Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

Football: Midlands 3A playoff picture complete

With one week to go in the regular season, the Class 3A state football playoff scenario in the Midlands is already written, thanks to Lower Richland’s 22-13 win over Chapin on Monday night. That was the final piece in the puzzle. Everything is set, except for final seeding position, no matter what happens in Week 10.

Region 4-3A: Chester (4-0) is the No. 1 seed, and Fairfield Central (3-1) is assured of No. 2 and a home game in the first round of the Upper State playoffs. Lugoff-Elgin (2-2) and Lower Richland (2-2) are locked in as the other two region entries, even if Chapin ends up at 2-3 and finishes tie with L-E and/or LR. The Eagles are out because they have already lost to the Demons and Diamonds and have no tie-breaking traction. A.C. Flora (0-4) is playing out the string.

Region 5-3A: Midland Valley’s 35-17 win over Brookland-Cayce last week ended the region championship drama. The Mustangs (4-0) are the region’s No. 1 playoff seed, regardless of the outcome of this week’s regular-season finale vs. South Aiken (2-2). Airport (3-1) and B-C (3-1) will duke it out Friday for the No. 2 seed and a home date in the first round of the Lower State playoffs. The loser hits the road. Dreher (0-4) and Swansea (0-4) square off Friday with the winner avoiding a last-place finish. Swansea’s additional motivation is to avoid a winless campaign for the first time in memory. The Tigers worst performance since 1960 was a 1-9 showing in 1968.

Region 6-3A: Darlington is the odd-team out in the five-team region. District rivals Crestwood (3-0) and Lakewood (2-1) tangle Friday in Gatorland for the No. 1 seed. Marlboro County (1-2) takes on Camden (2-1) in Friday’s other region bout. Things could get messy in terms of tie-breakers if Lakewood and Camden score upsets on Friday, but the four teams have nothing to lose.

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