Black Friday saw a slate of thrilling, competitive games for the Upper State Title and a bid to the State Finals in each class. It now sets the stage for the State Title Games this coming week at South Carolina State in Orangeburg.
Three of the five Upper State Title Games on Friday were decided by a TD or less. The Finals will feature teams that are used to being there. It's a lineup of mostly usual suspects with some new names on the marquee as well.
In 5A- JL Mann had a historically great season for their program. They fell just short 31-30 to defending State Champs Dutch Fork. The Silver Foxes will defend the crown against White Knoll. They won the Lower State with a 21-14 victory over Summerville. White Knoll is a fresh face to this spot. They are making their first ever trip to the Finals in Class 5A.
In 4A- Greenville at Westside was in an instant classic, as they say. The Rams got an interception by NC State DB Commit Tank Boston to seal the win. Westside has tremendous athletes in their secondary with Boston and Safety Zeke Marshall, a Junior who's been offered by West Virginia. The Rams also have a D-1 QB prospect at the helm in Cutter Woods. While Westside is a newcomer to the Finals, their opponent is not. They'll take on defending State Champs South Florence, who clipped Irmo 28-21 in the Lower State Finals.
In 3A- Daniel and BHP was as advertised, a back and forth, high drama affair at Daniel. The homestanding Lions won 28-23. BHP was driving with about a minute left, they fumbled at the Daniel two yard line. The Lions recovered and then got a 1st down to salt away the clock. Daniel is back in the State Finals for the third time in the last four years. They will meet Camden, a usual suspect from the Lower State. They downed Brookland Cayce 46-30. The two teams will meet for the 3rd Time in the Finals in that four year stretch. Daniel has won the previous two meetings.
2A- The two teams on a collision course met in the Upper State Finals. Gray Collegiate downed defending State Champs Abbeville 27-12. Gray is certainly no stranger to making runs this deep into the season and capturing State Titles. They'll take on Oceanside Collegiate, who dismantled Barnwell 43-6. Oceanside is making their 2nd straight appearance in the 2A State Finals, they fell to Abbeville last year.
1A- Talk about usual suspects, defending State Champs Christ Church and a region rival of theirs, St. Joe's met in all Greenville Upper State Title Game. Christ Church won the regular season meeting and then followed that with a 53-20 win on Black Friday. This year's State Final in 1A will be an exact rematch from last year. Johnsonville is back in the Finals after a win over Bamberg-Ehrhardt 20-10 on Friday.
Last year, after the loss to Christ Church Johnsonville's Coach had some things to say. He claimed the crown of best public school and took a shot at having to play a private school for the State Title, saying it doesn't happen in 4A or 5A, and if it did their would be outrage.
State Finals are set for Orangeburg, times and dates are listed below.
2A Thursday 7PM Gray Collegiate vs Oceanside Collegiate
1A Friday 2PM Christ Church vs Johnsonville
5A Friday 8 PM Dutch Fork vs White Knoll
4A Saturday Noon Westside vs South Florence
3A Saturday 7 PM Daniel vs Camden