Six Midlands football teams playing for a spot in state championship. How they got here
It’s been a banner year for high school football in the Midlands.
The Midlands are well-represented in this weekend’s SC High School League’s football semifinals. Area teams account for six of the 20 teams among the five classifications, all vying to make it to next week’s state championships at SC State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium.
“Six out of twenty is a good percentage,” Camden coach Brian Rimpf said. “It is a good thing in the Midlands and shows we have good football here. We kind of feel that way about ourselves individually. But it is good for this area to have.”
Here is a look at their journeys:
Brookland-Cayce Bearcats
Record: 11-2
Their game this week: home vs. Camden (10-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Playoff wins: 42-20 over Lake City; 34-14 over Philip Simmons; 53-27 over Crestwood
If they win this week: They’ll face the winner of Daniel-Belton-Honea Path at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Class 3A state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
The story of their season: Brookland-Cayce can tie the school’s single-season win mark with a victory over Camden. B-C had a two-game losing streak earlier in season but enters game with a nine-game winning streak. The Bearcats have transitioned from a pass offense to a primarily run-oriented offense with a big offensive line and senior quarterback Will Young and running back Deshaun Washington.
Three key players: QB Young is second on the team in rushing (1,374 yards) and leads in receiving (383 yards) with 31 total TDs. Washington leads the team with 1,676 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Brogan Sox is a North-South selection and one of keys on the offensive line.
Camden Bulldogs
Record: 10-3
Their game this week: away at Brookland-Cayce (11-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Playoff wins: 48-7 over Dreher; 35-21 over Dillon; 35-28 over Gilbert
If they win this week: They’ll face the winner of Daniel-Belton-Honea Path at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Class 3A state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
The story of their season: The Bulldogs battled through a two-game losing streak and lost to Crestwood near the end of regular season to finish second in Region 6-3A. But they knocked off regional champs Dillon and Gilbert in the postseason. Camden has made the state semifinals in four of the last five seasons.
Key players: QB Grayson White is a third-year starter and putting up one of the biggest seasons in school history, with 3,938 total yards and 50 TDs. He also plays defensive end and leads the team with six sacks and 18 quarterback pressures. Ja Mayrant leads the team with 68 catches for 1,254 and 14 TDs. Mayrant also had a key interception last week. LB Wilson Nash leads the team with 174 tackles and JoJo Crim has four interceptions.
Dutch Fork Silver Foxes
Record: 8-5
Their game this week: home vs. JL Mann (11-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Playoff wins: 56-7 over Boiling Springs; 31-28 over TL Hanna; 35-10 over Gaffney
If they win this week: They’ll face the winner of Summerville-White Knoll at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Class 5A state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
The story of their season: The defending 5A state champions started the season ranked No. 1 but quickly fell out of the polls following an 0-3 start. Dutch Fork was 2-5 at one point this season with three of losses by 3 points or less, but the Silver Foxes have gotten healthy and turned things around, winning six straight games. Backup quarterback Ethan Offing has been key in the postseason, starting the past two games in place of injured QB Jon Hunt. DF coach Tom Knotts said Offing is expected to start against JL Mann.
Key players: QB Offing has 1,642 all-purpose yards and 12 total TDs. Senior QB Hunt has thrown for 888 yards and eight TDs. RB Maurice Anderson leads the team with 664 yards and 15 touchdowns. Deon Winsley leads the team with 108 tackles and 10 for loss. DE Josh Smith has 55 tackles, team-high 16 for loss and five sacks.
Gray Collegiate War Eagles
Record: 13-3
Their game this week: home vs. Abbeville (12-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Playoff wins: 62-0 over Pelion; 62-14 over Chesnee; 35-28 over Strom Thurmond
If they win this week: They’ll face the winner of Oceanside Collegiate-Hampton County at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Class 2A state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
The story of their season: Gray coach Adam Holmes characterized his team’s season as “different.” The War Eagles had a lot of questions after teams in its Region 4-2A refused to play them and had them searching for replacements. Gray filled out replacements with powerhouse teams such as IMG Academy and St. John’s (DC) and are tested to make a run at the school’s second state championship.
Three key players: The War Eagles’ QB tandem of Tyler Waller and Dre Dopson have combined for almost 2,600 total yards and 26 touchdowns. RB BJ Montgomery leads the team with 1,091 yards and 14 TDs and Jamarious Lockett has 41 catches for 840 yards and 10 TDs. Offensive lineman JT Sowell is an App State commit. Zeb Taylor leads the team with 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries. SC State commit Zai Offord has 84.5 tackles and tied for team lead with four interceptions.
Irmo Yellow Jackets
Record: 13-0
Their game this week: away at South Florence (13-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Playoff wins: 85-0 over Colleton County; 55-24 over Myrtle Beach; 34-7 over James Island
If they win this week: They’ll face the winner of Greenville-Westside at noon Dec. 2 in the Class 4A state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
The story of their season: The Yellow Jackets are in their first state semifinal appearance since 2010 and have been the most dominant team in the area this year, outscoring opponents, 671-90. Irmo’s defense has five shutouts and allowed more than 20 points twice this season. Irmo has scored more than 40 points in 10 of its 13 games this season.
Key players: Junior QB AJ Brand, a Division I prospect, has put up some big numbers this year, accounting for 3,829 yards and 59 touchdowns. Running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix has rushed for 2,148 yards 29 total TDs and Donnie Murph has caught 54 passes for 1,009 yards and 16 TDs. OL Elijah Williams is a Georgia State commit. LB Jylil Favor leads Irmo with 101 tackles and defensive back Isaiah McClary has five interceptions.
White Knoll Timberwolves
Record: 13-0
Their game this week: home vs. Summerville (13-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Playoff wins: 28-0 over Cane Bay; 50-7 over Fort Dorchester; 35-7 over Sumter
If they win this week: They’ll face the winner of Dutch Fork-JL Mann at 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Class 5A state championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
The story of their season: The Timberwolves have been one of the biggest surprises, not only in the Midlands, but the state this season. WK has set a school record in wins and is making its second state semifinal appearance in school history. White Knoll has wins over bigger name programs this year in Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester and now will try to knock off another powerhouse program.
Key players: QB Landon Sharpe gives the Wolves a dual threat option with 2,865 total yards and 35 TDs. Freshman Tiyon Fanning leads the team with 742 yards rushing and 10 TDs but left last week’s game with an ankle injury. WK coach Nick Pelham said he should play against the Green Wave. WK’s defense is led by its linebackers Demencio Banks (108 tackles) and Jaiden Kimble (100 tackles, 30 quarterback pressures).
SCHSL Playoff Schedule
All Games at 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Class 5A
JL Mann at Dutch Fork
Summerville at White Knoll
Class 4A
Greenville at Westside
Irmo at South Florence
Class 3A
Daniel at Belton-Honea Path
Camden at Brookland-Cayce
Class 2A
Abbeville at Gray Collegiate
Oceanside Collegiate at Hampton County
Class A
St. Joseph’s at Christ Church
Johnsonville at Bamberg-Ehrhardt
