Weekend Of Champions Gameday Preview
Countless
hours put staring back in Spring; endless days in the weight room
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during the early Summer right into two-a-days in July; two hours a day
three to four days a week in the late Summer and Fall. And it comes
down to 48 minutes. And for a player, its not really even 48 minutes.
With the average play lasting approximately eight seconds and an
offense averaging 55 plays a game, that means for every one-way starter
this weekend, it comes down to about seven and half minutes of actual
football from whistle to whistle. This is the Weekend of Champions and
that clock time, those plays, and that actual football playing
time is for all the marbles.
Class 2A -
Division I, Friday 5:30 PM, Benedict College
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Dillon Wildcats vs Fairfield-Central
Griffins
The Match Up: Two offenses that
each average 38 points per game will be taking on opposing defenses
that allow under 12 points per game each. Both teams are very balanced
in their attacks on offense and both have versatility at the
quarterback position.
Key Players: FFC: Deandre
Belton, QB: Has passed for more than 2,300 yards and has rushed for
more than 1,100 yards. Damien Bell, RB: has rushed for 1,195 yards and
scored 20 touchdowns. Dillon: Avery McCall, QB: this freshman is has
turned into a leader for the Wildcats. D.J. Park, OL: 6-6, 335 one of
the nation's top offensive linemen.
Keys to Game: Something's gotta
give. Two stingy defenses against high scoring offenses. The deciding
factors of this game will be the ground attack on offense and the
team with the fewest turnovers.
Class 2A -
Division II, Friday 8:30 PM, Benedict College
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Abbeville Panthers vs Bishop England
Bishops
The Match Up: Two ground
attacks that are explosve and, as is the theme in most championship
games, two solid defenses that have held opponents to under 14 points
per game.
Key Players: Abbeville: O'brien
Wilson, RB: 1,100 yards rusher averaging 6 yards per carry. Kelly
Bryant, QB: sophomore that ignites the offense when he's in the game.
Bishop England: DeAngelo Stephenson, RB: More than 1,200 yards rushing
26 offensive scores; Griffie Loy, LB: 64 tackles, 22 for loss with 6
sacks.
Keys to Game: Getting stops on
defense. If the Bishops can force a couple of three-and-outs, they
could control this game with their offense. It will be interesting to
see how strength of schedule plays into this, with that advantage going
to the Panthers.
Class 4A -
Division II, Saturday, 12:00 pm, Williams-Bryce Stadium
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Greenwood Eagles vs Northwestern
Trojans
The Match Up: The most
explosive offense in the state with Northwestern, averaging 436 yards
per game against a very balanced Greenwood team with a defense giving
up just 13 points per game. Greenwood plays a tough out of conference
schedule, but Northwestern has played the toughest overall schedule
between the two.
Key Players: Greenwood: Davon
Durant, LB: 99 tackles and 5 sacks; A.K. Reeder, LB: 67 tackles with 4
sacks. Northwestern: Mason Rudolph, QB: 3,700 yards passing with 39
touchdowns; Rontavious McClure, WR: 1,000 yards receiving with ten
touchdowns.
Keys to Game: The key to this
game is for Greenwood to apply pressure on the quarterback and making
him throw on the run. If they allow Rudolph to find his receivers, this
will not be a close game. If they can frustrate him with pressure, it
gives their offense a chance to take control of the game.
Class 4A -
Division I, Saturday, 3:00 pm, Williams Bryce Stadium
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Dutch Fork Silver Foxes vs Gaffney
Indians
The Match Up: An explosive
offense from Dutch Fork against one of the toughest defenses in the
state, the Gaffney Indians, who held the Byrnes Rebels to just 37 total
points in two games this season.
Key Players: Dutch Fork: Derek
Olenchuk, QB: 3,332 yards passing; one of state's top junior signal
callers: Jordan Berry, WR: 1,900 yards receiving; excellent hands and
dangerous after catch; Gaffney: Shaq Davidson, QB: 1,500 yards of total
offense; Hylek Foster, RB: key for the Indians offensive attack.
Keys to Game: Turnovers will be
huge in the game; The Indians are big on defense, so for Dutch Fork,
getting the ball to their playmakers (Berry and RB Matt Colburn) will
be huge. Olenchuk's blindside needs to be protected well, as the
Indians' defensive front is nasty.
Class 3A,
Saturday, 6:30 pm, Williams Bryce Stadium
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Hartsville Red Foxes vs Union County
Yellow Jackets
The Match Up: Two totally
diffferent styles of offenses against defenses which played lights out
in the playoffs, shutting down some of the best teams in the state.
Key Players: Hartsville: Trey
Samuel, RB: 1,900 yards rushing, averaging 13 yards per carry and 20
touchdowns; Trey Rogers, RB; 1,400 yards, 19 touchdowns. Union County:
Keiston Smith, QB: More than 5,300 yards of total offense, scoring 59
touchdowns this season (state record); Victor Ruth, WR: 1,300 yards
receiving averaging 17 yards per catch.
Keys to Game: Stops on defense
are key in this game, as both team has potential to score every drive;
with two different and complex offenses, it will be interesting to see
which defense is better prepared from the challenge of trying to
simsulate the opposition at practice this week.
Time Warner Cable will air all five South Carolina high school football
championship games LIVE. The South Carolina High School League
Association Football conference 2A to 4AA championship games will air
on Time Warner Cable Digital Channel 522 beginning November 30.
In addition, digital cable customers can relive the plays, tackles and
touchdowns for free on Time Warner Cable's Carolina On Demand. Fans
across the country and service members serving overseas that cannot
attend the games can watch live streaming on www.schsl.tv.