Here’s a breakdown of Midlands matchups and predictions for state football semifinals
Here are games to watch for Midlands teams in the semifinal round of the SCHSL football playoffs.
Games to watch
Carolina Forest (12-1) at Dutch Fork (12-0-1)
Dutch Fork has a 38-game unbeaten streak heading into the game. Carolina Forest is making its first trip to the state semifinals.
Dutch Fork quarterback Ty Olenchuk and Carolina Forest quarterback Mason Garcia will both be on the South team in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl next month. Garcia, an East Carolina commit, has thrown for 1,934 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 706 yards. Olenchuk has thrown for 3,008 yards and 39 TDs.
CF running back David Legette has rushed for 1,549 yards and 29 touchdowns. Dutch Fork defense has allowed just 13 touchdowns and has given up just 8.3 points a game. Dutch Fork running back Jon Hall has 30 rushing TDs, second most in school history for a single season behind Matt Colburn’s 40 in 2013. Dutch Fork is 44 points shy of 647, the second most in single-season history. The single-season record is 771 set by last season’s team. The winner of this game advances to the 5A championship game.
Ridge View (9-4) at Wren (11-2)
These two teams met in the first round of the playoffs in 2016, when Ridge View won 70-47. This is the first time since 2007 the Blazers are in the state semifinals. Ridge View hasn’t played in a state title game since 1998.
Ridge View’s defense forced four turnovers and blocked a punt in last week’s win over Daniel. Blazers’ quarterback Andre Washington needs 108 yards passing for 2,000 this season. RV’s Cincere Scott and Jordan Smith have combined for 95 catches, 1,522 yards and 16 touchdowns. Wren quarterback Joe Owens has thrown for 3,983 yards and 56 touchdowns. Eli Wilson leads Wren with 1,556 yards receiving and Tyler Cherry has 1,209. The winner advances to the 4A title game.
Camden (12-1) at Chapman (13-0)
Camden is looking for its first championship appearance since 2002. This will be the second time in the past four years the two teams have met in the playoffs. Chapman won both of those games, beating Camden 28-21 last season and 77-61 in 2016.
Camden’s offense is led by a strong rushing attack, which has gone for 4,090 yards this season. Willis Lane leads Camden with 2,159 yards rushing while Mikah Davis has 1,320. Davis had five total touchdowns in last week’s win over Union County.
John Copley leads Camden with 18 sacks and 38 quarterback pressures. Camden is 20-of-27 on fourth-down conversions this season. Chapman averages 510 yards off offense per game, 258 rushing and 252 passing. Chapman quarterback Mikele Colasurdo has thrown for 2,590 yards and 32 touchdowns and running back Dante Smith has rushed for 1,582 yards and 28 touchdowns. Lamone Terrell has 12 of Chapman’s 61 sacks. The winner advances to the 3A championship game.
Saluda (10-3) at Abbeville (13-0)
Abbeville is trying to become the first team in state history to win five straight state titles. Saluda is in the state semifinals for the second time in the past three years. Abbeville defeated the Tigers 20-15 In 2017 Class 2A Upper State championship.
This will be the second time this season the two teams have played. Abbeville won 48-20 on Oct. 25.
Saluda quarterback Noah Bell has thrown for 3,280 yards, 42 touchdowns and ran for 12 scores. Dallan Wright leads Saluda with 1,140 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns. Jervon Whitt has 17 touchdown catches. Saluda has scored 111 points combined in its past two playoff games. Abbeville rushed for 385 yards last week against Gray Collegiate and averages 336 yards on the ground. The winner goes to Class 2A title game.
Game schedule, predictions
Predictions from The State’s Lou Bezjak and Chris Dearing. (All games are Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Class 5A
Gaffney at Dorman (Lou-Dorman; Chris-Dorman)
Carolina Forest at Dutch Fork (Lou-Dutch Fork; Chris-Dutch Fork)
Class 4A
Ridge View at Wren (Lou-Ridge View; Chris-Wren)
Hartsville at Myrtle Beach (Lou-Myrtle Beach; Chris-Myrtle Beach)
Class 3A
Camden at Chapman (Lou-Camden; Chris-Chapman)
Dillon at May River (Lou-Dillon; Chris-Dillon)
Class 2A
Saluda at Abbeville (Lou-Abbeville; Chris-Abbeville)
Oceanside Collegiate at Barnwell (Lou-Barnwell; Chris-Barnwell)
Class A
Ridge Spring-Monetta at Wagener-Salley (Lou-Wagener-Salley; Chris-Wagener-Salley)
Lake View at Green Sea Floyds (Lou-Green Sea Floyds; Chris-Green Sea Floyds)
Prediction season totals
Lou Bezjak: 264-72-1
Chris Dearing: 273-63-1
