Class 3A has a pair of Midlands teams to watch

I have begun the class breakdowns on SCVarsity.com and am now beginning to put together our spring rankings for the state by each classification. Here is the spring top 10 in Class 3A, and where some of the Midlands teams fit in state-wide:

1. Dillon – Despite the move to Class 3A, coach Jackie Hayes’ Wildcats will continue to be the favorite to win the big hardware.

2. Woodruff – Experience at quarterback and a loaded set of skills players make the Wolverines one of the top teams in the early offseason predictions.

3. Fairfield-Central – The Griffins return talent at every position, and experience at the quarterback spot. Look for them to be one of the upstate’s best.

4. Bluffton – Dropping a class and returning excellent playmakers on the roster make the Bobcats one of the lower state’s top teams.

5. Seneca – The Bobcats return talent, but will be under their third coach in three years, so adjustment could be their hurdle.

6. Strom Thurmond – Jumping back up to 3A will not hurt the Rebels, and they should be the favorite for their region crown.

7. Timberland – Always one of the most physical teams in the lower state, coach Art Craig’s Wolves will be a challenger from the lower state.

8. Chapman – The Panthers reload in the skills positions, and continue to be one of the more dangerous offensive teams in the upstate.

9. Brookland-Cayce – Remaining in 3A helps the Bearcats in numbers, but loss of talent to graduation will challenge them early.

10. Georgetown – This team returns solid talent, but replacing their coach will create a period of adjustment.

This story was originally published April 3, 2016 at 10:27 PM with the headline "Class 3A has a pair of Midlands teams to watch."