Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Football playoff game previews

Five area football teams are in the playoffs, and Hammond will play Wilson Hall in the SCISA Class 3A championship Friday. Here is a look at each matchup:

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

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE GAME: Irmo has won nine of its past 10 games and is playing incredible football. After starting the season with losses to Ridge View and Fort Dorchester, the Yellow Jackets have been one of the hottest teams in the state. One reason for the success is the Irmo defense, which has given up an average of 13 points a game. Rock Hill’s only losses are to Northwestern and South Pointe.

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

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE GAME: No one should be surprised to see the Lexington Wildcats still alive in the playoffs. Lexington’s losses are to Irmo, Dorman and North Augusta (next to last game of the regular season). The Wildcats lost to Dorman 56- 14 on Sept. 19. The Cavaliers are ranked No. 1 in the state and only three of the Cavaliers’ games have been decided by 14 points or less. The key for Lexington is to play well early, something it did not do against Dorman. The Wildcats’ offense is built around running the football. Anthony Carden has 1,592 rushing yards and a teamhigh 21 touchdowns. Anthony Wells has 917 rushing yards for Lexington.

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

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE GAME: Midway through the season it looked as if Richland Northeast would miss the playoffs. But the Cavaliers have won five of their past six games, including last week’s playoff win at Aiken. One reason the Cavaliers are still alive is its running attack that features Gee Gee Greene. But Richland Northeast, minus U.S. Army All-America Chris Bonds, will be facing a Northwestern team that’s won six consecutive games after falling to South Pointe on Oct. 3. The Trojans average 32.9 points a game.

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

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE GAME: Daniel is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and will be playing this game at home. But Lugoff-Elgin has two road wins in the playoffs, including last week’s 43-40 win against Greer. Still, Daniel’s defense is one of the best in Class 3A. The Lions have allowed three teams to score more than a touchdown against them this season. If the Demons can find a way to score early, they may have a chance to pull off another road win.

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

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE GAME: It is a good thing this game is played on the road. Camden was 2-3 in home games this season, but is 5-2 on the road. Camden has won three of its past four games, including two road wins in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Sa’Vonn Wingate leads Camden with 1,346 rushing yards and is averaging 112.2 yards a game. The Camden defense is led by Roland Johnson, who has 134 tackles, including six sacks. Marlboro County, which defeated Camden 24-6, is averaging 44 points a game in the playoffs.

Wilson Hall (7-6) vs. Hammond (11-1)

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium

ABOUT THE GAME: Hammond defeated Wilson Hall 35-14 earlier this season, but the Barons are playing better football. Hammond is seeking its third consecutive SCISA Class 3A championship. Wilson Hall is vying for its first state title since 2003. Wilson Hall was one-dimensional in a semifinal win against Ben Lippen on Friday. The Barons’ Ricky Crum ran for 185 yards in that game, but he will face a Hammond defense anchored by linebacker Will Patterson. Wilson Hall’s defense faces a bigger task. Hammond quarterback Cliff Ayers has passed for 3,098 yards and 29 touchdowns this season.