern's Justin Worley were also awarded with the honor.
Of course, there are many others which were honored by having their names chosen to take part in these prestigious contests.
Click here for rosters of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association North-South All-Star Game.
The Spartanburg Herald-Journal has extended coverage of the Shrine Bowl. Check it out by clicking this link.

Class AA playoff notebook (Nov. 9)

It wasn't supposed to end this early for Indian Land or Batesburg-Leesville. However, both squads with aspirations of a state title saw those dreams fall short in the first round of the state playoffs.
Batesburg-Leesville, coming off of a 31-0 drubbing at the hands of region foe Strom Thurmond, was unable to recover that winning feeling last Friday night in a 21-7 loss to Cheraw.
The teams' first meeting since their 2005 meeting in the Class AA state championship game, the Panthers were their worst enemy, turning the ball over seven times.
Though it has a record below .500 for the year, Cheraw (4-7) advances to the second round to take on Woodruff, winners of six straight and eight of their last nine games.
Indian Land, a team whose only loss during the 2010 regular season was to undefeated Central, seemed poised to make a run in the Upper State portion of the bracket. Apparently Columbia did not get the memo, leaving York County with a 28-21 victory.
The Capitals' Deerik Bradley rushed for 183 yards on 34 carries while quarterback Ty Tyler completed each of his seven passes to Casey Gladney — including a 56-yard touchdown strike just prior to intermission. Columbia moves on to face Palmetto in the second round.
Most of the second round's top match-ups take place in the Lower State, highlighted with Manning taking quite the trip to Aiken to face off against Silver Bluff, and Shon Carson and his Lake City teammates try to take down Region VI-AA champion Hanahan.
Here is a rundown of the first round of the Class AA playoffs and match-ups for the second round of action:
Upper State
Palmetto 21, Emerald 14
Columbia 28, Indian Land 21
Woodruff 44, Carolina 10
Cheraw 21, Batesburg-Leesville 7
Strom Thurmond 55, Lee Central 8
Mid-Carolina 14, Pendleton 7
Central 47, Gilbert 0
Chesnee 27, Newberry 20

Upper State quarterfinals
Columbia at Palmetto
Cheraw at Woodruff
Mid-Carolina at Woodruff
Chesnee at Central

Lower State
Silver Bluff 38, Stall 13
Manning 55, Mullins 24
Hanahan 48, Barnwell 6
Lake City 28, Loris 17
Timberland 35, Marion 6
Woodland 49, Swansea 21
Dillon 31, Bishop England 17
Wade Hampton 38, Garrett 15

Lower State quarterfinals
Manning at Silver Bluff
Lake City at Hanahan
Woodland at Timberland
Wade Hampton (H) at Dillon