Here we go, folks. It’s win-or-go-home time. The high school football playoffs begin across South Carolina this week, and 12 Lowco area squads are ready to start their quests for a state title, however long the odds.
Defending champions Hilton Head Christian Academy (SCISA 2A) and Thomas Heyward Academy (SCISA 1A) are the favorites to repeat, though the Rebels won’t begin their title defense until the semifinals, after Dillon Christian forfeited their first-round matchup. Top-seeded May River and No. 2 Beaufort High hope to back up their top-10 rankings with deep runs in SCHSL Class 4A, and fifth-ranked Whale Branch should make some noise in SCHSL Class 1A. No. 2 seed Beaufort Academy has its eye on a rematch with HHCA in the SCISA 2A title game, and a number of teams will hit the road Friday night fully expecting to shake up the brackets.
The beauty of the playoffs is that nothing that came before matters a lick. If you’re in the dance, you have the same shot as everyone else to win ’em all. And you can’t win ’em all if you don’t win the first one. So let’s get ready for kickoff with the LowcoSports Round 1 Playoff Primer.
SCHSL 4A 1ST ROUND
North Myrtle Beach (4-4) at May River (8-2)
After winning six straight to close out the regular season, Garvin Douglas and May River enter November brimming with confidence, but the Sharks will be tested right away in the postseason as a tested North Myrtle Beach squad with everything to prove heads down to the Tank.
There was not much expected from this May River offense after losing legendary quarterback Ahmad Green, but senior Garvin Douglas quickly stepped in and became an instant sensation. Just like Green, Douglas uses his phenomenal power and athleticism to bolt down the field and ignite an explosive ground game. But the stellar senior will have to outduel a Chiefs defense that’s well prepared to face him.
After battling a stacked Region 6-4A with exceptional talent across the board including West Florence’s Orlando Hudson, North Myrtle Beach is ready for the challenges that Douglas will present. The Sharks’ impressive offensive line must create room for Douglas alongside dynamic playmaker Jaeon Allen and power back Cam Scott to help keep the Chiefs on their toes. If May River can establish the run early and seize an advantage on the scoreboard, the Sharks can play their ball-control game and look to eat at the clock.
They may be just a No. 5 seed, but the Chiefs have the firepower and talent to hang in this game. Running back Elijah Vereen is averaging nearly nine yards per carry, and senior teammate Tavarius Hooks is a reliable back with terrific quickness. If the stellar linebacking trio of Kade Carpenter, Chris Snowden, and Thomas Raisch can continue to frustrate a Chief offense that has totaled just 15 points in the past two games, May River should be able to find some stops and give the ball back to its high-powered run game.
North Myrtle Beach has the talent in the front seven to look to slow down Douglas, but that task will be no easy feat. If the Shark star can get his legs moving early and string together some explosive plays, an electric May River crowd and a tough defense should propel the Region 7-4A champs to the second round. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: May River 24, North Myrtle Beach 20
WK: May River 31, North Myrtle Beach 24
South Florence (7-3) at Beaufort High (8-2)
In mid-October, both of these teams had high hopes for region titles — now they find themselves matching up in the first round of a loaded Class 4A Lower State bracket with one top-10 team making an early exit.
Despite being the No. 4 seed out of the brutal Region 6-4A, the Bruins were a play away from knocking off top-ranked Myrtle Beach in Week 9. But a missed PAT led to a 28-27 loss a week later at West Florence and the three-way tiebreaker went against South Florence, sending the eighth-ranked Bruins into a tough road trip to start the playoffs. A week earlier, the Eagles saw their hopes of a third straight region crown dashed by May River, bumping the state’s 10th-ranked team to the No. 2 seed and a brutal draw in the Bruins.
South Florence has seen its share of adversity, losing star quarterback and Virginia commit LaNorris Sellers to a season-ending injury after four games, but Quincy Rhodes Jr. has stepped in and guided a new-look offense. Rhodes isn’t the pocket passer that Sellers is, but he has thrown nine TDs and just one interception and rushed for 439 yards and 5 TDs while leading an up-tempo attack. Malik Terry is steady as a rock in the backfield and Evin Singletary and Jabray Johnson are dangerous in open space.
Beaufort’s defense is strong enough to slow down the Bruins, but South Florence will likely look to use a quick pace and pre-snap reads to neutralize the Eagles’ prolific pass rushers and force the linebackers and secondary to make tackles. Linebackers James Dennison and Carter Bowersox and defensive backs Colton Phares and Hunter Rast will have to stay on their assignments and make key open-field tackles to prevent big gains.
The Eagles’ offense has regained its early-season form after a couple of sluggish efforts, putting up 45 and 44 points in consecutive blowout wins over Bluffton and Colleton County. Beaufort is at its best when it is balanced, and with Amariee Morris expected to be close to 100 percent after missing three of the past four games, the Eagles should be able to achieve that. If Morris can have success on the ground early, it will open up the deep ball to Zyrin Odom and allow Tyler Haley to find reliable receivers Kacy Fields, McLeod Reichel, and Michael Dennison underneath.
Both teams have been hurt by turnovers at times, and with wet weather forecast, hanging onto the ball will be paramount. The team that wins the turnover battle is likely to be the one that fights on into the second round of what figures to be a slugfest in Class 4A. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Beaufort High 27, South Florence 20
WK: Beaufort High 28, South Florence 27
Hilton Head High (3-6) at Aiken (3-7)
With the status of two-way star Jaylen Sneed still in doubt, BJ Payne and a motivated Hilton Head High group head to Aiken looking to pull off a playoff win. The Seahawks landed a fortunate first-round draw, avoiding a loaded Region 6 and earning a date with a struggling Hornet squad.
Sneed missed Friday’s game with a shoulder injury, and his return would be an enormous boost to the Seahawks’ chances on the road. But even if he sits the playoff contest out or plays in a limited role, the ‘Hawks certainly proved their mettle without their top talent against May River.
Owen Bayes may not have the eye-popping explosiveness that Sneed presents, but the Raleigh transfer has shown some positive signs as a pocket passer. Chase McCracken racked up 200 yards on the ground against the Sharks last week, and he should be the focal point again for the Seahawk offense. If McCracken can produce on the ground and hold onto the ball, it will open up opportunities for Bayes to throw over the top to senior playmakers Evan Elliot and Jayden Gilliam.
The Hornets have been sluggish on offense this season, averaging a meager 11 points per game. Led by the ferocious Matthew Larkby at defensive end, the Seahawk front has made some terrific strides during region play and should wreak havoc in the backfield against a young Aiken unit. With the potential for Sneed to be back to complement the excellent play of Carter Saleeby, Hilton Head’s defense should lead the charge on the road.
The Seahawks couldn’t have asked for a better matchup to open the postseason, and they will have a chip on their shoulder after losing that playoff opportunity a year ago. If the offense can avoid careless penalties and ride a red-hot McCracken, Hilton Head’s defense should make enough stops to take down the Hornets and earn a shot at Myrtle Beach next week. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Hilton Head High 17, Aiken 14
WK: Hilton Head High 24, Aiken 17
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Bluffton (2-7) at North Augusta (5-5)
The Bobcats were trending in the wrong direction at the end of the regular season, but they’ll try to recapture their midseason magic on the road when they take on Region 5-4A runner-up North Augusta on Friday.
Bluffton enjoyed an early-season surge with comeback wins over Thomas Heyward and Colleton County sandwiched around a tough overtime loss to a strong Wade Hampton team, but the Bobcats have stumbled into the postseason on a four-game losing streak and were blanked 35-0 by James Island last week.
The Yellowjackets have won two straight and three of their last four with their only loss in region play being a 15-12 defeat at the hands of region champ South Aiken on Oct. 15. North Augusta’s defense was excellent in region games, holding each opponent to 15 points or fewer, and the unit racked up seven tackles for loss and five sacks in last week’s 35-14 win over Aiken. The Bobcats’ offensive line will have to slow down a strong front seven and keep disruptive defensive linemen Chase Tillman and Demarian Gibson out of the backfield.
Bluffton’s offense is at its best when quarterback Max Vonhohenstraeten has time to set up in the pocket and wait for one of his many dynamic receivers to get open, but in order to do that, the Bobcats need to establish the run with Roderick Buxton and do a better job up front to allow Jaylin Linder, KJ Frazier, Robert Brown, and Camauri Simmons to get open.
North Augusta’s offense has fired on all cylinders in consecutive wins, but the Bobcats’ defense led by DJ Aiken, Jeremiah Curry, and JaQuinn Williams has put together some outstanding performances this season, especially when the offense is able to find success and keep the time of possession relatively even. The Yellowjackets have a dynamic back in DJ Curry and a pair of capable quarterbacks in senior Austin Harrell and junior Colson Brown, but the Bobcats have enough manpower on defense to keep the game close if the offense does its part.
We’ve seen Bluffton play well enough to win this game, but not in recent weeks. If the Bobcats can get off to a quick start and avoid the mistakes that have haunted them this season, they can compete with the Yellowjackets, but it will require a big turnaround from a week ago. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: North Augusta 27, Bluffton 7
WK: North Augusta 30, Bluffton 12
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SCHSL 3A 1ST ROUND
Battery Creek (2-4) at Crestwood (5-2)
Playoff mode kicked in last week for Battery Creek, and after picking up a huge win on the road to punch their ticket, the Dolphins will try to do it again Friday at Crestwood.
With their season on the line last week, the Dolphins delivered, dominating from start to finish in a 34-0 win at North Charleston. Coming off a two-week hiatus due to COVID-19 protocols, Creek put together its best outing of the season, as Jeremiah Dilbert racked up 286 rushing yards and five TDs, and the defense pitched a shutout after allowing 20 or more points in each of its first five games.
The Dolphins will have to bring their best effort again to upset the Knights, who have won two straight and four of five heading into the postseason. Crestwood’s only setbacks have been a 35-26 loss to Camden in the de facto region title game and a 45-18 loss to Class 4A power Irmo.
Crestwood’s offense is balanced and effective, but the Knights haven’t produced a ton of explosive plays — or points. If the Dolphins can bottle up running back Ryan Cowell and force the Knights to beat them through the air, they can keep the game low-scoring and give Dilbert and a confident offense a chance to churn up yards and clock.
Making the postseason was a big step in coach Terrance Ashe’s second season, and a road playoff win would put the Dolphins well ahead of schedule. If they play their best game Friday, that is a real possibility. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Crestwood 33, Battery Creek 26
WK: Crestwood 35, Battery Creek 21
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SCHSL 1A 1ST ROUND
East Clarendon (2-6) at Whale Branch (6-1)
After a week to recover from the regular-season grind, Whale Branch begins its playoff push with a home game against East Clarendon, and the Warriors shouldn’t have too much difficulty advancing.
The Warriors slipped up in a 30-25 loss to Baptist Hill that cost them the region title, but it also placed them on the opposite side of the Class 1A bracket from nemesis Bamberg-Ehrhardt. Whale Branch has won three straight after beating up on Estill and Allendale-Fairfax in a pair of non-region games to close the regular season.
Whale Branch should be able to lean on the refreshed legs of Joseph Hicks, who needs 14 rushing yards to top 1,000 for the season and has racked up 16 rushing touchdowns. Both Kai’Shawn Jenkins and Jakhi Pusha have had success in the passing game, and Pusha is a threat as a runner and receiver. East Clarendon’s defense has surrendered 28 or more points in six of eight games, including 40 or more three times, so the Warriors should be able to put up some points.
East Clarendon’s offense sputtered down the stretch, totaling just 27 points over the final three games, and that included a 14-8 win over Scott’s Branch. The Warriors’ defense has been outstanding despite the loss of linebacker Mason Griffin, and the unit led by Xavier Chaplin on the defensive line, D’Ante Parker at linebacker, and Kamron Holman in the secondary should be able to show down the Wolverines and cruise into the second round. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Whale Branch 41, East Clarendon 6
WK: Whale Branch 30, East Clarendon 14
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SCISA 2A 1ST ROUND
Carolina Academy (3-7) at Hilton Head Christian (9-0)
With another perfect regular season behind them, the Hilton Head Christian Academy Eagles begin their chase for back to back SCISA 2A titles on Friday. It’ll be a rematch of last year’s state championship clash, as Carolina Academy travels down to Bluffton.
The Eagles have put together a special season on their new campus and are rolling on both sides of the ball heading into Friday’s first round. Led by sensational senior quarterback Jace Blackshear and terrific running back Joseph “Speedy” Robinson, the Eagles should pounce on the Bobcats early and give their starters some rest for the challenges ahead. Riley Shinn has emerged as a terrific deep threat in Ron Peduzzi’s spread attack, and Jackson Lanier’s versatility and explosiveness should be a major factor in the Eagles’ playoff run.
After a shaky start, the Junkyard Dog defense has been feasting down the stretch, allowing just six points in their last two games including last week’s shutout over Hilton Head Prep. The Bobcats have lost most of their core from last year’s state title run, including head coach T.J. Joye and star running backs Austin Brown and George Wilder.
Expect a strong performance from a standout HHCA defensive line alongside linebackers Lanier and Keene Reese. Shinn has anchored a shutdown pass defense, and Peter Nodelman Jr. continues to make big plays in his freshman season.
It may be a battle of the final two teams left standing from a year ago, but this one should be a dominant victory for the defending champs. The atmosphere will be electric in the Cage, and Blackshear’s Eagles and a dialed-in Junkyard Dog defense should cruise to a spot in the semifinals. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Hilton Head Christian 40, Carolina Academy 6
WK: Hilton Head Christian 48, Carolina Academy 0
John Paul II (3-5) at Pee Dee Academy (8-1)
The Golden Warriors went into last week with a chance to earn a home playoff game, but they wound up with a road trip and a difficult matchup with perennial power Pee Dee Academy.
The Golden Eagles are always a tough out in the playoffs, and that should be the case again this season with veteran quarterback Hudson Spivey at the helm of an explosive offense. The junior has passed for 1,685 yards with 24 TDs and four interceptions while guiding Pee Dee to an average of 39 points per game, including 42 or more points in seven of nine contests. Spivey’s favorite targets are Allen Moore (33 catches, 566 yards, 7 TDs) and Drew Singletary (28-471-9), but the Golden Eagles also have a bruising runner in Coleby Sinclair, who has racked up 757 yards and 9 TDs on the ground.
JPII’s defense will be tested, and the Golden Warriors will need to play much more soundly on that side of the ball than they did in last week’s 64-28 loss at Beaufort Academy. Despite the pass-happy appearance, Pee Dee uses the run to set up the pass, so taking away Sinclair is the key to slowing them down. In Pee Dee’s lone setback, a 35-14 loss to Williamsburg Academy, the Golden Eagles were limited to 33 rushing yards on 18 attempts. JPII probably can’t expect that level of dominance, but if the Golden Warriors can limit the run, they’ll have a chance to keep pace.
Pee Dee’s defense has also been solid, allowing more than 16 points just once this season. JPII’s offense sputtered a bit last week, and quarterback Christian Tilton left with an injured throwing hand. Tilton is expected to be ready for Friday night, but if he is unable to play or aggravates the injury, Caleb Snyder was effective in relief last week, completing 6 of 11 passes for 86 yards with a TD and an interception.
Mark Knight returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last week, and the Golden Warriors will likely need a big play in the kicking game to pull off the upset on the road against a quality, playoff-tested team. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Pee Dee Academy 38, John Paul II 22
WK: Pee Dee Academy 40, John Paul II 16
Hilton Head Prep (6-4) at Williamsburg Academy (8-0)
Hilton Head Prep has exceeded expectations all year long, but it will take a lot from a depleted Dolphin lineup to upset unbeaten Williamsburg Academy on the road.
The Stallions have emerged as a state title contender, surging to an 8-0 regular-season record behind an impressive offense averaging more than 41 points per game. Hilton Head Prep’s job may be even tougher, as the Dolphins could be without two-way phenom and Atlanta transfer Jake Rodney-Brown. The senior has handled a bit of everything this year from his key blocking abilities at fullback to his terrific veteran presence at linebacker.
Without Rodney-Brown on the field, the Dolphins will have to rely on standout defensive lineman Nick Rose and edge rusher Tristan Bonomo to create some disruptions for a high-powered Stallion offense. AJ Barger and Sean Graham have been monster difference-makers in the secondary, and a couple of forced turnovers could make this contest interesting.
The Dolphins will need to run the ball well with Loncelle Daley, who has put together an outstanding 1,000-yard season. If Daley can consistently pick up solid yardage and move the chains, Hilton Head Prep can control the clock and limit the number of possessions for Williamsburg Academy’s offense. It’s been a shaky finish to Bonomo’s season under center, but the senior has shown his ability to make clutch throws and manage the game. The Dolphins will need a brilliant, turnover-free performance from Bonomo, and the line must dig in and give some protection for its quarterback to find time to look downfield or scramble for extra yards.
Dave Adams’ group has fought hard this season, but the odds will certainly be against Hilton Head Prep in a daunting road postseason test. If the defense can force some early mistakes and Daley establishes a stellar rushing attack, the Dolphins can hang around and put some pressure on the home side. But with a thin roster and the loss of go-to playmaker Rodney-Brown, it will take something magical to knock off the Stallions. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Williamsburg Academy 34, Hilton Head Prep 10
WK: Williamsburg Academy 35, Hilton Head Prep 6
Florence Christian (7-3) at Beaufort Academy (5-3)
In perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the first round in SCISA 2A, Beaufort Academy will host Florence Christian in a clash of Eagles.
It’s a matchup of similar teams, as both prefer to do damage on the ground and rely on a hard-nosed defense, and both are coming in with confidence. BA bounced back from its loss to Hilton Head Christian Academy with a 64-28 win over John Paul II last week, and the Eagles looked good doing it, while FCS won its last two games by a combined 94-27 margin.
BA’s offense moved the ball at will against JPII, as Jaxen Porter and Devonte Green led the Eagles’ power running game and quarterback Braydon Dineen came up with big plays on the ground and through the air, as well as on defense. The Eagles are going to be able to move the ball on the ground, but it would benefit them to stay out of third-and-long situations where they are forced to throw, as they are much more effective with play-action passes.
FCS follows a similar offensive philosophy, though the visiting Eagles run out of a spread formation and rely on the zone read. Quarterback Juw-el Huntley is a threat to run, racking up 591 yards and 9 TDs on the ground, and can also deliver the ball downfield, though he averages fewer than 10 passes per game. Along with the dual-threat quarterback, the Eagles boast a pair of dynamic backs in Ethan Kelly (1,365 yards, 17 TDs) and Juels Huntley (886 yards, 7 TDs). All three can break big plays, so BA will need to be disciplined on defense and get several players to the ball to avoid broken tackles and big gains.
BA came up with two big plays in the kicking game last week, as Green took a kickoff and a punt to the house, but the Eagles also gave up two kickoff return touchdowns to JPII’s Mark Knight. In an evenly-matched playoff game, a big play on special teams could easily swing the balance.
Florence Christian’s three losses have come by a combined 15 points, including a 27-26 overtime loss to undefeated Williamsburg Academy, and the Eagles have scored 35 or more points in five of their last six games. But BA is peaking at the right time and played its best game last week, so this one should be a thriller on a brisk November night on Lady’s Island. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Beaufort Academy 32, Florence Christian 27
WK: Beaufort Academy 34, Florence Christian 30
SCISA 1A 1ST ROUND
Colleton Prep (4-6) at Thomas Sumter (5-5)
(WK)
After emerging from a challenging regular-season schedule, Colleton Prep is ready to make some noise in the playoffs. The War Hawks used a stingy defensive effort to top St. John’s Christian and claim the No.3 seed in Region 1-1A, setting up a battle with a pesky Thomas Sumter squad.
The playoffs are all about who is peaking at the right time, and Colleton Prep has been playing its best football of the season heading into the dance. Led by terrific linemen Noah Catterton and Walker Nettles, the War Hawk defense held the Cavaliers to just seven points last week and should provide a great challenge to an emerging Thomas Sumter unit. After not winning a single game in 2020, the Generals have delivered an impressive regular season, including a quality 47-13 win against Beaufort Academy.
It’s a matchup between terrific dual-threat quarterbacks, as Colleton Prep’s Drew Murdaugh goes up against Thomas Sumter’s Jamari Harris. The Generals’ signal-caller has thrown for 1,025 yards on the year while adding 603 on the ground. His multifaceted abilities on top of a terrific wide-receiver duo of Gatlin Kimbro and Matthew Hawkins will be a difficult challenge for a hard-nosed War Hawk defense.
But Murdaugh has also made some strides in the passing game, and he’ll have a dangerous weapon by his side in the quick and elusive Cole Davis. The duo has developed a phenomenal connection and will need a solid showing from the offensive line to give some room for the talented athletes to burst down the field.
The opportunity is right there for the War Hawks, and it will take a clean and mistake-free game to topple a Thomas Sumter unit with talent on both sides. If Murdaugh can move the sticks early and the defense contains the big-play ability of Harris, Colleton Prep has the talent, the experience, and the work ethic to topple the Generals and set up a Lowco-on-Lowco semifinal with Thomas Heyward. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Thomas Sumter 26, Colleton Prep 20
WK: Colleton Prep 20, Thomas Sumter 14
SEASON RECORDS
WK: 9-0 last week, 80-11 overall
JJ: 9-0 last week, 74-17 overall
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