By Thomas Grant Jr.
The regular season for River Bluff opened at home against Rock Hill.
Nearly three months later, the Gators return the visit looking to avoid having their season close in York County. The two teams meet there Friday in the second round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
River Bluff defeated Mauldin 36-6 in its playoff opener. Quarterback Brayden Moore threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, both to Stephen Collier and Griffin Lindler had eight tackles and a sack.
The Bearcats (5-5) will enter the contest coming off a 27-day layoff and two straight losses to end the season. They fell 55-7 to Northwestern on Oct. 18 and ended the season with a 26-21 loss to Catawba Ridge on Oct. 25.
In the Week Zero loss to River Bluff, Rock Hill gave up 235 passing yards and a touchdown to Parker Murray, Aaron Griffin opened the game with a 59-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Trace Nettles rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
The winner travels to either top-ranked Dutch Fork or Boiling Springs in the third round.
Lexington’s 2024 season came to an end last Friday at J.F. Byrnes. The Wildcats (5-6) trailed 13-11 at halftime before the Rebels scored 19 straight points for the win.
In Division II, White Knoll began its quest for a second straight state final appearance at home.
The Timberwolves ran past Lugoff-Elgin 41-18 in the first round. Quarterback Landon Sharpe rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Tiyon Fanning had 143 rushing yards and a touchdown and Shaq Montgomery had two rushing touchdowns.
White Knoll (6-5) travels to Myrtle Beach for the second round.
B-L stays perfect
Top-ranked Batesburg-Leesville stormed back from an early deficit to defeat Columbia 42-6 in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.
An 81-yard interception return for a touchdown by K.D. Whitt put the Panthers ahead 7-6 in the first quarter. Two touchdown runs by Amadre Wooden and one from Jamerius Clark extended the lead.
The game ended with two more interception returns for touchdowns by Hansel Discua and Tyler Classen.
Up next for Batesburg-Leesville is a matchup with Andrew Jackson.
Saluda also advanced to the second round in Class 2A with a 24-0 shutout of Mid-Carolina. Brayden Williams and Tristan Daniels had rushing touchdowns, John Pinto kicked a 27-yard field goal and Drew Arant threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Josh Ulmer for the scoring.
The Tigers (9-1) next travel Friday to Central.
Newberry advances
Kenton Caldwell threw three touchdowns passes, two to B.J. Jones who rushed for one, to lead Newberry to a 48-0 win over Georgetown in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Ty Abrams also rushed for two touchdowns and Kilmarion Davis and Isaiah Glymph both had interceptions for the Bulldogs (8-3).
The second round takes Newberry to Dillon.
In other Class 3A playoff action, Swansea was defeated 43-23 by Waccamaw. Jacob Harper threw two touchdown passes, one of two caught by Dante Caldwell, for the Tigers (7-4).
In Class 4A, Gilbert advanced with a 41-20 win over Lower Richland.
Cooper James threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns and Trevon Williamson rushed for 132 yards and a score.
Conner Guthrie had five receptions for 11 yards and three touchdowns and Jaylen Jay rushed for two scores. The Indians’ defense had two interceptions.
Jamell Meyers and Christian Wilson both had rushing touchdowns for the Diamond-Hornets (5-6).
Gilbert (7-4) travels to Bishop England for its second round matchup.
Former Timberwolf
Headed to Bowl Game
Former White Knoll offensive lineman Nick Taiste is a conference champion again.
He and South Carolina State defeated Morgan State 54-7 to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. It’s the Bulldogs’ first championship since 2021.
Taiste was recognized by the conference Monday for his top performance in the victory. The preseason MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and third-team All-American earned a 90 percent grade on his assignments with four pancake blocks to help the Bulldogs amass 430 total yards of offense.
With the win, S.C. State (8-2, 4-0) will advance to the Cricket Celebration Bowl Dec. 14 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. They will face the SWAC champion on ABC.
FRIDAY’S PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
(All Games at 7:30 p.m.)
Andrew Jackson at Batesburg-Leesville
Gilbert at Bishop England
Newberry at Dillon
Saluda at Central
White Knoll at Myrtle Beach
(Feature Photo BY GOFLASHWIN.COM) – River Bluff’s Stephen Collier heads towards the endzone.
