Midlands teams ready for postseason

Chapin coach Justin Gentry won’t have to worry about his team dwelling on its first loss of the season to A.C. Flora.

That’s because the Eagles, who saw their chance of an unbeaten regular season vanish following a 28-27 loss to A.C. Flora, must turn their attention to the postseason. Chapin will host Southside in the first round of the Class 3A on Friday.

“I told our team after the game, if we lick our wounds too much, it will fester,” Gentry said. “We put everything we had in that first half and they outplayed us in the second half. I credit their boys for playing their tails off. We got a little stagnant, but we are going to get better. Everyone is starting 0-0 and it’s win, or go home.”

Gentry calls Southside a “very scary team” despite its lack of depth. The Tigers lost their final two games to finish 7-3, but have a strong defense featuring Shrine Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Ferguson.

The Eagles are one of 11 Midlands teams to make the postseason in Class 2A and 3A. A.C. Flora, which made the playoffs because of its win over Chapin, will open at Chapman. The Falcons made it to the 3A Upper State title game last year.

Region 4-3A runner-up Richland Northeast is back in the postseason for the first time since 2011, and will host Emerald. It will be the first playoff game at RNE’s year-old on-campus stadium.

“Couldn’t be more excited for our kids,” RNE coach Jay Frye said Friday after the Cavs’ 44-28 win over Dreher. “They put in so much work and I’m really proud right now.”

In Class 3A Lower State, Airport will host Orangeburg-Wilkinson. It will be the first meeting between the schools since 2001.

Dreher opens the playoffs at Myrtle Beach, while Brookland-Cayce is at Hanahan.

In Class 2A, Division I, Fairfield Central is the No. 2 seed and will open the playoffs hosting Powdersville. Newberry, the No. 4 seed, hosts Pendleton, while Mid-Carolina is at top-seeded Strom Thurmond.

Either Fairfield Central or Newberry has won the Upper State championship the past three seasons.

In Class 2A, Division II, Batesburg-Leesville enters the playoffs on a three-game losing streak and will travel to Central. Keenan, which clinched a playoff spot Friday with a win over Eau Claire, will travel to Saluda. The Raiders are the defending upper state champions.

Brackets for the Class 4A, Division I and II playoffs won’t be released until next week with the playoffs starting Nov. 20. But Conway baseball coach Anthony Carroll, who’s responsible for tracking the points for the Class 4A committee, has his projections out on possible seedings and matchups.

In Class 4A, Division I, Region 5-4A champion Dutch Fork (8-3) is projected as the top seed and would host Summerville in the first round. White Knoll (7-4) will open up on the road at either Sumter or Goose Creek.

Spring Valley (7-3) would be the No. 9 seed and be at West Ashley if it defeats Blythewood this week or at No. 2 Fort Dorchester if it loses.

In Class 4A Division II, Region 5-4A champ Lexington (10-1) is projected as a No. 4 seed and would host Fort Mill in the first round. If Blythewood defeats SV, it would host region foe Westwood in the first round or travel to T.L. Hanna if it loses. Westwood would travel to Conway if Spring Valley wins.

Region 5-4A runner-up Irmo (4-7) would be home for the first round and host York or T.L. Hanna.

Hammond is the lone Midlands team left in the SCISA 3A playoffs. The Skyhawks host Laurence Manning on Friday, with the winner advancing to the state championship Nov. 21.

Hammond is looking for its 10^th straight state title appearance.

SCHSL Playoff schedule

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Midlands teams ready for postseason."