High School Football State Quarterfinals Feature Local Teams

For the Love of the Game by Ashley 'A.B.' Brown Well, it is down to the state quarterfinals in Georgia and South Carolina, and it is no surprise that the cream has risen to the top, or, as the case may be, stayed alive.  Perennial powers like Thomson and Burke County are still in the hunt for a state title. So is North Augusta, trying to advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 2013. That was the season Aquinas won it all. James Leonard’s Aquinas crew pulled off the upset last week against Athen Academy, earning a matchup with Hebron Christian this week. Finally, there is Lincoln County, a football powerhouse for decades. The Red Devils’ last state crown, however, came nearly 20 years ago in 2006. Lee Chomskis is hoping this could be the year that his squad can get back to the top of the Class A mountain.  Huddle playoff record  Last Week 12-4  Two Week Playoff Total: 38-8  This Week’s Matchups  Georgia  Private  Aquinas (8-4) @ Hebron Christian (9-2)  Aquinas picked up a huge win last week over Athens Academy. One of the biggest reasons - the Irish are finally healthy. The team has battled injuries to some key players this year but appears to be peaking at the right time. Eli Hutchinson, a freshman LB/RB, has joined Jim Franklin, Brian Rhodes, and Jaden Wuerth as a leader on this team. I still think Hebron will have a little too much for Aquinas.  Hebron Christian 31 Aquinas 26  Class A-II  Lincoln County (11-0) @ Manchester (9-1)  The Red Devils have been dominant this year. The team has outscored the opposition 440-112. On offense, it counts on the running back duo of sophomore Jonathan Norman (75 carries for 671 yards and 17 touchdowns) and junior Kelby Glaze (76 carries for 843 yards and 13 touchdowns). They have helped Lincoln County pile up 49 rushing touchdowns this season. Manchester, however, may run it as good as Lincoln County. This season, it has nearly 3,200 yards rushing on 314 carries.  Lincoln County 34 Manchester 23  Class AA  Thomson (9-3) @ Burke County (11-1)  This is a rematch of the thriller these two produced the final week of the regular season. In that matchup, Burke pulled away late to win, thanks to a monster day from senior RB A’Merre Williams. The Bulldogs and Bears have had no trouble finding the end zone this season. Both schools are on a very short list of schools that have already topped 500 points scored on the season.  I’m going with the upset. I think The Bulldogs will find a way.  Thomson 37 Burke County 35  South Carolina  Class A  HK Tyler (10-1) hosts Lewisville (11-1)  While HK Tyler has had a fine season, Lewisville will be, easily, its biggest challenge of the year. Job number one for HK Tyler is to slow down Lewisville’s high-powered offense, which averages 38 points per game.  Lewisville 41 HK Tyler 20  Bamberg-Ehrhardt (8-2) @ Lakeview (10-1) Bamberg is a solid team, but it has a tall order on Friday night. Points will be tough to come by as Lakeview yields only nine points per game. Lakeview should be able to advance.  Lakeview 27 Bamberg Ehrhardt 13  Class AA  Batesburg-Leesville (12-0) @ Clinton (9-2)  Batesburg-Leesville has been outstanding all season and I just do not see the team losing this week. Clinton is an outstanding team, but Batesburg-Leesville just has too many weapons, not the least of which is running back Amadre Wooden.   Batesburg-Leesville 28 Clinton 13  Barnwell (11-1) @ Cheraw (10-2)  Brian Smith has been a winner at numerous stops around the Carolinas. Barnwell is no exception. Quarterback Cam Austin has been stellar all season long and the 6-foot-2 senior can hurt opposing teams with his arm or his legs.  Barnwell 23 Cheraw 20  Class AAAA  North Augusta (11-1) hosts Gilbert (8-4)  North Augusta has multiple big play performers on both sides of the ball. The team also caught a bit of a break with Gilbert advancing to this spot. North Augusta crushed this team in the regular season and the Jackets are playing even better now.  North Augusta 44 Gilbert 20