Playoff capsules: Streaks on line in Cheraw

The Dillon Wildcats and Cheraw Braves are looking to continue a pair of streaks when they meet in the third round of the Class 2A playoffs Friday.

Dillon has played in the last five lower state championships, be it Class 3A or 2A, while the Braves are trying to make it to their fourth straight state championship game.

One of these streaks will come to an end in the Morning News Game of the Week.

Dillon and Cheraw, soon to be region rivals, met in last year’s lower state title game, the first for Dillon in 2A. The Braves won 36-20 en route to a state title and an unbeaten year.

“It’s always a challenge to play a team like Cheraw,” Dillon coach Jackie Hayes said. “Last year, we were a very young team that wasn’t really seasoned and made a lot of mistakes. This year, we’re hoping to eliminate those mistakes and do a better job competing against them.”

The Wildcats have seemingly been on cruise control since the Myrtle Beach game led by their defense. Before last week’s double-overtime thriller against Hanahan, Dillon was outscoring its opponents 354-49. The defense posted four shutouts during that span.

“They’re very impressive on film,” Cheraw coach Johnny White said. “It’s a typical Dillon-type defense, by which I mean an aggressive, attacking defense and very physical. We’re going to have to be on top of our game.”

The Wildcats ran into some trouble last week against Hanahan, though.

“Two totally different challenges,” Hayes said. “Hanahan was very pass-happy. I think they threw the ball about 40 times, and Cheraw presents a different look. They’ve got two great running backs and a big offensive line.”

Travis Small and Montrell Evans have combined to rush for 2,396 yards and 32 touchdowns. Both have a yards-per-carry average of more than 7.

“We know we can’t shut them down, but the big key is to contain them and not let them break off any big runs,” Hayes said. “How well our offensive and defensive lines play will be key to how successful we are.”

While the running game has been steady all season, the Braves’ defense and passing have come on as of late. The defense has allowed three points in the Braves’ last four games, and quarterback Josh Henderson has thrown for 804 yards and 13 TDs.

“Josh has done a very good job for us this year,” White said. “I know there were some games where we didn’t let him throw as much and kind of held him back a little, but he’s played really well all season.

“Our defense has played well all season, especially in the first half of games. They’ve got a big challenge ahead this week. Dillon’s got a lot of team speed and they have a lot of athletes at the skill positions.”

Hartsville at Ridge View

After a big win against pass-happy Conway in round one, the Red Foxes have to contend with a more balanced attack from the Blazers. Hartsville beat Ridge View 30-13 in Week 5.

Ridge View quarterback Cheston Hickman has thrown for 1,620 yards, while running back Bucky Kennedy has rushed for 903 yards.

After a rough two-game stretch in the middle of their season, the Red Foxes have scored 36.6 points per game during their last three outings.

Hartsville will face a Ridge View defense that has 34 takeaways this season. The Red Foxes committed no turnovers against Conway, and rushed for nearly 300 yards.

Wilson at Strom Thurmond

The Tigers look for their third straight road upset, this time against the Rebels.

Strom Thurmond has won seven of its last eight games and is averaging nearly 28 points per game this season. The Rebels defense has allowed an average of less than 13 points per game.

Wilson has won three straight following a two-game losing streak in region play. The Tigers have averaged close to 29 points per game during that span.

The Tigers threw for 234 yards against Timberland last week and rushed for 132. Wilson held Timberland to just 253 yards of offense.

Central at Manning

The Eagles have scored an average of nearly 30 points per game this season complemented by a stingy defense.

Central has allowed 76 points in 10 games this season, an average of 7.6 per game.

The Monarchs have scored nearly 40 points per game with a balanced offensive attack. Quarterback Chris Hammett has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and Jason Witherspoon has rushed for more than 1,000.

The Manning defense is also allowing 12.25 points a game.

Carvers Bay at Lamar

The Bears and Silver Foxes meet to decide the Class A Division I lower state champion for the second year in a row.

Last season, Carvers Bay escaped Donald R. Poole Stadium with a win thanks to a last-minute touchdown pass.

The Bears, in the midst of a six-game winning streak, had posted five straight shutouts before Scott’s Branch managed to put up eight points last week.

Lamar will present a challenge with one of the most balanced offensive attacks left in Class A. The Silver Foxes have thrown and rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.

Blackville-Hilda at Lake View

The Wild Gators are looking for their 10th state title and, in order to get that opportunity, they’ll have to go through the Fighting Hawks again.

Lake View won last year’s Class A Division II lower state championship over Blackville with a strong second-half defensive effort.

The Hawks have been road warriors this year, however, with a 6-0 record away from home.

Lake View’s Dayton Jones carried the team offensively last year, but the Wild Gators have used a quartet of running backs this season, all with more than 400 yards on the ground.