Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008

Why six Midlands teams will — and won't — advance

Six Midlands teams remain alive in the high school football playoffs. In Class 4A, Irmo, Lexington, Sumter and Richland Northeast will be playing in second-round games. Camden and Lugoff-Elgin play road games in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs.

A closer look at each matchup:

CLASS 4A, DIVISION I

Gaffney (7-5) at Sumter (10-2)

WHY SUMTER WILL WIN

1. Roderick McDowell can score in the running, passing and return games.

2. Junior quarterback Stephen Curtis is poised beyond his years.

3. Defense dominating Boiling Springs at the line of scrimmage in first round.

WHY SUMTER WILL LOSE

1. Gaffney may only be 7-5, but it knows how to get things done in the playoffs.

2. Indians aren't afraid to play on the road after 40-10 win at Summerville in first round.

3. Sumter hasn't been past the second round of the playoffs since 2003.

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Rock Hill (10-2) at Irmo (9-3)

WHY IRMO WILL WIN

1. A running game featuring Mustafa Greene and Dawan Scott is potent.

2. Yellow Jackets have won nine of their past 10.

3. With Greene's shoulder fully healed, Irmo is in good health.

WHY IRMO WILL LOSE

1. Rock Hill's losses are to state-title contenders Northwestern and South Pointe, so it won't be intimidated.

2. Bearcats’ defense has the speed and strength to slow Irmo.

3. Rock Hill, which won on Thursday night in first-round action, gets two extra days of rest because Irmo played on Saturday night.

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Lexington (9-3) at Dorman (12-0)

WHY LEXINGTON WILL WIN

1. The Wildcats know what to expect, having played at Dorman earlier this season.

2. Lexington has playmakers on offense, including backs Anthony Carden and Dexter Wells.

3. Coach Allen Sitterle has four state championships on his resume.

WHY LEXINGTON WILL LOSE

1. Dorman defeated Lexington 56-14 on Sept. 19.

2. Top-ranked Cavaliersbeat Byrnes when the Rebels were ranked No. 1 in the nation this season.

3. Only three of the Cavaliers' games have been decided by 14 points or less.

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CLASS 4A DIVISION II

Richland Northeast (8-4) at Northwestern (11-1)

WHY RNE WILL WIN

1. Cavaliers have won five of their past six.

2. Balanced, efficient offense features quarterback Kersean Wilson, running back Gee Gee Greene and receiver/returner Kenny Upshaw.

3. Cavaliers have shown resiliency, not letting narrow losses to Hartsville, Blythewood, Lexington and Irmo late in the season drag them down.

WHY RNE WILL LOSE

1. Northwestern is riding a six-game winning streak since its lone loss, to South Pointe on Oct. 3.

2. In seven wins at District Three Stadium this season, Northwestern's average margin of victory is 21.7 points.

3. Led by their passing attack, the Trojans are averaging 32.9 points a game.

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CLASS 3A

Lugoff-Elgin (9-3) at Daniel (12-0)

WHY LUGOFF-ELGIN WILL WIN

1. Demons have proved their mettle by winning two road playoff games.

2. Lugoff-Elgin's 43-40 win over Greer on Friday helps the Demons believe anything is possible.

3. Quirky rushing attack, featuring quarterback Forrest Koumas and running backs Phillip Osborne and Trent Hudson, can move the ball against anyone.

WHY LUGOFF-ELGIN WILL LOSE

1. Unbeaten, top-ranked Daniel blasted Fairfield Central 36-16 Friday. Lugoff-Elgin lost to Fairfield Central 21-12 this season.

2. Only three opponents have scored more than one touchdown against Daniel.

3. The bus ride to Daniel is a long one.

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Camden (7-5) at Marlboro County (9-3)

WHY CAMDEN WILL WIN

1. Offense added a weapon when linebacker Chris Outten began contributing more at running back.

2. Camden's challenging schedule — Hartsville, Lugoff-Elgin, Region 6-3A games against Crestwood, Wilson and Marlboro County — has the players tested.

3. Camden has won playoff games at Georgetown and Midland Valley.

WHY CAMDEN WILL LOSE

1. Marlboro County defeated host Camden 24-6 on Oct. 31.

2. The Bulldogs are averaging 44 points a game in the postseason.

3. A 16-14 upset loss to Lakewood on Oct. 17 appears to have awakened Marlboro County, which has won four in a row since.

— Steve Wiseman